Lauren & Zach
Making a vacation of it?
Santa Cruz Activities
Want to stick around Santa Cruz? You could spend a solid 1-2 days here exploring! Some activities include: - You don't need to head all the way up north to taste great wine! Santa Cruz area is home to small production vineyards and breweries: https://www.santacruz.org/places-to-eat/wineries-taps-tastings/ - Take surf lessons or rent boards: https://richardschmidt.com - Explore the Boardwalk: https://www.santacruz.org/things-to-do/beach-boardwalk/ - Visit an outdoor market: https://www.santacruz.org/blog/your-guide-to-santa-cruz-countys-outdoor-markets/
Day Excursions
Looking for a California excursion? You might want to: - Go whitewater rafting on the American River: https://www.raft-h2o.com/the-american-river - Do a big hike (our favorites include: Alamere Falls and Mt. Tam) - Do a normal hike (We recommend downloading All Trails if you don't have it yet)! There are too many to choose from, but who doesn't love a waterfall in May: https://modernhiker.com/10-beautiful-waterfall-hikes-near-san-francisco/ - Go surfing near Santa Cruz or up in Bolinas (we have 2 surf boards and wet suits to lend out) - Go mountain biking in the East Bay or there are even more epic trails up north (we have 2 bikes to lend out)
Point Reyes/Tomales Bay
Spend a day exploring Point Reyes/Tomales Bay! There are great hikes, kayaking, food, drinks, and insane views around here (think: classic CA North Coast). Things to do include: - Wind down at this Sparking Meadery (featuring tons of wildflowers and amazing honey products): https://www.heidrunmeadery.com - Eat Oysters at Hog Island, the Marshall Store, or or so many other places - Go kayaking or even kayak camping out at Tomales Bay (reservations for camping required but pretty easy to get): https://www.bluewaterskayaking.com/camping-2/ - Go backpacking or camping near Point Reyes: https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/camping.htm#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20car%20or,site%20specified%20on%20their%20permit. - Go fishing or horseback riding: https://www.sftravel.com/article/guide-to-tomales-bay-best-oysters-youll-ever-have
Wine Country
Head up to Sonoma, Napa, or Guerneville for some wine tasting or tours. There's really no going wrong in wine country, but check out the resources below to help you decide which area is best for you. - The difference between Napa and Sonoma: https://whimsysoul.com/napa-vs-sonoma-which-is-better-according-to-a-local/#:~:text=Sonoma%20Is%20Usually%20Cheaper,of%20coin%20over%20in%20Sonoma. - Also on Guerneville: https://whimsysoul.com/guerneville-wineries-weekend-guide/ TL;DR: Napa is the fanciest and things are nice and close together, Sonoma has the best variety and is more affordable, and Guerneville is the cheapest and has a lovable quirk about it.
The East Bay
This is where Zach and Lauren live (Albany)! We have way more recs where these came from: - Hike or bike in Tilden (our local regional park with amazing views) - Go mountain biking in Joaquin Miller (or up in Marin). We have 2 mountain bikes that we'd be happy to lend you! - Go to the Albany Bulb for an epic sunset - Looking for events? The Oakland Art Museum and Chabot Observatory often have cool ones. Check out this website too: https://sf.funcheap.com. - Looking for music? Favorite casual venues include the Ivy Room (Albany), Eli's Mile High Club (Oakland), and Freight and Salvage (Berkeley). Check out BandsInTown for more. - Check out the Grand Lake Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. Cool thrift stores in that area too. - Do a Sake Tasting at Takara in Berkeley - Our favorite restaurants include: Kiraku (Japanese tasting menu), Korean Superette, Juanita and Maude, and Commis (for 2 people, the tasting menu at this 2 star Michelin restaurant is only $85 - sit at the counter)!
San Francisco
Our favorite things to do in SF include: - Exploring the gardens in Golden Gate Park - Having a picnic on the beach at Ocean Beach (huge) or Dillon beach (smaller but more centrally located) - Walking around Chinatown - Walking/biking across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito (and taking the Ferry back) - Checking out the Wave Organ in the SF Marina - Mt Davidson is a hidden gem of an urban hike - Walking down Clarion alley in the Mission - Shopping or brunching on Haight-Ashbury - Going roller blading at the Church of 8 Wheels - Going to the Exploratorium museum (Thursday nights are adult nights) - Live music (Check out BandsInTown)
Hiking/River Trips
May is the season of waterfalls! Awesome places near the Bay include: - Tahoe (Lauren loves Tahoe in May even more than in the wintertime) - Head to Yosemite or the Sierra Mountains (if you can swing it, do it) - Spend a few days up at the Yuba River (arguably the most beautiful yet accessible place in the Bay Area)