Vacation rentals in San Francisco Bay Area

Visit the Russian River for a change of pace from the bustling city. Soak up the sun while chilling out on the river, floating on an inner tube, and sipping some Elder Pliny beer, voted the best beer in California. Spend time exploring vineyards like the Alexander Valley cave tour which is both educational and fun because of the unique caves. Lake County’s featured attraction is The Geysers. This remarkable area was created by volcanoes and is now a source of sustainable energy but still beautiful to behold amid the mountains, lakes, wild Tule Elk, and rare fish.

In Santa Rosa, splurge at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens. There are several options. Choose the garden wine tasting tour for delicious wines enhanced by the aromatherapy of scented plants and flowers. Or put your taste buds to work with a five-course culinary event paired with limited release wines. Sonoma is historically famous for fine wines and vineyards. Meadowcroft’s tasting room at Cornerstone features amazing wines paired with light tapas. This history tour culminates in blending your own wine with guidance from their experts. Don’t miss the tasting house blends coupled with delicious cheeses.

Travelers with a fetish for the outdoors won’t be disappointed! Santa Cruz has amazing surf breaks. Hiking around Lighthouse point offers spectacular views of the area. Stop by the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum to learn the history and explore a century of artefacts, including ancient boards. Wilder Ranch State Park features a guided tour to the sea caves or kayaking among otters, dolphins, and seals. Bodega Bay has a plethora of activities, like whale watching and biking along coastal trails. Finally, cruise the town and find the houses where Hitchcock’s thriller “Birds” was filmed for something different.

The Palace of Fine Arts Theater in San Francisco was originally built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition, but has since been preserved for leisurely strolls. So, pack a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous gardens, lush lagoon, and Greco-Roman architecture. The inside theater features regular live performances and there are eateries nearby to enjoy food and cocktails. Berkely highlights several art forms worth exploring. Museum Fiasco is an audio-visual sensory experience in a 5,000-square-foot mirror box transporting viewers to an alternative reality. In Berkley’s West Artisan District, the Potter’s Guild publicly displays their wares every Saturday.

One of the top attractions in California is scenic drives like the famous Pacific Coastal Highway 1. For variety, do the Half Moon Bay or the challenging Panoramic Highway. Skyline Boulevard has a blend of mountain, forests, and urban vistas to explore. And, the 49-mile scenic drive takes you to Frisco’s famous landmarks.

Apart from the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco boasts many activities and cultural sites to see! Oracle Park and the new Giants stadium are spectacular. The views of the bay are just like a movie and public transportation makes everything conveniently close. Also, definitely visit Alcatraz Island and learn its intricate history while exploring its beauty.

Sonoma County is a menagerie of cities offering unique shopping experiences. Visit Petaluma Premium Outlets, Santa Rosa’s Plaza Mall, and Healdsburg fine boutiques for hard-to-find items. Guerneville and Windsor have eclectic shops worth browsing too. Palo Alto, Silicon Valley’s hometown, specializes in the best of high-end shopping. Stanford Shopping Center is unique and exquisite with 140 merchant options.

If you like haunted house venues, Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions will give you a good scare and a laugh in East San Jose. For an exciting day out, take the challenge at Mount Hermon’s Adventures replete with climbing, ziplining and more. And Hakone Gardens and Estate features gorgeous Japanese gardens and teahouses.

Bolinas is a charming town, the oldest in Marin, that became a booming economic treasure during the 1849 gold rush. It’s also famous among nature conservationists for the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, an icon for bird watchers. Loaded with historic buildings, artists, musicians, and boutiques, this is a must-see village.