We hope you'll have the opportunity to explore Burlingame and Stanford during your stay—the two places that will play such an important role in our wedding weekend. From charming downtown streets and local cafés to the beautiful Stanford campus and surrounding neighborhoods, there are plenty of wonderful places to wander at your own pace. If you're looking for a more structured day trip or a few of our favorite local adventures, we've put together several suggested excursions below to help you experience some of the best the Bay Area has to offer.
Spend an afternoon enjoying one of our favorite scenic drives through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Begin your trip at Robert's Market on Alpine Road, just about 35 minutes from the hotel and only a few minutes from Jack's old high school. Pick up one of their famous deli sandwiches, along with a few snacks and drinks, and enjoy lunch at the outdoor picnic tables before heading into the hills.
From there, take the beautiful drive along Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), winding through towering redwoods and overlooking the Peninsula, until you arrive at Fogarty Winery. We highly recommend reserving an outdoor tasting, where you'll enjoy incredible wines paired with some of the best panoramic views in the Bay Area. It's the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon and experience a side of Northern California that has always been special to us.
If you have a free afternoon, we highly recommend taking the scenic drive over Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay. The route from the hotel winds through the coastal hills and is lined with beautiful flower nurseries, local farms, and a handful of wineries before opening up to the Pacific Ocean.
Start your visit with lunch at Sam's Chowder House, one of the area's most popular seafood restaurants. If you don't have a reservation, be prepared for a bit of a wait—it's well worth it! Their outdoor patio offers beautiful ocean views and is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood.
After lunch, head down to Poplar Beach, one of our favorite spots to take in the coastline, walk along the sand, or simply relax by the water. If you're looking to explore a little more, stop by Pillar Point Harbor, where you can stroll the docks, watch the fishing boats come and go, and browse the local seafood markets featuring the day's fresh catch. It's an easy day trip that combines beautiful scenery, great food, and some of the best coastal views Northern California has to offer.
If you're planning to spend a day exploring San Francisco, we recommend making the food just as much a part of the adventure as the sights. This itinerary combines some of our favorite restaurants with a few of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Start your morning at Yank Sing for what we believe is the best dim sum in San Francisco. We usually visit the Spear Street location, though the original Stevenson Street restaurant is a wonderful choice as well. Be sure to arrive hungry—the dumplings, barbecue pork buns, and noodles are all worth trying. After lunch, take a stroll toward the Embarcadero and the waterfront piers. From there, hop on one of the city's iconic pedicabs or catch a rideshare to Pier 39, where you can browse the shops, enjoy the waterfront, and visit San Francisco's famous sea lions.
Next, make your way to The Buena Vista Café, home of the legendary Irish Coffee. While the drink originated in Ireland, The Buena Vista is credited with introducing and popularizing it in the United States, and they've been serving it the same way for decades. Just a short walk away is Ghirardelli Square, a perfect stop for an afternoon treat. Browse the shops, pick up some famous Ghirardelli chocolates to take home, or simply enjoy an ice cream sundae while taking in the atmosphere.
If you're ready to end the day with dinner, head over to Memphis Minnie's on Haight Street. It's one of our favorite barbecue restaurants and a great way to wrap up a full day of exploring the city.
Whether you're an art lover, history buff, or simply looking for a relaxing day, San Francisco offers some incredible museums and green spaces that are well worth exploring. One of our favorite recommendations is the Legion of Honor, home to an impressive collection of European art and one of the most beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge anywhere in the city. Even if you only spend a little time inside, the grounds alone are worth the visit.
If you find yourself in Golden Gate Park, be sure to visit the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum. These were favorite destinations of Jack's grandparents, making them especially meaningful places for our family. Whether you're exploring the aquarium and rainforest at the Academy or admiring the art and architecture of the de Young, you really can't go wrong. While you're wandering through the park, take your time exploring. Grab a hot dog from one of the local vendors, stroll the walking paths, and see if you can spot the park's famous herd of bison—a San Francisco tradition that's been around for more than a century.
If you'd rather spend the day with animals, the San Francisco Zoo is another wonderful option. Located along the Pacific coast, it's home to hundreds of species and makes for a fun outing for visitors of all ages.