California Travel Recommendations

Written By Emily Taylor

For our friends traveling from afar to our beloved golden state! Here are some of our favorite spots if you are planning a longer trip.

San Francisco + Marin County

  • Favorite neighborhoods to explore: Sunset/Richmond Districts for beach, Chinatown and North Beach to walk, Mission for vintage shopping and food, Haight-Ashbury for vintage shopping.

  • Walk on the Great Highway a former highway turned park!

  • Smoke weed and eat a burrito in Dolores Park.

  • Eat at La Tacqueria, Hog Island Oyster Co., Tartine, Toyose, Mandalay, Zuni Cafe, Izakaya Rintaro, Delfina Restaurant, San Ho Won, Thanh Long, True Laurel, Yuanbao Jiaozi, China Live, Cotogna, Palm City, Pizza Hacker, Hooked Fish Co., Flour and Water, Dumpling Time, or the offerings of the Ferry Building.

  • See some live Music at Bottom of the Hill, The Chapel, The Independent, or The Fillmore.

  • Have a drink at a classic bar: The Little Shamrock, The 500 Club, Vesuvio Cafe, or The Page.

  • Get caffeinated at Philz, Flywheel, Four Barrell, Andytown.

  • Celebrate LGBTQ+ pride in the Castro District.

  • Visit the SF MOMA, De Young museum, or California Academy of Sciences.

  • Stroll down JFK Parkway, picnic in front of the Conservatory of Flowers, and visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

  • Check out the local farmer’s markets across the city each weekend.

  • Hike in Marin County, just over the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit the towns of Bolinas, Tam Junction, and Point Reyes Station. Hike in Point Reyes National Seashore.

  • Head across the bridge to the East Bay to explore Oakland and Berkeley.

Big Sur

  • 3.5 hours south of San Francisco

  • Drive the iconic PCH

  • Stay at Sand Dollar Beach Camp ground

  • Visit Esalen Institute, a relic from the 60s

  • Swim, hike, and surf

Mendocino Coast

  • 3 hours north of San Francisco

  • Wine and cheese taste in the Anderson Valley

  • Hike in the redwood groves

  • Eat local seafood

  • Hike on the Lost Coast Trail

Sierra Nevada

  • Hike and camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains around Kirkwood, Tahoe, Kings Canyon Ntl. Park, Yosemite, June Lake, or Mammoth Lake.

Southern California

  • Santa Barbara

  • Ojai

  • Palm Springs

  • Joshua Tree

  • Los Angeles

Emily Taylor
Next

How to get to PT Ranch