Local Getaways

10/07/2025

There’s a lot to look forward to this fall season 🍂 Whether you're looking for something more family-friendly or an active event, you can find them here!

Here’s our list of the best things to do in the North Bay this October:

📍Marin County

🎃 Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Now until November 2

🎬 Mill Valley Film Festival
Now until October 12

🎥 Italian Film Festival
Now until November 1

🚙 Nostalgia Days Classic Car Show & Cruise, Downtown Novato Business Association
October 10-11

🐶 Howl-o-Ween, Enjoy Mill Valley
October 26

📍Sonoma

🥕 Farm-To-Table Dinner Series: Snake River Farms, Kendall-Jackson & Snake River Farms
October 11

🌾 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
October 11

🍷 7th Annual Harvest Party at Bricoleur Vineyards
October 12

🍇 Healdsburg Crush, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin
October 12

📍Napa

🍁 St. Helena Harvest Festival, City of St. Helena
October 18

🧀 Cheese and Wine Discovery at Bouchaine Vineyards & Winery
October 19

👣 Grape Stomp at Grgich Hills Estate
Available by booking

Read more here: https://localgetaways.com/california/best-things-to-do-in-the-north-bay-this-october

Crossing the bridge? North Bay is the perfect place to visit this fall. Here are some of the best things to do in the North bay this October.

10/03/2025

Here are the best new restaurants to try in the Bay Area🍝Don't wait, book your reservation now!

Café Brusco
📍Berkley
Don’t Miss: The Classic open-face bagel, with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, capers and dill

Oken
📍Oakland
Don’t Miss: The Tsukune dumpling noodle soup, with chicken dashi, egg, gochugaru, scallion and handmade egg noodles

Donato Enoteca
📍Redwood City
Don’t miss: One of the new tapas items, like cannelloni chiusi, a “closed” spinach and mascarpone cannelloni filled with Genovese pesto and fermented berries

Jade Xiang Yue
📍Cupertino
Don’t miss: The Beijing style duck

Buoy Bar
📍San Francisco
Don’t miss: The chili jjamppong pasta, with spicy chili-garlic pasta and topped with seared brisket

Sangria & Salt
📍San Francisco
Don’t miss: The surf and turf pasta, with grilled prime ribeye steak, sautéed seafood, chili, garlic, wine and fettuccine pasta

Book a reservation: 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.

10/02/2025

Happy October! Who's ready for a fright? 👻 These are the top haunted attractions in the Bay Area. Are you brave enough to try them?

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco
📍San Francisco
Stay a night in their haunted suite or attend their Murder Mystery Dinner on October 24

Hayes Mansion
📍San Jose
Take your pup to the Howl-O-Ween Yapper Hour & Costume Parade or go to their Howl-O-Ween Movie night – both on October 24

Wi******er Mystery House
📍San Jose
Get spooky at their Festival Fright Nights or join their VIP Masquerade Ball and indulge in the three-act main attraction

Terror Vault
📍San Francisco
This year, Terror Vault presents Hexed, an experience that centers on a coven of three witches and their dark journey

The Black Cat Hotel
📍San Francisco
The Palace Theater has become the dark and twisted Black Cat Hotel. The experience will take you through plenty of rooms, ranging from jazz parlors to haunted hotel rooms

Claremont Resort & Club
📍Berkeley
Check out the most haunted (and most restricted) areas of this hotel during their Haunted History Tours

Fear Overload Scream Park
📍Newark
Go through the Ravenwood Sanitarium and the Geargrind Labyrinth if you dare…

Blind Scream
📍Santa Rosa
Get lost in this 20,000-square-foot creepy carnival with plenty of scream-worthy characters

Book now: https://localgetaways.com/california/the-top-haunted-attractions-in-the-bay-area/

Are we missing your favorite? Comment below 👇

Looking for a way to celebrate spooky season? These Bay Area haunted attractions have all things scary, from psychological to immersive.

10/02/2025

Marin is full of scenic spots to spread out a blanket and take in the view, but some of the best places to picnic aren’t in the guidebooks.

Find them here: https://www.visitmarin.org/blog/summer-in-marin-collection/picnic-like-a-local-in-marin/

County, California

5 Lesser-Known Spots for a Picnic: Marin is full of scenic spots to spread out a blanket and take in the view, but some of the best places to picnic aren’t in the guidebooks. We’re spotlighting five of those lesser-known gems here, perfect for a peaceful afternoon in the fresh air. From hidden m...

09/24/2025

September has arrived, and along with it, a variable cornucopia of things to do in the city. We caught up with Chinatsu Anzawa, a concierge who has been doling out sage advice and insider knowledge to the guests of the landmark and luxurious Palace Hotel since 2008.

Try out some of Chinatsu's recommendations:
🎨 Wander colorful murals in the Mission
🐍 Find Naga in Golden Gate Park
🍸 Sip a classic martini at the Pied Piper Bar
🌅 Catch a sunset cruise on the Bay
🌕 Celebrate Chinatown’s Autumn Moon Festival (Sept 27–28)

Read more and plan your next SF adventure here: https://localgetaways.com/california/historic-palace-hotels-chinatsu-anzawa-shares-her-thoughts-on-the-vibrant-and-artsy-side-of-san-francisco-in-september

Which SF spot is at the top of your list? Comment below!

Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

09/19/2025

Need dinner plans? Try one of these new restaurants in the Bay Area!

🍔 The Station
📍 Berkeley
Don’t Miss: The original Back Alley burger, griddle-fried with onions, American cheese, pickles and house sauce on a potato bun.

🍺 Headlands Brewing – On Campus
📍 Berkeley
Don’t Miss: The pulled pork sandwich, with creamy jalapeño slaw, chicharrón crumbles, pickles and mustard & vinegar sauce on a toasted soft roll.

🍣 Sushi Confidential San Jose
📍 San Jose
Don’t miss: The “Randy’s Original Signature Roll,” and is a tempered California roll topped with crab, salmon, tuna, albacore, spicy spy, unagi sauce, macadamia nuts, green onion and tobiko.

🍲 Pho John
📍 San Jose
Don’t miss: Phở Sườn Bò Đặc Biệt, also known as special beef short rib noodle soup.

🍗 Tam Tavern
📍 Mill Valley
Don’t miss: The French Dip, with ribeye, provolone, red lager onions and horseradish aioli on a toasted baguette with fries on the side.

🍝 Bosco
📍 San Francisco
Don’t miss: The lemon spaghetti, which is house-extruded and made with lemon zest, sungold tomato butter sauce, parmesan and basil.

🍜 SŌHN
📍 San Francisco
Don’t miss: The spicy cold noodle salad, with buckwheat noodles, gochujang, cucumber, Asian pear and Korean herbs.

🐟 Clementine Yountville
📍 Yountville
Don’t miss: The slow-roasted halibut, with cauliflower and caviar-chive blossom butter.

🥘 The Grove
📍 Penngrove
Don’t miss: The confit tomato risotto, with eggplant purée, confit tomatoes, parmesan, garlic and basil.

Read 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.

09/16/2025

With more than 425 wineries in Sonoma County (wow!), deciding where to sip and swirl can be overwhelming. It’s hard to go wrong, but here are some of our favorites. So, get a date on the calendar and enjoy!

📍Healdsburg

Dutcher Crossing Winery (Bavertools-Wholesalers)
🍇 75 acres of estate-designated vineyards
🍇 If you’re traveling with a pampered pup, they’ll be spoiled here

Medlock Ames
🍇 Prioritizes sustainability
🍇 Has a one-of-a-kind Immersive Sound Experience

Silver Oak Cellars
🍇 75 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards
🍇 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Certification (the highest level)

Skipstone
🍇 Specializes in limited-production Bordeaux-focused varietal wines and blends
🍇 Also home to 550 Manzanillo olive trees

📍Sonoma

Benziger Family Winery
🍇 Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour

Bartholomew Estate Winery
🍇 Forest bathing in the vineyard
🍇 3-course wine and Eastern Mediterranean food pairing

The Donum Estate
🍇 Home to one of the largest accessible private sculpture collections in the world
Regenerative Organic Certified

📍Santa Rosa

Paradise Ridge Winery Kenwood Tasting Room
🍇 Offers both rotating and permanent art exhibits

St. Francis Winery
🍇 Practices sustainability with green agricultural strategies

Belden Barns
🍇 Visit the estate’s wishing tree

📍 Coastal Sonoma

Chenoweth Wines
🍇 Vineyards tours on UTVs

Iron Horse Vineyards
🍇 We recommend the Ocean Reserve 2019 (a portion of every bottle sold goes to The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito)

Fort Ross Vineyard
🍇 All wine tastings are paired with small bites prepared by the winery’s in-house chef

Read more here: https://localgetaways.com/sonoma-county-wineries-for-your-next-wine-country-getaway/

With more than 425 wineries in Sonoma County, deciding where to sip and swirl can be overwhelming. Here are our favorite wineries.

09/12/2025

Solana Beach’s dining scene just leveled up with the arrival of Lana, a stylish neighborhood gem serving elevated California coastal cuisine in a vintage-inspired setting on Highway 101.

The restaurant’s name nods to its hometown — So-“Lana” Beach — and it’s already drawing dedicated crowds thanks to its perfect blend of ingredient-driven dishes, bold design, and authentic hospitality.

Read more here: https://localgetaways.com/california/lana-brings-vintage-coastal-cool-and-elevated-california-fare-to-solana-beach-in-north-san-diego-county/

Comment below if you make a reservation!

✍️ Mimi Towle

📷 Kimberly Motos

Solana Beach’s dining scene just leveled up with the arrival of Lana, a stylish neighborhood gem serving elevated California coastal cuisine in a vintage-inspired setting on Highway 101.

09/09/2025

Whether you’re soaking up the last golden days of summer 🌞 or ready to embrace all things cozy and fall 🍁, there’s no shortage of fun this month!

Which events will you go to? Comment below!

📍Marin County

🥤 Sip’n + Slurp’n at Trailhead Cafe
September 13, 20 and 27

🎶 Sound Summit
September 13

🎬 Bolinas Film Festival
September 18-21

🫘 Sausalito Annual Chili Cook-Off
September 20

🪑 San Rafael PorchFest
September 21

🎨 Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
September 20-21

🌲 Free National Public Lands Day at Muir Woods
September 27

🐕 Marin Humane's Tails by Twilight
September 27

📍Sonoma

🍺 Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival
September 13

🍏 Heirloom Apple Celebration at Gold Ridge Organic Farms
September 20

🍷 Sonoma County Wine Auction
September 20

🌳 Jack London State Historic Park Annual Gala
September 20

🍷 Access Alexander Valley Wine Week
September 22-28

🍇 Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
September 25-27

🎭 Healdsburg Arts Festival
September 27

🎵 Railroad Square Music Festival
September 28

📍Napa

🍇 Hands-On Harvest at Trefethen Family Vineyards
September 13

🎸 One Mind Music Festival for Brain Health
September 13

💿 Vinyl + Wine at Carneros Resort and Spa
September 26

🥁 Yountville Music in the Park
September 14, 21 and 28

Read the full details here: https://localgetaways.com/california/best-things-to-do-in-the-north-bay-this-september/

Visit Novato Sound Summit Bolinas Film Festival City of Sausalito San Rafael PorchFest Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Marin Humane Petaluma River Craft Beer Fest Gold Ridge Organic Farms Sonoma County Vintners Jack London State Historic Park Winegrowers of Alexander Valley Sonoma Valley Wine City of Healdsburg Railroad Square Music Festival Trefethen Family Vineyards One Mind Carneros Resort and Spa Visit Napa Valley

Looking to fill a couple hours of your day while in the North Bay? Here are some of the best things to do in the North Bay this September.

09/04/2025

Marin is full of scenic spots to spread out a blanket and take in the view, but some of the best places to picnic aren’t in the guidebooks.

Learn more: https://www.visitmarin.org/blog/summer-in-marin-collection/picnic-like-a-local-in-marin/

Marin County, California

5 Lesser-Known Spots for a Picnic: Marin is full of scenic spots to spread out a blanket and take in the view, but some of the best places to picnic aren’t in the guidebooks. We’re spotlighting five of those lesser-known gems here, perfect for a peaceful afternoon in the fresh air. From hidden m...

08/12/2025

Can giant trolls constructed from reclaimed wood help humankind feel more connected to nature? Danish recycling art activist Thomas Dambo believes they can.

Six of his larger-than-life, folklore-inspired troll sculptures are now discoverable through November 10 by wandering a mile-long trail at the Filoli Historic House & Garden, where visitors will find them engaged in activities like planting a garden, reclining in the redwoods and hanging birdhouses in the oak woodlands.

Have you visited the trolls yet? Comment below!

Read more here: https://localgetaways.com/california/giant-trolls-have-landed-at-the-filoli-historic-house-garden/

📷 Gary Sexton, Filoli House & Historic Gardens

Explore the whimsical TROLLS exhibit at the Filoli Historic House & Garden, featuring giant recycled wood sculptures.

08/07/2025

Elegant, intimate and unforgettable — Plan your storybook wedding in scenic Marin County, where coastal charm makes for a perfect wedding day 🥂

Get started today: https://www.visitmarin.org/meetings/weddings/

Marin County, California