On the western oceanfront of Northern California at the state’s distinctive bend along the coast lies this breathtaking region. It’s framed by an unforgettable gateway — the iconic Golden Gate Bridge — spanning the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Explore diverse cities, picturesque hamlets, family friendly beaches, coastal parklands and wine country, including Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, one-and-a-half hours north of San Francisco.
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
The Bay Area Discovery Museum prides itself on its scientific credentials, with its STEM exhibits (science, technology, engineering, and math) that are “inquiry-driven” and backed by research.
California Wine Country, including the world-famous Napa Valley Wine Country and Sonoma Wine Country, reigns as a wine connoisseur’s paradise in a land of elegant tasting rooms, expansive vineyards, quaint towns and picturesque lodgings.
Adjacent to iconic surfing spots is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, lined with classic coasters, arcade games, fair food and a historic carousel.
Experience world-class dining in San Francisco, the city with the most three Michelin-starred restaurants in all of America.
Counties, Major Cities and Attractions
Counties
There are 10 counties in the San Francisco Bay Area region of California:
Alameda County
Contra Costa County
Marin County
Napa County
San Francisco County
San Mateo County
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County
Solano County
Sonoma County
Major Cities
The San Francisco Bay Area region is moderately to densely populated, with the cities of San Francisco and San Jose’s populations breaking more than 1 million people.
Alameda
Benicia
Berkeley
Calistoga
Concord
Fremont
Half Moon Bay
Livermore
Marin
Napa
Oakland
Pleasant Hill
Pleasanton
Richmond
San Francisco
San Jose
Santa Clara
Santa Cruz
Santa Rosa
Sausalito
Sonoma
Tiburon
Walnut Creek
Yountville
Major Attractions
The Bay Area is home to iconic San Francisco, world-famous wine country in Napa and Sonoma, waterfront towns, dramatic beaches, and tech-savvy Silicon Valley.
Alcatraz: The infamous Alcatraz Island once served as a penitentiary for the most notorious of criminals and is now a popular tourist attraction accessible by ferry
Bodega Bay: Home to dramatic beaches and fresh seafood restaurants, this town offers up an ideal coastal getaway for visitors
Golden Gate Bridge: With towers soaring 746 feet into the sky and its span arcing across the mouth of San Francisco Bay, it’s no surprise that visitors from around the world come to walk or ride across this iconic bridge
Lands End Lookout (the Sutro Baths): Once a large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool, the Sutro Baths are now a site for unique photography and fascinating walks
Muir Woods National Monument: The last stand of uncut old-growth coast redwoods in the Bay Area is protected here and is recognized as one of California’s most unforgettable must-sees
Palace of Fine Arts: This monumental structure in San Francisco, featuring beautiful domes and details statues, was originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum: Learn about the history of California surfing, including the story of three Hawaiian princes carving boards out of redwood, in this intimate museum located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse
Silicon Valley: When in the tech-center of California, get inspired by your proximity to the Google headquarters, take a tour of Stanford University or visit the exciting Tech Museum of Innovation
Northern California Wine Country: From world-famous Napa and Sonoma wineries to Oakland’s Urban Wine Trail, visitors can find an abundance of incredible tastings in the San Francisco Bay Area
Winchester Mystery House: This historic mansion in San Jose is known for its extravagant maze of Victorian craftsmanship comprising 160 rooms, staircases that lead nowhere and many other baffling paradoxes
The San Francisco Bay Area region has a Mediterranean climate characteristic of California's coast, with moist mild winters and dry summers. Visitors will often experience fog cover in the early mornings.
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California Welcome Centers
The San Francisco Bay Area region has two California Welcome Centers: