40 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
B Y L A U R A D E L R O S S O
T
he San Francisco Bay Area never disappoints visitors: the majestic
towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline and
other cities of culture and great dining, ancient redwood groves,
expansive vineyards and a coastline of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches.
Combine those with a Mediterranean climate and a dynamic environ-
ment of high-tech entrepreneurs and it's no wonder the San Francisco
Bay Area encourages a seductive, can-do way of life that revolves around
the high energy of its residents and the great outdoors at its doorstep.
The hub of the Bay Area is San Francisco, a city of diverse neighbor-
hoods, world-class cuisine and a welcoming spirit of tolerance in the
most European of American cities.
NORTH BAY: Marin, Sonoma & Napa
Across the Golden Gate to the north lies Marin County, one of the most
beautiful and affluent areas of the U.S. Sausalito, Tiburon and Mill Valley
are among its many inviting towns. The mountain bike was invented
here to maneuver the twisty trails on Mount Tamalpais. On the Marin
coast, one ruggedly gorgeous beach follows another, including along
spectacular Point Reyes National Seashore.
Also in the North Bay, Sonoma and Napa counties are home to
acres of vineyards and dozens of wineries producing some of the
world's finest wines. Among the small towns full of boutiques, shops
and tasting rooms is the Napa Valley hamlet of Yountville, a foodie
dining mecca with several Michelin-starred restaurants and, a bit
SAN
FRANCISCO
BAY AREA
TOP CITIES
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Napa, Sonoma,
Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Healdsburg,
Petaluma
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 12 miles (19 km)
from downtown San Francisco; Oakland International
Airport (OAK), 8 miles (13 km) from downtown Oakland;
San Jose International Airport (SJC), 4 miles (6 km) from
downtown San Jose
TOURISM WEBSITES
sftravel.com visitoakland.com
visitberkeley.com sanjose.org
santaclara.org visitnapavalley.com
sonomacounty.com sonomavalley.com
stayhealdsburg.com santacruz.org
visitpetaluma.com thesanfranciscopeninsula.com
visitmarin.org
POPULATION
7,750,000
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
Exploring San Francisco's Vibrant Culture and Iconic Landmarks
JACK-SOOKSAN/SHUTTERSTOCK
