Local Getaways

06/24/2026

Get out of the Bay Area and head to Santa Barbara this summer ☀️

Santa Barbara Lavender Festival
🗓️ June 27�
Lavender lemonade, 100+ artisan vendors and tap-dancing performers from the Satin Dollz

Santa Barbara Wine Festival
🗓️ June 27�
Sip local wines on the museum's scenic grounds while supporting a great cause — proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

4th of July at West Beach�
🗓️ July 4�
Live music, food and family fun, capped off with a 20-minute fireworks show synced to patriotic tunes

California Wine Festival
🗓️ July 17-18�
Start with a sunset rare & reserve tasting, then head beachside for wine, craft beer and bites with ocean views

Old Spanish Days Fiesta
🗓️ August 5-9�
SB's biggest tradition since 1924 — equestrian parades, flamenco nights, a Mexican marketplace and free events celebrating the city's Chumash, Spanish and Mexican heritage.

Pacific Pride Festival
🗓️ August 22�
A free, family-friendly day of live entertainment, food, drink and community pride by the sea

Pints for the Park
🗓️ August 29 �
21+ craft beer fest with ocean views, lawn games, live music and local bites — all for a good cause supporting Elings Park.

Open Studios Tour by Santa Barbara Studio Artists
🗓️ September 5-7�
A rare peek inside local artists' private studios over Labor Day weekend — grab a map and go gallery-hopping across the city.

Get all the details here: https://localgetaways.com/california/lively-festivals-fireworks-light-up-santa-barbara-summer

Discover Santa Barbara’s top summer festivals, parades, wine events, cultural celebrations and Fourth of July festivities.

06/19/2026

These new Bay Area restaurants are waiting for you...

Casa Sofia
📍San Francisco, SoMa
Don’t miss 👉 The ceviche peruano, which will set the tone for everything else.

Super Mensch,
📍San Francisco, Marina/Cow Hollow
Don’t miss 👉 The full pound pastrami sandwich, not for the fainthearted.

Yoeechee
📍San Francisco, Fillmore
Don’t miss 👉 The seared salmon, which gets a subtle char that elevates it above standard takeout fare.

Causwells Menlo Park
📍Menlo Park
Don’t miss 👉 Whatever cocktail the bar is pouring that night—the program is top-tier.

Asia Live
📍Santa Clara
Don’t miss 👉 There will be live-action exhibition kitchens, where diners can watch chefs. At Asia Live, diners will be able to watch noodles, dumplings, sushi and more take shape.

Cajun Claws Oakland
📍Oakland
Don’t miss 👉 The Seafood Boil: Pick your seafood, choose your sauce, dial in your spice level. It lands on the table in a bag — you crack it open and dig in.

Glom Thai,
📍Berkeley
Don’t miss 👉 The charcoal-grilled offerings, which showcase techniques that most casual Thai spots never attempt.

Gurkha Kitchen Express
📍Berkeley
Don’t miss 👉 The momos—it’s what they’ve built their reputation on.

Eight North
📍Calistoga
Don’t miss 👉 Whatever wine flight pairs with the menu that evening—the whole point is to experience Calistoga.

Get all the details (plus more restaurant recommendations) here: https://localgetaways.com/california/where-to-eat-now-in-the-bay-area/

Searching for the best restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area? We've done the research! Sushi, burgers, pizza, fine dining and more.

06/18/2026

Big soccer energy is in town, lighting up fanzones, parties and more. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 in Mexico City, with matches unfolding across the United States (June 19, 22 and 25 here in Levi's Stadium), Mexico and Canada throughout the summer.

While Bay Area fans may not all have tickets to the big games, there will be plenty of places to catch the action, from outdoor screenings to lively watch parties around the Bay.

Check them out here: https://localgetaways.com/world-cup-2026

Soccer’s biggest stage arrives in North America, lighting up the Bay with fanzones, parties and more. We've got the essential watch guide.

06/12/2026

Heading to San Francisco? No visit is complete without exploring Chinatown — one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods, filled with incredible food, rich history and hidden gems around every corner.

Luckily for you, we've mapped out the perfect one-day itinerary👇

1️⃣ Start your day right by arriving via cable car

2️⃣ Shop for unique produce at Stockton St. and score memorable trinkets on Grant Ave

3️⃣ Grab dim sum or egg tarts to-go for an outdoor lunch at the Transamerica Pyramid’s Redwood Grove

4️⃣ Visit the iconic Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory for dessert

5️⃣ Track local history at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum

6️⃣ Saunter down famous Chinatown side alleys like Wavery Place

7️⃣ Pick from a trio of acclaimed options and enjoy a world-class feast

8️⃣ Enjoy live entertainment with a show at the historic Great Star Theater, then finish strong with a nightcap at Li Po Lounge

Read the full itinerary here: https://localgetaways.com/california/how-to-spend-a-perfect-day-in-san-franciscos-chinatown

San Francisco Chinatown

Need a perfect Chinatown day? Check out the guide below and fill your plans with cable cars, top egg tarts, shopping, must-see sights in SF

06/09/2026

In need of a romantic getaway?

With its cozy inns, ocean views and storybook charm, Carmel is the perfect place to reconnect with your partner 💕

Consider these spots for your next trip to Carmel ⬇️

🩷 Stilwell Hotel,
🩷 Cypress Inn,
🩷 L’Auberge Carmel,
🩷 Tally Ho Inn,
🩷 Le Petit Pali,
🩷 Tickle Pink Inn,
🩷 Hyatt Carmel Highlands,
🩷 La Playa Hotel,
🩷 Carmel Valley Ranch,
🩷 The Quail,
🩷 Hofsas House,
🩷 Tradewinds Carmel,
🩷 Bernardus Lodge,

Missing your favorite? Comment it below!

Get the details (plus staff highlights) in our bio 🔗

06/02/2026

Your June just got sunnier ☀️ Here are the best things to do this month ⬇️

17th Annual SubZERO Festival
🗓️ June 5-6
📍 San Jose

San Mateo County Fair
🗓️ June 5–14
📍 San Mateo

Cherry Jubilee at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme park
🗓️ June 5–July 6
📍 Gilroy

Jazz and Blues by the Bay
🗓️ June 5, 12, 19 & 26
📍 Sausalito

Summer Nights at Filoli
🗓️ June 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
📍 Woodside

Novato Art, Wine and Music Festival
🗓️ June 13–14
📍 Novato

Juneteenth Festival
🗓️ June 13
📍 San Francisco

Stern Grove Festival
🗓️ June 14, 21 & 28
📍 San Francisco

Dipsea Race
🗓️ June 14
📍 Mill Valley to Stinson Beach

Alameda County Fair
🗓️ June 19–July 12
📍 Alameda County Fairgrounds

Juneteenth Festival
🗓️ June 20
📍 Marin City

North Beach Festival
🗓️ June 20–21
📍 San Francisco

Juneteenth Festival
🗓️ June 21
📍 Berkeley

FoodieLand Night Market
🗓️ June 26–28
📍 San Jose

San Francisco Pride
🗓️ June 27–28
📍 San Francisco

LakeFest Oakland
🗓️ June 27
📍 Oakland

Read all the details, plus more things to do here: https://localgetaways.com/california/best-things-to-do-in-the-bay-area-june

Discover the best things to do in the Bay Area this February. Learn about Lunar New Year celebrations, festivals and concerts.

05/29/2026

Your Friday just got better. Try one of these new Bay Area restaurants this weekend 👇

Rose Pizzeria
📍 San Francisco, Richmond District
Don’t Miss 👉 The She Wolf, with burrata, tomato sauce, slow roasted tomato garlic confit, olives, capers and Sicilian oregano.

Strāta
📍 San Jose
Don’t miss 👉 The ‘Float Your Boat’ cocktail, made with rum blend, coconut orgeat, passionfruit, lime and jasmine.

Nudi Blue
📍 Berkeley
Don’t Miss 👉 From the a la carte menu, try the ham and quinta tea sandwich, with brined rosemary ham, quinta cheese, crispy prosciutto, puffed pastry and micro leeks.

Hōm Coffee
📍 Hercules
Don’t Miss 👉 A latte — add syrup if you’d like — with a slice of the key lime pie.

Read all the details and more: https://localgetaways.com/california/where-to-eat-now-in-the-bay-area/

Searching for the best restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area? We've done the research! Sushi, burgers, pizza, fine dining and more.

05/28/2026

Don’t miss these musical events in and around Marin 🎸

Here’s the lineup:

🗓️ May 30: Teen Battle of the Bands
📍 San Anselmo

🗓️ June 6: The Ramble Presented by Bloodroot Wines
📍 Healdsburg

🗓️ June 7: Battle of the Dad Bands
📍 Larkspur

Which one(s) will you attend? Comment below!

Cover art by Matt Spinetta of

05/21/2026

West Marin is the perfect destination for your long weekend!

You can…

🚣‍♂️ Rent kayaks from Point Reyes Adventure Company

🥂 Taste sparkling wine at Heidrun Meadery

🧀 Sample cheese at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

🦪 Try oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co.

Tag someone below who you want to go with👇

05/20/2026

Memorial Day weekend already?? Here are 10 things to do this weekend if you haven’t made plans yet ⬇️

Service at San Francisco National Cemetery
🗓️ May 23
👉 Best for: A traditional, reflective Memorial Day observance in one of San Francisco’s most historic settings

Marin County Memorial Day Services
🗓️ May 25
👉 Best for: A formal community ceremony with music, flag displays and veteran tributes

Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade
🗓️ May 25
👉 Best for: Families who want a classic small-town parade and a festive post-parade outing

USS Hornet Ceremony and Flyover
🗓️ May 25
👉 Best for: A dramatic, history-rich tribute aboard a retired aircraft carrier

Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade
🗓️ May 25
👉 Best for: South Bay and Peninsula families looking for a traditional parade with a festival afterward

Carnaval San Francisco
🗓️ May 23–24
👉 Best for: A colorful, high-energy city festival over the long weekend

Marin Greek Festival
🗓️ May 22–24
👉 Best for: Food lovers and families looking for music, dancing and a relaxed North Bay festival

Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue
🗓️ May 24
👉 Best for: A laid-back coastal barbecue that feels local, casual and community-driven

Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival
🗓️ May 23–24
👉 Best for: Curious food lovers, families and anyone who wants a quirky South Bay festival

BottleRock Napa Valley
🗓️ May 22–24
👉 Best for: Music fans planning a bigger Napa Valley long-weekend splurge

Read the full event details here: https://localgetaways.com/california/memorial-day-events-around-the-bay-area/

Presidio of San Francisco Marin County, California Mill Valley Recreation

Honor those who served at these many events and ceremonies happening in every corner of the Bay Area this May.