The San Francisco Bay Area is renowned for its iconic landmarks, bustling cities, and stunning natural beauty. However, beyond the popular tourist destinations, lies a plethora of hidden gems of the Bay Area waiting to be discovered. From secret beaches and secluded hiking trails to off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods and quaint cafes, there’s no shortage of hidden treasures waiting to be explored. This blog aims to uncover these secret treasures and provide readers with an insider’s guide to the lesser-known, but equally enchanting, corners of the Bay Area. Whether you’re a local looking to expand your horizons or a visitor seeking a unique experience, this blog is your go-to resource for discovering the Bay Area’s best-kept secrets.
San Francisco area and all of its wonders
Of course, the first thing we must mention is the city of San Francisco. Those who plan to call it their home in the near future should get to know some significant parts of the city before they hire San Francisco movers. This is mainly because you will find it much easier to blend in if your new neighborhood is somewhat familiar. And while the moving process will provide enough time for this, you should still begin doing it on time. San Francisco has 36 neighborhoods according to official statistics, so there are multiple options to choose from.
And while some spots like Golden Gate Bridge are known to almost every single person on the planet, there are those that not many tourist visit as they are hidden deep in the city. Most of the time, these spots are favorites among locals and that makes them even more precious.
Palo Alto
This lovely charter city is famous for being the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Just like many places in the Bay Area, you will find it lovely mainly because of the redwood trees! Residents of Palo Alto are proud of its many gardens and green areas, and its cuisine options as well. Even though it is pretty famous, Palo Alto is not as crowded s you would expect. This makes it even more perfect for spending time with your family or raising kids. You will find it very pleasant to have lunch at Bird Dog, the most popular restaurant in the area, so make sure to check it out!
The Spice & Tea Exchange
What if we tell you that there is a place where you can enjoy aromas from every part of the world? The Spice & Tea Exchange shop is located on Beach St. and to its customers it offers an unforgettable experience. As soon as you enter you will see countless containers with spices and herbs that you can try or buy. But even more important than that, you can get special mixtures for you and your family. According to shop owners and employees, people love buying their products for themselves or as a gift to someone else. With nice packaging and a wonderful smell, you will surely want to try new things every time you visit.
Escape Rooms in Menlo Park
Menlo Park is one of the most favored spots in the Bay Area mainly because of its attractions, restaurants, and shops. But even though the place is that popular, not every spot there is overcrowded by people. Escape Rooms are a wonderful attraction for those who are looking to spend quality time with their friends and family. The tickets are only $10 and you can count to spend hours there. After spending some time in the maze and having fun with other visitors, you can proceed to have a snack in the restaurant just across the street. As many visitors love to point out, Escape Room is not something you should skip if you found yourself in the city.
Angel Island is one of the hidden gems of the Bay Area
Once you schedule your relocation and get all the moving services in San Francisco you need, you can probably start making future plans. One of them should include visiting Angel Island – no matter if you are with your family or alone. This place is located in the middle of the Bay Area and offers a wonderful view of the city and its buildings. Those who love hiking and spending time outside will find this one to be one of the most beautiful hidden gems of the Bay Area. And you can do countless activities once you find yourself there. Spend a day hiking, having a picnic or simply taking relaxing walks. And while still there, don’t forget to take some photos as Angel Island is even more beautiful at dusk!
Filoli Historic House and Garden
Are you a fan of the Dynasty, one of the most popular TV shows in America? Well, then you know that the home of the Carrington Family from the show is a real place in Woodside. The Filoli Historic House and Garden is a place everyone should visit at least once. The property has 16 acres of formal gardens and is surrounded by a 654-acre estate. In spring and summer, the entire place is filled with all kinds of colors and can really make you feel like you just entered a time machine. you can pay it a visit every day until 5 pm which is plenty of time to check out all of its beauties.
Another one of many hidden gems of the Bay Area is the Point Reyes
Now we are taking you to explore one of the most beautiful peninsulas in the world. Point Reyes is perfect for a family trip or visiting with your friends. Probably the main reason why the place is so magnificent is that it is home to several beaches and amazing wildlife. With the right tour guide or someone who has been there already, you will get to see many of them. Point Reyes is a habitat for elephant seals, tule elks, and countless birds. The most suitable time for visiting is summer. The thick forest will reduce the heat and you will be able to spend an interesting day exploring the place. If you decide to spend even more time at the beach, get ready for lots of white sand and crystal-clear water.
Muir Woods for nature lovers
Speaking of places that will get you closer to nature, we can’t skip mentioning the Muir Woods. This National Park is among the favorite locations for many people including locals and tourists. It is probably the most preserved place in the entire Bay Area, but that is not what makes it so special. Muir Woods is home to redwood trees, and some of them are over 1,000 years old. Being in the presence of these trees will make you feel very special as they spread an out-of-this-world vibe. Considering how breathtaking the place is, you may not find it enough to spend just a couple of hours there.
Since there are camping spots in the area, you can proceed to organize one with your family and friends. Make sure that you have all the equipment necessary and of course that your phones are ready for taking countless photos. The ideal time for hiking and camping in Muir Woods is from June to September.
Tadich Grill: The oldest restaurant in San Francisco
This one could easily be named the oldest gem in San Francisco. Tadich Grill was established way back in 1849 and is located in the Financial District. Considering it is more than 170 years old, you can imagine why this place is an absolute must for all who come to the city. Its specialties include seafood, especially lobsters but many other dishes that have been served for many years. Today, the place offers the same comfort and delicious food and drinks to its customers and it can make you feel the world of old San Francisco. If you settle somewhere nearby you will probably follow the same tradition locals love to practice. Having Sunday lunch at this place will soon become your favorite thing to do!
City Lights Bookstore
Let’s stick to old gems for a little while. As you are exploring San Francisco and all of its wonders, you will come across the City Lights Bookstore. The place was established in 1953 and it has a notable collection of books. You can find it in the North Beach neighborhood and you will have excellent company there as well. The bookstore often hosts various events, including poetry month, book club meetings, and many others. If you love reading and have a book collection on your own, the best thing to do is to join the club as soon as you arrive. This will not only get you closer to wonderful books but a lovely community as well.
San Francisco Zoo is among not so hidden gems of the Bay Area
If you are to ask kids and their parents who live in San Francisco, the zoo is probably a place they visit at least once a month. But the thing with adults is that usually don’t have enough time or motivation to visit the San Francisco zoo. Well, don’t let it happen to you as checking it out really is an unforgettable experience. The zoo itself is home to more than 1000 animal species including the rare and endangered ones. But looking at animals is not all you can do there. The area has a lovely restaurant, including rides, carousels, and trails. When the weather is nice, a lot of people tend to visit, so get tickets on time.
Aquarium of the Bay
Those who will move to San Francisco with their kids will have one more location to check out apart from the San Franciso Zoo. In fact, the Aquarium of the Bay is equally popular among people who live there for many reasons. Your kids, including you as well, will love to see some of the sea animals up close including sharks and sting rays. The entire aquarium is home to more than 20.000 sea animals and the tanks are decorated to remind everyone of the natural beauty of seas and oceans. The tickets are very affordable and kids under the age of 5 can visit for free. During the weekend the place can be really full of people so try to visit it during the working days if you have time. This will give you a chance to enjoy the place better and spend quality time with your kids.
And finally, there is San Francisco Veterans Film Festival
The city of San Francisco is home to many veterans who call it their hometown or who decided to move there at a certain point. And considering that veterans are a very important part of America, the San Francisco Veterans Film Festival is all about those who served the country. The festival focuses on projecting films and short works that are highlighting the lives of veterans including their families and experience. It has a lot of visitors including not only veterans but their friends, colleagues, and family. If you have some connections to them or are a veteran yourself, make sure to visit the festival once you have a chance. The festival begins every year in November and lasts a couple of days.
Keep on exploring the hidden gems of the Bay Area
No matter when you decide to move and what part of the area you chose, there will be more wonderful places waiting for you there. After your relocation, make sure to balance the post-moving tasks and blending in. This is even more important for those who never had a chance to visit San Francisco or California before. After a while, you will have a bunch of favorite locations that you will use to relax after a hard-working day. Keep in mind that San Francisco is home to more than 815,201 people and you will surely end up meeting some amazing people there.
A good moving company will be a great solution to arrive and settle in there better. Exploring the hidden gems of the Bay Area will be much better if you don’t bother too much with your items and arrive full of energy. Professional movers will help you with your items and will suggest the perfect time for moving as well. With their help, you will get plenty of sunny days and a perfect chance to visit all of these places as soon as possible.
References:
25 Best Things to Do in The Bay Area — Top Activities & Places to Go!
