Hungry in Berkeley? Go beyond Chez Panisse: sip natural wines in the Gilman District, grab a pint at Jupiter, dine at Gather, chase mochi donuts, gelato & izakaya plates, and don’t miss the Thai Temple Sunday brunch. A delicious, only-in-Berkeley food crawl.

Planning a Mendocino getaway? This guide breaks down where to stay—Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Little River, and Elk—with pros/cons by vibe: secluded luxury (Inn at Newport Ranch), harbor hideaway (Noyo Harbor Inn), ocean-view B&Bs (Brewery Gulch, Little River Inn, Elk Cove), plus sustainable options and nearby things to do.

Craving a laid-back Mendocino escape? Elk Cove Inn delivers cliff-top ocean views, cozy cottages and rooms, homemade breakfasts, and pet-friendly touches—plus private beach access and an easy jump to redwood hikes, wineries, and Highway 1 scenery.

Pedal two-person, electric-assist railbikes deep into Mendocino’s redwoods on the Skunk Train’s 25-mile Noyo River route—an immersive ~4-hour outing that includes a picnic stop at Camp Noyo, trestle views, and plenty of photo ops. Get practical advice on how it works, what to bring, and when to go. 

Set on 2,200 acres above the Pacific, The Inn at Newport Ranch blends cliff-top drama with redwood quiet. Wander 25 miles of private trails, soak in a water-tower hot tub, and savor guest-only dining—an intimate Mendocino Coast base for slow, scenic adventures.

Discover why Modesto is a foodie haven hidden in plain view—pair panini and globally sourced cheeses at Camp 4, graze Bauhaus tapas, sip LoFi craft cocktails, and dig into local barbecue. Use this guide to plan a delicious downtown crawl on your next Highway 99 road trip.

A wine-tasting guide spotlighting Yolo County’s low-key wine scene just west of Sacramento: easygoing tasting rooms, vineyard views, and standout pours from producers like Turkovich (Winters) and Matchbook (Zamora), with UC Davis roots and Hwy 128 tying it into NorCal wine country—flavorful and friendly, without the fuss.

Perched atop Nob Hill, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins blends old-world elegance with nearly 360° skyline views at Top of the Mark, on-site history exhibits (from Squadron Bottles to mural lore), and classic, comfy rooms—an iconic San Francisco experience. 

Plan a NorCal escape to Winters: sip at Berryessa Gap & Turkovich, float with Yolo Ballooning, tour Park Winters, taste at Patio 29, and refuel at Putah Creek Café or Buckhorn Steakhouse. 

Base in Winters at Hotel Winters—78 roomy suites, ZenTerra Spa, Carboni’s Italian eats, a rooftop bar, and a chill courtyard—minutes from Lake Berryessa and Yolo wine tasting. 

Chase sunrise over Yolo County: book a Winters hot-air-balloon ride with Yolo Ballooning Adventures and celebrate post-flight at Turkovich Family Wines. 

Ride two-seat railbikes from West Sacramento through Yolo’s countryside on a 10-mile round trip (~1–1.5 hrs). Arrive 30 minutes early to check in at 18095 County Rd 117; helmets & water provided, and parking is on-site. This guide covers what to pack, how booking works, and simple photo tips.

Ride Skunk Train railbikes in Fort Bragg for a unique Mendocino adventure. This guide explains how the tours work, differences between the shorter Pudding Creek and longer Noyo River routes, what to pack (closed-toe shoes, layers, water), basic fitness/safety notes, and simple photo tips to capture the redwoods and trestles.

North of the Golden Gate, Novato makes a smart NorCal base: Cheese Trail tastings, Heidrun mead, Novato wineries, Petaluma history, Marin Civic Center—and a quick ferry into SF.