Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Golden Gate Park (California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum), or wander neighborhoods like North Beach, the Mission, or Hayes Valley. Riding a cable car is a classic if it’s your first visit.
Lake Merritt is perfect for a walk or coffee stop. Jack London Square offers waterfront dining, and the Oakland Museum of California is a great overview of the state’s history and culture. For nature, Redwood Regional Park has beautiful trails and redwoods.
Stroll the UC Berkeley campus and head up the Campanile for Bay views. The Gourmet Ghetto and Fourth Street are great for food and shopping, and Tilden Regional Park offers easy hikes and scenic overlooks.
Napa or Sonoma for wine tasting, Sausalito and the Marin Headlands for coastal views, or Half Moon Bay for ocean scenery.