It’s fall, which means the tourists are going back to Texas and Europe. But since we live in a Mediterranean-climate Neverland, Bay Area residents are just getting out to play. Because this is California and you can find anything here, there’s a veritable cornucopia of opportunities for hiking, climbing, exploring hippie towns and wine countries, and going on forest adventures—all just a few hours away.
We’ve put together a short curated “guide to guides” for those looking to get away — but not too far away — as the temperature changes from lukewarm to tepid. Here’s our guide to weekend trips from the Bay Area that don’t require a lot of dough or planning.
If you like hippies, beer and outdoorsy stuff:
Santa Cruz, California is technically the Bay Area — at least by Craigslist’s sorting — but it’s just far away enough (and over an annoyingly windy mountain road) to make it feel like a slightly different culture. It’s also a recreational and food paradise: there’s a big brewing scene here as well as wine, hiking, surfing, kiteboarding, skate parks galore and more bookshops than there are words in Infinite Jest. (Yes, I know Infinite Jest has around 1,000,000 words. There are 1,000,000+ bookshops in Santa Cruz. I’m not exaggerating whatsoever.) Read Jennifer Maerz’s guide on what to do in Santa Cruz.
Also, the town of Capitola — which is so similar-looking to Santa Cruz that you likely won’t notice when you pass the border — parallels Santa Cruz in terms of its stuff-to-do-ness. Mary E. Allen’s guide to Capitola will appease locals and tourists alike.
If you want to drive north instead of south for some reason, you’ll find that Mendocino is a lot like Santa Cruz, but less crowded and less wealthy (just as stoned, though). Julie Albin’s guide to Mendocino includes all the relevant sights, beaches, hikes and restaurants.
If you’re kinda thinking about moving to Sacramento and want to be convinced or dissuaded:
Sacramento has become what Oakland used to be: the little-brother city to SF that San Franciscans turn up their noses at. (Now even many San Franciscans will admit that Oakland has more happening on a lot of fronts.) But really, Sacramento is a destination in its own right, argues Anna Petkovich. Read her inclusive guide to food, drink, art and shopping in the City of Trees.
Oh, and if you want to stop in an idyllic farm town on the way, don’t miss out on all the sights and smells in Davis. Plus, its ice cream scene is legendairy. (See what I did there?)
If you need a stay-cation and believe some of the touristy areas ain’t so bad:
There’s some cool stuff at Fisherman’s Wharf, if you don’t mind putting your tourist-protection goggles on. Yeah, I know that Fisherman’s Wharf hasn’t been the same since the Bushman, a.k.a. Gregory Jacobs, died — still, writer Bridget Veltri has assembled a list of its non-touristy charms, mainly of the edible variety.
Bonus: While you’re up in the Wharf, add a tour of Chinatown to your agenda.
If you want to discover a state park you haven’t visited yet:
Elizabeth Stampe rounded up 11 state parks that are a day trip (or shorter) from the Bay Area. Big Basin, Tomales Bay, Año Nuevo … have you caught ’em all?
If you want to eat and drink somewhere warm in the Bay Area but also want to park your car without a hassle:
Marin County is your jam. Here’s one of the most delectable guides to eating food in Marin. Remember, this is Marin — so while your stomach will appreciate the outing, your wallet might not.
What’s your favorite daycation in the Bay? Throw down in the comments.
