California’s Bay Area may be well-known for its tech-focused urban enclaves, but the region is packed with unexpected delights rooted in its coastal location and natural wonders, as well as its love of fine wine and food. This five-day trip starts by embracing the city life in San Francisco through unexpected explorations of its culture and history. Then it continues with foodie favorites and other lesser-known spots to visit in the East Bay, Half Moon Bay, and Sonoma County. At every point of the journey, you can enjoy knowing that you're earning rewards when you use the United Quest℠ card. Trip Highlight: Catch “Rhodie” Blooms From April through mid-June, the flowers are in season and blanket the forest at Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve, a pleasant walk under the redwoods. Trip Designer: With multiple ways to earn miles and get statement credits, the new United Quest Card makes it easier—and more attainable—to explore your favorite destinations around the world, including the coastal scenery and delicious food and wine of Northern California. The ease of flying into SFO on a United flight makes a worry-free start to the California getaway. Rent a car, grab a cab, or take BART into the city and check in for two nights to the wellness-oriented Hotel Vitale with Bay Bridge views and that puts you in easy reach of every corner of the 49-square-mile city. Start by capturing the splendor of SF’s peninsula location by spending the afternoon at Lands End, sandwiched between the Golden Gate Park and Presidio. Stop in at the Sutro Baths there, where sprawling views are the backdrop to ruins of the 1894 bathhouse—and perhaps enjoy a coffee or snack at the Lookout Cafe. Or, if you’d rather dive right into the urban landscape instead, skip the coast and enjoy lunch in the Mission District with the no frills, but highly rated home of the original Mission burrito at La Taqueria. Alternatively, you can savor brunch alfresco in the Mission at Foreign Cinema, which combines cuisine, wine, film, cocktails, and art for a “sensual environment” and dishes including lavender-baked goat cheese or plancha with Monterey Bay calamari. For dinner, venture to the hidden gem Bix for modern cuisine in a speakeasy-style atmosphere and dining room with soaring ceilings. Save room for the fun flavors of ice cream from Humphry Slocombe (peanut butter curry, anyone?). And if you’re up for a nightcap, head to The View Lounge atop the San Francisco Marriott Marquis with a downtown view in its art deco space. Local Learning:
Asian Art Museum With more than a third of the city's population of Asian descent, this art museum highlights the artistic side with 18,000 pieces, from ancient jade to modern video installations. Vista Point: Lands End Labyrinth The trail to the outdoor rock sculpture feels like a hidden adventure of its own, but opens up to a ledge with a perfect view of both sides of the Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge.
Zip across the bay by car, cab, or BART to Oakland for a tasty day filled with cultural cuisines. From Oakland, head up to Berkeley and take your place in line at Great China Restaurant. The roasted duck draws the crowds, but it's the double skin mung bean noodles that’s a surprising hit. After lunch, head around the corner to Shattuck Avenue, Downtown Berkeley’s main street where quirky stores mingle with big box shops. Or go back down to Oakland for a lakefront walk around the three miles of shoreline at Lake Merritt, where there’s boating, rowing, croquet, and lawn bowling. Then work your way over to Home of Chicken and Waffles for some serious soul food, complete with all the sides—grits, cornbread, home fries, and black-eyed peas. Stopping Point: This is more than just a stop along BART. Take a moment to walk along the estuary and also browse the waterfront shops. Ancient Plants: Bonsai Garden
Within Lake Merritt is a garden full of the petite Japanese trees, including the world’s oldest bonsai, a Daimyo Oak that arrived in 1867.
Leave the city behind—and if you don’t already have wheels, head back to SFO on your way south and rent a car for the rest of the trip. Drive out half an hour to the southwest to Half Moon Bay. (Beware, the road can be quite winding at times). Check in for a night at The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, which sits along the oceanfront bluffs. The views here are so stunning that you’ll immediately want to take a walk along the California Coastal Trail, right in the hotel’s backyard. For lunch, head up to Sam’s Chowder House, a local and visitor favorite, for your choice of New England or Manhattan chowder along with daily catch specials. Spend the afternoon at the harbor or among the redwoods, and then go back to the hotel for dinner at the in-house Navio, featuring intricate coastal cuisine. Afterward, either relax by your room’s own firepit on the deck if it has one, or at the hotel’s tranquil outdoor area, to spend a quiet evening taking in the sounds of the shore. After lunch, take a walk around the harbor, where fishermen sell seafood—caught along the Pacific coast as far as Alaska—straight from their boats. Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
On the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains this 4,711-acre reserve delivers towering redwoods and coastal views.
Next drive north, stopping in Sonoma County’s wine region on your way to another coastal destination, the gorgeously serene Timber Cove. In the western part of the county the mineral-rich terroir surrounding the Russian River makes the area famous for its Pinot Noir, including the wines produced by the way-under-the-radar Fred Scherrer Winery currently offering curbside pickup or tastings at Region in Sebastopol. For an authentic tasting experience, try a masterful glass at Merry Edwards or go for sparkling wines alfresco with a view at Iron Horse. (Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time for both.) Then continue on, picking up a loaf of wood-fired bread at Wild Flour in Freestone before turning onto Highway 1 for a scenic drive. Spend the night at the boutique Timber Cove Resort atop a cliff, with three miles of trails on its 23 acres. (Pro tip: Book one of the rooms with an ocean view and fireplace.) Continue that coastal wonderment where the river meets the ocean at River’s End dining room—if anything, the restaurant can be summed up in its URL, ilovesunsets.com. It's all about the sparkling wines at the Iron Horse estate, perched on a grape vine-covered hill and founded in 1976. Savor the vintages at the outdoor tasting room or enjoy a picnic in the gazebo. Rest Stop: Graton
Take in the small-town charm of the town with a population of 1,707 and enjoy locally sourced lunch at Willow Wood Market Café or The Underwood Bar and Bistro.
Wake up and savor a farm-to-table breakfast with a view of the ocean at the hotel’s Coast Kitchen in the main lodge with dramatic double-height ceilings. Then continue the local wine journey at Fort Ross Vineyard, or try one of the personally curated, privately guided nature, yoga, wellness, or architecture adventures offered by Unbeaten Path Tours—you can even forage your own food by abalone diving at Salt Point State Park. As you drive back toward SFO, make a stop at New England Lobster Market & Eatery just south of the terminal in Burlingame for its lobster plate or lobster rolls to fill up on one last taste of the Bay. Finally, board your flight back home on one of many flights options from United including direct flights to Boston, Denver, and Washington D.C. Before crossing into the city on your way south, make a stop at the waterfront city for views and a cup of joe at Equator Coffee. Airport Art: United Terminal Arrive early to browse the terminal’s art pieces, provided in conjunction with the San Francisco Arts Commission, including Eric Staller’s play with geometric light-and-motion Spirogyrate and Amy Ellingson’s Untitled mosaic wall (pictured). Also make time for some pre-flight R&R in the United Club lounge. (Check here for current lounge openings.)
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