There are points in our lives when everything seems perfect as usual but all you want to do is pack up and leave for some faraway place, away from all the hubbub of the city. But because of our jobs and daily duties, it isn’t always possible to just pack up and go somewhere. It doesn’t mean that you cannot get away to have a lovely time with your partner, though, because North California is full of the odd, the charming and the majestic. Merely a drive away from the bustling city of San Francisco are getaways where you can let your worries slip away and relax with a wine in hand. Or, if you are one of those power couples that enjoy adventuring together, you may take long meandering hikes among the tall redwoods or go surfing in the Pacific.
And if you want to make it an extended family affair, renting a minibus or mini coach bus out of San Francisco is the perfect way to make sure that everyone arrives on time, and no one gets lost along the way.
1. Bodega Bay
A mere ninety minutes’ drive away from San Francisco lies Bodega Bay. A jewel in the shining crown that is Sonoma country, the place is bustling with gorgeously golden beaches, shops full of beautiful oddities and tastefully eclectic dishes that feature seafood at its centrepiece. Here in Bodega Bay you can while your time away simply with a book in hand and a wine and your lover by your side. But if lazing around is not your thing, head to the Chancellor Stables and take yourself for a ride. Literally. The guided tour that you may spend on the back of a gorgeous equine specimen will lead you through rolling dunes and soft meadows, sparkly beaches and around tall peaks.
And when that long yet breathtaking journey inevitably makes you hungry, you may ravenously eat yours through the deliciously comfortable food available at the Terrapin Creek Café. The place won a Michelin star for its delicious goodies and you will soon know why as you let the strangely familiar and mouth-wateringly new flavours take over your taste buds. Or, if you are in the mood for less cheese burst and more organic green, head to the tasteful dining rooms inside Bay View restaurant. We promise it will not disappoint you either.
2. Big Sur
Tucked right into the land that lies between southern and northern California, Big Sur will take you about three hours to get to. And every minute of that journey you might consider worth it once you let your eyes feast on what can easily qualify as one of the USA’s most breath-taking holiday destinations. Here you find the beaches slowly mingling with the towering majesty of the redwoods. But in case you cannot find a place to stay in Big Sur, which is somewhat unusual, you may also look for places you can rent in places nearby including, but not limited to, Carmel, Cambria and San Simeon.
If you are visiting with your lover, makes sure to head to the purplish and sandy expanse of the Pfeiffer beach. And once you are done letting your feet caress the soft sands, pamper yourself a little bit by heading to Sierra Mar, the slightly posh but amazingly elegant restaurant where you may dig into the delicacies on offer while enjoying the sight of the Pacific Ocean through the pristine floor to ceiling windows. But if you prefer to swap tale and ale with the locals, you might want to visit Nepenthe instead.
While the two places listed in this article definitely takes the cake, North California is teeming with way stranger yet wonderful options you might choose to visit with your loved ones. Santa Cruz is a fantastic place to take your family to, with the beaches and the food and amusement parks ready to take the breath away of everyone in the family. And the best part? You can do all this and more and yet return to the office on Monday, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to take on the world.