"This boho boutique displays handmade jewelry and home decor as well as a smart selection of vintage finds. Shared space with small-batch roaster Bright Coffee and a succulent-filled patio." Read more.
"For the town’s best design source, wander into the Pine Inn Courtyard and discover Fjorn, a where-have-you-been-all-my-life Scandinavian shop with covetable tableware, home goods, and custom rugs." Read more.
"Part of Carmel-by-Sea’s charm lies in its atmospheric passageways that lead to hidden courtyards. We're fond of this Court whose regal glamour could have easily been designed by Kelly Wearstler." Read more.
"This hides one of the better secluded gardens in town. Save time to browse the gift shop that’s stocked with cool heritage goods and jam made from garden fruit." Read more.
"Tucked in a courtyard hidden behind a Hansel and Gretel-like candy cottage (yes, really), this fetching shoebox-sized tasting room pours estate wines from two family-owned labels." Read more.
"A richly complex Navy Style rum engineered from the chemical compounds on up. Book a tour and receive directions to their clandestine facilities and wondrous Island of Dr. Moreau grounds." Read more.
Drive down the windy dirt road until you get to the state park parking lot, then it’s a short walk to the beach. Check out the purple sand and dramatic vistas http://bit.ly/Zr8zjB
"Skip the hordes and head a half-hour south here, where the redwood forest is prettier and quieter. Hike Ewoldsen Trail, a five-miler with long stretches of uphill but amazing terrain." Read more.
I love the boardwalk from Asilomar to Spanish Bay Beach.... I will have to take an excursion to the Spanish Bay Inn for cocktails next time I venture by!
A quick, nice stop on the way to other places. Park on the side of the road (many other cars will have done the same) to avoid the unnecessary park fee.
It's a secret. The only way to find it is to turn off the at the sign that says caution Narrow Road. So hard to find but majestic once you find it. $10 parking fee but so worth the view at sunset.
Get on Palo Colorado Canyon Road and keep driving and driving, you'll hit it. Toilets but no running water. Spots are very tight together. Some nice hiking trails out of the spot.
Calm and beautiful place with Miller's magic spirit. For vinyl lovers: a lot of old school artists for 1-5$!
The back deck off the bar is surrounded by gorgeous redwoods, and the lounge-y area by the fireplace has a bunch of games you can play while tucked into one of the couches. http://bit.ly/Zr8zjB
'Open to the public May-Sept. and closed the rest of the year for monastic study. Enjoy a delicious vegetarian lunch and a dip in the Japanese hot springs.' Read more.
Incredible vineyard. "Holman Ranch, a magical place, serves as an ideal gathering ground for all kinds of events, but very few people are aware of its physical proximity and poetical remoteness." Read more.
"A must do in Monterey to get a lay of the land and a great start to all the history here. They have guided walking tours 3 times a day."
"There's a wonderful 1600 foot climb over about 3.5 miles of really excellent trail. My favorite is Maple Canyon to Sage to Sky, and then down Sniveley's Ridge. What wonderful views!"
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is absolutely one of the BEST aquariums in the world. Don't miss it when you're visiting Monterey, California.
Absolutely worth the $39 entry fee. Give yourself a good 2+ hours to enjoy this magical and peaceful place. Steam room + dip in the icy cold pool + zero gravity chairs in the relaxation room = bliss
This place is a must for lovers of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. They make tasting a real outing. Extremely nice staff with lots of ideas.
"Worth a detour for an afternoon of laid-back wine tasting. Town is less than a mile from end to end, and home to almost 20 wineries. Check out Joyce." Click for map of wineries. Read more.
"Small park packs a punch. 10+ short trails, one stunning scene after another. Sea Lion Point. Cypress Grove winds through a last Monterey Cypress grove, old, craggy, gorgeous. $10 parking fills up." Read more.
Awesome place. Beautiful view. Bring your sweatshirts - very windy. And don't forget the Camera!
Look for Harbor Seals on low tide rocks from point deck. Windy? Go down to Whaler's Cove to warm up with the rising sun. Great tide pools just north of lighthouse at - tide. Gift store open Th-M 10-4
Spend time feeding and petting more than 200 goats at the farm; then take the memories home with a round of your favorite type of chevre.
Artistically flavored goat cheese, country bread for sampling, all so quaint. Ask for special dinner, it's out of this world.
Supurb little coffee shop. Beautifully done, vintage industrial feel inside. Silent films playing, cute gift store. You have to try the Kambuca on tap!
"Hugely underrated. Gorgeous crescent sand shore. Follow a narrow trail over an ice plant bluff to a moonscape of tide pools and sandstone formations. There are 2 areas/parking lots, do the southern." Read more.
Even if just driving through Big Sur (Shame!) stop for a drink or coffee at Ventana Inn a seat on the outside terrace...the view & magical feeling are a clue to why this is in my top 10 Special Places Read more.
This Silicon Valley Smithsonian Affiliate contains more than 50 historic aircrafts, including the first unmanned aeroplane ever flown by “Avitor” Hermes, Jr. in 1869. (From Aerial America) Read more.
While you're here, venture to the wooded area slightly east of the Cantor Center, past Lomita Drive, where you'll find Andy Goldsworthy's magnificent sculpture, "Stone River". Read more.
For views of Stanford and beyond, don’t miss the 14th floor. Named for President Herbert Hoover who got his start in politics by serving as Stanford Student Body Treasurer in 1894. Read more.
Come for the volunteer workdays! Current 3x/week, followed by potluck and produce.. Veggielution.org events for current schedule
Great short hikes, beach access, redwoods, waterfall, camping. A great place to set up your Big Sur base camp. The entrance is easy to miss, though.
Tor House is the house museum of the poet Robinson Jeffers. It is open for tours by appointment only on Fridays and Saturdays. Call by Thursday at 1pm for that weekends reservations.
Another favorite local hiking trail! It's a reverse trail where you need more energy to hike back up once you reach the bottom. A great workout! Make sure to finish early before sundown!
One of the most underrated state parks in the Bay Area! 18 miles of hiking in beautiful redwoods.
Do the 11 mile loop! Take the redwood trail to Dool trail to Sunset Trail past the three waterfall. Then take the skyline trail back. Great exercise
Gorgeous place for a Summer or Spring Wedding :) or a Birthday ! Engagement pictures would look lovely !
Absolutely gorgeous! Reserve a time to watch the bay from the hot tub next to the light house. I think I see a whale!!!
Ask for the "treehouse" to stay the night. Lovely decorated luxury but simple wooden hut. Light up fireplace, switch off lights and enjoy the starry sky through the glass roof! Delicious organic food!
Miles and miles of great hiking that takes you back in time to the late 1800's when mining and not homes were what dotted the South San Jose hills.
mapping this region will cause migraines and suicide. other than that, this is a great place for a day hike.
"Colorful, modern boutique tucked on a downtown side street. Owner Sonia McMoran draws upon her background as tech and design journalist to assemble a covetable collection of home and office décor." Read more.
"Fetching new brewery for delicious old world lagers and hefes... Redwood-sheathed taproom has a small bites menu...great sampling of local food purveyors." Read more.
It's absolutely heaven. My friends and I tried the sipping set (more bitter) and the hot chocolate set (sweeter) with cupcakes. Definitely loved the pink Himalayan salt and the one with coffee.
Go to Bell's Books and get lost in the History section, but save the medieval-themed titles for me. Read more.
This is one of my favorite places! Though it may be geared for children, the young at heart will love it!
We love the cheese (and ravioli), the oh-so-friendly goats & the terrific guides. There were some young families & the goats were great with the kids (no pun intended)! Definitely a 5 meow experience!
Fun day at the beach. Remember back in the day when the whole family went to the beach? This photo was taken at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in 1972. Share your photos of beaches and boardwalks. Read more.
Underrated / unknown gem of a park; great redwoods, car camping and backpacking available.
Also, show up 1st thing when it is open, 6pm, to avoid long lines. Best to go during the week, rather than the weekend (inc Fri) to avoid long lines.
Amazing destination inclusive-playground! Can be a little intense for little ones, but is all gated (check gates tho, sometimes left open).
The Rose Garden is particularly beautiful in spring, when the roses bloom (duh). It's a great place to walk the dog, play some frisbee, picnic, or hang out on a beautiful sunny day.
Love this area. Great dining choices, shopping, high end apartments that make for fun people watching. Check out the Gucci and Kate Spade stores or Lulumon if you need some new workout wear.
Great place for kids. Make sure u bring some extra clothes, cause of water events. Food are cheap and reasonable. Big place, story telling. Parking is a problem. Have to pay 5$ all day. A block away
Absolutely brilliant, fun day for the kiddo to run around and play for hours while I just basked in the perfect weather, shady sun, underneath the tree covered playgrounds.
Pretty much a one stop shop for your yard. When walking through the garden, be sure to look for the sweet kitty on staff.
Great hiking, camping and picnicking park. Lots of trails some of which connect to Arastradero preserve, and others that connect to Los Trancos open space.
The area is huge and there are a lot of interesting places for kids to play to keep them occupied.
Baseball field, horseshoes, grills, picnic tables, soccer field, and a playground.
This place is always a great time! I grew up coming here in the late 90´s/early 2000’s and now I’ve brought my own son here for the past 10 years! Lazy river and wave pool are great for relaxing.
Plenty of helpful tips and other info here: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/The-new-South-Bay-Shores-waterpark-at-16372830.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight
Bring a map for this fantastic circuit of trails! Pacifica Chamber of Commerce Rockaway Beach or http://www.parksconservancy.org/assets/visit-your-parks/pdfs/sweeney-ridge-trail-map.pdf
Trail camp: Requires an easy 2.8-mile hike; $15 per night, $8 per extra vehicle, open year-round; first-come, first-served. Use the self-registration system at the parking lot. Up to 6 people per site
Sensational hikes to a waterfall, along the base of honey-combed sandstone, to a trail camp, the headwaters of the San Lorenzo River, and the best launch point for the 34-mile Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail
Atop Goat Rock, you can feel as if you are on top of the world. The top of Goat Rock has a few cupped “chairs” shaped by wind-driven rain over thousands of years. 1 of the best sites for a trail lunch
Not much has changed in the 40 plus years I've been coming here. Cash only so be prepared. So yummy. Makes my tummy smile.
This is a runners and bicycle persons dream trail the view alone is worth it
“Modern, seaside snack shack with affordable handheld meals across from Steamer Lane, the city’s most iconic surf break. Menu items include salmon poke bowls, fish tacos, panini-pressed quesadillas”
Everything! Amazing cocktails, grilled sardines, asparagus, and delicious Italian style pizzas! A 3 star at your door step!
Fascinating history, wonderful views. Amazing telescope - truly remarkable engineering! Tour was just the right length and amount of information for both kids and adults. Good photo opportunities!
Beautiful little beach inside a cove that protects the beach from the really big waves. Very calm, perfect for families with little kids. Beautiful area, decent parking and lovely walking trails.
Free. Make to leave a donation though. Great learning experience for kids of all ages.
After decades of being shut down to non-Palo Alto residents, Foothills Park is finally open to everyone. “majestic hike… I could hike that every day of my life and be 100% satisfied.”
This place is ginormous! They offer everything from karate to roller hockey. Tons of sports for kids as well. Invest in a membership.
"Popular Japanese grocery store known for its Japanese products, produce and prepared foods like sushi."
Nice little park. This is where the donkeys live. Just walk down the trail past the bridge.
