Things To Do
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Brewery Taproom
One of Luke's favorite places to grab a beer! If you want your experience to be more food focused, we love the downtown taproom instead (200 West Main Street)- slightly better menu and food!
La Mo - Coffee & Tea
Our favorite coffee! We hardly ever miss a Saturday morning here - don't let the crowd scare you. If you're are hungry for more than a pastry, try the restaurant for brunch or lunch!
Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center
Stop in to try some cheese samples, grab a coffee, ice cream or lunch from the deli! If you're extra into cheese, make sure to order a cup of cheese chowder.
Turlock Downtown Farmers Market
We love the Turlock Farmers Market! It runs every Saturday during summer from 9AM - 1PM. (Use the address for La Mo Cafe to get you there.)
Ten Pin Fun Center (Bowling)
This place can get pretty busy on the weekend - call ahead to reserve a lane!
Memo's Cocina & Tequila Bar
If you're in the valley in California you need to get yourself some Mexican food! Aside from good food, this place promises cool vibes and great cocktails.
Touring San Francisco
We recommend staying off the tourist trap Pier 39 and Fishermans wharf – unless you go through it to get to Scomas, an awesome Italian Seafood restaurant (tip:make reservations!) Downtown is certainly a sight to be seen but to get out of the hustle and bustle seek these: Ferry Building on Embarcadero, a charming marketplace with lots of upscale and artisan vendors Golden Gate Park & Lovers Lane Little Italy/North Beach The Presidio Park Fun pubs, trendy restaurants and boutique shopping can be found in the Cow Hollow District/Pacific Heights
Touring Napa & Sonoma
Sonoma Valley We love wine tasting on the Russian River (usually reservations are needed at most wineries) and staying In downtown Healdsburg. Napa Valley Check out Saint Helena and the Silverado Trial for some charming wineries and classic Napa Valley wines. If you go the main way down Highway 29, our favorite winery Turnbull is a can’t miss! Avenue of the Giants If your travels give you some extra time, continue to make your way into Northern California to Humboldt Redwoods State Park and down State Rout 254 aka “Avenue of the giants” for a spectacular drive through some of California’s oldest and largest Redwoods.
Touring the Sierra Nevadas
Sierra Nevada Mountains and Foothills Murphys This is a super charming wine centric historic downtown located at the start of the Sierra Nevada Mountains just East of where we live. The downtown area is packed with tasting rooms and restaurants and makes for a great destination or pitstop on your way up to Calaveras Big Trees National Park (in case you missed the Avenue of the Giants!). Sonora Much like Murphys, Sonora is a historic town in the Sierra Foothills but with more Gold Rush and Wild West history. It has lots of charm, great old bars and restaurants and is close to many boutique mountain wineries. Yosemite Valley Arguably the most spectacular sight in California, Yosemite Valley National Park is incredible. A can’t miss – but aim for a weekday as Tourism will be high in July/August. If you are going and would like to hike, feel free to reach out for some specific recommendations.
Touring the Central Coast
Carmel Valley/Carmel-by-the-Sea Another charming wine country spot with upscale shops and great wine. After checking out some tasting room in the Valley and exploring downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, take 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach and make your way to Monterey and try to get a table at hole-in-the-wall The Fish House. Highway 1/Big Sur If you are looking to start making your way to Southern California from Carmel/Monterey area, take the PCH (Hwy 1) down through Big Sur to San Luis Obispo. This is a beautiful drive but make sure to give yourself an extra day in your itinerary as it can be slow going. San Luis Obispo Jac’s favorite place and town of her alma mater. There are endless things to do and see here – it’s like an adult playground of hiking, beaches, boutique wineries, craft beer/liquor, trendy restaurants and shopping. Additionally, it’s only a few miles from Shell and Avila Beach. If you think you’ll make it to SLO - we have a ton of recommendations, just reach out!