Some call it “a sleepy college town,” but one look under the hood and you’ll find Palo Alto teeming with influence, futuristic ideas, fantastic eateries, and serene natural landscapes. Home to Nobel Prize winners, Silicon Valley CEOs, and one of the world’s most prestigious universities, Palo Alto attracts emerging dreamers and doers in an atmosphere so ambitious you can almost taste the success.
Stop by Philz Coffee for a wide selection of roasts, plus some signature favorites—like the mint-mojito iced coffee—that are worth the hype. (There’s a reason Philz is always busy!) Need an extra buzz? Try the Greater Alarm blend, which was created to keep the San Francisco Fire Department alert for anything.
While most of Stanford-owned land is off-limits to the public, the 3.9 mile Dish Loop Trail is open to everyone. Enjoy a hike (more like a walk in the park) along a paved route in the Stanford foothills to get some fresh air, check out the working 150-foot-diameter radio telescope known as “The Dish,” and take in panoramic views of the Bay Area. Insider tip: If parking is a nightmare on Stanford Ave, try the other entrance along Alpine Road
Want to continue your pleasant retreat from the frenzy of the valley? Take a joyride along Skyline Boulevard (Route 35) where tall trees and tight turns along the northern crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains open up to even more natural open spaces and vistas like at Borel Hill and the Clouds Rest Trail.
After all that hiking, you’ve surely worked up an appetite—head to this Palo Alto mainstay for classic American fare in a sparkly retro diner that could be straight out of the 1950s. Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill (simply known as The Creamery to locals) serves breakfast all day, an entire menu of patty melts, and nostalgic soda jerk shakes and floats.
Pay at the counter, and don’t forget to gawk at the giant slices of freshly baked pie. We dare you to walk out without one.
Mexican food is a cornerstone of California cuisine. At Sun of Wolf, it gets a contemporary reboot. With a downright homey ambiance bolstered by world-class hospitality, Sun of Wolf’s menu blends three generations of inspired culinary heritage. The duck confit tacos are not to be missed! Wash it all down with a copita of Espadin mezcal, and you’ll be howling at the moon.
No visit to the Bay Area is complete without a day trip to The City by the Bay. The CalTrain line makes it easy to travel up and down the peninsula, with its northernmost stop being San Francisco. Dress in layers and comfy shoes because you’re about to seriously work your glutes thanks to these hills. And remember: Don’t call it San Fran or Frisco unless you want to be on the receiving end of some serious side-eye.
A work of art and an engineering marvel, the Golden Gate Bridge is required viewing. Take a windswept walk across its 1.7-mile span for a front row seat to all some of the most quintessential views of the city. When you make your way back, explore the Presidio. Formerly a U.S. Army post, the Presidio is now a sprawling park with multiple beaches, eucalyptus groves, and historic sites. For the grand finale, venture to the park’s Lands End Lookout for an edge-of-the-world glimpse of where the Pacific Ocean meets the San Francisco Bay.
There’s no shortage of amazing waterfront experiences in San Francisco. Wander along the palm-lined Embarcadero for glorious views of the Bay Bridge (at night you’ll be treated to a shimmering light show on its suspension cables) before heading into the Ferry Building Marketplace, a restored public food market offering a bounty of locally farmed food, artisanal eateries, and curated merchants. Our picks: Settle in for an al fresco burger and sweet potato fries at Gott’s Roadside, fawn over sumptuous home goods at Heath Ceramics, or browse Book Passage’s shelves for a new novel to read as you relax outside on the pier.
It’s hard to argue which neighborhood in San Francisco is the most eclectic, but the Mission District (or just The Mission) definitely makes the short list. Culturally and historically rich, plus blessed with some of the sunniest skies the city has to offer (microclimates are a real thing out here), The Mission is packed with critically-acclaimed and hole-in-the-wall spots worth a stop. Here restaurants, bars, bakeries, street art, and more are all complemented with a touch of Mexican and Latin culture and energetic buzz. Get your caffeine fix at Ritual Coffee Roasters or Four Barrel Coffee. Explore vivacious Valencia Street for quality thrifting and other artful oddities. Throw a strike at Mission Bowling Club or get lost in a Victorian home-turned-mini-golf-haven at Urban Putt. Did we mention burritos yet? As the birthplace of the Mission-style burrito, you can’t go wrong in this part of the city. Go to La Corneta Taqueria or Taqueria La Cumbre for some serious eats.
As the day transforms to night, it’s time to turn up. Visit the celestially themed Moongate, where the cocktail menu draws inspiration from the lunar calendar. Tiki bars more your style? Look no further than Smuggler’s Cove—an iconic establishment overflowing with hundreds of varieties of rum located in what feels like the belly of a pirate ship. For inventive cocktails there’s Trick Dog, an award-winning powerhouse of SF bar culture, where menus are completely refreshed on a bi-annual basis and crafted as interactive art pieces—like a rotating Zodiac chart, an airplane safety card, and even a hard-bound Dr. Seuss-esque children’s book.
San Francisco knows how to bust a move, fueled in large part by its underground dance scene. Go-to neighborhoods for club hopping include The Mission, South of Market, The Castro, and downtown. Wondering where to begin? Self-described as a “community-minded nightclub,” The Public Works SF fuses underground acts alongside international DJs and lots of local artists. If you’re in the mood for a Euro-style discotech, Audio is known for its dazzling, futuristic experience grounded in techno and deep house. Don’t miss the LED tunnel and infinity mirror vortex for the ultimate Instagram shot.
Northern California is a spectacular destination year-round. Whether you’re in the mood for rugged coastline, sprawling vineyards, sky-scraping old growth forests, or world-renowned farm-to-table food, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge gets you that much closer to rare experiences that set a new bar for bliss. For this weekend itinerary, get ready to kick back along the waterfront, saunter northeast to wine country’s less-famous hotspot, and finish up with simple and stunning seaside decadence.
You’re gearing up for a full weekend, so first bask in a little small-town, waterfront charm in Sausalito (yes, like the Pepperidge Farm cookie). Situated right across from the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito is home to house boats, awesome running trails, cute shops with local treasures and leisure-centric eateries. A perfect destination to sit back and unwind in an adirondack chair before continuing your journey north.
Your first stop: the Battery Spencer viewpoint. Parking here is free and the view of the Golden Gate is bar none, appearing so close you can almost touch it. Next up, enjoy some mellow kayaking in calm waters before getting toasty by the firepit while you play bocce ball at Bar Bocce. Gobble down wood-fired pizza or head to Copita Tequileria y Comida for elevated Mexican cuisine.
As the world's fourth-leading wine producer, California truly lives up to its golden reputation when it comes to wine. Take full advantage of the special terroir and many varietals the state has to offer with a wine country getaway. Less than 60 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma is the less-famous cousin to world-renowned Napa. But fear not, there is so much to love off the beaten path: a bustling farm-to-table food scene, 400 wineries spread over 18 distinct regions, more reasonable prices, and fewer crowds!
Start the day with lavender mist mimosas and a granola buttermilk waffle at the family-owned Sunflower Caffe. Alternatively, visit a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, the girl & the fig, for California-French plates piled with the eatery’s namesake figs. Try the bacon fig burger with smoked goat cheddar and frites. We can’t say enough great things about Lou’s Luncheonette either, where fried chicken, biscuits, and po’boys reign supreme.
Now that you’ve got food in your stomach, walk it off. Stroll along the three-mile Sonoma Overlook Trail, beloved for its panoramic views of Sonoma Valley. Or, if you’re up for something a little more rigorous, check out the nearby Montini Open Space Preserve, where oak woodlands and chaparral provide a lush home to red-shouldered hawks, acorn woodpeckers, and cute fawns.
Before heading to proper wineries, how about a quick pregame tasting downtown? Enjoy the best pinot noir in all of California (according to Wine Spectator in 2016) at Sojourn Cellars or opt for sparkling wines at SIGH, Sonoma’s only bubbly bar. Three Sticks Wines, located in a historic adobe home, is a must-see with its creatively reimagined interiors and courtyards. (Reservations are required!) Finally, head a little further north to Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile where you can indulge in a wine flight upstairs and boutique shopping at ground level.
One visit to Hanzell Vineyards and you’ll never want to leave. This winery showcases rolling vineyards leading to the ascent of the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Farm life is a focal point at this winery, making it an idyllic return to the simple joys that matter most. For a completely unpretentious experience, Tin Barn Vineyards is known for its passionate staff that pair gracious storytelling with generous pours. Bordered by palm trees, Scribe Winery is less a winery and more a social club. Its stunning hacienda-style location provides a home-away-from-home outdoor atmosphere for tastings, dinners, and events. You’ll need to join its wine club to attend, but we think it’s money well spent. Wine not?
Some say Northern California is Portugal’s mirror, so it’s fitting that a sublime Portuguese restaurant is situated at the intersection of ocean and wine country. LaSalette Restaurant specializes in seafood in a white tablecloth setting and also makes its own cheese, bread, and sausage. Yeti Restaurant is a vibrant-yet-cozy locally loved Indian and Nepalese spot slinging dumplings and tandoori that will leave you salivating days to come. Looking for bright and airy? Try Stockhome in neighboring Petaluma for a casual celebration of Swedish and Turkish street food.
You’ve wined and dined. Now it’s time to recalibrate with serene coastal wilderness and jaw-dropping viewpoints at Point Reyes National Seashore. There are plenty of trails for every hiking level, like the favorite Tomales Point Trail, where you can hike through an elk preserve, and Chimney Rock Tail. Afterwards, slurp up freshly caught oysters at The Marshall Store. Try them all different ways—raw, barbecued, Rockefeller, and Kilpatrick—for maximal enjoyment.
