Oakland & Silicon Valley: Top Day Trips From San Francisco

Oakland in GayCities and ManAboutWorld magazine

There’s something going on outside of San Francisco. To the east side in the hipster pockets of Oakland, queer communities are thriving in the city that Uber now calls partial home. And down south, where geeky coders are the new rock stars, Silicon Valley has become Hollywood north; the home to some of the most influential and world-famous companies, renowned restaurants, and modern culture.

Turns out, there’s a whole lot more to the Bay Area than San Francisco. ManAboutWorld’s August issue explores Silicon Valley and Oakland with some of our savviest local experts.

The future is thriving all around San Francisco, and so we thought we’d take a first-glance outside, and see what exists beyond the Bay Bridge.

Here are five of our favorites…

OAKLAND

Portal

Portland restaurant, Oakland in GayCities and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazineThis restaurant/beer garden is an Oakland newbie and one of the buzziest restaurants in town with its California-centric craft beers and backyard patio strewn with sparkling white lights. Portal’s Lake Merritt view and the fabulous brunch are quintessential northern California delights. The now-famous “garbage bread” (pizza dough rolled into a Stromboli and stuffed with pepperoni or sausage, herbs and ricotta) is the must-try dish here.

Trouble Coffee & Coconut Shop

Trouble Coffee in GayCities and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazineThis weird little shop serves coffee and fresh coconut juice and fat slices of cinnamon toast and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. It’s a neighborhood favorite designed in stark white and will quickly become a part of your morning routine.

Temescal Alleys

Temescal Alley in GayCities and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazineThe hipstery Temescal neighborhood is a shopping junkies haven, with two pedestrian alleys defined by charming bohemian boutiques selling twee teapots and handmade coat racks, cool barber shops and independent bookshops that have reimagined books as art.

SILICON VALLEY

Rosewood, Menlo Park

Rosewood Hotel in GayCities and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazineNestled away on sixteen lush acres, the Rosewood is our first choice when staying in Silicon Valley. (It may just be the best hotel south of San Francisco until you hit Santa Barbara.)  The rooms are elegant, stylish, featuring walk-in closets, rainfall showerheads and marble bathtubs. All rooms have balconies or terraces (some with mountain views.) The on-site restaurant, Madera, is a destination all its own. Having earned a Michelin star, it’s one of the valley’s best upscale dining spots.

Haberdasher, San Jose

Haberdasher in GayCities and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazineA hidden speakeasy in San Jose with some of the region’s best mixologists. We’d rank this bar as one for the best in the country for cocktails, and the ambience is dark, fun, and buzzy with locals and live music.

Check out GayCities’ recommendations in Silicon Valley

Check out GayCities’ recommendations in Oakland

Check out the full GayCities guide to San Francisco

You can read the full article and much more with a free trial subscription to ManAboutWorld 

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