California Road Trips Guide - 2021 - 26

ROAD TRIPS 2021
San Francisco
Oakland
San Jose
Gateway Essentials:
Northern California
T
he San Francisco Bay Area
is famous for its independent,
left-coast culture-it's
a place where tech nerds, foodies, and
creatives feel right at home. Its unique
geography contributes to its edginess:
San Francisco sits on a peninsula,
hugged by the Pacific Ocean and San
Francisco Bay, linked to neighboring
cities by a handful of scenic bridges.
The area's three main airports are
all within an hour of one another, but
you can streamline your getaway by
picking the best fit for your itinerary.
Arriving at San Francisco International
makes it easy to visit San Francisco,
Marin County, or the Redwood Coast.
If you're heading toward Big Sur or
Santa Barbara, San Jose International
is the most convenient choice. And
for Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, or Mount
Shasta, Oakland International is the
closest option.
San Francisco
The City by the Bay has dozens of
must-sees: Bundle up for a windy walk
across the Golden Gate Bridge. Head
to Fisherman's Wharf to watch the
sea lions and taste fresh Dungeness
crab. Visit the Ferry Building's farmers
market and boutique shops.
26 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM
Admire the works of modern masters
at SFMOMA. Explore Chinatown's
apothecaries, curio shops, and dim
sum restaurants. Wander through
Golden Gate Park's superb museums
to see art at the de Young, flora at
Strybing Arboretum, and nature at
the California Academy of Sciences.
Cruise across the bay for a tour of
Alcatraz prison.
Kids love Fisherman's Wharf,
especially PIER 39's sunbathing sea
lions and the Aquarium of the Bay.
At Pier 15's Exploratorium, exhibits
encourage kids to play like scientists.
Explore the Children's Creativity
Museum in Yerba Buena Gardens or
the Walt Disney Family Museum in the
Presidio.
Oakland
Dynamic, artsy Oakland and
surrounding East Bay cities are
packed with lively music venues,
legendary bookstores, and global
restaurants. Browse waterfront boutiques,
tour a historic ship, and savor
bayside splendor at Jack London
Square. Shop your way through the
hip Rockridge District, filled with highend
clothing shops and boutiques
selling luxury home goods.
Take the kids to Tilden Park, where
they can feed farm animals or ride a
miniature steam train and a handcarved
antique carousel. Check out
the planetarium at the Chabot Space
& Science Center, and see exotic
animals at the Oakland Zoo.
San Jose
California's third-largest city is
packed with worthwhile stops like
The Tech Interactive, with exhibits
on computers, robotics, and space
exploration, and San Pedro Square
Market, a lively food hall. The
light-filled San Jose Museum of Art
features works by contemporary
California artists, and History Park
offers a glimpse into San Jose's life
before it became Silicon Valley's civic
heart. Santana Row offers 70-plus
shops where you can indulge your
fashion sense.
Kids love touring the quirky
Winchester Mystery House and
marveling at mummies and tombs at
the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.
Take the younger set to the Children's
Discovery Museum, a big purple
building filled with interactive arts
and technology exhibits for kids 10
and under.
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http://www.VISITCALIFORNIA.COM
California Road Trips Guide - 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Road Trips Guide - 2021
