Things to do in California
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FEATURED
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip
14 hours (Departs San Francisco, California)
by Viator
Take time out for a day trip into the wild beauty of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. Enjoy the beautiful countryside and discover the raw beauty of…Not LP reviewed
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Given
Have no fear of birthdays: it’s a Given that you’ll find worthy gifts for all ages in this emporium of offbeat design, from Kimochi the cuddly cloud to a wallet disguised as a memo-pad. If this storefront seems familiar, you’re right: this was once Harvey Milk’s camera shop, and the shop closed for six weeks so that the Academy Award–winning Milk could be filmed here.
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Shotwell Boutique
SF fashion vanguardians could shop for decades for a look achieved in an afternoon at Shotwell: purple-rimmed ‘80s sunglasses, Surface to Air low-tops, a ’70s fedora, draped tank from Society for Rational Dress over Cheap Monday jeans, and locally designed bling. Unlike other Downtown boutiques, there are good selections of menswear and vintage under $25, plus a $5 jewelry bin.
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Tropisueño
Last time you enjoyed casual Mexican dining this much, there were probably balmy ocean breezes and hammocks involved. Instead, you're steps away from SFMOMA, savoring an al pastor (marinated pork) burrito with mesquite salsa and grilled pineapple and sipping a margarita with a chili-salted rim. The organic rustic decor and the location are upscale, but the prices are about what you'd pay in the Mission, give or take a buck and a BART ride.
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Mermaid
Hermosa's pedestrian promenade, Pier Ave, is one big, loud pumping party on weeknights and all day on weekends. It's a rowdy, early-20s crowd releasing their hormones at such watering holes as Patrick Malloy's and Fat Face Fenner's Fishack , which has a handy 2nd-floor balcony for babe- and dude-watching. If you're past college age, check out the legendary Mermaid , a charmingly divey '50s flashback that serves some surprisingly good food to boot.
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Jazz at Pearl's
A stylish supper club with a friendly, sophisticated vibe, Pearl's features modern jazz talent and has expanded its repertoire to blues and Latin music. It draws a well-heeled, mature crowd with its high-quality vocalists and instrumentalists. Sultry diva Kim Nalley, who owns Pearl's with her husband, is a throwback to the glamorous jazz era, and on some Mondays and Tuesdays, she'll grace audiences with an appearance.
At cocktail tables, a two-drink minimum is in effect - best to make a night of it.
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Diamond Peak
Ritzy Incline Village is the gateway to Diamond Peak ski resort, a good place to learn. From the top of the mountain you’ll have a 360-degree panorama of desert, peaks and lake.
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Emerald Bay State Park
Sheer granite cliffs and a jagged shoreline hem in glacier-carved Emerald Bay, a spot of supreme natural beauty that will have you burning up the pixels in your digicam. Its most captivating aspect is the water, which changes from cloverleaf green to light jade depending on the angle of the sun.
For a different perspective, explore the 4.8km/3mi-long bay by boat, which is also the only way to get to Fanette Island, Lake Tahoe's lone isle. It is open for exploring and swimming daily, except from February to June 15 to protect nesting Canadian geese.
The focal point of the state park embracing the fjordlike bay is Vikingsholm Castle, a pet project of millionaire heiress…
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Lake Tahoe Cruises
Lake Tahoe Cruises plies the ‘big blue’ year-round, courtesy of old-fashioned paddle wheelers. A narrated two-hour trip crosses to Emerald Bay on the lake’s western shoreline in California.
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Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park
Busy Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park has beautiful beaches and access to miles of backcountry trails for hiking, mountain biking, backpacking and horseback riding. At the park’s southern end, near the US Hwy 50–NV Hwy 28 junction, Spooner Lake is popular for catch-and-release fishing, picnicking and cross-country skiing. Spooner Lake is also the start of the famous Flume Trail, a holy grail for experienced mountain bikers. You can rent bikes, reserve return shuttles and get information and maps at the trailhead from Flume Trail Mountain Bikes.
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Lone Eagle Grille
For dinner at Diamond Peak ski resort, treat your taste buds to a meal at the exquisite Lone Eagle Grille, which overlooks the hotel's private beach. If it's full, sample the ambience over a drink in the bar.
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Mt Rose
In winter, Lake Tahoe ski resorts are close by, and Mt Rose is a mere 25 minutes away.
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Thunderbird Lodge
Reservations are required to visit eccentric San Francisco playboy George Whittell’s Thunderbird Lodge. Tours include a trip down a 600ft tunnel to the infamous Card House, where the dearly departed George once played poker with the likes of Howard Hughes. The only ways to get to the lodge are by shuttle bus or catamaran cruise.
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17-Mile Drive
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Ad Hoc
Don't ask for a menu at Thomas Keller's most innovative restaurant since French Laundry: chef Dave Cruz dreams up his four-course, $48 market menu daily. No substitutions (except for dietary restrictions), but none needed – every dish is comforting, fresh and spot-on.
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Adventures by the Sea
Also offers sunset kayaking tours at Lovers Point and SUP rentals and lessons.
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Another Side of San Diego
This highly rated tour company does Segway tours of Balboa Park, horseback riding on the beach and Gaslamp Quarter food tours.
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Aqua Surf Shop
This laid-back, tiki-themed surf shop has wax for your board, reversible polka-dot bikinis and signature hoodies to brave chilly Ocean Beach. Even kooks (newbies) become mavericks with Aqua's wetsuit rentals, tide updates and lesson referrals.
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Maritime Museum
A monumental hint to sailors in need of a scrub, this recently restored, ship-shape 1939 streamline moderne landmark is decked out with Works Progress Administration (WPA) art treasures: playful seal and frog sculptures by Beniamino Bufano, Hilaire Hiler's surreal underwater dreamscape murals and recently uncovered wood reliefs by Richard Ayer. Acclaimed African American artist Sargent Johnson created the stunning carved green slate marquee doorway and the verandah's mesmerizing aquatic mosaics, which he deliberately left unfinished on the east side to protest plans to include a private restaurant in this public facility. Johnson won: the east wing is now a maritime…
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Art Institute
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Baker Beach
Unswimmable waters (except when the tide's coming in) but unbeatable views of the Golden Gate make this former Army beachhead SF's tanning location of choice, especially the clothing-optional north end – at least until the afternoon fog rolls in.
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Bar Agricole
Drink your way to a history degree with well-researched cocktails: Bellamy Scotch Sour with egg whites passes the test, but Tequila Fix with lime, pineapple gum and hellfire bitters earns honors. And talk about an overachiever – for its modern wabi-sabi design with natural materials and sleek deck, Agricole won a James Beard Award for restaurant design. Bar bites here are a proper pig-out, including pork pâté with aspic fried farm egg with crispy pork belly.
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Benu
SF has refined fusion cuisine over 150 years, but no one rocks it quite like chef/owner Corey Lee (formerly of Napa's French Laundry), who remixes local, sustainable fine-dining staples and Pacific Rim flavors with a SoMa DJ's finesse. Velvety Sonoma foie gras with tangy, woodsy yuzu-sake glaze makes taste buds bust wild moves, while Dungeness crab and black truffle custard bring such outsize flavor to faux-shark's fin soup, you'll swear there's Jaws in there. The tasting menu is steep ($160) and beverage pairings add $110, but you won't want to miss star sommelier Yoon Ha's flights of fancy – including a rare 1968 Madeira with your soup.
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Betty's List
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Big Sur Lodge Restaurant
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Big Sur River Inn's General Store
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