Top Reasons to Go to The Bay Area

Great outdoors: A wealth of wild land lies right outside San Francisco's borders, including the beaches, forests, and meadows of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Point Reyes National Seashore; Big Basin Redwoods State Park; and numerous state beaches.

Wining and dining: Some of the best restaurants and markets in California (and in the country) are in the greater Bay Area, most notably Chez Panisse in Berkeley.

Two-wheeling: Whether you're cycling through the countryside or bombing down a mountain-side single track, great cycling opportunities are everywhere here in the birthplace of mountain biking.

Café culture: While away your day over a latte. Coffeehouses, tearooms, and bookstore cafés abound, especially in the East Bay.

On the water: The Bay itself is a place to explore, by sailboat, kayak, or ferry.