Things To Do

Los Gatos

Outdoor Activities

Vasona Lake County Park

Enjoy a scenic walk, paddle boat rentals, or just a peaceful picnic by the water. Great for families and nature lovers alike.

Los Gatos Creek Trail

A beautiful trail perfect for a morning jog, leisurely bike ride, or relaxing stroll.

Castle Rock State Park

A short drive away, this park offers hiking with stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Hakone Estate and Gardens

A serene Japanese garden just 15 minutes from Los Gatos—ideal for a quiet afternoon escape.

Shopping & Strolling

Downtown Los Gatos

Just steps away from the Toll House Hotel. Full of boutique shops, coffee spots, art galleries, and wine bars. A charming place to wander.

Santana Row

A lively outdoor shopping and dining area about 20 minutes away, with luxury shops and great restaurants.

Dining

Manresa Bread

Amazing pastries, breakfast, and coffee—perfect for a morning pick-me-up. Website

The Bywater

A casual New Orleans-inspired spot from a Michelin-starred chef.

The Lexington House

Trendy spot with creative small plates and excellent cocktails. Great for a cozy night out.

Opelia

Turkish-Mediterranean cuisine with nice cocktails and a great atmosphere.

San Francisco

San Francisco Restaurants

We both love food, and San Francisco has some great restaurants. Here's a list of some places we like!

Mount Tamalpais State Park

An hour north of San Francisco, this is the location of some of our favorite hikes. Mount Tam provides a variety of hikes with gorgeous redwood and stunning views of the Bay and ocean. Check out Muir Woods National Monument while you are there! It is fairly inaccessible by transit, so we recommend renting a car if you plan on going. If you intend to park at Muir Woods instead of another trail head, be advised you must reserve a parking spot in advance.

Ferry Building

The Ferry Building is not only a transport hub, but home to a variety of restaurants and shops as well. It also hosts a fantastic Farmer's Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Angel Island

Easier to access hiking for those of you visiting SF who want to get out into nature, and panoramic views of the Bay (fog permitting). To get there, go to the Ferry Building (worth a visit in its own right!), and get a round trip ticket for the ferry to Angel Island. Just make sure to pay attention to the return ferry times — if you miss the last boat you will be stuck on the island!

Alcatraz Island

A must for any first time visitors to SF! Explore Fisherman's Wharf, see the sea lions on Pier 39, and then take a tour of this famous prison. Though it's a very touristy area, it's well worth a visit!

Dolores Park

SF residents flock to Dolores Park on our rare nice weekend days. It's a huge party! Pick up some beer from Woods Cervecería and head to the park for great views of downtown and even better people watching.

Golden Gate Park

This is the largest park in the city. It's 3.5 miles long, with a variety of sights and activities. There are a spattering of ponds, gardens, and even a bison paddock! It is also home to the Conservatory of Flowers, the SF Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, the California Academy of Sciences, and the de Young Museum. Make sure to bring layers — this area of the city is prone to sudden and extreme fog in the summer!

Valencia Street

One of our favorite streets to walk around in the Mission district, Valencia is home to a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops. If the weather is nice, head to the beer garden Zeitgeist, or grab a snack from our favorite ice cream shop Garden Creamery.

Golden Gate Bridge

This feels almost unnecessary to include in an SF to-do list, but it's worth checking out the bridge. You can rent a bike and go across the bridge and take the ferry back from Sausalito. Otherwise, you can explore the Presidio, Lands End, Sutro Baths, Crissy Fields, or other areas nearby.

Corona Heights Park

Though it's a bit of a climb to get to the top, this hike offers some of the best views of the city! Start here and then explore the Castro and Mission afterwards.

Chinatown

One of the most notable San Francisco neighborhoods, Chinatown is a great place to grab some Cantonese baked goods and explore. Be warned, it is quite hilly, so if you have mobility concerns this may not be the best stop.

Museums

Asian Art Museum

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

de Young Museum

Exploratorium

Though this is a 'childrens' museum, it is really fantastic for adults as well.