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Ask HN: Taking a week off to decompress in and around SF, any tips?

by pkinsky on 4/26/16, 9:58 PM with 13 comments

I'm taking next week off after finally rolling out a fairly major code change at $WORK. I've been hovering on the edge of burnout recently, and so I'd like to break up my existing routines as much as possible, spend some time away from my computer, have some fun. For me that probably means some hiking, a little climbing, hitting any tourist sites I haven't seen yet, maybe renting a car and getting outside of the city for a bit. I have a few ideas, but I'd like to see if the HN community comes up with anything.

After all, I'm sure I'm not the only person here working in or around SF who could do with a week away from work to decompress.

  • by jefflinwood on 4/27/16, 2:38 AM

    I'd strongly suggest getting away from the city. If you've only got patience for a short drive, Costanoa in Pescadero (halfway to Santa Cruz) is a great getaway for a couple of days.

    Further away, I'd suggest Trinidad, Pinnacles National Park, Lassen National Park, Placerville, Shasta - almost any direction you go outside the bay area counties will be great. Even the San Joaquin valley is a great getaway for Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

    If you really want to get away from it all, Crescent City/Redwoods National Park is the middle of nowhere.

  • by partisan on 4/27/16, 12:18 AM

    It might be cliche, but... wine tasting? We drove up to a winery overlooking a valley just outside of the city. The drive through the redwoods was really beautiful. I wish I had the name of the place, but I don't. We went in the middle of the day during the week so we had the place almost all to ourselves and had a good bit of conversation with the person pouring the drinks.

    Half Moon Bay was another place we went to that paid of well. The beach is a really good long walk and is really beautiful on a sunny day.

  • by siquick on 4/26/16, 11:52 PM

    I visited SF from Sydney last week and it's an incredible city.

    Spent a lot of my time in The Mission area which is full of pokey shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and generally cool buildings.

    I also really enjoyed the Palace of Fine Arts and its gardens, such an awesome building

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Fine_Arts

    If you haven't been then the SF Giants baseball park is worth a visit, just for the views of the bay alone.

  • by chmielewski on 4/26/16, 10:22 PM

    Go to Point Reyes and hike the trail to Tamales Point, the northernmost tip of the peninsula. You will not be disappointed.

  • by zer00eyz on 4/28/16, 12:26 AM

    If you decide to stay in and around the city I highly recommend finding every good "dive" that there is and trying them out.

    A decent list is here, https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-best-dive-restaurant-in-San-... but your going to have to do your own research. Shalimar is recommended here, and the one near union square is a HOLE in the wall you wouldn't eat there on your own from the looks of the place but just do it. I also have a soft spot for Reds Java House.

  • by akg_67 on 4/27/16, 12:28 AM

    Go to Yosemite or Lake Tahoe for a week. Just be a tourist or camp in a tent.

  • by randycupertino on 4/27/16, 2:18 AM

    Gray Whale Cove beach in Pacifica is my happy place. There are nude men there, but it keeps the crowds away and they don't harm anyone. Gorgeous beach, peaceful and "secret." Stop and grab sandos from Colombos on your way!

    Also Chit Chat Cafe in Pacifica is a great place to while away an afternoon drinking coffee with an ocean view.

  • by lsiebert on 4/29/16, 5:25 AM

    Do you enjoy board games? If you are free Thursday night, I know some people.

  • by askafriend on 4/27/16, 12:30 AM

    I'm sorry, we don't do that in this city. What is "decompress" anyway? /s

  • by tmaly on 4/28/16, 2:49 PM

    I would suggest hiking, maybe taking some nature photos. Its one of the ways I decompress, but I do it on the East Coast.

  • by bayonetz on 4/27/16, 9:30 AM

    Go camp in Big Sur.