This one runs close to home. If there is one question I get from every person who visits the Silicon Valley, it is “What is there in the silicon valley beyond tech?”. Many visitors who do come by the valley are here mostly for work. It is very rare that we see someone pass by the South Bay especially for tourism. So if you do happen to be here, what do you do?
San Francisco is definitely the center of attraction for anyone visiting the Bay Area. The city is rich with culture, chaos, cuisines, celebration….. so many Cs. Even though the history of this region runs deep, much of the US itself is new in comparison to the rest of the world. And far newer than the East Coast. We are, what I like to call, the new face of America. This is a true melting pot of cultures from around the world!
Inch your way down to the South Bay and you’ll find yourself amidst large highways and concrete towers. All the giants who run the tech world today are headquartered in this region. You can also view hundreds of promising startups than any other place in the world. For Facebook lovers, there is always the ‘Like’ sign that tourists love to flock. Every single company has a special something for tourists to have a look at. All you need to do is walk into one of the many buildings and the security would be happy to point you in the right direction.
But hold on, isn’t there more to do in this tech jungle? If you drive a little further away from the tech companies that dot the major highways of the Bay, you will find yourself lost in a true jungle. Lush forests, cascading mountains and serene little lakes are the true beauty of the Bay Area. Our redwood trees are estimated to be roughy between 1000 and 2500 years old. We have some of the friendliest parks & rec staff who go out of their way to ensure we experience nature at its best. With tons of bike and hike trails, the Bay Area has a different terrain for every level.
The best season to visit the Bay Area is between February and May. The mountains are green and the lakes are full. You might even be lucky enough to bump into waterfalls during the period. This is not to say the other months aren’t good enough. Infact, the Bay Area has almost always perfect weather. There are only a few heat waves that barely last a few weeks in the summer. This is also the reason for the sky high prices in the real estate market here.
Besides our national and state parks and beaches, you can experience different cultures. Since the Bay Area is home to people from every part of the planet, you will structures and monuments from each culture. If you are in the mood for religious and spiritual architecture, head to the Livermore Hindu Temple or the Japanese Zen garden in Saratoga.
The food scene of the Bay Area is some of the best in the country. We have great coffee, ice creams and world cuisine. We are also a stone’s throw away from some of the world’s finest wine in Napa Valley and Sonoma. A special mention is Gilroy, about 30 miles south of San Jose. Nicknamed the ‘Garlic Capital of the World’, Gilroy certainly boasts many garlic farms in one small city. There is so much garlic here that they even have a garlic flavored ice cream. While you are in Gilroy, it is definitely worth visiting the Gilroy Premium Outlets for some factory outlet stores for considerably lower prices than directly buying in stores. The Gilroy Gardens are also worth a visit for families with small kids.
The next time you do visit the Bay Area, check out the following websites to plan an unforgettable visit.
- https://www.mysteryspot.com – Because who doesn’t want fun in nature? Nestled among the redwood forests, the mystery spot is not only fun but is also a great spot to truly appreciate the beauty of the redwood trees.
- https://www.alltrails.com and https://www.bahiker.com provide some of the best information about the natural and scenic spots to visit in the Bay. You will be surprised at just how much there is to see here.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/ParkIndex – Just the best information you can get about nearby parks and beaches!
- https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/gilroy – For savvy shoppers, this is a must visit. The site also has access to deals and coupons.
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/shiva-vishnu-temple-livermore-livermore and https://www.yelp.com/biz/hakone-estate-and-gardens-saratoga?osq=japanese+garden – For the spiritual
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/sankat-mochan-hanuman-temple-watsonville?osq=hanuman – Another spiritual site that takes a bit more planning and effort but totally worth a visit. Located on Mount Madonna, this place also has a retreat with spiritual and yoga classes.
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/bi-rite-creamery-san-francisco – For some of the best ice cream in all of US!
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/philz-coffee-san-jose-2 – For some of the best coffee you will ever have!
PS: I would be happy to help anyone plan a travel itinerary for the Bay Area!
