my favorite bay area day trip: mill valley, ca [marin]

mill valley is one of my happiest places. after living in the city for over 6 years, we realized a lot of people didn't know that just 25 minutes north of san francisco, there is delicious food, epic hikes, the smell of wood and wilderness, cozy shops, the beach!, beautiful drives, and so much more to have the perfect day trip escape out of the city. some of my favorite marin experiences include:

EXPLORE

public library a gorgeous interior thats perfect for doing work, curling up to a good book, or just browsing the aisles | mill valley lumber yard a renovated old lumberyard that now urges creative minds to gather, connect and create | sweet water music hall see live folk or rock music, pop into their tasty café or catch a movie screening | proof lab surf and skateboard shop full of fun gear for your next adventure 

HIKE AND WILDERNESS

tennessee valley trail, coastal hike – about 4 hours [10 miles round trip] | rodeo beach shorter coastal option that is ~ 5 miles [ 2.5 hours round trip] | tourist club only open to the public on certain days [check their calendar here], but a perfect place to bring a group of friends and spend the afternoon drinking beers on the sunny patio – get here early and bring your own lunch | pelican inn & muir beach cozy up to a warm drink or a picnic on the lawn at this 16th century england inspired inn. the dog friendly beach is right down the street with sand firepits | mountain home inn a favorite place to grab lunch or drinks in the mountains – a polished inn with gorgeous views and trail access 

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EAT AND DRINK

sol food puerto rican heaven | mill valley beerworks, perfect for post hike beer and bites  | joe's taco shop a favorite stop for pre-hike fish tacos | boo koo good asian street food | super duper burger if you're in the mood for burgers these are the best | equator coffee with two locations in the area, it's our favorite place to grab coffee  | molina everything cooked over a wood fire stove [fancier night out] | cavallo point right before the golden gate bridge, we love to stop here for a glass of wine and a few snacks before heading back into the city
 

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sf neighborhood guide: the outer sunset

The outer sunset is one of my favorite areas in SF for a lot of reasons – it's relatively quiet,  often a little gloomy [which i love], near the beach while also right next to the park, and is full of unique shops, restaurants, coffee and cute homes. Often windier and colder than other parts of the city, this neighborhood is one I find myself coming back to often. A quick neighborhood guide below. 

To eat & drink:

1. Outerlands: [pictured below] my favorite for both brunch & dinner, cocktails and gorgeous design
2. Beachside Cafe: cozy neighborhood cafe serving breakfast & lunch 
3. Judahlicious: smoothies and acai bowls perfect for a post-surfing snack 
4. Devil's Teeth: locals line up for breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked bread/pastries 
5. Trouble: coffee & toast with an awesome parklet, the perfect place to hang if outerlands has a wait
6. Andy town: corner coffee shop that locals go out of their way for. Famous for their snowy plover which closely resembles a coffee float
    

To Shop & Explore

1. The General Store: California modern shop with bohemian vibes. An "I want everything" experience at it's finest, with a beautiful garden + table out back to sip and enjoy your coffee 
2. Case for Making: a beautifully designed art supply shop for local artists, but fun to browse for all 
3. Mollusk: also in Venice beach, this surf shop sells boards, wetsuits, gear, books, clothing and other fun accessories in a cheerful modern environment
4. Golden Gate Park: such a massive park but, full of so many wonderful things. The De Young, Botanical Gardens, Academy of Sciences, bike riding, picnic meadows and even free swing lessons ;)
5. Ocean Beach: a favorite spot to surf to many SF locals. On a warm day this beach makes you feel like you're in SoCal. On a cold day, it's cozy to bundle up and watch the surfers. 
6. Sutro Baths: read more about their history here
    

MY GO-TO CITY EXPLORING LOOK:

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8 perfect spots for easter brunch in SF

there are two kinds of brunch in my opinion: #1. groups of really hungover people pounding bottomless mimosas and eating omelettes #2. less hungover people enjoying some coffee, perhaps a fancy brunch cocktail and always some kick ass food. perhaps a park day afterwards. i've always hated the feeling of post  brunch #1 – wanting to take a nap at 2pm, waking up at 5pm feeling confused. that being said, some of sf's best food is served during the wee hours of the morning !  

if you don't celebrate easter, that's cool too. it's supposed to be nice in SF this weekend and brunch is always fun [#1 or #2]. a few of my personal favorites include:

OUTERLANDS [casual]:
Reservations:  only for dinner, but if you arrive right when they open [9am] you should be golden
What to order: honestly, every.thing is perfection depending on what your'e in the mood for
Tip? : if you have to wait for a table, wander the hood! trouble coffee, golden gate park, the general store and mollusk surf shop are a great place to start 

NOPA [fancier than casual]:
Reservations: yes! you can make them up to a month in advance. if not, be in line right @ 11am for bar seating
What to order: i love their bloody mary and french toast.
Tip? :  split  with your table. It's delectable but too sweet for just one person. 

NOPALITO [casual]:
Reservations: no, but they will take your name over the phone. call ahead so that your table is ready when you arrive! 
What to order: the killer bee cocktail and the totopos con chile to start
Tip? : go with a group, there are so many fun sharable items here 

PLOW [casual]:
Reservations: no, and the lines get loooong. i think if you can stomach arriving around 8 am, that might be your best bet. 
What to order: dear god, the lemon ricotta pancakes. [pictured above], everything else is amazing too. can't go wrong. 
Tip? :  have a long wait? walk over to piccino coffee bar 

20th CENTURY CAFE [casual]:
Reservations: no, it's an order at the counter, find your own seat, kind of place – you might get stuck waiting
What to order: the smoked salmon bagel will actually change your life
Tip? : splurge on dessert – the price is high but everything here is good 

B. PATISSERIE [casual]:
Reservations: no, another order at the counter, find your own seat, kind of place – there will be a line
What to order: kouign amann – they're known for these and they're INSANE
Tip? : try their tartines and take it to-go if you cant find a table. most of their food is walk n' eat friendly. 

ZUNI CAFE [prettttty classy]:
Reservations: yes! if you can't get one, try to arrive early
What to order: the burger is famous and they make a killer caesar salad
Tip? : waiting for a table? the bar area has a lot of first come first serve standing/sitting – grab a drink. or you can pop over to bon marche on market st [an 8 minute walk] and shoot back a few oysters

PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB  [seriously classy]:
Reservations: heck ya! i recommend getting a seat at the bar or outside if you can. 
What to order: the ramos gin fizz and oysters
Tip? : the presidio is really f*ing cool.  try to wander the area once you've finished up – you wont regret it. 

more SF favorites can be found via my city travel guide

note: sf is insane with eating out and it can get really annoying. expect a wait at any of these places if you don't have a reservation, and keep in mind the earlier you arrive, the better. image via.