Tag: San

20 Gorgeous Camping Spots Within 100 Miles of San Francisco

With popular landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, its namesake urban park, and a host of other urban attractions, camping typically isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about exploring the San Francisco Bay Area.

Well, we’re here to tell you it should be.

In a state that is home to nine national parks including Yosemite and Redwoods, camping competition can be fierce. Yet those familiar with the unique coastline and impressive diversity of public lands around the Bay Area know full well that proximal camping options rival some of the most coveted campgrounds in the state.

Whether you’re traveling through or residing in the Bay Area and simply looking for a nearby outdoor overnight, one need drive no further than a few hours drive from the urban core. In many cases only a fraction of that drive time is necessary to access campground gems set among scenic coastal backdrops, redwood groves and rolling oak savannah hills.

Below is a list of some of our favorite Bay Area campgrounds located within a 100-mile radius, stretching from the Sonoma Coast to northern Big Sur. While most campgrounds listed below are accessible by vehicle, some require a short walk or hike in. Note that reservations are recommended during weekends and holidays where applicable.

GERSTLE COVE CAMPGROUND, Salt Point State Park

Gerstel Cove Campground in Salt Point State Park has 30 drive-in sites located on the ocean side of Highway 1. While other campgrounds are available in the park, Gerstle Cove Campground offers the nearest ocean access and remains open year-round. As the name suggests, the campground is adjacent to Gerstle Cove, a State Marine Reserve that hosts a healthy underwater kelp forest. The rich marine ecosystem makes Gerstle Cove a popular spot for divers staying at the campground.

The campground is situated around a single loop, and the outer campsites offer more privacy than others. There are no showers. Reservations are possible year-round and strongly encouraged April through September.

  • PROS: Easy access to Gerstle Cove. Exploring Salt Point State Park.
  • CONS: Can be booked weekends April through September.
  • REGION: Sonoma Coast + Napa Area, CA
  • CONGESTION: High
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $35.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $8.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 30
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, at campground but not on trails or beaches

BODEGA DUNES CAMPGROUND, Sonoma Coast State Park

Tucked away in the dunes behind the sand and crashing surf, Bodega Dunes Campground offers beach access and a tranquil camping option for visitors to Bodega Bay and the surrounding area. The campground is a couple of dunes away from South Salmon Creek Beach, a picturesque setting for beach combing, kite flying, and picnics. There area also a few surfing spots nearby, such as North Salmon Creek Beach a mile to the north.

The campground has campsites for car/tents or RVs up to 31 feet (although no RV hookups are available), bathrooms, showers and potable water. The majority of the campsites are shaded by Monterey cypress trees and some of the sites have sandy dune backdrops. There is a day use area with picnic tables and an access road within the campground closer to the beach.

  • PROS: Beach access. Shaded campsites.
  • CONS: Sounding of a foghorn througout the night.
  • REGION: Sonoma Coast + Napa Area, CA
  • CONGESTION: Low
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $35.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $8.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 98
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 1
  • GROUP SITES: 1
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, at campground but not on dunes or beaches

DORAN BEACH CAMPGROUND, Doran Regional Park

Surrounded by the waters of Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, Doran Beach Campground offers visitors a beautiful beachside setting and both car/tent sites and RV sites (although with no hookups). It’s a great camping spot for beachcombers and kayakers.

The campground is divided among four campground loops, Shell Campground, Gull Campground, Cove Campground and Jetty Campground, and also has a walk-in tent area and a group camping area. Shell, Gull and Cove Campgrounds are situated across the campground access road from Doran Beach, and Jetty Campground directly abuts the beach. Potable water is available throughout the campground, and dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash at all times.

  • PROS: Access to Bodega Bay and Doran Beach. Great fishing. Boat launch.
  • CONS: No hook-ups. Can get crowded on sunny weekends.
  • REGION: Sonoma Coast + Napa Area, CA
  • CONGESTION: High
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $35.00 to $37.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 128
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 10
  • GROUP SITES: 1
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, $2 per night fee

SKY CAMP, Point Reyes National Seashore

Founded in 1962, the Point Reyes National Seashore is a 70,000-acre park with access to long beaches, jagged cliffs, rain forests, and huge meadows. Trails are scattered throughout the area, and there are four large campgrounds: Glen, Coast, Wildcat, and Sky.

Sky Campground is located at an elevation of 1,025 feet and features 12 campsites, solar-powered bathrooms, and potable water. There is one large group site, but the other 11 are smaller sites for one or two tents. Grills have been removed due to fire hazard but each site still has a picnic table and food storage lockers; gas camp stoves are permitted. The sites that are further from the main trail are the most secluded, and some provide beautiful views of the Point Reyes Peninsula.

  • PROS: Secluded campsites. Beautiful views.
  • CONS: Sites are reserved early.
  • REGION: Marin, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $30.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 11
  • GROUP SITES: 1
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

PANTOLL CAMPGROUND, Mount Tamalpais State Park

Located half way up Mount Tamalpais’ forested southern slopes, Pantoll Campground is one of two first-come, first-served walk-in campgrounds within Mount Tamalpais State Park (Bootjack being the other). With 16 historic campsites lying beneath a quiet Douglas fir forest, time spent next to the campfire here will quickly expunge thoughts of the big city that lies just a few miles to the south.

  • PROS: Direct access to Mount Tamalpais’ best hiking trails.
  • CONS: Limited number of sites.
  • REGION: Marin, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $25.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 16
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

BOOTJACK CAMPGROUND, Mount Tamalpais State Park

After over 40 years of closure, a renovated Bootjack Campground reopened in the fall of 2013, offering an additional 15 historic campsites within Mount Tamalpais State Park. The campground provides walk-in sites adjacent to the parking and day use area, and two sites that meet ADA standards. In an effort to preserve the historic character of the campground, campsites feature grills suspended over rock fire rings that are reminiscent of the Civilian Conservation Corps era.

Bootjack occupies an ideal location on Mount Tam, sitting at the junction of the Matt Davis and Bootjack Trails, two premier park hikes. The Bootjack trail leads down to Muir Woods National Monument. Pantoll Station is only a short distance up the trail, and this connects with numerous other Mount Tam trails, such as the Steep Ravine to Dipsea Trail Loop. There is a picnic area below the campground that provides views of the Redwood Creek and Muir Woods valley below.

  • PROS: Quiet campground. Access to hiking trails.
  • CONS: Limited number of sites.
  • REGION: Marin, CA
  • CONGESTION: Low
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $25.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 15
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, in campgrounds and on paved roads

LIVE OAK CAMPGROUND, Mount Diablo State Park

One of three main campgrounds within Mount Diablo State Park, Live Oak lies half way up the mountain’s southern slopes near the impressive sandstone formations of the Rock City area. As its name suggests, sites are set under large coast live oaks, some with impressive spans that provide welcome swaths of shade over the camp. Each site comes equipped with traditional Diablo fire grills, picnic tables, and raccoon boxes to help keep Mount Diablo’s critters away from your nightly feed. A covered picnic area is located near the restroom building.

The cozy campground is situated around a loop with perimeter sites offering slightly more privacy. Mout Diablo’s Summit Trail passes through the campground and continues up to Rock City, a short walk away. Dogs are permitted at the campground, though they must remain on a 6-foot leash, and they are not permitted on the nearby trails.

  • PROS: Large coast live oaks. Diablo Grills.
  • CONS: Typically hot in summer.
  • REGION: East Bay, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Winter, Spring, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $30.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 22
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, in developed areas of park only

JUNIPER CAMPGROUND, Mount Diablo State Park

The largest campground in Mount Diablo State Park, Juniper Campground sits at 3,000 feet and overlooks Diablo Valley and much of the greater Bay Area. Laid out on a loop, a quarter of Juniper’s sites are situated on the western edge of the campground and provide spectacular views. The others offer better shade, and although they don’t offer the same views, they are only a short walk away. Traditional Diablo grills are provided for a handful of the roomier sites; the others are equipped with a campfire pit.

The Juniper Trail, part of the 7-mile Great Loop that circumnavigates Mount Diablo, passes next to the Juniper Campground and offers an excellent day hike option.

  • PROS: Big vistas. Connection to the Juniper Trail and the Grand Loop.
  • CONS: Sites with best vistas have limited shade.
  • REGION: East Bay, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Winter, Spring, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $30.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 36
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, in developed areas of park only

JUNCTION CAMPGROUND, Mount Diablo State Park

With only six campsites, Junction Campground is Mount Diablo State Park’s coziest. Located at the junction between South Gate, North Gate, and Summit Roads, the campground sits under the shade of coast live oaks and opens to west-facing views that overlook Diablo’s lowers slopes and Diablo Valley. Each campsite comes equipped with traditional Diablo stone grills.

The Junction Ranger Station sits near the entrance road to the campground where helpful park and recreation information can be found. The Summit Trail also passes nearby, connecting campers to nice hiking and biking options around Mount Diablo’s hillsides and notable landmarks.

  • PROS: Peaceful oak setting. Vistas. Diablo Grills.
  • CONS: Limited number of sites.
  • REGION: East Bay, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Winter, Spring, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $30.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 6
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, in developed areas of park only

COSTANOA KOA

Between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, the raw California coast is spectacular and dotted with state parks and beaches. What is lacking, however, are any developed state park campgrounds. The ONLY option for those looking for RV hook-ups or a more developed tenting area with activities and other amenities is the Costanoa KOA campground right across the highway from Año Nuevo State Park. Jointly managed with the Costanoa Lodge, this campground, while pricey, offers more of a complete experience than just a simple campground.

  • PROS: The only developed campground in the area. Many seasonal outdoor activities. Adjacent to Año Nuevo State Park.
  • CONS: Fairly expensive. Little privacy in the tent camping area.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: From $44.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
  • FULL HOOK-UP RV SITES: 98
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 10
  • GROUP SITES: 1
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, with restrictions

CASTLE ROCK CAMPGROUND, Castle Rock State Park

The backcountry campsites at Castle Rock State Park are an easy 2.5-mile hike from the main parking lot. You can take the Saratoga Gap or Ridge Trail to get to them at the apex of the loop.

The campsites are well maintained, spacious, and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. Finding level ground should not be an issue here. There is currently no potable water available at the campground but there is a small amphitheater, restrooms, and a bad weather shelter.

  • PROS: Spacious campsites. Reasonable hiking distance from the parking lot.
  • CONS: Gunfire from nearby range.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $15.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 25
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: No

HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK CAMPGROUND, Santa Cruz

If you are itching for some outdoor adventure, a short drive from Santa Cruz or the South Bay will take you into the old-growth redwood territory of the San Lorenzo Valley. Camping at this historic location has plenty of perks to help entice the undecided traveler. Sites are spacious, mostly level, and private. While there are no hookups in the campground, these sites can accommodate trailers 31 feet in length as well as campers or RVs up to 35 feet.

Thirty miles of dog-friendly hiking trails (a few are off limits to dogs), fishing, swimming, picnicking, bird and big game watching are all activities you can do within the park. Take a train ride to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk from Roaring Camp, a historic rail line used to take tourist to see the giant redwoods.

  • PROS: Spacious. Level ground. Hiking trails.
  • CONS: None.REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: High
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $35.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 103
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 4
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

NEW BRIGHTON STATE BEACH CAMPGROUND, Santa Cruz

One of the string of state park jewels that encircle Santa Cruz, New Brighton is an understandably-popular beach and campground. While the beach itself is narrow and somewhat rocky, it is set in an undeveloped stretch of shore with a beautiful backdrop. The day use parking area can get crowded on weekends and even on nice days in the winter. The campground fills up on weekends all year, and early reservations are a must nearly any time.

New Brighton Campground is the closest campground to the city of Santa Cruz, yet it has a very private and remote feel. Deer are sometimes seen in the campground. Many of the sites are huge, including all of the premium sites on the bluff’s edge. There are a small number of sites with electric and water hookups and pay showers in some of the bathrooms. The sites are distributed on several one-way loops with wide spaces and vegetation that provides moderate privacy. There is a $15 added cost for the nine premium sites, which are perched on the edge of the bluff and have eye-popping views of the Pacific.

  • PROS: Large, spacious sites. Many ocean views. Convenient to much in the Santa Cruz area.
  • CONS: Difficult to get reservations. Fairly expensive.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: High
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $35.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 97
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 9
  • GROUP SITES: 3
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

SEACLIFF STATE BEACH CAMPGROUND, Santa Cruz

Seacliff State Beach is another of the wonderful set of coastal state park campgrounds located close to the towns of northern Monterey Bay. Seacliff is solely an RV campground, however, so there are no tent camping facilities here (but check out the nearby Manresa Uplands Campground for tents-only camping).

The Seacliff Campground has two sections. The full hookup area at the northern end of the beach has 26 sites, and the “overflow” area consists of lots A, B and C with no hookups, picnic tables, or fire rings. The overflow sites are just lines painted on the pavement delineating the 60-foot-long by 24-foot-wide spaces. All of the sites in the campground are just across the walking path from the beach, and all have fantastic views of the Monterey Peninsula and the Santa Cruz Coast. There are restrooms at intervals along the main campground road.

  • PROS: Beachfront campsites. Some full hookups. Dogs allowed on beach.
  • CONS: Subject to evacuation during winter storms. Tough to get reservations.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $65.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • FULL HOOK-UP RV SITES: 26
  • NON-HOOK UP SITES: 37
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

MOUNT MADONNA VALLEY VIEW CAMPGROUND #1, Mount Madonna County Park

Mount Madonna Valley View Campground #1 is one of four campgrounds located in Mount Madonna County Park. It offers spacious and somewhat private sites for your RV or tent with all the basic amenities and, in contrast to Valley View Campgrounds #2 and #3, Valley View #1 is the only campground in the park with yurts. Choose from five different ones ranging diameter from 16 feet ($66 per night), 20 feet ($81 per night), or 24 feet ($96 per night) that can accommodate 6, 8, or 10 adults respectively. The Huckleberry Group site is available by reservation as well. Most of the tent sites are fairly level and provide food lock boxes.

Mount Madonna County Park has plenty of activities to keep you busy throughout the day. A network of trails offers hikers and equestrians a serene landscape of redwoods, madrone and live oak trees to explore. Wildlife in the park is quite abundant, making this an excellent place for nature watchers and photographers. Included in the park are a multitude of various picnic areas and shelters. An amphitheater and archery range are also available.

  • PROS: Moderate congestion. Well-maintained park.
  • CONS: Sporadic weather.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: From $15.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $6.00
  • RV SITES: 17
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 27
  • GROUP SITES: 1
  • YURTS: 5
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

MOUNT MADONNA VALLEY VIEW CAMPGROUNDS #2 + #3, Mount Madonna County Park

Mount Madonna Valley View Campgrounds #2 and #3 are tucked away just a half mile from the information and payment kiosk located on Pole Line Road. These sites do not offer the RV camping or yurts that are available in Mount Madonna Valley View Campground #1, but the spaces are much larger. Being away from the main road also makes these sites more quiet and peaceful.

All sites include potable water, food lock boxes, picnic tables, and a barbeque pit. Each campground has a clean and well-maintained restroom with flushing toilets. Lone Pine and Azalea picnic areas are close to the Valley View Campgrounds and offer dozens of tables and barbecue pits as well as picnic shelters.

  • PROS: Very spacious camp sites.
  • CONS: Sporadic weather. Uneven tent sites.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Spring, Summer, Fal
  • CAMPING FEE: $34.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $6.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 46
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

UVAS CANYON COUNTY PARK CAMPGROUND

Just a short, 30-minute drive from South San Jose, Uvas Canyon Campground is a fantastic option for a quick camping getaway from the Silicon Valley. Although there are only 25 campsites, most of them have a decent amount of room with ground that is level enough to pitch a tent. These shady campsites come equipped with potable water, picnic tables, and barbecue pits. Note that fire restrictions sometimes prohibit the use of all but camp stoves. Both the camp host and clean restrooms with showers are centrally located for easy access.

The Upper Bench Youth Group Area consists of five separate campsites with multiple picnic tables and barbecue pits. The trailhead to Knibbs Knob can be found in this group area, as well. Uvas Canyon County Park is a great place to spend the afternoon, as there are miles of trails for exploring the waterfalls and canyons of the Santa Cruz Mountains. All campsites are available by reservation.

  • PROS: Roomy campsites. Shaded.
  • CONS: None.
  • REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $34.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $6.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 25
  • GROUP SITES: 1
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUND

Whether you visit Pinnacles to conquer the high peaks or just to enjoy the local flora and fauna, this national park has an excellent campground to use as your base for operations. Located near the park’s east entrance, camping here provides quick access to hiking trails, a general store and ranger station, and a swimming pool. Tent, RV, and group sites are spacious, clean and level. Most campsites have a decent amount of shade thanks to large oak trees and other foliage. A picnic table and fire pit comes standard with each site. RV campers can enjoy 120-volt hookups with 30-amp service, and there is a dump station on site. Potable water, flush toilets, and showers are sporadically distributed around the campground.

  • PROS: Spacious campsites with all the amenities. Level ground.
  • CONS: None.
  • REGION: Gabilan + Southern Diablo Mountains, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Winter, Spring, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $23.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: National Park Pass or $15.00 to 30.00 depending on mode of entry
  • RV SITES: 37
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 83
  • GROUP SITES: 14
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

ANDREW MOLERA WALK-IN CAMPGROUND, Andrew Molera State Park

This walk-in campground, which reopens Spring 2022, is Andrew Molera State Park’s one and only. With 24 sites located about a third of a mile from the trailhead, this is more of a gear haul than a backpacking trip. The campground has limited shade and privacy, although a handful of sites are tucked up against sycamore and oak trees that offer some respite from the sun. Sites are limited to four people and have a maximum duration of seven nights.

Lying adjacent to the lower section of the Big Sur River and its final reach to the Pacific Ocean, scenic Molera Point and Andrew Molera State Beach, a good spot for beachcombing and surfing, are both accessible from Trail Camp via the Headland Trail. En route to the beach you’ll pass through the blue gum eucalyptus trees of Cooper’s Grove. If you are camping between October and January you can witness the beautiful display of monarch butterflies that migrate thousands of miles to roost in the grove during winter. Be sure to watch for the wildlife here both in and out of the water.

  • PROS: Waking up within the park. Easy beach access.
  • CONS: Hauling gear.
  • REGION: Big Sur Coastline, CA
  • CONGESTION: Moderate
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $30.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 24
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: No

PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK CAMPGROUND

If Big Sur redwoods, riverside camping, and nearby hiking trails leading into the Santa Lucia mountains sound enticing, look no further than Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground. Located in the heart of northern Big Sur, this large and well-maintained campground offers guests an ideal base camp for exploring the Big Sur coast or for simply staying local within the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park itself.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sits in the Big Sur River Valley and covers over 1,000 acres. The Big Sur River runs through the campground and provides swimming holes on hot days, plus hiking access to the Big Sur River Gorge and the clear refreshing pools further upstream. Valley View, Pfeiffer Falls, and Pine Ridge trails are all easily reachable from the campground on foot, and Pfeiffer Beach is a 5-mile drive down Highway 1 and Sycamore Canyon Road.

  • PROS: Great central Big Sur base camp. Big Sur River access. Hiking trails.
  • CONS: Can get crowded on holidays and weekends.
  • REGION: Big Sur Coastline, CA
  • CONGESTION: High
  • PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • CAMPING FEE: $35.00
  • DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: $10.00
  • TENT/CAR SITES: 169
  • TENT/WALK-IN SITES: 2
  • GROUP SITES: Currently closed
  • PICNIC TABLES: Yes
  • DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, but they are not allowed on trails

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A Complete(ish) Guide to San Francisco's Ferry Building

The San Francisco Ferry Building was erected in 1896 to act as the city’s transportation hub: At the time, the city was only accessible by ferry and train, and this graceful building was the first impression for anyone arriving in SF.

These days, though, the Ferry Building is almost synonymous with food: Famed for its farmers markets that celebrate the most glorious fruits (and vegetables) of California’s farms, as well as for the many iconic restaurants and specialty food shops that fill its old halls, it’s almost possible to forget that you can actually get on the ferry here.

And unlike Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building is as much a must-see sight for tourists as it is a regular destination for locals who come to grab lunch, see cooking demos with celeb chefs, join large-scale tasting events, and buy herbs for their evening’s dinner.

So whether you’re from out of town or a local in need of a refresh, take our guide to almost everything (read: the very best) the Ferry Building has to offer.

Where to Eat at San Francisco’s Ferry Building

Eat your way through the Ferry Building, but save room for ice cream at Humphry Slocombe. (Photo by Ridwan Meah)

Sit-Down Restaurants

Most of the Ferry Building’s full-service restaurants have been here since the early days—you know, back when you could leisurely wander through the halls without having to shove your way past the crowd. Chef Amaryll Schwertner’s Boulette’s Larder first opened here as a magical little specialty culinary shop that also served a small menu of breakfast and lunch items at cafe tables outside. Today it has been reimagined and expanded into a fanciful spot for sophisticated daytime meals like soft egg scrambles, chilled seafood salad, and olive oil flatbreads. For a proper dinner, head to newer sister restaurant Bouli Bar for sleek modern design. // It couldn’t be a waterfront culinary go-to without a legitimate seafood spot: Hog Island Oyster Co. keeps reeling us back in with their “Bay to bar” seasonal menu of fruits de mer and cocktails. Slurp a few back on the patio, and don’t miss the rustic seafood stew with grilled levain. // Napa Valley transplant Gott’s Roadside is your go-to for all-American burgers, fries, and milkshakes made with real Californian ingredients. Just want a yummy soft-serve? Skip the line inside and hit the soft-serve window instead. // When it comes to destination dining, chef Charles Phan’s Slanted Door is the Ferry Building’s OG (and still a gold-standard for inventive fine dining in SF). Although the restaurant is temporarily closed for renovations, it will return in fall 2022 with signature Vietnamese dishes including the daikon rice cakes, cellophane noodles with Dungeness crab, and shaking beef.

Grab-and-Go Meals

Dogpatch cremery Daily Driver—the first creamery in San Francisco—peddles hand-churned butter, fresh organic cream cheese, and the wood-fired bagels to spread them on from their Ferry Building shop. // Stock up on organic all-natural beef, heirloom pasture-raised chicken, and more from Golden Gate Meat Company to take home, or pick up a pulled pork sandwich from their hot deli. // Been dreaming of a vacay to Buenos Aires? Sink your teeth into the empanadas at El Porteño, where the pockets of flaky goodness are stuffed with everything from carne to camarones. Vegetarians will find plenty of delightful options here as well—think Brentwood corn with onions and basil; and Swiss chard with gruyere and toasted pine nuts. // Japanese delicatessen Delica is the answer to the lunchtime doldrums with healthy but out-of-the-ordinary options such as bento boxes, salmon spring rolls, and Kobe-style croquettes. // Urban Remedy is your go-to for juices, smoothies, and salads on the go.

Specialty Food Stores

The caviar of the Ferry Building’s culinary offering can be found its specialty boutiques. These hallowed halls literally runneth over with artisanal sweets and treats, now including actual small-batch, eco-certified caviar from Tsar Nicoulai. // At Humphry Slocombe, order up flavors that were once considered wild but are now local staples—think Elvis the Fat Years and Secret Breakfast. // If you’re a bread lover, you must hit up Acme Bread Company, whose founder, Steve Sullivan, started his baking career at Chez Panisse. // Meanwhile, the vegan donuts at Donut Farm will blow your mind. // Gone GF? Grab your gluten-free almond biscotti and the like at Mariposa Baking Company. // Craving cheesecake? Get a mini made-from-scratch one to eat right now at local and family-owned Cheesequakes. // Chocolate lovers will die and go to heaven at Recchiuti Confections, where the gorgeous little bon bons come in such flavors as Lemon Verbena, Spring Jasmine Tea, Tarragon Grapefruit, and Sesame Nougat. // Prefer a classic chocolate bar wrapped in shiny gold foil? Dandelion Chocolateis a place where dreams come true. // Miette Patisserie is sweet in every way; the pastel-hued shop is home to some of SF’s best French macarons. // Find award-winning olive oils in assorted flavors at Stonehouse California Olive Oil. // Mushroom lovers and curious types can’t help but be tempted by Far West Fungi, where there are piles of all kinds of mushrooms ready for the taking. // Bring home some sticky goodness straight from the hive, as well as honey-based bath and body products, from Carmel Honey.

Groceries

The gourmet market Epicurean Trader hawks small-batch, artisinal goodies from farmstead cheeses and charcuterie to oils, vinegars, and specialized pantry items. They also operate an espresso bar and offer a cafe menu laden with sandwiches and salads. // At Village Market, you’ll find general store staples such as dry and pantry items; craft beer; snacks; and bottled water.

Coffee, Tea, Beer & Wine at the Ferry Building

Locals still line up for Blue Bottle Coffee in the Ferry Building. (Photo by Lexie Barnhorn)

Coffee

Well before Blue Bottle became an international third wave coffee empire, the Oakland-based roastery was clogging up the halls of the Ferry Building, where devotees were happy to wait in line at Blue Bottle’s second SF location. Grab a pour-over on foggy Saturday mornings before wandering around the farmers market outside. // If the line at Blue Bottle is overwhelming, you’re in luck: Red Bay Coffee is just steps away. Signature drinks at the self-identified fourth wave coffee shop include charcoal vanilla and candied yam lattes, and a line of ready-to-drink black coffee spritzers.

Tea

For a civilized cup of tea, Imperial Tea Court is a must. The tranquil, Asian-inflected space is a calming departure from the hustle and bustle of the building, and the tea service is absolutely impeccable. If you find yourself lost in the wide selection of green teas, oolongs, and pu-erhs, don’t be afraid to ask for help; you’re in the hands of experts.

Wine

Whether you just need to grab a bottle for a hostess gift or have the time to stop for a swirl and sip, the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchantis a friendly spot to talk vino with those who know. Shop a well curated selection, including some organic and biodynamic options, and even join their wine club.

Beer

Fort Point Beer Company satisfies our yearnings for cold beers by the water. Based in the Presidio, the local brewery offers its craft brews here both to take home (fill up your 64-ounce growler!) or to enjoy in its Ferry Building beer garden. Peckish? Pair your Villager IPA with locally sourced hot dogs and pretzels.

Shops in the Ferry Building

Find hand-thrown pottery, tabletop, and cookware in a rainbow of hues at Heath Ceramics. (Photo by Jessica Ruscello)

Heath Ceramics needs no introduction for home entertainers and collectors of handmade earthenware. The Ferry Building outpost of the Sausalito-based manufacturer of clay tabletop and cookware is well stocked with plates, bowls, giftable trinkets, and even throw pillows and candles, all in a rainbow of classic and modern Heath hues. // The Gardener is a delight for those who relish shopping stuff stores; this one is focused on, you guessed it, gardening with a selection of gorgeous tools, pots, succulents, and such. It also stocks beautifully photographed cookbooks, lustrous wood cutting boards, pottery, baskets, and farmers market totes. // Benedetta is your go-to for organic, farm-fresh skin-care products and aromatherapy. // Stop by Book Passage to pick up the latest New York Times bestseller; they also host regular readings with authors. // At Maison Verbena, goods like U.S.-made soy candles and goat milk soap embody the small business’ passion for sustainable beauty.

Ferry Rides, the Farmers Market + More at SF Ferry Building

Live music at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. (Photo by Alex Kotliarskyi)

The Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market is hands down the city’s best spot to load up on California’s bounty—and when the weather is nice, there’s no better way to while away a Saturday than by shopping for picnic supplies here to then eat along the waterfront. This is also the spot to watch out for pop-ups with cult followings—many an SF restaurant got their start here. And don’t forget to pick up a chicken at Roli Roti. The market is run by the nonprofit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, better known as CUESA, which also hosts regular events in the Ferry Building (and beyond) including cooking demonstrations, classes, cocktail events, and panel discussions. Downtown types can also swing by the market to grab a quick lunch bite or dinner ingredients on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Of course, the Ferry Building isn’t all about food, drink, and shopping. It is called the Ferry Building, after all. From here, you can take the ferry to three locations in Marin: Larkspur, Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel Island, but the boats can be little tricky to navigate for newbies. Seek help at Bay Crossings, an indoor kiosk where you can get ferry schedules, a clipper card, and even little SF souvenirs. // If you really must take a Big Bus Tour of San Francisco, there’s a kiosk for that here, too.

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The Women Who Left Their Mark on San Francisco History

This Women’s History Month, 7×7 is taking a moment to remember the mothers, daughters, aunties and sisters who, thanks to their ambition, skill and generosity, have become synonymous with the San Francisco landscape.

From the spectacular Legion of Honor built in 1924 by the “great grandmother of San Francisco” Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, to the clanking, clanging streetcars on which Maya Angelou conducted riders from bay to ocean in 1943, here are six (of many) women who have left their mark on the city, and the places that evoke their names.

Lotta Crabtree + Lotta’s Fountain

The oldest still-standing monument in the city dominates an unassuming pedestrian island at the downtown intersection of Geary, Market, and Kearny. Painted bronze and adorned with mythical creatures, the 24-foot Lotta’s Fountain was entertainer Charlotte Mignon “Lotta” Crabtree’s satisfying f-u to the city that raised her then drove her out for her bohemian ways.

Crabtree was brought to San Francisco in 1853 at the age of six, one of the few white children in the city at that time. The charismatic girl attracted attention and, at the age of eight, began dancing for Gold Rush miners and ruffians. Over time, Crabtree (along with her mother and an Italian “friend”) played at so many saloons, gambling houses, and dives around Northern California that she eventually rose to prominence as the state’s most lauded entertainer of the era, making a pretty penny in the process. From her $4 million dollar estate, Crabtree commissioned Lotta’s Fountain in 1875.

Ironically, the monument built by the woman that was driven from the city’s streets became an important symbol of SFs longevity and resilience in later years. Immediately following the 1906 earthquake, it served as a meeting place for loved ones separated in the chaos, and a number of famous entertainers have performed in front of it, including famed opera singer Madame Tetrazzini. // Kearny @ Geary (Union Square)

Lillie Hitchcock Coit + Coit Tower

Firefighter firebrand Lillie Hitchcock Coit forever changed the San Francisco skyline. An eccentric all her life, Coit bucked the dowdy standards governing women’s bodies and minds in the mid- to late-19th century. In addition to regularly smoking cigars, wearing trousers, and gambling at male-only establishments in North Beach, the wealthy socialite was made an honorary member of Knickerbocker Engine Co. in 1863 at the age of 20.

Coit maintained a lifelong relationship with the city’s firefighters, visiting them on their sickbeds and attending their funerals, but her greatest recognition of their work came after her death in 1929. Coit dedicated a third of her significant estate to the construction of a firefighter monument at the northwest corner of Washington Square Park and honored the city they protected with the building of Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. Despite rumors to the contrary, the tower was not intentionally built to resemble a fire hose nozzle—but it’s all the more fitting that it does.

Learn more about Lillie Hitchcock Coit at Coit Tower, daily from 9:30am to 6pm. // 1 Telegraph Hill (North Beach), sfrecpark.org

Alma de Bretteville Spreckels + Legion of Honor

“The great grandmother of San Francisco” came from humble beginnings as the daughter of Danish immigrants to the Sunset District. But Alma de Bretteville’s beauty unlocked the door to a more opulent world. Following her marriage to sugar magnate Adolph Spreckels in 1908, Alma began to rub elbows with artistic and literary figures including Jack London and Auguste Rodin. She was particularly taken by the latter and purchased a number of his sculptures, displaying them at the French Pavilion at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915.

De Bretteville Spreckels was so enamored with the temporary pavilion that she embarked on a quest to have it perfectly replicated in permanent form for the display, in part, of her burgeoning art collection. With husband Adolph’s fortune, she successfully completed the project in 1924, calling the museum the Legion of Honor.

Although the institution was not her only major cultural undertaking—de Bretteville Spreckels also funded the construction of the San Francisco Maritime Museum and the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington State —the stunning museum in the fog-drenched outskirts of the Presidio remains her most important legacy. // 100 34th Ave (Outer Richmond), legionofhonor.famsf.org

Maya Angelou + SF Streetcars

Before she became a world-renowned poet, author and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou was a teenage streetcar conductor, the first Black woman to fill the role in San Francisco. Just 15 and on a semester off from high school in war-tinted 1943, Angelou attempted to apply for a job with the Market Street Railway. Though they refused at first, plucky Angelou returned every day for two weeks until they finally accepted her application, in which she passed herself off as a work-eligible 19-year-old.

Angelou worked several lines during her five-months on the job, likely including the 7-Haight and 5-McAllister lines, and wrote about her position in her magnum opus I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. While the era’s Jewett Cars were eventually replaced by buses, streetcar service resumed along the Embarcadero and Market Street in 1981. Those vintage trolleys still run today.

Learn more about the city’s historic streetcar system at the San Francisco Railway Museum, located just a block from the clinking, clanging behemoths running down the Embarcadero. // 77 Steuart St (Embarcadero), streetcar.org

Working Women + Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park

When 10 million men were called to the World War II battlefield, they left the United States in the capable hands of women. By 1945, millions of women from all walks of life had been recruited into the workforce, called to the task by propaganda sporting the image of Rosie the Riveter, a white woman dressed in denim coveralls and a red polka-dot bandana, with the slogan “We can do it!”

Richmond and its port across the bay from San Francisco was one of the centers of industry for the women-staffed war effort. There, they built war ships—747 to be exact, one of the most productive shipyards in history—and worked in 55 other industries as electricians, carpenters, welders, and journeymen. Their en masse migration to Richmond had far reaching impacts not only by reshaping the region’s cultural landscape, but by kickstarting the women’s and civil rights movements of the mid-20th century.

Learn more about the integral role women played in World War II and visit the SS Red Oak Victory, the last remaining ship built in that era, at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park. National Rosie the Riveter Day is March 21st. // 1414 Harbour Way S (Richmond), nps.gov/rori

Amy Tan + Chinatown

Amy Tan didn’t play a role in the establishment of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia but she did help to bring new recognition to the enclave with her bestselling book, The Joy Luck Club. The Joy Luck Club revolves around Waverly Place, the colorful, enigmatic street still considered the soul of San Francisco’s Chinatown (one of the characters is even named for the street), deftly revealing the lives of the Chinese and Chinese-American women who have long woven the neighborhood’s social, cultural, and historical tapestry.

The Joy Luck Club so successfully acted as a bridge for cultural understanding by providing intimate insight into a community that had long faced discrimination, it was selected as a 1989 finalist for the National Book Award and adapted into a movie in 1993. In 2020, Tan’s masterpiece was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural significance. // Waverly Place, between Washington + Sacramento, (Chinatown)

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Video House Tour: San Francisco's original Painted Lady is for sale, asking $5.75 million

If you’re longing for a quintessential experience of classic San Francisco, this is it: a home inside one of Alamo Square’s picture-perfect Painted Ladies, picnics in the neighboring park, coffees from the too-cute Lady Falcon truck, and walks to dinner on Divis.

Steiner Street’s seven Painted Ladies are known the world over for their signature Queen Anne Victorian architectural style—steep roofs, ornamented gables, bay windows, an abundance of pattern, and decorative spindlework. But the home at the corner of Grove Street stands apart from the rest: Not only is she the eldest of the coterie, she was also home to the Ladies’ original builder, Matthew Kavanaugh.

Built in 1892, all four levels of the historic six-bedroom home underwent an extensive, fully permitted remodel in 2015. But before you get all verklempt, rest assured this beauty retains many of her exquisite 19th century features.

A colorful leaded glass exterior door marks entry to a vestibule designed for ducking out of the weather. To enter the home itself, you’ll pass through an additional pair of heavily carved wood doors into a small parlor that will carry you easily into the formal living room and dining room. Original details here include gas-lit glass chandeliers, a marble gas-burning fireplace, and elaborate crown moldings that have been beautifully restored.

Also lovingly refreshed is the intricate wainscoting in the hallway that leads from the foyer to the rear of the home, which has been reconfigured to accommodate an open kitchen—with an oversized island, dual sinks, and a glass wall that opens to the patio—plus an adjacent family room.

The private quarters are made up of large bedrooms each with sizable closets and remodeled bathrooms. The primary suite is an ode to tranquility, with a spa-like bathroom that includes a soaking tub and steam shower, and a custom walk-in closet. The top floor has been updated to take the form of a media area and home office endowed with abundant storage and its own full bathroom.

The home also has a separate legal unit downstairs, accessible from the main level or from the garden in the back of the home. Ideal for guests, a home office or even an Airbnb rental, the one-bedroom space is equipped has an open living and dining area, full bathroom, and kitchenette. There’s even a view.

Additional amenities in the main residence include a full Sunrun solar system, Tesla battery, garage for one car, and an additional space for storage or workshop.

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 5

Size: 4,831 sq. ft.

Asking price: $5,750,000

// 722 Steiner St. (Hayes Valley); for more information, visit 722steinerst.com.

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The Sparkliest Spots to Drink Champagne in San Francisco

Champagne adds sparkle to any special occasion, but we like it best on your average weekday, paired with potato chips and friends.

Toast to the weekend, the holidays, or whatever you fancy at San Francisco’s best spots for a pop, clink, and fizz.

Leo’s Oyster Bar

The Hideaway at Leo’s.

(Courtesy of Leo’s Oyster Bar)

From restaurateur Anna Weinberg, Leo’s Oyster Bar not only has some of the most Instagram-worthy decor in town thanks to team Ken Fulk, but the florally fabulous FiDi spot is also home to a dazzling list of sparklers. Wash your oysters down with Paul Laurent Cuvee du Fondateur or Tattinger brut in the leafy front dining room or the delightfully tropical Hideaway at back. // 568 Sacramento St. (Financial District), leossf.com

Ungrafted

(Courtesy of @ungrafted_sf)

Popped open at the beginning of 2019, Ungrafted is a casual urban wine bar and restaurant from a couple of sommeliers with a passion for Champagne. This translates into an incredible wine and sparkling list made for drinking any day of the week—think bottles of Pierre Moncuit grand cru and Chapuy blanc de blancs. There are three bubbles available by the glass, poured alongside dishes like grilled octopus and hangar steak, not to mention three different types of caviar. Reservations are recommended for drinking and dining in; if you’re loving what you’re sipping, grab a few bottles to go. PS: Go for a toast to Black History Month—Ungrafted is a Black-owned biz. // 2419 3rd St. (Dogpatch), ungraftedsf.com

​The Bump Bar at California Caviar Co.

California Caviar founder Deborah Keane with Bump Bar’s chef Callan Smith.

(Courtesy of @californiacaviar)

Where there’s caviar, there must be Champagne. Just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, find your way to The Bump Bar, a new spot from California Caviar Company that offers Champagne tasting flights as well as bottles—look for the likes of Pierre Gimonnet and Vilmart & Cie. Come hungry and enjoy a la carte and chef’s tasting menus with Champagne pairings. // 1403 Bridgeway (Sausalito), californiacaviar.com

High Treason

(Courtesy of @hightreasonsf)

This minimalist hi-fi bar in the Inner Richmond is a classy, cool place for an effervescent evening over glasses of bubbles and sweet vinyl tracks. High Treason has more than a dozen old and new world sparklers at surprisingly affordable prices, including Chateau Haut-Segottes Grand Cru and Krug Rosé Brut Champagne. And because bubbles go with everything, the Caribbean eats from Unco Frank’s Island Grindz pair perfectly. Join the Treasonous Wine Club to enjoy up to three bottles a month at home. // 443 Clement St (Inner Richmond), hightreasonsf.com

San Francisco Champagne Society

SFCS founder and director Bill Marci.

(Courtesy of San Francisco Champagne Society)

It almost sounds like a secret club, but the San Francisco Champagne Society is actually a reservation-only Champagne lounge where you can sample your way through different glasses of unique bubbly. Expect a private, guided experience from founder Bill Marci, who pours some of the rarest small-batch Champagnes produced (they specialize in small grower-producers who fill as few as 10,000 bottles each year). If you’re limited on time, arrange for a Champagne pick up or delivery. // 1097 Howard St. (SoMa), sfchampagnesociety.com

Avery

(Courtesy of @avery_sf)

If you’re one to pair your bubbly with upscale eats, Avery is your spot. This fine dining restaurant in San Francisco offers a tasting menu each night focused on creative, seafood-centric American cuisine. For each meal, find a special menu of Champagne pairings available, thoughtfully curated to accentuate the food just so. // 1552 Fillmore St. (Fillmore), averysf.com

Charmaine’s

(Courtesy of @sanfranciscoproper)

We’re pretty sure an amazing view automatically makes anything taste 100 times better, and Charmaine’s has one of the city’s best vantage points. On the rooftop of the Proper Hotel, the lounge also benefits from posh Kelly Wearstler design, as well as a selection of more than 10 sparklers including Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot Rosé. // 1100 Market St. (Civic Center), properhotel.com

Barbarossa Lounge

(Courtesy of @barbarossa_lounge)

Barbarossa is what many may remember as the Bubble Lounge. While the 1800s jailhouse turned cocktail bar has a new name (inspired by its criminal past), it still has all the sparkling delights of its predecessor—more than two dozen bottles, Champagne tasting flights, and rare varietals. Sip a Dom Perignon 1996 Rosé or Veuve Clicquot Rich. Oh yeah, and stop by for their $1 oysters, Champagne, and cocktails happy hour on Monday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm. // 714 Montgomery St. (Jackson Square), barbarossalounge.com

Fool’s Errand

(Courtesy of @foolserrandsf)

Fool’s Errand checks all the boxes for what we want in a neighborhood wine bar. It’s perfectly casual yet subtly sexy and the place can swing it for cozy meetups with friends or date nights. The wine list is tactfully curated, with bubblies like Domaine du Facteur Chenin Blanc and Marie-Courtin Blanc de Noir. // 639A Divisadero St. (NoPa), foolserrandsf.com

Foreign Cinema

(Courtesy of @foreigncinemasf)

When you think of Foreign Cinema, you undoubtedly think of elegant Mediterranean-inspired food and the dreamy outdoor courtyard with movies quietly rolling each evening. Make sure you also file this under where to get your Champagne fix. You can choose from Champagnes by the glass, magnums (like Egly-Ouriet Brut), or one of their 40-plus bottles of sparkling including Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs or house-favorite Domaine Vouette et Sorbée Extra Brut. // 2534 Mission St. (Mission), foreigncinema.com

Arlequin Wine Merchant

(Courtesy of Arlequin Wine Merchant)

Arlequin Wine Merchant is among Hayes Valley’s most low-key gems. The well-rounded bottle shop always has a great selection of wine and Champagne. Purchase your bubbles and cozy up in a corner to enjoy them in-store, or pick up a bottle for a rainy day. Join their wine club to keep yourself in sparkling all year round. // 348A Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), arlequinwinemerchant.com

​Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

(Courtesy of @absinthesf)

Absinthe nails the French brasserie vibe, which means Champagne is a must. The mainstay restaurant offers French sparklers by the glass or bottle—J. Lassalle Premier Cru Brut and Maison Foucher Cremant Rose. Pair your bubbles with raw bar classics like oysters or Tsar Nicoulai white sturgeon caviar. // 398 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), absinthe.com

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Anggur alami menikmati pusat perhatian di bar, restoran + toko San Francisco ini

Anggur non-alkohol mungkin sedang tren, tetapi kami akan tetap berpegang pada kesepakatan yang sebenarnya, terima kasih banyak. Tentu saja, kami juga meraih hal-hal baik—yaitu, banyak anggur organik, biodinamik, bebas aditif baru yang muncul belakangan ini.

Anggur alami terus menjadi lebih baik dan lebih baik, dan akhirnya mendapatkan haknya di bar anggur dan toko khusus di sekitar San Francisco, seperti Key Klub yang baru dibuka, bar anggur Lower Nob Hill dari pemilik Lalo Luevano dan Paria Sedigh, dari North Beach’s Bodega.

Bar anggur Bush Street mengambil namanya dari bar tahun 1950-an dengan nama yang sama, tetapi ruang tersebut mendapat sedikit penyegaran sejak saat itu untuk mengakomodasi beberapa area tempat duduk yang akrab untuk minum dan bersantap dengan hidangan brasserie bergaya California. Bagian terbaiknya: Ini adalah ruang yang benar-benar bersahaja untuk menemukan anggur alami dari gelas dan botol.

“Ini bukan tentang membuat ruangan terasa terlalu berharga—itu bukan pengalaman anggur yang kami hadirkan di sini,” kata Luevano, yang mengatakan hal terpenting adalah “kami membawa anggur yang rasanya enak.”

“Kami ingin memungkinkan pelanggan menjadi diri mereka sendiri, ingin tahu, mencoba anggur baru, menemukan daftar putar baru, memulai percakapan.” Datang di musim semi, ruang bawah tanah juga akan berfungsi sebagai toko yang diisi dengan botol-botol unik.

Klub Kunci (850 Jalan Semak) akan dibongkar pada akhir masa sewa empat tahun. Lihat, bersama dengan lebih banyak bar, restoran, toko anggur, dan klub dengan fokus kuat pada anggur alami di sekitar San Francisco.

(Courtesy of Tofino Wines)

Toko Anggur + Klub

Anggur Tofino

Permata Laurel Heights, Tofino Wines adalah ruang seluas 2.500 kaki persegi dengan langit-langit tinggi, jendela besar, dan lantai terakota asli dari tahun 1920-an. Dengan kata lain, ruang yang indah untuk menikmati sejumlah besar anggur. Toko dan bar menyediakan lebih dari 1.200 anggur berkualitas dari California, Prancis, Italia, dan Spanyol. Tidak yakin harus mulai dari mana? Tofino menyelenggarakan acara dan pencicipan mingguan, dan juga anggur bergilir yang ditawarkan oleh gelas untuk dipasangkan dengan gigitan kecil di bar (dibuka kembali pada pertengahan Februari). Mintalah ya ampun—nat rosé hewan peliharaan pilihan dari Andreas Gsellmann Austria, tersedia di sini untuk pertama kalinya di A.S. // Buka Selasa sampai Minggu; 2696 Geary Boulevard (Lauren Heights), tofinowines.com

Gemini Botol Co.

Terlepas dari tanda zodiak Anda, Anda pasti ingin memeriksa Gemini Bottle Co. jika Anda sedang berburu berbagai pilihan anggur alami seperti setetes cuvée terbaru dari pembuat anggur Sisilia, Sergio Drago. Klub anggur butik ini juga tidak boleh dilewatkan, dengan tiga pilihan bulanan yang berbeda untuk dipilih: $60 untuk dua botol, $110 untuk empat botol, atau $110 untuk dua botol eksklusif dengan permintaan tinggi. Ini adalah cara yang bagus untuk mencoba beberapa anggur yang mungkin tidak ada di radar Anda. Gemini juga menawarkan pencicipan gratis pada hari Jumat dari jam 5 sore hingga 7 malam. // Buka setiap hari; 2801 22nd St (Misi); geminibottlesf.com

Anggur Verve

Dari sommelier Dustin Wilson (yang mungkin Anda kenal dari film dokumenter Som), Verve, yang juga memiliki lokasi di NYC dan Chicago, bangga akan “layanan anti-keangkuhan”. Idenya adalah untuk membuat penemuan anggur baru menjadi pengalaman yang dapat diakses oleh semua orang. Mampirlah ke toko yang diterangi matahari untuk mencicipi, bawa pulang beberapa botol, atau pesan untuk pengiriman di hari yang sama di SF. Anda juga dapat bergabung dengan klub anggur dan mendapatkan empat botol sebulan seharga $95. Mencari anggur après-ski yang enak? Verve punya recs. // Buka Selasa sampai Minggu; 2358 Fillmore St. (Ketinggian Pasifik), vervewine.com

Tidak di-root

Dapatkan anggur berkualitas yang dikirim langsung ke pintu Anda dengan Unrooted. Toko anggur online berbasis SF bersumber secara eksklusif dari kilang anggur kecil dan berkelanjutan untuk memberi Anda 100 persen anggur organik non-GMO bebas dari semua barang menjijikkan. Beli botol apa pun yang Anda suka, atau daftar ke klub anggur ($ 109) untuk mendapatkan empat botol bersama dengan catatan mencicipi dan ide memasangkan. Karena para pendiri percaya bahwa anggur terasa lebih enak ketika Anda mengetahui sedikit tentangnya, mereka juga memasukkan pendidikan tentang setiap anggur dan cerita tentang pembuat anggur. Langganan hadiah dan paket liburan juga tersedia. // unrootedwines.com

Anggur Ruby

Toko dan bar anggur Potrero Hill ini tetap fokus pada anggur alami yang dibuat oleh produsen pengrajin. Pilih segelas atau sebotol ($10 corkage) untuk dinikmati di taman terbuka, atau bergabunglah dengan klub anggur: Anda akan mendapatkan dua botol seharga $50, empat seharga $90, atau dua botol eksklusif seharga $100. Anggota juga akan menerima diskon 10 persen untuk pembelian eceran dan dan dapat melewati biaya corkage. // Buka setiap hari; 1419 18th St. (Bukit Potrero), rubywinesf.com

(Courtesy of @woodsbeer)

Bar + Restoran

Ruang tunggu Moongate

Lounge megah di atas restoran berbintang Michelin Tuan Jiu mendapat banyak perhatian karena interiornya yang gerah dan koktail musiman yang terinspirasi oleh Kalender Lunar Cina, tetapi daftar anggurnya juga terkenal bagi oenophiles yang mencari sesuatu yang alami untuk dicicipi. Direktur anggur Louisa Smith (juga dari Turntable di Lord Stanley) mengkurasi pilihan vintage organik, biodinamis, alami dalam sembilan pilihan kaca. // Buka Rabu sampai Sabtu; 28 Waverly Pl. (Pecinan), moongatelounge.com

Penny Roma

Pada restoran Italia terbaru dari tim Tepung+Air, mencoba anggur alami tidak pernah semudah ini. Direktur anggur Samuel Bogue (a 2019 Star Chefs Rising Star Sommelier) telah menyusun daftar ke dalam kategori langsung — pikirkan anggur putih segar, merah sedang, dan anggur oranye — dengan pilihan masing-masing empat anggur alami dan empat anggur klasik. Jika Anda menemukan botol yang Anda suka, Anda dapat membawa pulang satu botol ekstra dengan diskon 50 persen. // Buka untuk makan malam setiap hari; 3000 20 St. (Misi), pennyroma.com

Bar Paruh Waktu

Jika Anda pernah ingin minum anggur alami di bawah bola disko dengan beberapa lagu, pergilah ke Bar Part Time. Pendiri Justin Dolezal, Jeremy Castillo, dan Dan Small terkenal sebagai penikmat pesta anggur SF dengan pop-up awal 2020 mereka di Mercury Cafe di Hayes Valley. Sekarang mereka telah membuka toko botol dan bar anggur yang berubah menjadi pesta dansa malam lengkap dengan DJ internal. Anggota klub anggur mendapatkan tiga botol sebulan seharga $99, ditambah diskon 10 persen untuk semua pembelian di bar. Kenakan sepatu dansa Anda dan lupakan vodka Red Bull itu. // Buka Selasa sampai Sabtu, 496 14th St (Misi), barparttime.com

Bir & Anggur Woods

Jangan abaikan paruh kedua nama pembuat bir kerajinan populer ini. Anggur mereka—termasuk pet nats, mourvedre, rosé of syrah, dan banyak lagi—dibuat dengan anggur organik dan biodinamis, ragi asli, intervensi minimal, dan tanpa penghalusan atau penyaringan. Mereka bahkan telah mengalengkan beberapa anggur pilihan mereka: Cobalah grüner veltliner dan campuran albariño kontak kulit 2020 untuk hari pantai atau taman Anda berikutnya. // Beberapa lokasi di SF dan segera hadir di San Anselmo, woodsbeer.com

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