[ GET GOING! ]
What are you up to this weekend? Each year there are 52 chances to answer that question. For Bay Area residents living in a world-class playground, the options are abundant. Within a few hours we can be on top of a mountain, deep in a redwood forest, sunning on the coast or standing at the gateway to Yosemite. We can be dining at a Michelinstarred restaurant or snacking at a roadside stand that serves some of the freshest oysters imaginable.
Did I mention there is some pretty good wine and beer too?
Over the past year, the awardwinning Travel section’s intrepid staff writers, photographers and contributors have scoured the region, scouting the best things to do.
We’ve plucked our 20 favorite weekends for this guide. Our radius: Within 3½ hours of San Francisco, which includes Sonoma and the North Coast, Wine Country, Gold Country, Marin County, the Sacramento Valley, the South Bay and the Central Coast.
Each trip, accompanied by gorgeous photos, includes activities, dining options and places to stay. For additional inspiration, we asked local insiders for their to-do lists.
This is not a guide for the tourist. It’s for you, the Californian. It will take you to places you know and places you may never have considered as a getaway. Forget two days, go for a long weekend.
Follow the guide and start planning. And enjoy the journey!