Bay Area Bounty
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What makes up the San Francisco Bay Area?
University of California at Berkeley defines the Bay Area as
“a nine-county definition for the Bay Area has taken hold, including the counties that directly border the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun estuaries: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties.”
Credit: KQED article
Depending on who you ask, these nine counties are dispersed into the following regions:
San Francisco
The "City by the Bay" itself! From the views of the Presidio to the lush gardens of the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco is jam-packed with great eats and funky features for your next excursion.
More about San Francisco here.
North Bay
Sonoma
Sonoma County offers freshness of the Pacific coast and Bodega Bay’s catch, farm-fresh produce and dairy.
Don’t miss Santa Rosa’s tribute to Charles Schulz with Peanuts on Parade! Start your scavenger hunt for the Peanuts on Parade here.
Experience Sonoma County starting here.
Marin
Marin is relationship with the Bay’s aptly-named Karl the Fog teases grand views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, but only when Karl’s in the mood. Even amid the fog, Bay Area Discovery Museum’s natural ambiance inspires wonder in all ages!
More about Marin County here
Solano
Solano County is home to the National Historic Landmark of Mare Island Naval Shipyard and Vallejo’s Annual nighttime "Mad Hatter’s Parade".
More about Solano County here.
Napa
Napa County's notoriety is well-earned with its wineries offering a unique taste of each valley’s particular microclimate in a luxurious glass.
More about Napa County here.
East Bay
Alameda
Alameda County is home to the treasures of Telegraph Ave of Berkeley near Cal’s campus, delectable Doyle Street Cafe tucked away in Emeryville, and Alameda Island itself glimmering in the Bay.
Featuring the country's oldest operating children's puppet theater and nostalgic outdoor fun, this beloved children's amusement park is celebrating over 75 years!
Check out our review of Children's Fairyland here.
More about Alameda County here
Contra-Costa
Contra-Costa County is home to the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park in Richmond and the formidable Mt. Diablo.
South Bay
South Bay includes Santa Clara County , San Jose and Mountain View. This region South of San Francisco is considered the center of “Silicon Valley.” The renowned "Garlic Capitol" known as Gilroy is also located in South Bay.
The Peninsula
Also featuring companies of Silicon Valley and attractions of San Mateo County including CuriOdyssey and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
