Things to do Bay Area, CA
Updated: 21 hours ago
We're locals! This isn't everything to do in our great spot in the USA, but we add our activities as we do them. If you will be in the area, feel free to contact us for more ideas. Some must-do items in our opinion:
Eat local sourdough (Semifreddis or Acme) and cheese (Cowgirl creamery, Chanel goat, Sonoma jack or pepper jack, and/or other local cheeses), drink local wine, and visit Peet's Coffee.
Hike with Redwoods, see the ocean and the mountains
Where to base yourself? This is a car-dependent state. The local rail system, called BART, is
good if it goes where you are going, but it is not extensive. Consider moving between regions as you explore different parts of the Bay Area, so you don't spend too much time in the car. Don't tie yourself to SF Airport. We also have Oakland and San Jose airports. We are also a very long state, so if you are headed to San Diego or Los Angeles, those are a plane flight away (or very long car drive) from the Bay Area.
San Francisco: Golden Gate Park, museums, views of the bridge, Coit Tower, various neighborhoods (Haight-Ashbury, etc.), cute Victorian houses, a zoo, an aquarium, cable cars (ride early as lines can be long), Alcatraz (book early), and the Ferry Building. The Zen Center is a low-cost place to stay. Book well-in advance. The Ferry is a cheap way to see the Bay and get from SF to the East Bay.
East Bay: Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville with hiking, museums, and UC Berkeley; home of Chez Panisse which pioneered"California cooking" and elementary school garden programs, and of Peet's Coffee. Emeryville is the location of Pixar, which is not open to the public, but right next door is Ikea and a large Japanese grocery store, Tokyo Central.
South Bay: Palo Alto with Stanford, Google, fancy shopping and more Teslas than you've ever seen before
North Bay: Sonoma, Napa, Petaluma, Yountville for cheese, wine, ocean views, Muir Woods. The SF Zen Center also has 2 locations in the North Bay if you are interested in meditation and food.
SAN FRANCISCO
Golden Gate Park
The GGP is more than 1,000 acres of green space, museums, car-free roads and entertainment venues. There is more than one day's worth of events here. Parking under the Music Concourse is expensive but convenient if you are going to the museums. Street parking may be preferable if your goal is the gardens or the Windmills; be patient to get a spot. Alternatively, you can take public transit. It is not the most efficient way, so consider a combination of BART (subway) to get you to SF, and then an uber or Waymo to get you to GGP. (Waymo is expensive, but also a local experience if you don't have driverless taxis in your areas.)
Some combinations for sightseeing we suggest, depending on your time and stamina are:
Garden focus, The Gardens of Golden Gate Park covering Japanese Garden, Conservancy of Flowers, and Botanic Garden (in that order. The line for the Japanese Garden can sometimes get long.The Japanese Garden also has light snacks for purchase.)
Cal Academy of Sciences OR de Young Museum plus Japanese Garden. (The Japanese Garden is small. You could add this on if you have time after either of these larger museums)
Activity focus: you can rent skates or bikes, or bring your own, and cruise the car-free streets, stopping along the way at locations like the formal gardens, tulips at the Windmills near the Beach Chalet and Bison Paddock.
Food in the museums is pretty good/healthy though more expensive because of location. If you pack a lunch, the Music Concourse is a great spot, in between the de Young and Cal Academy, or if you are in another area of the park there are plenty of spots for picnics.
Cal Academy of Sciences, in Golden Gate Park
This is a world-class aquarium plus rainforest immersive visit plus an area with changing exhibits. Parking is in the Music Concourse parking garage underneath. Parking and admission are both pretty expensive.
San Francisco Chinatown, Northbeach, and Union Square
It is possible to do all three of these in one day, depending upon how much actual shopping vs sightseeing you want to do.
The cable car is a wonderful and iconic way to experience many sites in SF, though lines can be long.
Riding a Waymo or other driverless taxi is a local specialty, though a bit more expensive than a traditional taxi or uber.
Our friend Dan lead us on a spectacular scavenger hunt in 2026 where we started at Union Square and hit the following sites:
The Dragon Gate (Bush Street &, Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108)
Dr. Sun Yat Sen statue (St. Mary's Square, 651 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108)
The Wok Shop kitchen supply store (718 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108)
The Chinese Historical Society of America museum (965 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108)
Tin How Temple (125 Waverly Place)- this temple has been here since 1852. Don't let the unassuming entrance deter you. Walk up 4 flights of stairs and the temple, at the top, is obvious. It's a beautiful space, with a fantastic view of Chinatown and greater SF from the window. No photos permitted. You can purchase a lucky charm and incense (cash only)
Ross Alley and Golden Gate Fortune Cookies (56 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94108)
Head towards Northbeach, the Italian neighborhood, via
The Zodiac Mural on Jack Kerouac Alley, and the nearby famous bookstore City Lights Books (261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133). City Lights has frequent speakers and book events if you would like to plan ahead, but even without the special events it is an impressive 3-story bookstore with hippie roots.
Tony Gemignani has several pizza restaurants in Northbeach. Tony is from Castro Valley, CA (where we live!) and had his first restaurant there. He went on to pizza fame by winning pizza contests against Italians. Tony's Pizza Napoletana (1570 Stockton St, ) will need patience for the wait (and you can join the waitlist on Yelp to help). Sarah's favorite is the Cal Italia, which is also one of his award-winning pies.
Other SF destinations worth including are:
Coit Tower with WPA murals inside and near the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill
Ferry Building--if you are coming from outside of SF, consider taking the public ferry which is a cheap and enjoyable way to get to SF with views! Once at the Ferry Builiding (which has markets and restaurants), you are near Ghiradelli Square, views of the bridge, public art, and the Exploratorium. You are also near the departure for tours of Alcatraz Island and museum (advanced reservations recommended).
If you are here the first weekend of October, that's USNavy FleetWeek! Plan ahead for crowd management, tour a big ship or two, and watch the Blue Angels fly. It's a lot of fun.
Japantown: it's harder to get here on public transportation from the other spots we have listed, but if that's not an issue for you, Japantown is compact and interesting.
Tenderloin and Castro nighborhoods
BEYOND SF
Monterey Aquarium
Plan 4 hours on site, and 5 if you can manage it. This is a bit of a drive from the Bay Area (2-2.5 hours), but if you are into aquariums, it is well worth a visit. Likewise, if you are driving between North and South California, as it would then be on your way. It is hands down one of the best aquariums in the world. Plan to eat lunch on the steps inside the building with a view of the ocean--either bring a picnic or buy at their cafeteria (which is expensive but tasty and healthy). We could spend all our time in the jellyfish exhibit, but every space here is wonderful. The town is quite touristy, but walk on the boardwalk and say hi to the sea lions. They will turn their heads, wink, then fart as they love to hear and see human reactions. Parking is best in a nearby parking garage, or street parking if available.
Muir Woods
Muir Woods is the most famous California giant redwood park and is another all-day trip if you are based in the East Bay. The hiking is fairly easy. The path starts with a paved/decked area that is flat and also has some places to sit. If there are people in your party who can not walk uphill, they could stay around the base and still have a lovely, meditative time.
We did a 1.5 hr loop, veering right at the trail head but you can go either direction.
There are other options, listed on the official park page, showing 1/2 hour and 1 hr trail loops as well, and with information about disability access.
All visitors must register in advance. Plan your parking FIRST.
Dress for cool and changing temperatures
Pack a lunch; there are some options on-site but they are limited
Cell service is not available in the park
Other helpful advice is on the official park page. Read it!
Other Redwoods
If you want to see giant redwoods but don't have time to visit Muir Woods, check out these smaller experiences.
Oakland Redwood parks trails and official site
If you will drive North towards the top of California, be sure to visit the State and National versions of Redwood parks. These are accessible in a variety of ways, including staying in your car (but we do recommend at least a moment to stretch your legs and marvel at the wonder of these huge trees.) Driving the Avenue of the Giants, a road that parallels the highway, is one option. Ladybird Johnson Park is also a favorite and an easy walk, almost wheelchair accessible.
Oakland Zoo
The Zoo has many excellent exhibits. There is a strong focus on California animals and a gondola ride (additional fee, and note it closes before the zoo does) with stunning views of the entire Bay.
Downtown Oakland has a big lake in the center, and one can walk, run or bike around it. Children's Fairyland is old-fashioned fun "for ages 0-99"
There are Gardens at Lake Merritt which are free.
The Oakland Museum of Art (OMCA) has pay-as-you-can admission on the first Sunday of the month, food trucks on Fridays and other special events.
Gondola rides on the lake
Shopping near 580 freeway (map to Trader Joe's or the Grand Lake Theater) includes a Saturday Farmer's Market, and shopping on Lakeshore and Grand Avenues.
UC Berkeley
Of course, seeing the campus of this world-famous university is interesting.
But don't miss the many free or inexpensive museums on campus to enrich your visit. They are all listed here. Dan volunteers at the Essig Museum of Entomology! UCB is conveniently located near BART (subway) stops. The surrounding neighborhood is full of eateries and shops. A short drive away is the water's edge in the Bay, and 4th Street shopping.
Part of Tilden Park is above the University. There are nice hikes here, a mini farm, and a mini steam train ride. Tilden has formal gardens, wild spaces and more.
The Freight has local music and The Moth storytelling event. Do book in advance, especially for The Moth.
Berkeley Rep has live plays
Wineries
You can head to Livermore or to Napa/Sonoma. Both require driving.
Livermore has a downtown with cowboy culture. You can rent bikes to go between wineries, or drive. Our preference is Concannon Winery which has pleasant wines and area for tasting. This is an easy day trip from the East Bay of California.
In Napa/Sonoma/Yountville, hit both cheese and wine. Our favorites to visit and drink are Stag's Leap and Domaine Chandon.
Downtown Sonoma is a nice square to explore for a half day. You can try some Sonoma Jack cheese. There is also Sonoma Train Town.
Driving on Highway 1 will allow you to see spectacular ocean views with plenty of pull-outs to admire the scenery and sometimes a spot to touch the ocean and see tidepools. From the East Bay, it's at least a 2-3 hour drive to the area, so best for an overnight, especially if you plan to drink wine.
Dining
The Bay Area is foodie central, so there will be good food near you no matter your location in the Bay. We have listed some of our favorites below, but it's by no means an exhaustive list.
If you are gluten-free, check out this Yelp collection of restaurants
Japanese: Sushi Sho in El Cerrito (reservations 90 days in advance on Yelp) and and Wakuriya in San Mateo (reservations 90 days in advance by phone) for upscale dining. Mujiri (locations in Oakland and Hayward), Tane Vegan Izakaya in Berkeley, and Soba Ichi in Oakland for casual dining. There is also Takara Sake brewery in Berkeley
Chinese: for dim sum, Koi Palace with locations in Daly City, Dublin and Milipitas. Pearl Bay in Fremont.
Check out the most recent Eater recommendations for Chinese in the area, as the options are broad and Eater identifies by region and spice level. Great China in Berkeley is best with reservations.
Italian: Belotti in Oakland, Clementina for gluten free in SF, and Tony's Pizza Napoletana in SF (or Slice House, his franchise, is also good with various locations)
Mexican--there are so many choices that it's best to look at Eater for the specific city you are in, or take your chances at the taco truck near you, because it's probably good. For mole, try Los Moles with locations in Emeryville, El Cerrito and San Rafael. We love our local El Rancho Supermercado in Castro Valley for its homemade horchata and reliable meats. Middlefield Road in Redwood City got a shout out from the Mexican President.
Indian: Vik's Chaat in Berkeley (close to Takara Sake brewery if you want to plan a nearby stop). Beyond that, check Eater or SFChronicle's top 100 for recommendations by city.
High Tea: the Garden Court in the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. Reservations required.
Michelin Starred or Similar: Kenzo in Napa; Mr. Jiu's in SF Chinatown; Commis in Oakland (often possible to get a seat last minute, or at the bar); Atelier Crenn in San Francisco; Nisei in SF and Wakuriya in San Mateo (both of which we visited pre-star) . We have fond memories of the French Laundry from our visits decades ago; it's still got a great reputation but we have not visited recently.
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