Hidden Gem in the Valley Guide - Short Trip (7 Days or less)

Jacqueline & Paul
Jacqueline & Paul
Hidden Gem in the Valley Guide - Short Trip (7 Days or less)

Shopping

A great outlet mall to shop for many famous brand at a special low price.
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San Francisco Premium Outlets
2774 Livermore Outlets Dr
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A great outlet mall to shop for many famous brand at a special low price.
Lots of stores and international restaurants that you can find easily in the center of city, San Francisco!!! A visitor must visit here.
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Westfield San Francisco Centre
865 Market St
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Lots of stores and international restaurants that you can find easily in the center of city, San Francisco!!! A visitor must visit here.
Located in Walnut Creek, CA - Broadway Plaza is an open-air shopping center anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's and many more stores and restaurants that you can shop & dine.
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Broadway Plaza
1275 Broadway Plaza
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Located in Walnut Creek, CA - Broadway Plaza is an open-air shopping center anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's and many more stores and restaurants that you can shop & dine.
An East Bay shopping strip with its mix of restaurants, stores like T.J. Max, Sephora, Barnes and Noble Bookstore and IMAX Theater - that's my favorite. There are large comfortable reclining seats, and food service right to you. Good price.
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The Veranda
2001-2003 Diamond Blvd
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An East Bay shopping strip with its mix of restaurants, stores like T.J. Max, Sephora, Barnes and Noble Bookstore and IMAX Theater - that's my favorite. There are large comfortable reclining seats, and food service right to you. Good price.
Bay Street Emeryville is a large mixed-use development in Emeryville, California. There are many retail shops and restaurants like Sephora, Coach, Gap, Barnes & Noble, PF Chang's and California Pizza kitchen & etc. A movie theater, hotel, and many residential units around the area.
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Bay Street Emeryville
5616 Bay St
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Bay Street Emeryville is a large mixed-use development in Emeryville, California. There are many retail shops and restaurants like Sephora, Coach, Gap, Barnes & Noble, PF Chang's and California Pizza kitchen & etc. A movie theater, hotel, and many residential units around the area.
The Vacaville Outlets is a beautiful outdoor shopping mall with around 120 stores. There are restaurants and desirable brand name stores such as Gap Outlet, Michael Kors, J.Crew, Coach, Cole Hann, Calvin Klein, Sunglass hut, Puma, Adidas and many more. Great place to shop at a sales price.
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Vacaville Premium Outlets
321 Nut Tree Rd
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The Vacaville Outlets is a beautiful outdoor shopping mall with around 120 stores. There are restaurants and desirable brand name stores such as Gap Outlet, Michael Kors, J.Crew, Coach, Cole Hann, Calvin Klein, Sunglass hut, Puma, Adidas and many more. Great place to shop at a sales price.

Sightseeing

This is one of the popular landmark. Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California. At Pier 39, there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina
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PIER 39
The Embarcadero
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This is one of the popular landmark. Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California. At Pier 39, there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina
One of the popular destination everyone. 3 landing spots to visit. I would recommend taking I80 first, visit all 3 landing spots on Golden Gate bridge to appreciate all the distinct breathtaking views and return via route 580. You will be able to visit Downtown Sausalito before returning.
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Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
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One of the popular destination everyone. 3 landing spots to visit. I would recommend taking I80 first, visit all 3 landing spots on Golden Gate bridge to appreciate all the distinct breathtaking views and return via route 580. You will be able to visit Downtown Sausalito before returning.
This little seaside town in SF’s back yard has unbelievable scenery, protected “banana belt” weather, and a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. If you are driving don’t miss the nearby & gorgeous Marin Headlands either
Downtown Sausalito
Bridgeway
This little seaside town in SF’s back yard has unbelievable scenery, protected “banana belt” weather, and a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. If you are driving don’t miss the nearby & gorgeous Marin Headlands either
Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 21 March 1963.
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Alcatraz Island
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Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 21 March 1963.
Napa Valley in California Wine Country is one of the world's famous wine regions for wine tasting, wine tours, eating at Michelin star restaurants, and many sightseeing.
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Napa Valley
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Napa Valley in California Wine Country is one of the world's famous wine regions for wine tasting, wine tours, eating at Michelin star restaurants, and many sightseeing.
Enjoy the steam engine train ride that takes you through the redwood trees. Great sightseeing for kid and adult.
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Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Stoomtrein)
2481 Grizzly Peak Blvd
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Enjoy the steam engine train ride that takes you through the redwood trees. Great sightseeing for kid and adult.
You would not want to miss this place if you are an Art lover. We have spend the whole day enjoying the various forms of ART displayed here.
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Crocker Art Museum
216 O St
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You would not want to miss this place if you are an Art lover. We have spend the whole day enjoying the various forms of ART displayed here.
Registered as a national historic landmark, The Waterfront overflows with exciting things to see and do. With museums, riverboat rides, historic railroads excursions, horse carriage, and cobblestone roads
Old Sacramento Waterfront
1014 2nd Street
Registered as a national historic landmark, The Waterfront overflows with exciting things to see and do. With museums, riverboat rides, historic railroads excursions, horse carriage, and cobblestone roads
The best experience to ride a cable car at San Francisco. You can either sit or stand on the outer side of this cable cart where you can actually swing out. Enjoy the going up and down hill of SF. Just be patient on the long wait, overall is worth it!
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Cable Car Turnaround Powell St.
Powell Street
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The best experience to ride a cable car at San Francisco. You can either sit or stand on the outer side of this cable cart where you can actually swing out. Enjoy the going up and down hill of SF. Just be patient on the long wait, overall is worth it!
Japantown, also known as Nihonmachi, is a historic enclave in the Western Addition. There are large indoor/outdoor complexes house an assortment of sushi, ramen and shabu-shabu restaurants, plus specialty grocery stores, gift shops, karaoke bars and Asian-style day spas. There are event such as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival held on two weekends, sometimes on 2nd week of April. This celebration includes traditional music, dance, and other cultural activities.
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Japan Town
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Japantown, also known as Nihonmachi, is a historic enclave in the Western Addition. There are large indoor/outdoor complexes house an assortment of sushi, ramen and shabu-shabu restaurants, plus specialty grocery stores, gift shops, karaoke bars and Asian-style day spas. There are event such as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival held on two weekends, sometimes on 2nd week of April. This celebration includes traditional music, dance, and other cultural activities.
Connect with nature to enjoy the redwood trees and scenery. There are different walking and hiking trails you can choose. Handicap friendly. Lots of people, reservations only, no cell service or wifi at the park or visitors center and traffic is crazy during the weekend and holiday season.
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Muir Woods National Monument
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Connect with nature to enjoy the redwood trees and scenery. There are different walking and hiking trails you can choose. Handicap friendly. Lots of people, reservations only, no cell service or wifi at the park or visitors center and traffic is crazy during the weekend and holiday season.

Food scene

A Culinary Adventure for Food Lovers in the Napa Valley. If you plan to have dinner there, do book way in advance as they are always fully book.
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The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
2555 Main St
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A Culinary Adventure for Food Lovers in the Napa Valley. If you plan to have dinner there, do book way in advance as they are always fully book.
Delicious pizza in the bay area and don't let the long wait scare you. It's worth the wait for a good pizza.
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The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck Ave
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Delicious pizza in the bay area and don't let the long wait scare you. It's worth the wait for a good pizza.
Many fantastic organic farmer's here and some super tasty prepared food as well. Enjoy great music.
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Saturday Downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market
1947 Center St
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Many fantastic organic farmer's here and some super tasty prepared food as well. Enjoy great music.
Chinese seafood specialties & dim sum in a large-scale space overlooking the bay. Awesome view of SF & Bay Bridge.
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Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood Restaurant
3199 Powell St
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Chinese seafood specialties & dim sum in a large-scale space overlooking the bay. Awesome view of SF & Bay Bridge.

Local Tips - Essentials

Close by grocery stores near Hidden Gem in the valley. Here are some of the recommended stores that we used to shop around. Driving distance from 5 minutes to 15minutes.
Great shop for organics. Friendly staff & services. I love to shop here for many varieties of good healthy food. So many items to choose from fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, wine, seafood & etc.
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Trader Joe's
2742 Pinole Valley Rd
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Great shop for organics. Friendly staff & services. I love to shop here for many varieties of good healthy food. So many items to choose from fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, wine, seafood & etc.
A convenient grocery store located at El Sobrante where you can find most of your essentials at one stop shop. There are best sandwiches, fresh food & coffee to go. Great varieties of bakery & wide variety of selections. Great services.
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Raley's
3360 San Pablo Dam Rd
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A convenient grocery store located at El Sobrante where you can find most of your essentials at one stop shop. There are best sandwiches, fresh food & coffee to go. Great varieties of bakery & wide variety of selections. Great services.
A drugstore chain with health & beauty aids, prescriptions plus mini-mart basics.
CVS Pharmacy
1617 Canyon Dr
A drugstore chain with health & beauty aids, prescriptions plus mini-mart basics.
A small Japanese grocery that you can find in our nearby neighborhood. Great place to pick up Japanese seafood, meats, alcohol, plus prepared bento meals & etc.
Yaoya-San
10566 San Pablo Ave
A small Japanese grocery that you can find in our nearby neighborhood. Great place to pick up Japanese seafood, meats, alcohol, plus prepared bento meals & etc.
An Asian supermarket chain carrying imported specialty foods from all over the world. Great variety of selections such as meat, seafood, produce & baked goods.There are shops, restaurants, boutiques, and hair & beauty salons. The Asian Pearl Seafood Restaurant is popular amongst family diners & Dim Sum.
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Pacific East Mall
3288 Pierce St
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An Asian supermarket chain carrying imported specialty foods from all over the world. Great variety of selections such as meat, seafood, produce & baked goods.There are shops, restaurants, boutiques, and hair & beauty salons. The Asian Pearl Seafood Restaurant is popular amongst family diners & Dim Sum.
A small Korea grocery store where you can find homemade kimchi and more yummy stuff from this shop.
Hosanna Oriental Food
10028 San Pablo Ave
A small Korea grocery store where you can find homemade kimchi and more yummy stuff from this shop.
Many great variety of selections that you can find at Lucky. From meat, vegetables, bakery, organic, household products and pharmacy counter.
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Lucky
1530 Fitzgerald Dr
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Many great variety of selections that you can find at Lucky. From meat, vegetables, bakery, organic, household products and pharmacy counter.
A retail store that offers home goods, clothing, electronics & more. Starbucks, pizza hut express, cvs pharmacy and photo center in the store. Convenient location, friendly staffs and a one-stop shopping.
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Target
1400 Fitzgerald Dr
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A retail store that offers home goods, clothing, electronics & more. Starbucks, pizza hut express, cvs pharmacy and photo center in the store. Convenient location, friendly staffs and a one-stop shopping.
A neighborhood shopping place that you can find various restaurants and varieties of fast food options and shopping centers in this area. Shop at Lucky & FoodMaxx if you prefer to cook. Get daily essential supplies from Target, electronics from Best buys and many more.
Pinole Vista Shopping Center
1440 Fitzgerald Dr
A neighborhood shopping place that you can find various restaurants and varieties of fast food options and shopping centers in this area. Shop at Lucky & FoodMaxx if you prefer to cook. Get daily essential supplies from Target, electronics from Best buys and many more.

Local tips - Park & Nature

Tilden Park is a place you may want to visit. Great place for a nature hike, picnic, cycling & etc. A good experience to ride the redwood valley steam train and many more to explore at the park. Enjoy the spectacular views and bay views.
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Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd
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Tilden Park is a place you may want to visit. Great place for a nature hike, picnic, cycling & etc. A good experience to ride the redwood valley steam train and many more to explore at the park. Enjoy the spectacular views and bay views.
Connect with nature and overlooking the surrounding valleys and San Pablo Dam Reservoir. Great for hiking, picnic, sports, bird watching & etc.
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Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area
6531 San Pablo Dam Rd
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Connect with nature and overlooking the surrounding valleys and San Pablo Dam Reservoir. Great for hiking, picnic, sports, bird watching & etc.
Spend your weekend or holidays at the San Pablo Reservoir. You can rent a boat or kayaks watching the beautiful lake, BBQ and even fishing here.
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San Pablo Reservoir
7301 San Pablo Dam Rd
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Spend your weekend or holidays at the San Pablo Reservoir. You can rent a boat or kayaks watching the beautiful lake, BBQ and even fishing here.
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline features over 100 species of bird due to a myriad of habitats within its 2,315 acres. You can hike, ride a bicycle, horse riding & fishing. One trail leads to the pier, which gives you a spectacular bay view. A scenic place to visit.
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Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
5551 Giant Hwy
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Point Pinole Regional Shoreline features over 100 species of bird due to a myriad of habitats within its 2,315 acres. You can hike, ride a bicycle, horse riding & fishing. One trail leads to the pier, which gives you a spectacular bay view. A scenic place to visit.

Local Tips - Transportation

Great transfer point to the San Francisco city or other parts of the bay area via other bay area buses.
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El Cerrito del Norte Station
6400 Cutting Blvd
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Great transfer point to the San Francisco city or other parts of the bay area via other bay area buses.
Get out of traffic and ride the ferry to San Francisco. Enjoy the bay views.
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Richmond Ferry Terminal
1453 Harbour Way S
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Get out of traffic and ride the ferry to San Francisco. Enjoy the bay views.

Local Tips - Food Scene

Close by neighborhood restaurants. 5 minutes to 20 minutes driving distance.
Delicious breakfast and many options to choose from. Home cooked style breakfast in huge portions. Friendly staff and nice area at an affordable price.
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Tina's Place
2310 San Pablo Ave
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Delicious breakfast and many options to choose from. Home cooked style breakfast in huge portions. Friendly staff and nice area at an affordable price.
Amazing food and even better service! We love the breakfast here.
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Cafe Soleil
3550 San Pablo Dam Rd
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Amazing food and even better service! We love the breakfast here.
One of the best prime ribs and seafood in the area. Great views of the bay from both inside seating and heated outdoor seating.
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The Dead Fish
20050 San Pablo Ave
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One of the best prime ribs and seafood in the area. Great views of the bay from both inside seating and heated outdoor seating.
Enjoy the great food, great bay views and the quiet neighborhood. Serve lunch and dinner.
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Leila by the Bay
1991 Railroad Ave
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Enjoy the great food, great bay views and the quiet neighborhood. Serve lunch and dinner.
Serving Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and many type of Bread selections that are baked fresh daily. A great place to get fresh bread and bagels.
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Panera Bread
1376 Fitzgerald Dr
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Serving Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and many type of Bread selections that are baked fresh daily. A great place to get fresh bread and bagels.
The best place to get a good cup of coffee in Pinole. They also offer a nice range of foods and other drinks. Open early at 6am during the weekday.
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East Bay Coffee Co.
2529 San Pablo Ave
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The best place to get a good cup of coffee in Pinole. They also offer a nice range of foods and other drinks. Open early at 6am during the weekday.
Local authentic Thai food in the heart of Pinole valley. Famous in red, yellow and green curry and many others delicious selections of foods. This restaurant has a very cultural look.
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Thai Spice
2701 Pinole Valley Rd
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Local authentic Thai food in the heart of Pinole valley. Famous in red, yellow and green curry and many others delicious selections of foods. This restaurant has a very cultural look.
The best Thai/Laos restaurant in the neighborhood. We love most of the yummy dishes especially the Fried Banana with ice cream. Not easy to find because it is located at the back of a strip mall that is situated above street level so you can't see it.
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Sue's Kitchen
448 Valley View Rd
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The best Thai/Laos restaurant in the neighborhood. We love most of the yummy dishes especially the Fried Banana with ice cream. Not easy to find because it is located at the back of a strip mall that is situated above street level so you can't see it.
Great neighborhood Italian Restaurant. Delicious food and services.
Famiglia Italian Restaurant
812 San Pablo Avenue
Great neighborhood Italian Restaurant. Delicious food and services.