Weekend Getaways and Activities in Bay Area

Although I haven't explored a lot of the gold country, here I list a few places I visited for weekend getaways and some adventure. I keep updating this list from time to time to add more places to it.

1. Yosemite National Park: This place also known as the crown jewel of California is definitely worth a visit atleast once every year. Summers, you can enjoy the waterfalls in the valley, camping and exploring the milky way in the night. The valley has some of the clearest and amazing views of the night sky.
2. Sequoia National Park: If you want to see giant trees ( you wont know how tall trees could be until you visit this place), this is the place. Beautiful and away from crowds, nice hiking trails and viewpoints. Has World's biggest trees. After returning from this place, i bet the typical trees we see everyday will appear as if plants compared to the giant Redwoods in Sequoia.
3. Big Sur Coastline: Just drive along the Highway 1 Big Sur coastline to see some of the vast romantic expanses of blue Pacific cuddled between small hills. Some of the most luxurious dining and living is available on this Coastline if you are upto it. Perfect for a drive on a clear day.
4. Big Basin: This state park is about redwood trees with nice hiking trails and picnic areas. Ideal for a day out. Stop for a coffee in the beautiful Saratoga downtown.
5. Los Altos downtown: Small and pretty, lots of local coffee shops. Good for spending the evening, window shopping and sipping some coffee other than starbucks.
6. If you want to see the snow: in winter on a rainy day just drive upto the hill of castle rock state park. If you are lucky you will get to see snow there.
7. Sausalito: A small and pretty meditteranean village on the other end of the golden gate bridge on 101N. Has some wonderful and rejuvenating views of the Bay.
8. Santa Cruz boardwalk: A getaway for evening, beach and a boardwalk if you want to play some games and do some stuff.
9. Clock Tower, San Francisco: You can go around the ferry building, or just around that area, or take a cruise from ferry building to Sausalito.
10. Half Moon Bay: You can see a beautiful sunset on this beach. Nestled in the hills, a nice getaway for a day. The downtown is also worth seeing by a casual walk.
11. Walk the Golden Gate: On a clear day you can walk or bike on the golden gate bridge for a nice exercise and some great views of the bay.
12.Mount Hamilton- Lick Observatory: If you are in a mood for some adventurous driving then a 12 mile winding road only 12-13 feet wide for both lanes leading to the summit of Mt Hamilton, where the world's largest refracting telescope is housed in an observatory might be a nice destination for you.
13.Palomarin Trail, Point Reyes- This Hiking trail has spectacular views of the ocean on one side and hills on the other. You can also see the Stinson beach in the distance.
14.Bike the Bay- This can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Rent a bike from Fisherman's Warf and bike along the Bay , Marine Drive, over Golden Gate into Sausalito. Its an over 10 mile bike with beautiful views of the bay. On the way back you can take a ferry back to Embarcadero.
15.Breakfast Sunday in the city (San Francisco): How about a nice lazy Sunday brunch in the city. A nice hash brown sandwich at the family run Art's Cafe or Mama's cafe can give your Sunday the right lazy start that we all need once in a while. The city is always buzzing with life, and there is nothing better than a Sunday brunch there.
16. Mt. Madonna, Hanuman Mandir: Want to do some yoga or meditation to elate your spiritual powers? Mt Madonna center is the ideal place, nestled in Gilroy hills away from noise, traffic and crowd.
17.Uvas Canyon Park: Beautiful state park, with lots of lady beetles, waterfalls, rolling green hills, creeks. Perfect for pikniking and some short hikes.