The San Francisco Standard
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Our 7 favorite travel destinations this year

  • December 27, 2025

Sometimes, as much as we love San Francisco, we have to get out of the city. Touch grass. Drink wine. Buy tourist tchotchkes.

And we know you, dear readers, love to travel, too. So this year we checked out a bunch of underappreciated destinations that are easily accessible from the Bay Area.

These are the seven we think you should put on your 2026 travel bucket list.

Two people sit by a fire pit at dusk, overlooking rolling fields with tall grasses, scattered trees, and a winding path under a clear sky.Source: Ruby Wallau for The Standard

Paso Robles, five hours from the Bay Area by train, is looking to cultivate new generations of wine-lovers.

2. Tired of cold San Francisco? Head to Chico, where it’s hot as hell (and chill AF)Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard

Have you been sleeping on Chico? You should remedy that. A craft brewing powerhouse with easy access to the Sierra foothills, Chico is a great place to escape the coast’s relentless chill.

3. The Marin coast’s best eating enclave has gotten even betterMaria Villanueva grills oysters at the Marshall Store in Tomales Bay. | Source: Brian Feulner for The Standard

The tiny town of Marshall along Tomales Bay is home to the stylish Lodge at Marconi. Start your culinary road trip here.

4. The tiniest, chillest town you can fly to from the Bay Area — for only $99Five surfers in wetsuits walk towards the ocean, carrying colorful surfboards. The sky is partly cloudy, and the wet sand reflects the clouds above.Source: Mark McKenna for The Standard

Crescent City is as far north as you can go on the coast before hitting Oregon. It’s a strange place that’s worth visiting.

5. Why Bakersfield should be high on your road-trip list. Yes, reallyPeople are gathered at wooden tables in a lively outdoor setting. String lights hang above, and there are heaters. Drinks are on the tables, with a relaxed, social vibe.Source: Jennifer Emerling for The Standard

Bakersfield is much more than a way station to Southern California.  It’s full of Basque food and vintage dive bars, and home to the state’s most affordable historic hotel.

6. Chasing the nostalgic ideal of summer at Guerneville’s new glampgroundHanging by the poolSource: Jason Henry for The Standard

Mike and Kelsey Sheofsky have captured an upscale summer camp vibe at The River Electric.

7. Mexico’s best-kept secret is a $250 flight awaySource: Freda Moon/The Standard

An easy and cheap direct flight from San Francisco makes Guadalajara and three surrounding towns a perfect escape.