Things To Do
Fisherman's Wharf- Pier 39
Fisherman’s Wharf, on the northern waterfront, is one of the city's busiest tourist areas. Souvenir shops and stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls appear at every turn, as do postcard views of the bay, Golden Gate and Alcatraz. There’s also a colony of sea lions to see and historic ships to tour. At Ghirardelli Square, boutiques and eateries reside in the famed former chocolate factory.
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a research institute and natural history museum in San Francisco, California, that is among the largest museums of natural history in the world, housing over 46 million specimens
de Young Museum
Located in the beautiful Golden Gate Park. Get a 360* birds-eye view of San Francisco... FOR FREE! Just tell security you want to check out the "OBSERVATION TOWER."
Palace of Fine Arts
The most beautiful structure in all of San Francisco. Don't forget to check out the Yoda Fountain across the street! This is a great stop because it also keeps you on route for Sonoma.
Yoda Fountain
Baker Beach
*CLOTHING OPTIONAL BEACH* A trip to SF is not complete without seeing some naked people!
Golden Gate Park
Lands End Trail
If your flight arrives early and you have some extra time to kill, this is an amazing place to hike alongside the Pacific Ocean.
Fort Point National Historic Site
The absolute best place to take pics of the Golden Gate Bridge. Very lowkey spot tourists don't know about- unlike the overcrowded Vista Pointe.
Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point
Vantage point offering stunning views of the surrounding city, bay & the iconic bridge
Marufuku Ramen
Best ramen on the planet in the very safe and clean Japan Town. Plus it's on the way to the Golden Gate Bridge & doesn't take you through the congested area of SF.
Stonemill Matcha
Delicious matcha-based pastries & beverages & light Japanese bites served in a relaxed, minimalist space. Get a sesame latte w/ the matcha cream pie & a matcha white chocolate chip cookie after lunch at Marufuku
San Tung
If you prefer Chinese to Japanese, this is the spot! Get the chicken wings, and bring me an order!
El Farolito Bar
SF locals favorite taqueria. More low key option to La Taqueria
Jack London's Wolf House
From easy walks to tough hikes- Jack London State Historic Park, also known as Jack London Home and Ranch, includes the ruins of a house burned a few months before Jack London and family were to move in, a cottage in which they had lived, another house built later, and the graves of Jack London and his wife. The property is both a California Historical Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
In the spring and early summer, hikers are rewarded with a carpet of California poppies next to the Bald Mountain Trail, and numerous park benches sit along the moderate out-and-back route. The first mile is a well-maintained, single-track trail, and just after the one-mile mark, the route becomes paved. The last third of the trail is a gravel road, with yet another park bench at the summit. Those wishing to add more distance and gain can make a partial loop via the Gray Pine and Vista Trail back to the same trailhead, adding an extra mile and a half and 200 feet of gain. Don't miss the Waterfall on the drive up!!
Point Reyes- Sea Lion Cove
Everything there is to love about California wilderness. Located in Marin County, just a few miles north of San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore is famous for the impossibly picturesque Point Reyes Lighthouse, epic hiking trails, numerous species of birds and wildlife, and the iconic expanse of Ten Mile Beach. The Point Reyes coastline is gorgeous! Don't forget to wave "hi" to the sea lions and be on the look out for whales!
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
What is a trip to Northern California without hugging one of our legendary giant redwoods?!? Go for a hike among some of the oldest and largest trees on the planet!
Stinson Beach
Favorite beach
Bodega Bay Trailhead
Great hike along the Sonoma County coastline
Grizzly Peak
Whether you drive and park at one of the lookout spots- or hike and really earn it- this is one of the best views of the Bay Area you will find. If you visited Max while he lived in Berkeley, there is no way you avoided this place. Truly magical.
Cornerstone Sonoma
Marketplace offering shops, casual dining, picturesque gardens & winery & distillery tasting rooms.
Morimoto Napa
Favorite non-ramen Japanese restaurant in Napa. Great sushi. Make sure you try the ribs!
Sunflower Caffé
Great brunch spot in Sonoma
El Molino Central
Colorful casa for housemade Mexican classics including tacos, tostadas, enchiladas & various tamale flavors. A major step up from a taco truck or taqueria.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
The Winery Max proposed to Miri at.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery
Most exquisite winery in the beautiful city of Healdsburg, CA.
Kunde Family Winery
Beautiful winery in Sonoma Valley
Buena Vista Winery
Old rustic winery with a castle!
Gloria Ferrer Wines
WINERY
Viansa Sonoma Winery & Tasting Room
Tours & tastings at a hilltop wine estate overlooking a wetland habitat for herons, egrets & geese.
Montini Open Space Preserve trailhead
OUTDOOR HIKING
Sonoma Zipline Adventures
HIKING, zipline
Sonoma Overlook Trail
This 3-mi. hiking trail though meadows & grasslands offers views of Sonoma Valley.
Sonoma Bike Path
Nice flat walk/bike through downtown sonoma valley
Cielito Coffee & Ice Cream
Ice cream, coffee, smoothies, mexican treats
Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
Housemade ice cream, sundaes & shakes served in a petite, stylish storefront with sidewalk seating.
Scandia Bakery
Favorite bakery in Sonoma
Salt & Stone
Sonoma-style American fare plus local craft beers & wine in bucolic, family-friendly surroundings.
Wit & Wisdom
Wit & Wisdom Sonoma is Chef Michael Mina’s first venture into wine country dining, and delivers Mina’s signature flair with a highly curated culinary experience perfect for any time of day.
the girl & the fig
Wonderful antique bar with French aperitifs, unique and traditional cocktails, an award-winning Rhône-Alone wine list, a seasonal menu, cheese & charcuterie platters, outdoor garden patio seating & outdoor parklet seating.
South Lake Tahoe
If you are making a longer vacation out of the visit... Lake Tahoe is 2 hours away, and if you have never been there it is an absolute must-see! Most of the ski resorts will still be open and if you are anything like me, there is nothing more freeing than a warm spring snowboard session in a hoodie- overlooking a lake that is so amazing you would swear it belongs in Michigan!
The Outpost
Best dispensary in Wine Country. Great selection of top tier products. (Or tell Max what you need ahead of time and we can have it waiting for you)