Top Things to Do in Northern California
Wherever you venture in Northern California, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard, whether it’s the misty coastline, towering redwoods, or the rolling vineyards. From my many trips through this magical region (one of my favorite corners of the U.S.!) and trying countless experiences, here is my curated collection of the absolute must-dos.
1. Connecting with community roots at Los Altos History Museum
We drove 15 miles northwest from San Jose to the Los Altos History Museum (about 25 minutes on I-280).
Walking into the Los Altos History Museum felt like stepping into a quiet conversation between past and present. The exhibits didn’t just showcase artifacts, they told stories of apricot orchards, railroad roots, and a town that grew with heart. I remember standing beneath the branches of the giant heritage tree outside and thinking, “This is how places remember who they are.” The blend of indoor galleries and the lovely garden outside made it easy to slow down and reflect.
What I Loved Most: The exhibit on the transformation of the Valley, from agriculture to innovation, and seeing photos of early Los Altos families who shaped the land with their hands and hopes.
My highlights? Lunch afterward at State of Mind Public House, just a short walk away. I had their signature “NorCal” pizza with arugula, lemon zest, and local goat cheese, bright, fresh, and layered with flavor. The community feel of the restaurant mirrored what I’d just learned at the museum.
Travel Tips:
- Location: 51 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA
- Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 12–4 PM
- Cost: Free admission, donations appreciated
- Vibe: Quiet, educational, rooted in local pride
- Good For: History lovers, families, architecture fans
2. Finding stillness among the olive trees at McEvoy Ranch
I drove 40 miles north from San Francisco to Petaluma (about an hour along Highway 101).
McEvoy Ranch is a hidden gem in the hills of Marin County. I felt time slow down. The drive up the winding road set the mood: golden grasses, low stone walls, and the smell of rosemary in the breeze. As I stepped out onto the ranch grounds, I immediately thought, "This is what sustainable luxury looks like: unforced, rooted, alive."
The olive oil tasting was intimate and sensory. I dipped house made crackers into grassy, peppery oils while learning about harvest techniques and the ranch’s deep commitment to organic farming. The tour moved gently through lavender fields and grapevines, ending with a flight of estate wines and a board of local cheeses under the canopy of oak trees. No rush, no noise, just time to taste, talk, and let the land speak for itself.
Before leaving, I stopped at their marketplace and picked up a small bottle of rosemary olive oil and a lavender balm. It felt less like a souvenir and more like something sacred to carry home.
On the way back to Petaluma, I stopped at Risibisi, a charming Italian spot on Petaluma Boulevard. I ordered the ricotta gnocchi with sage brown butter and a glass of Pinot Noir. It was simple and rich, like the day, quietly celebratory.
Where I Stayed: I spent the night at Hotel Petaluma, a beautifully restored 1920s property with old brick walls and warm light in the hallways. It felt just right after a day spent in the countryside, unpolished in the best way.
McEvoy Ranch At a Glance
- Location: 5935 Red Hill Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952
- Vibe: Rustic, sustainable, elegant
- Highlights: Olive oil tasting, wine flights, garden and orchard tours
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for mild weather and full gardens
- Cost: Tasting experiences start at $25; reservations recommended
- Hours: Thursday–Monday, 11am–5pm
- Tip: Book the Ranch Experience if you have time, it includes a guided tasting and tour of the full estate
3. Feeling the pull of the sea at Monterey Bay Aquarium
I drove 70 miles south from Santa Cruz to Monterey (about 1.5 hours along Highway 1).
Monterey Bay Aquarium didn’t just show me the ocean, it made me feel like I was part of it. From the moment I walked in, the rhythm of the tides seemed to pulse through the building. The Open Sea exhibit was vast and hypnotic, with hammerhead sharks and sea turtles gliding past as if pulled by something ancient. I leaned into the glass and thought, “This is what awe feels like when it’s quiet.”
In the kelp forest, sunlight filtered through 28-foot-tall swaying stalks, casting green shadows over leopard sharks and bright orange Garibaldi. Kids laughed at the pulsing jellies and touched bat rays with soft fingers. Upstairs, I watched sea otters groom and tumble in their habitat, playful and utterly present. The entire space hummed with care: for the animals, for the ocean, for the future.
Afterward, I stepped out onto Cannery Row and walked to Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette in nearby Marina. I ordered the grilled Pacific halibut with herb butter and a dozen oysters on ice. The flavors echoed the aquarium, fresh, clean, and deeply respectful of the sea.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Spindrift Inn, right on the waterfront. My room had a fireplace, an ocean view, and windows that opened to the sound of waves rolling over pebbled shore. That night, I slept with salt in my hair and contentment in my chest.
Monterey Bay Aquarium At a Glance
- Location: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
- Vibe: Majestic, immersive, conservation-driven
- Highlights: Open Sea exhibit, kelp forest, sea otters, jellyfish gallery
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for fewer crowds
- Cost: $59.95 adults, $44.95 children; timed entry required
- Hours: 10am–5pm daily
- Tip: Don’t skip the decks overlooking the bay, you can often spot wild otters and whales offshore
4. Letting art shift the lens at SFMOMA
We drove 15 miles across the Bay Bridge from Berkeley to SFMOMA (about 30 minutes with light traffic).
Walking into the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) felt like stepping into a brain mid-dream, sharp lines, bold colors, and quiet corners for complicated thoughts. I moved through rooms of Rothko, Warhol, and Ruth Asawa, and somewhere between the seventh floor sculpture garden and a looping video installation, I thought, “Art doesn’t always answer, it asks better questions.”
The building itself pulled me upward and outward. Natural light spilled across concrete and steel, framing each piece like a pause. I sat in front of a single photograph for longer than I’d planned, letting its stillness rearrange something in me. The museum was sprawling but never overwhelming, it gave me space to wander, to lean into curiosity, to not rush. That, more than anything, felt modern.
After the museum, I walked a few blocks to Boulevard, a refined yet welcoming restaurant near the waterfront. I ordered the seared scallops with spring pea purée and citrus beurre blanc. Each bite was delicate but grounded, just like the art I’d spent the morning with. Food as composition, plate as canvas.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Hotel Zetta in SoMa. Its creative energy, bold design, and walkable location made it feel like an extension of the museum experience, playful, clever, a little surprising.
SFMOMA At a Glance
- Location: 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Vibe: Provocative, expansive, thoughtfully curated
- Highlights: Contemporary installations, sculpture garden, photography and design collections
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoons or Thursday evenings for fewer crowds
- Cost: $30 adults; free for visitors under 18
- Hours: Friday–Tuesday 10am–5pm; Thursday until 8pm; closed Wednesdays
- Tip: Start from the top floor and work your way down for a smooth, layered experience
5. Whispers of the Past at History San Jose
We drove 45 miles south from San Francisco to History San José (about an hour on Highway 101).
History San José felt like stepping into a forgotten chapter, quiet, sun-dappled, and just slightly slowed. The breeze carried the scent of warm wood and old blossoms as I walked past weathered schoolhouses and picket fences.
A trolley sat still on its tracks, doors open as if waiting for someone to step back in time. I paused in front of the Umbarger House, paint gently peeling, and thought, “This place remembers more than it shows.”
What I Loved Most: Wandering the tree-lined paths, sunlight flickering through branches, each creak of a porch step echoing like a memory.
My highlights? A satisfying lunch at Lou’s Village Café , a hot turkey melt on sourdough, buttery and crisp at the edges, with sharp cheddar oozing out. The fruit salad on the side tasted like summer: ripe strawberries, chilled melon, a hint of mint. I ate on a shady veranda, listening to the soft chatter of nearby families and the rustle of eucalyptus leaves above.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Downtown San José: ~10 minutes southeast
- Vibe: Nostalgic, peaceful, hands-on
- Highlights: Historic homes, trolley cars, blacksmith demonstrations, print shop
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild, comfortable walking weather
- Cost: ~$10 adults; ~$5 kids; special events may vary
- Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–4pm (check ahead for holiday hours)
6. Meeting the Pacific face-to-face at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center
I drove 35 miles north from Monterey to Santa Cruz (about 45 minutes along Highway 1).
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz felt less like a tourist attraction and more like an introduction, to the ocean, to the work of scientists, and to the stories that live beneath the waves. Perched above the cliffs overlooking Monterey Bay, the center was modest in size but deep in meaning. I stood by the life-sized blue whale skeleton outside, wind tugging at my jacket, and thought, "This is the scale of the world we forget to see."
Inside, touch tanks and interactive exhibits brought kelp forests and deep-sea creatures to life. I watched children press their noses to the glass and ask brilliant questions. The research labs visible through interior windows reminded me this wasn’t just a place to learn, it was a place where learning is happening, right now. After walking the bluff trail and spotting sea otters in the surf, I left with the same salty air in my lungs that had carried so many discoveries to shore.
For lunch, I drove ten minutes into town and grabbed a table at Betty Burgers. I ordered the classic Big Betty with garlic fries and a root beer float. It was casual and a little messy, exactly what I needed after walking the coast and feeling humbled by the Pacific’s expanse.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Dream Inn Santa Cruz, right on Cowell's Beach. My room faced the ocean, and that night, I cracked the window just enough to fall asleep to waves and wake to seabirds calling the morning in.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center At a Glance
- Location: 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Vibe: Educational, scenic, quietly profound
- Highlights: Blue whale skeleton, marine life exhibits, bluff trail
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning for smaller crowds and good light on the cliffs
- Cost: $10 adults, $8 children; free for members
- Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm
- Tip: Walk the nearby coastal trail behind the center, it’s free, and the views are spectacular
7. KidZone Museum in Truckee
IWe drove 12 miles north from Lake Tahoe’s north shore to Truckee (about 20 minutes).
KidZone Museum in Truckee surprised me, it was smaller than I expected, but thoughtfully built. Once my son started playing, I was immediately grateful that we stopped here. Every corner had a purpose: build, climb, play, imagine.
I watched a toddler in boots stomp through a pretend river exhibit, then heard a kid behind me yell “Look what I made!” with total conviction. It wasn’t a big flashy museum, it was a haven for growing minds, tucked against the pines like a secret.
We checked into Truckee Donner Lodge, right next to Donner Memorial State Park ($10 if you are driving). We explored the park next morning, enjoying the lake and fresh air.
8. Colonel Allensworth’s Legacy in the Valley
I drove 45 miles north from Bakersfield to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (about 50 minutes on Highway 99 and rural roads).
I walked the dusty paths of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The place felt as if the town itself was still waiting for its next chapter. Wooden schoolhouses, church pews, and modest homes stood steady against the wide Central Valley sky. I thought, “This place is quiet, but its story is louder than most.”
It was humbling to stand in California’s only town founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. It is a testament to a vision of independence and hope from 1908 that still echoes today.
What I Loved Most: The way history was preserved in the stillness. Walking through the general store and schoolhouse, I could almost hear voices of determination and community pride carried on the dry breeze.
My highlights? A simple picnic near the restored buildings, the scent of hay and wild grass around me. The bread and fruit I brought seemed sharper in flavor, as if the quiet had made my senses more attentive. I lingered by the Baptist church, its wooden frame weathered but resolute, a reminder of how faith anchored the community.
A downside? The park’s remoteness made it feel a little lonely, especially in the midday heat. Shade was limited, so I had to pace myself and plan for breaks.
I spent the night at Hyatt Place Delano, a 20-minute drive away.
Plan your Allensworth trip:
- Drive Time from Bakersfield: ~45 minutes north
- Vibe: Historic, contemplative, resilient
- Highlights: Restored town buildings, visitor center exhibits, self-guided walking tours
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for cooler temperatures
- Cost: Parking ~$10/day; tours free with admission
- Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset; visitor center typically 10am–4pm
9. Walking through legacy at Jack London State Historic Park
I drove 20 miles north from Sonoma to J Glen Ellen (about 35 minutes along winding country roads).
Jack London State Historic Park ($10 Vehicle entry fee) was into the Sonoma hills. The air smelled like oak. I wandered past London’s cottage and the ruins of Wolf House with my son. Somewhere near the stone steps of the winery-turned-museum, I paused and said to my son, “This was a man who tried to live the stories he wrote.”
The trails wound through vineyards and a forest. We followed them slowly, letting the quiet pull us deeper in. Inside the museum, I lingered over his typewriter, old photographs, and the weathered leather bags from his adventures.
But it was the land itself (the trees, the slope of the hill, the stillness...) that felt like the true archive. You don’t just learn about Jack London here; you feel the weight of his ambition and restlessness in every stone.
After hiking back, I drove down to Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar. I ordered the Dungeness crab cakes. The flavors were fresh and local. We sat by the window and watched the late light turn golden across the hills.
Where I Stayed: This was just a day trip, but next time I booked a stay at the Gaige House, a serene boutique inn nearby. The Japanese soaking tub, bamboo gardens, and trickling fountains offered a kind of peace that matched the park’s quiet depth.
Jack London State Historic Park At a Glance
- Location: 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
- Vibe: Reflective, literary, rooted in nature
- Highlights: Wolf House ruins, museum, hiking trails, London’s gravesite
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for cooler hikes and vibrant foliage
- Cost: $10 vehicle fee
- Hours: Daily, 9am–5pm
- Tip: Don’t skip the Wolf House trail, it’s a short, powerful walk into creative dreams both realized and lost
10. Drifting through a dream at the Palace of Fine Arts
I drove 12 miles north from Daly City to San Francisco (about 25 minutes).
The Palace of Fine Arts (no admission fee) was romantic, and slightly surreal. I walked beneath towering Corinthian columns and around the reflecting lagoon. Swans glided in slow arcs and the domed rotunda mirrored perfectly in the water. It was quiet although I wasn't alone. I stood under the archway and thought, “Wow, stunning!”
Originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, the Palace is a sanctuary in the middle of a busy city. Couples posed for wedding photos. A man played cello beneath the dome. I sat on a bench, watching the light shift across the stone.
Afterward, I walked to Baker Street Bistro, just a few blocks away in the Marina District. I ordered the Croque Monsieur with a crisp green salad and a glass of rosé. It was the kind of meal that lingers, simple, Parisian, and utterly unhurried. I stayed longer than I meant to, full in more ways than one.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf by IHG ($275/night) because of its location and great amenities.
Palace of Fine Arts At a Glance
- Location: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
- Vibe: Elegant, peaceful, cinematic
- Highlights: Corinthian columns, rotunda, lagoon, photo ops
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or just before sunset for soft light and quiet
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Open daily, 6am–9pm
- Tip: Bring a coffee and linger, this isn’t a place to rush
Conclusion
Northern California left me hushed. From marine science labs perched above surf to grand colonnades echoing with silence, each place carried a kind of reverence, for nature, for art, for story. I walked redwood trails once tread by writers, sipped olive oil under slow skies, and stood eye-to-eye with jellyfish and Rothkos. It wasn’t a loud trip, but it stayed with me long after, the kind of journey that doesn’t just fill your itinerary, it fills your spirit.
My personal highlights:
What I love most is how Northern California gives you the best mix of experiences, San Francisco’s iconic landmarks, the unique serenity of Yosemite, the underrated beauty of Mendocino’s coast, and the endless fun at Lake Tahoe. Each feels special and has quickly become one of my favorite reasons to return again and again.
If you love California, try one of these destinations next:
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
