East Bay

An overhead view of a table set with various appetizers—including olives, crackers with salmon, cheese-topped bread slices, vegetable skewers, and dishes of nuts—accompanied by glasses of red and white wine. Two hands reach for the food, evoking the ambiance found in Best Bay Area Wine Bars.

Best Bay Area Wine Bars

Wine bars are like snowflakes: each one is distinct in look and feel, wine selection and vibe. Customers play a role, too, influencing what gets […]

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A person rides a bicycle along a seaside path, with an American flag waving from the back. Another person runs alongside, energetically holding a large American flag. The ocean and blue sky provide a scenic backdrop—one of the best things to do in the Bay Area Labor Day Weekend.

Best Things to Do in the Bay Area This Labor Day Weekend

Ah, yes, Labor Day — the unofficial end of a great summer. However, Labor Day is more than just that — it’s a three-day weekend

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California’s Botanical Gardens in Full Bloom

I have a confession: If I didn’t have to review botanical gardens for my travel guides, I would never have learned how extraordinary these places

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Six Affordable East Bay Excursions

I know, it doesn’t sound very sexy, but you’d be surprised how much fun you can have on a weekend getaway to the East Bay.

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A view of the Bay Bridge as cars drive across with a view of a city skyline ahead.

Top Activities in the East Bay

A conglomeration of architectural wonders, natural beauty, culture and so much more, here are the best activities in the East Bay.

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A small white mission-style church with a bell tower topped by a cross. The front entrance is an arched wooden door. Nearby is a tall tree and a signpost that reads "Historic Mission Santa Cruz," one of the iconic Northern California Missions. The sky is clear and blue.

Northern California Missions: From San Juan Bautista to San Francisco Solano de Sonoma

Looking for a whopping dose of California state history? There’s likely no better entry point than the missions. Here’s a look at seven of the

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A group of people scattered on a rocky beach, some crouching and some sitting. Each person appears to be scrutinizing or exploring something on the ground, enjoying one of many Bay Area family-friendly outdoor adventures. The ocean waves are visible in the background, and the sky is overcast.

Bay Area Family-Friendly Outdoor Adventures

From Moss Beach to Point Reyes National Seashore, the Greater Bay Area offers dozens of fun family friendly outdoor adventures. So awaken your inner birder

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A modern building with a living green roof featuring several rounded domes. The glass facade is surrounded by a plaza where people stroll. Palm trees and green lawns adorn the foreground, with a blue sky overhead, making it one of the coolest kid-friendly museums in Northern California.

The Coolest Kid-Friendly Museums in Northern California

Who isn’t looking for some getaways to get everyone out of the house? We all are. With that in mind, here’s a roundup of my

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Aerial view of downtown Oakland, California on a sunny day, featuring a mix of modern high-rise buildings and historic structures. The landscape stretches towards the San Francisco Bay, with the Oakland Cannabis Trail weaving through the scenery, hills in the background, and water bodies at the horizon.

The Perfect Day Trip Along the Visit Oakland Cannabis Trail

A visit to the sunny side of the bay now offers a curated cannabis adventure that any seasoned traveler would appreciate. I recently blazed Visit

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A vintage steam locomotive with the number X-45 on its front leads a red passenger car through a lush forest in Northern California. The train engine has a shiny brown and black exterior and is enveloped by tall green trees. Smoke is billowing from the chimney as the train moves forward, creating a scene like those featured in trains and museums.

Historic Train Rides and Museums in Northern California

The Golden State owes almost as much to the “iron horse” as to the yellow mineral that spurred the nation’s westward expansion in the mid-19th

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