Heading to the South Bay for the first time? Coming back because you can’t get enough? Our expert editors are here to help you know where to stay, what to do and where to eat. Welcome to the 2022 Getties (best of the bests) and the Readers’ Choice awards for the Bay Area.
Featured Photo: Filoli Gardens, courtesy of Kevin Lanceplaine
Restaurants
Best Breakfast
Readers' Choice: Los Gatos Café
Los Gatos Café has quick service and large portions down to a T.
Complete List of 2022 Best Breakfast in the South Bay Getties
Best Lunch
Readers' Choice: Orchard City Kitchen
Specializing in New American small plates, we recommend ordering family style to try as many dishes as possible.
Complete List of 2022 Best Lunch in the South Bay Getties
Best Dinner
Readers' Choice: Lexington House
A contemporary eatery for seasonal California cuisine in downtown Los Gatos, serving beautifully presented small plates packed with big flavor and quality ingredients.
Complete List of 2022 Best Dinner in the South Bay Getties
Best Pizza
Readers' Choice: Giorgio's Italian Food & Pizzeria
The quintessential family Italian-American restaurant, where locals go for long lunches and groups celebrate anniversaries, graduations and birthdays over red-and-white checked tablecloths.
Complete List of 2022 Best Pizza in the South Bay Getties
Best Burger
Readers' Choice: Brown Chicken Brown Cow
Specializing in 100 percent grass-fed beef burgers with twists that are as creative and mysterious as the burger names on the menu.
Complete List of 2022 Best Burgers in the South Bay Getties
Best Sushi
Readers' Choice: Sushi Maru
While the menu of high-quality sushi is pretty straightforward, there’s a wide range of Japanese cuisine with plenty of teriyaki and tempura options, as well as a good selection of hot and cold noodle bowls with udon, soba or ramen.
Complete List of 2022 Best Sushi in the South Bay Getties
Hotels
Best Value Hotel
Readers' Choice: Hyatt Regency SFO
Five minutes from San Francisco International Airport and convenient to Silicon Valley as well, the value in this 789-room property adds up nicely.
Complete List of 2022 Best Value Hotels in the South Bay Getties
Best Luxury Hotel
Readers' Choice: Nobu Palo Alto
This new Japanese-inspired hotel, bearing the same name as the iconic restaurant inside, is in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. The emphasis is on serenity and relaxation with a touch of high-tech.
Complete List of 2022 Best Luxury Hotels in the South Bay Getties
Best Group Getaway Hotel
Readers' Choice: Stanford Park Hotel
Imagine classic architecture, fountains in secluded brick courtyards, an outdoor pool surrounded by cozy wicker furniture beside warming fire pits for evenings outdoors.
Complete List of 2022 Best Group Hotels in the South Bay Getties
Activities
Best Place to Visit
Readers' Choice: Filoli Gardens
The 654-acre estate, surrounded by 23,000 acres of protected watershed, is just 30 miles south of San Francisco, but offers a complete escape from urban landscapes.
Complete List of 2022 Best Places to Visit in the South Bay Getties
Best Annual Event
Readers' Choice: Gilroy Garlic Festival
On the last full weekend in July, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is a major community event organized by the “Garlic Capital of the World.” Garlic ice cream and garlic fries are fan favorites.
Complete List of 2022 Best Annual Events in the South Bay Getties
Best Hike
Readers' Choice: Coyote Peak and Ridge Trail Loop
At the summit you’ll be treated to views of both the Diablo Range and the Santa Cruz Mountains. And the wildflower bloom during spring is among the best in the region.
Complete List of 2022 Best Hikes in the South Bay Getties
More 2022 Bay Area Getties Winners
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
