Let’s face it — travel with a capital T is out right now. Not technically — you can still hop on a plane, and visit, say, Arizona, or another swing state. But with planes and airports being strongly advised against by the officials, this summer looks like a domestic vacation scenario. Staycation? Fakecation? No word can do it justice, but it will have to do. That being said, staying at home doesn’t have to mean more of the same; when you break it down, travel is about novelty, a crisp sense of place that’s foreign and unfamiliar. With a little imagination — just go with it — some places, right here in the Bay Area, can feel like a voyage abroad. All it takes is a car ride, provisions and an attitude that allows discovery and awe. Ready? Let’s visit:
Sign up for The Bold Italic newsletter to get the best of the Bay Area in your inbox every week.
London, England
London does tucked-away parks and plazas especially well. Take Golden Square for example — what a perfect little park, surrounded by chic buildings and featuring a Swedish bakery.
While parks in the Bay tend to be large and stand-alone, the tranquil combination of dense urbanity, nature, and carbs comes to life in two Bay Area locales: Strawberry Creek Park in Berkeley and South Park in San Francisco. In Berkeley, the park is divided into two areas. The one with the playground and the actual creek is nothing to write home about. But the large patch of grass, surrounded by trees and facing an impressive brick building hosting yoga studios and writing salons, is as London as it gets. Red brick is uncommon in the Bay Area; laying out a picnic in the building’s shade — the Hidden Cafe serves sandwiches and tacos right there! — is a very European pleasure.
Across the bridge, South Park in the SoMA has been largely known to the tech workers in the neighborhood. Now, with all of them gone, the lovely elliptical meadow, enclosed in some of the coolest architecture in the area, awaits new visitors. Grab a takeout bite from Caffe Centro, situate yourself on a bench, and let the park’s cozy vibe transport you.
A Danish village — you pick which one
That one is easy. Solvang, a handy pit stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is the “Danish capital of California” according to its official website, and that copy doesn’t exaggerate.
Established by Danes in 1911, the town features traditional architecture, an authentic windmill, endless gift shops and bakeries, and plenty of photo ops. After eating a plate of fluffy Æbleskiver at Solvang Restaurant (currently takeout only), shopping for souvenirs, and caressing wooden panels, you might feel tired.
The Landsby Hotel, a modern, clever take on Scandi design in a historic building, is right there, if you do hotels these days.
Costa Nova, Portugal
The beach towns are where Portugal strips away its white and cobble color palette in favor of color, Mediterranean vibes, and unbuttoned charm. For a Californian interpretation of Costa Nova, a small, Porto-adjacent village filled with sandy beaches and colorful seaside homes, look no further than Capitola. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Santa Cruz, the small town has all the attractions of a Portuguese village. Seafood restaurants? Check. A picturesque line of technicolor houses dotted with palm trees? Check. Nice weather to escape upcoming Fogust? Also available. You’ve seen the postcards and the Instagram images. Now go visit.
Tokyo, Japan
For tourists, the Japanese Tea Garden is the obvious choice for all things kawaii — it’s Japantown’s shops, plazas and alleys that really carry the Japanese capital’s vibe best. While many businesses are still closed, a full list of restaurants offering takeout and shops that are open is available here. Explore Peace Plaza while nibbling mochi, take in the minimal architecture of the malls, and secretly rejoice you didn’t have to fly for endless hours to get here.
Provence, France
Fancy some lavender for your soar, scrolling-abused eyes? The fragrant fields of Provence might be off limits, but Araceli Farms, on the way to Sacramento, if a fine substitute. Now open for ticketed entrance, the farm, beloved by the influencers and bloggers of the area, offers lovely fields of lavender, which are smartly available for photo shoots for $80 an hour. Pack a picnic basket (you know you’ll want a baguette and French cheese) and aim for later in the day, since temperatures climb with every mile you further yourself from Karl the Fog.
