NorCal Favorites
The Great Outdoors
If you need a break from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, this beach is across the river and mostly a local spot. Dog-friendly with firepit rings.
32 locals recommend
Seabright Beach
If you need a break from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, this beach is across the river and mostly a local spot. Dog-friendly with firepit rings.
A very chill (and affordable) way to explore the Monterey Bay
20 locals recommend
O'Neill Yacht Charters
275 Lake AveA very chill (and affordable) way to explore the Monterey Bay
If you want more than lounging on a beach or sailing, try kayaking out of the Santa Cruz Harbor. I was part of a guided tour and wound up hanging out with sea otters in a kelp garden out in the ocean!
31 locals recommend
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveIf you want more than lounging on a beach or sailing, try kayaking out of the Santa Cruz Harbor. I was part of a guided tour and wound up hanging out with sea otters in a kelp garden out in the ocean!
Go to Borel Hill for a 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay
14 locals recommend
Russian Ridge Preserve
Go to Borel Hill for a 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay
If you don't want to battle tourist crowds at Muir Woods and don't have time to drive deep into the Santa Cruz mountains, go here for you redwood tree fix
11 locals recommend
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve
482 University AveIf you don't want to battle tourist crowds at Muir Woods and don't have time to drive deep into the Santa Cruz mountains, go here for you redwood tree fix
Classic Coastal California scene. Usually great for tidepooling at low tide, but lately mostly closed due to nesting seals
76 locals recommend
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
200 Nevada AveClassic Coastal California scene. Usually great for tidepooling at low tide, but lately mostly closed due to nesting seals
A great park, historical house, golf course, restaurant, and kayak/sail/paddleboat rental spot on the San Francisco Bay
78 locals recommend
Shoreline Lake Park
3160 N Shoreline BlvdA great park, historical house, golf course, restaurant, and kayak/sail/paddleboat rental spot on the San Francisco Bay
One of the highest peaks in the Bay Area -- UC has an observatory up here. The views are stunning.
6 locals recommend
Mount Hamilton
One of the highest peaks in the Bay Area -- UC has an observatory up here. The views are stunning.
It does cost money to go here, but a unique Japanese garden experience
48 locals recommend
Hakone Estate and Gardens
21000 Big Basin WayIt does cost money to go here, but a unique Japanese garden experience
Mount Tamalpais
One of the highest peaks in the Bay Area, on the North Bay
One of the highest peaks in the Bay Area, in the East Bay. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in one direction and the Pacific Ocean in the other
84 locals recommend
Mount Diablo
One of the highest peaks in the Bay Area, in the East Bay. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in one direction and the Pacific Ocean in the other
The last of the four peaks in the Bay Area to (re)open to the public. Great views, along with a new amphitheater and tributes to the Native Americans (who had this land forcibly taken away). We say Mount Um for short :)
Mt Umunhum Radar Tower
The last of the four peaks in the Bay Area to (re)open to the public. Great views, along with a new amphitheater and tributes to the Native Americans (who had this land forcibly taken away). We say Mount Um for short :)
Food
A long-time vegetarian cafeteria in the Santa Cruz area. Large portions, too
62 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdA long-time vegetarian cafeteria in the Santa Cruz area. Large portions, too
Burmese food has really grown in popularity, and you can get it in most major cities in the Bay Area. Burma Superstar was the original in SF and expanded to the East Bay. You can never go wrong with tea leaf salad, coconut chicken noodle soup (which can be made gluten free), and awesome coconut rice
146 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph AveBurmese food has really grown in popularity, and you can get it in most major cities in the Bay Area. Burma Superstar was the original in SF and expanded to the East Bay. You can never go wrong with tea leaf salad, coconut chicken noodle soup (which can be made gluten free), and awesome coconut rice
Hot, fresh, made-to-order mochi donuts with flavors that change weekly. Close to the Triton Museum (listed below)
MoDo Hawaii
2000 El Camino RealHot, fresh, made-to-order mochi donuts with flavors that change weekly. Close to the Triton Museum (listed below)
Sushirrito - Palo Alto
448 University AveSushi burritos?! Yes please
Venezuelan food, started off on Stanford's campus and has locations in towns nearby. Mini empanadas with guasacaca sauce are so tasty!
63 locals recommend
Coupa Cafe - Ramona
538 Ramona StVenezuelan food, started off on Stanford's campus and has locations in towns nearby. Mini empanadas with guasacaca sauce are so tasty!
Crepevine is also a local Bay Area chain. Lots of gluten free crepe options, which I appreciate.
40 locals recommend
Crepevine
300 Castro StCrepevine is also a local Bay Area chain. Lots of gluten free crepe options, which I appreciate.
Chicago friends say this is the best deep dish pizza outside of Chicago. I think it has the most unique take on a gluten free pizza, too. Several shops around the East Bay
247 locals recommend
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveChicago friends say this is the best deep dish pizza outside of Chicago. I think it has the most unique take on a gluten free pizza, too. Several shops around the East Bay
Voted best poke in the Bay Area. I tried and yes -- wow, the seafood salad itself I could eat all day!
Hawaiian POKE
579 Floresta BoulevardVoted best poke in the Bay Area. I tried and yes -- wow, the seafood salad itself I could eat all day!
Delancey Street Restaurant
600 The EmbarcaderoI really like the mission of this place
Gluten free mochi muffins and donuts! Berkeley is also a foodie mecca.
8 locals recommend
Third Culture Bakery
2701 Eighth StGluten free mochi muffins and donuts! Berkeley is also a foodie mecca.
One of the largest in the region. Sundays from 9-1. Definitely take advantage of all the fresh and local food grown here and visit a farmers' market!
47 locals recommend
Mountain View Farmers Market
600 W Evelyn AveOne of the largest in the region. Sundays from 9-1. Definitely take advantage of all the fresh and local food grown here and visit a farmers' market!
Visit some cute goats, pick up some cheese, and then stop by Duarte's for some pie. Good hiking and tidepooling at the nearest beach, too
46 locals recommend
Harley Farms Goat Dairy
205 North StVisit some cute goats, pick up some cheese, and then stop by Duarte's for some pie. Good hiking and tidepooling at the nearest beach, too
Silicon Valley used to be The Valley of Heart's Delight and full of orchards. Visit one of the last remaining ones here
Andy's Orchard
1615 Half RdSilicon Valley used to be The Valley of Heart's Delight and full of orchards. Visit one of the last remaining ones here
Cheese Board Bakery
1504 Shattuck AveCome here for the pizza slice of the day (yum!)
Cool Cultural Spots (with fewer tourists)
If you go to Stanford's Cantor Art Center and Anderson Collection, stop by here afterwards
Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden
476 Lomita DrIf you go to Stanford's Cantor Art Center and Anderson Collection, stop by here afterwards
The amazing travel art from Tony Foster's journeys around the world. Free, but online reservations required. Go give this museum some love!
The Foster Museum
940 Commercial StreetThe amazing travel art from Tony Foster's journeys around the world. Free, but online reservations required. Go give this museum some love!
A free museum that features California artists. Exhibits rotate often. I find lots of interesting new (and diverse) artists here.
15 locals recommend
Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warburton AveA free museum that features California artists. Exhibits rotate often. I find lots of interesting new (and diverse) artists here.
When in the City (what locals call San Francisco), always be sure to stock up on pirate supplies!
33 locals recommend
826 Valencia Pirate Supply Store
826 Valencia StWhen in the City (what locals call San Francisco), always be sure to stock up on pirate supplies!
Free, but reservations required for a wonderful semi-private experience
14 locals recommend
Pier 24 Photography Museum
24 PierFree, but reservations required for a wonderful semi-private experience
If you have time at the airport, check out this free museum and pick up a guide to the dozens of changing exhibits around all of the airport.
SFO Museum Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum and Library
International Terminal Departures LevelIf you have time at the airport, check out this free museum and pick up a guide to the dozens of changing exhibits around all of the airport.
A long time ago, San Francisco moved all their cemeteries to the town of Colma -- there are 30 of them, representing so many cultures! It's very surreal. The pet cemetery has many laser engraved stones with pets (and K-9 dogs from local police departments)
Pet's Rest Cemetery and Crematory
1905 Hillside BoulevardA long time ago, San Francisco moved all their cemeteries to the town of Colma -- there are 30 of them, representing so many cultures! It's very surreal. The pet cemetery has many laser engraved stones with pets (and K-9 dogs from local police departments)
The longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River!
22 locals recommend
Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill RoadThe longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River!
Computer History Museum
1401 N Shoreline BlvdSilicon Valley Geek Tourism :)
A tribute to women who went to work during WWII
65 locals recommend
Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park
1414 Harbour Way SA tribute to women who went to work during WWII
When you sign up for a tour, you get a private shuttle to this home with stunning views of East Bay hills
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site
1000 Kuss RdWhen you sign up for a tour, you get a private shuttle to this home with stunning views of East Bay hills
Centennial Light Bulb
4550 East AveThis light bulb has been on since 1901!
Other Experiences
Have you ever been buried in cedar tree shavings? No? Go try out an alternative to a hot tub/onsen experience
118 locals recommend
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
209 Bohemian HwyHave you ever been buried in cedar tree shavings? No? Go try out an alternative to a hot tub/onsen experience
I'm not into wine that much these days, but the biodynamic farm tour was very cool
89 locals recommend
Benziger Family Winery
1883 London Ranch RdI'm not into wine that much these days, but the biodynamic farm tour was very cool
Monthly free tours of how this part of the Bay Area recycles, composts, and landfills their trash. Very eye-opening experience!
Shoreway Environmental Center - Public Recycling Center
Monthly free tours of how this part of the Bay Area recycles, composts, and landfills their trash. Very eye-opening experience!
California is full of randomness. This castle on the coast is no exception
13 locals recommend
Sam's Castle
900 Mirador TerraceCalifornia is full of randomness. This castle on the coast is no exception
City advice
What to pack
Beware of our microclimates!
Especially in the summer -- it could be 55 degrees on the coast and over 100 degrees inland. Always bring layers (a windbreaker is a must on the coast) and sunscreen! If you want sunshine, warm beaches, and palm trees...LA is a 6-hour drive south :)
Useful phrases
Never say Frisco...and other quirks
It's San Francisco, SF, or The City...also, SoCal is Southern California, and if you hear someone refer to a freeway as "the 101" or "the 280," you'll know they're from LA :)
(And NorCal is short for Northern California, but you won't hear that as much)