Best Things to Do in the North Bay This January

Looking for the coolest things to do in the North Bay in January? We’ve got you covered. From New Year’s fireworks to Chinese New Year and beyond. Even once the celebrations wane, there is still plenty to do. We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in the North Bay including museums, cultural events, food tours, golfing, hikes and more. Speaking of food, we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in the North Bay, and if you’re planning a weekend, the the best places to stay.

January is cold in the Bay Area, with temperatures in the 40s-50s and eight days of rain on average. You can still hit the trails, however, and if you stick to the coast, there’s a chance you could see a gray whale, as their season begins in Dec/Jan.

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Sweetwater Music Hall

New Year's

January 1

San Francisco’s New Year’s celebrations take over the city thanks to its spectacular fireworks show. The fireworks show usually lasts about 15 minutes and is synced to music with speakers along the promenade. Watch them from the water on a cruise, or from the towns of Sausalito or Tiburon.

Live Music at Sweetwater Music Hall

The revamped and reopened iconic Sweetwater Music Hall in downtown Mill Valley offers live music throughout the year. Some shows are ages 21 and up.

Guided Nature Walks

Start the year with fresh air and an expansive coastline by joining a guided birdwatching walk along the Mendocino coast. Led by experts at the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society, enjoy an identification walk to learn all about our local avian friends.

Altered Worlds: Annual Artists of MarinMOCA Exhibition

68 artists have submitted work to this year’s annual museum-wide members exhibition. The exhibition is juried by Chester Arnold, a well-known art teacher and nationally exhibited painter whose works explore the contemporary landscape. He has been known for his observations capturing a world increasingly altered and unrecognizable. This exhibition takes Arnold’s influential work as a point of departure and invites a wide range of approaches that explore the significant environmental, emotional, and other shifts that we experience daily.

More info: Marinmoca.org

The French Market Marin

The market brings together over 140 booths of antique treasures and vintage bargains. Enjoy a Sunday stroll through aisles of home and garden décor, vintage and estate jewelry, collectibles, books, rugs and a host of other items. Listen to live French music, grab a tasty crepe, greet your favorite exhibitor with “Bonjour” and come home with a treasure or two.

More info: thefrenchmarketmarin.com