Tag: hiddengem - Page 4

#hiddengem

Steven Arnold

Best kept Bay Area Secret🌉

📍Located in Berkeley, California, the Berkeley Marina offers a picturesque waterfront escape with stunning views of the San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and more. 🌊 Outdoor Adventure and Recreation: - Visit the fishing pier and try your luck at catching fresh fish. - Explore the two parks, Cesar Chavez Park and Shorebird Park, perfect for picnics and BBQ parties. - Let your kids have a blast at the unique Adventure Playground. - Take your furry friend to the off-leash dog park for some playtime. 💦 Water Sports Galore: - Unwind and engage in water sports like windsurfing. - Enjoy sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. - Join community events held throughout the year, such as regattas and boat races. 🍽️ Dining with a View: - Refuel at The Berkeley Boathouse, a waterfront restaurant serving California cuisine, local craft brews, and wines. Plan your visit to the Berkeley Marina: ⏲️ Opening hours: 5 am - 10 pm 🎫 Admission: Free 🚗 Free public parking available 🚌 Public transportation: AC transit bus 51B line #BerkeleyMarina #BayAreaSecret #WaterfrontEscape #OutdoorAdventures #WaterSports #DiningWithAView #ExploreBerkeley #HiddenGem #CaliforniaCuisine #FamilyFriendly

Steven Arnold

🌳 Welcome to Panhandle Playground! 🌳

I recently discovered the hidden gem that is Panhandle Playground, nestled between Oak and Fell St. in San Francisco's Panhandle. Let me tell you about this little slice of paradise! 🌳✨ Renovated with a budget of $3.2 million and opening its gates in November 2019, this playground is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department and the SF Parks Alliance's Let’sPlaySF! Initiative. Huge props to the brilliant landscape architects at RHAA for their exceptional work. But what sets this playground apart? Well, hold on tight! It's not your average play area. Here's what you can expect: 💃 Musical drums installation for budding musicians 🤸‍♂️ Two slides catering to different age groups 🏞️ Swing sets that will make you feel like a kid again 🌲 Quirky log climbing set for a touch of adventure All of this against the backdrop of San Francisco's nature, creating a serene and beautiful setting. And guess what? It's completely free! Now, here are some details you need to know: 🐶 No dogs allowed in the playground 🅿️ Ample street parking available next to the Panhandle 🌞 Shaded by lush trees for a cool retreat on sunny days 🚽 Bathrooms conveniently located nearby So, if you're looking for a delightful spot to unwind and play, Panhandle Playground is the place to be. Don't forget to share this post and spread the joy! 🌈🚀 #SanFrancisco #PanhandlePlayground #Let'sPlaySF! #PlaygroundsInTheCity #FamilyFun #Outdoorsy #ExploreSF #HiddenGem #SFRecreation&Parks #RHAA #Playtime

Christian Russo

Bay Area Weekend | Off-the-Beaten-Path Hiking Trail Leading to a Beach

👋 Hey there, fellow adventurers! I wanted to share an amazing discovery from last weekend in the Bay Area. 🔍 This off-the-beaten-path hiking trail led me to a hidden beach that's just a short drive from downtown San Francisco. The weather was 💯 and the views were absolutely breathtaking! Let me tell you all about it: 🌳 The Trail: - Round trip is 5-6 miles 🥾 - Two paths to choose: one through the hills, and the other through fields 🌾 - Don't worry if you're not a pro hiker, it's surprisingly manageable and offers plenty of scenic spots to catch your breath 🌅 📸 Picture-Perfect Moments: - Keep an eye out for a picturesque lake that looks like an eye from a distance! 👁️ - The beach itself is stunning, but make sure to climb halfway up the hill for a panoramic view of the sea 🌊 - I managed to capture a breathtaking moment with the sunlight creating a sparkling dance on the waves! Check out pic number 5! ✨ ✨ Why You Should Go: - Perfect for Bay Area weekenders looking for adventure 🚗 - Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely stroll or a chill beach picnic 🧺, this trail has it all! - Just head to the Tennessee Valley Trailhead (591 Tennessee Valley Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941) and follow the signs. Arrive early to secure a parking spot! 🅿️ So, if you're in need of a nature fix and some beach vibes, this hidden gem is the perfect spot. Get out there and explore! 🌴🌞 #BayAreaWeekend #HiddenGem #HikingTrail #BeachEscape #ScenicViews #NatureLovers #ExploreCalifornia #OffTheBeatenPath #SanFranciscoEscapes #WeekendVibes

Mori Point | Unbeatable Bay Area Ocean Views Hiking Trail 🌊🌊

Half Moon Bay is truly a hidden gem! This newly discovered hiking trail has mountains and ocean views all along the way 🌊 A 180-degree unbeatable ocean view, you can even see the distant Farallon Islands on a clear day. The scenery is quite similar to that of 📍Point Reyes in Northern California, and there's a part that kinda feels like Dinosaur Bay in Hawaii (though the water quality isn't quite as good). ⛰️The main trail is about 2.5 miles total with an elevation gain around 400ft. There are many smaller trails you can mix and match. Some offshoots are a bit steep, and there are quite a few wild paths. But as someone who struggles with uphill climbs, I can assure you that you can finish it all in a slow 2-hour walk. The entire journey is moderately tiring, with wonderful views as you aim for higher peaks. 🐶 Dog friendly, lots of people bring their pups for the hike. . 🌟 Wear grippy sneakers👟, there are many pebbles when going downhill, which may get slippery. 🌟 Wear a tight hat or one with a strap, the wind can be quite strong. 🌟 Apply sunscreen, UV rays are quite strong once you're up the mountain because there's no shade. 🌟 Nearby, there's a nice spot for crabbing 📍 Pacifica Municipal Pier. If you want to buy seafood, come for the hike earlier so you can finish in time to go shopping at 📍 Pillar Point Harbour. 🌟 The fog in the Pacifica area can be thick sometimes, so definitely check the weather before you come. The view is much better on clear days. . 📍 Loyal Order of Moose 🅿️ For parking, I recommend navigating to 👆 this location, it's the starting point of the hiking trail. Parking is limited and it's mostly residential around. If you want to be safe, come early or else you may have to street park in the residential area. When we arrived after two in the afternoon, it was already full. 🅿️ There's another parking area, you can navigate to Mori Point Parking Lot. . Take a leisurely stroll, chat, climb hills, snap pictures. #MoriPoint #BayAreaViews #HikingTrail #OceanScenery #HiddenGem #DogFriendly #GrippySneakers #Sunscreen #PacificaPier #ClearDays

San Francisco | A Local Creative Community Full of Surprises

Art/Coffee/Greenery/Vintage/Vinyl Records and more? The word "hidden gem" can't begin to describe this creative collective store on Haight Street. It's like layers of treasures, one after the other. I started strolling around and was attracted by the bright yellow shop door ☀️ Then got a matcha latte from Coffee Outthere 🍵 The barista said you could sip and browse at the same time. 🪴The BotanicPanic plant store had more than the usual plants - there were amazing mushroom and moss decorative paintings. Vinyl record collectors can browse through Offshore Sounds. The store also features lots of art pieces and independent publications from local San Francisco artists. Next were tons of vintage clothes, accessories, hats, and much more. Further in, there's a gallery to check out. I never expected to find a surprise at the back of the gallery 🌟 Hidden in the hustle and bustle is Uncle Paul's pottery studio. It's simply perfect for pottery lovers to sip coffee, shop, and create pottery on the weekend 😍 In just one afternoon of casual browsing, I discovered many more favorite things 🌱 👇 An incomplete list of 710 collective stores below: ☕️Coffee at Coffee Outthere 🪴Greenery at BotanicPanic 💿 Vinyls at Offshore Sounds 🕰️ Vintage items at Porter Vintage among others 🎨Gallery 🍵Pottery at Uncle Paul’s There are periodic workshops and Pop-ups too. Also included are images from two partnering artists featured on their website. 📍710 Collective 1644 Haight St, San Francisco #SanFrancisco #LocalCreativeCommunity #Art #Coffee #Greenery #Vintage #VinylRecords #HiddenGem #HaightStreet #Treasures #BotanicPanic #MushroomArt #OffshoreSounds #LocalArtists #VintageClothes #Accessories #UnclePaulsPottery #Workshops #Popups #710Collective #HaightSt #SanFrancisco

Pints Of Joy - Home of Handcrafted Southeast Asian Style Ice Cream

My friend mysteriously said, "Let's go for this hidden gem of an ice cream shop!" I was super pumped! Not many people seem to know about Pints Of Joy, located in Yanggutun; it's a bit hidden. Their taste and color are all about strong Southeast Asian vibes. Their two key stand-out points are that their ice cream is Hand-Crafted and made in Small-Batches, meaning they only handcraft a small tub at a time! Tried their signature mango and the peculiar mint Mojito flavor! Starting with the mango, it's only good for three weeks, tastes natural, sour-sweet mango with a milky fragrance. When I first got it, it was so cold I couldn't scoop it out. After defrosting, it turns sticky with a pull of stringiness; next, the mint Mojito, the initial flavor has a refreshing mint+lemon tart, but the aftertaste is purely cilantro, a peculiar taste sensation, but I could handle it! There are quite a few choices online. Selected a few flavors as shown in pictures 6/7/8. If you're interested, come on over! 🚩Pints of Joy 157 E Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 #PintsOfJoy #HandcraftedIceCream #SoutheastAsianFlavors #SmallBatch #HiddenGem #MangoMadness #MintMojitoDelight #IceCreamLovers

Steven Arnold

Saratoga Travel Log: Mountain Winery Adventure🍇

The Mountain Winery in Saratoga is a true hidden gem! Not only does it offer breathtaking mountain views and exquisite wines, but it also has a vintage outdoor theater where you often find music concerts in the summer. For more details, look it up online! Stumbled in today accidentally, after a tight long driveway along the cliff, and it was a remarkable sight! Unfortunate that by 3 PM there wasn't any wine tasting left, but we simply enjoyed the scenic views! I searched up some reviews, the wine is highly praised, and they've got an awesome chef as well. You can make dinner reservations. Just a heads up, it's a super romantic spot for all you handsome fellas and lovely ladies out there! 🚩Mountain Winery 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070 #SaratogaTravel #MountainWineryAdventure #HiddenGem #OutdoorTheater #ScenicViews #WineTasting #DinnerReservations #RomanticSpot

Christian Russo

Felipe’s Market•A Hidden Eastern European Grocery Gem in South Bay🌈❤️

Market lovers, here's a recommendation for an Eastern European hidden gem in Sunnyvale that boasts excellent quality rivalling Whole Foods with unbeatable prices! Initially, I thought it was a Mexican supermarket, but stepping inside, I found a wealth of imported goods from Eastern European countries like Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, etc. And the prices? They brought me to tears! Examples: *Blueberries at $0.69 per small box, blackberries at $0.99 per small box, apples at $0.99 per pound! Even oranges, grapefruits, watermelons, and durians are priced to make you forget about inflation! *Organic vegetables, priced at $1.99, $2.49, $3.49 per pound, delivered straight from the farm - so fresh and competitively priced! *Nuts and dried fruit, I got dried pineapple and apricots for over five bucks a pack! Even banana chips, dried mangoes, and more - two full shelves to choose from! *Snacks and nibbles, tons of Eastern European imports to choose from, like Russian honey cake, Polish chocolate mille-feuille...priced from a few to over ten bucks! *Dairy products, lots of Kefir yogurts, and many Russian brands show these Eastern Europeans know what’s good! Plus, the popular ceramic jar yogurt is only $2.99 here – lowest price ever! *Eggs, plenty of organic and non-organic choices. Try the most expensive Alexandre organic eggs at $9.99 per pack, the quality surpasses all! To summarize: There are countless strengths, there are some weaknesses too, the entire market only has one meat cooler with sausages and smoked meats (see picture 8), so if you're hoping to buy fresh meat products, you're out of luck! Finally, Picture 9 shows my haul, the Lithuanian caramel ice cream is awesome [heart eyes emoji]! 📍Felipe’s Market 1101 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 #FelipesMarket #HiddenGem #EasternEuropeanGrocery #Sunnyvale #QualityAndAffordability #ImportedGoods #FreshProduce #DairyProducts

Monsoon• The Vietnamese Pho Place that Uses Filet Mignon

I often pass through the Piedmont neighborhood but have never noticed this low-key Vietnamese Pho restaurant that's been around for years! Only until my friend stumbled upon it on Yelp, we realized it's actually a hidden gem. Their signature beef pho is made from Filet Mignon, which is quite rare among pho places in the Bay Area! We decided on the spot to go try it out! We ordered the Spicy Beef Noodle and Beef Noodle, both priced at $17! ✅Pho noodles: The noodles are thin, smooth, chewy, and not sticky. ✅Soup base: It’s rich and flavorful. You can tell it's real bone broth, not artificially made. ✅Beef: The natural taste is delicious, and the Filet Mignon texture is lean and tender! On the whole, the restaurant is pretty good. The dining environment is clean and the cold drinks taste great! The only downside is that the portion is slightly smaller compared to places like Golden Dragon's massive bowls; there's a limited selection on the menu, only a few classics! Plus, although the restaurant is located in Oakland, the Piedmont neighborhood is relatively safe and nice. Their neighbor is the famous Fentons Ice Cream, so you can grab an ice cream after the meal! 🚩Monsoon 4218 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 #Monsoon #VietnamesePho #FiletMignonPho #HiddenGem #BoneBroth #CleanEnvironment #PiedmontNeighborhood #Oakland

Steven Arnold

Wizard's Hut Library Montclair Library🔮

Let's chat about this hidden gem library today. It's rooted in history and tucked away in the residential area of Montclair. Probably only locals know about it [LOL]! Pointy red-brick rooftop, windows adorned with fireplaces; it exudes a wizardly aura from the inside out! I'm not exaggerating when I say there's probably no other library in the Bay area with such a unique character! Though small, it has everything! A varied collection of books, the front area is for adults, while the back area is for kids. The books are neatly and aesthetically arranged, dense but not overcrowded – a masterclass in space management! The reason my kid loves here? You can score free books, or buy very new ones for a small amount of money, like $0.25 Wimpy Kids [LOL]! I'm not much of a reader, but I must say chilling by the fireplace on a rainy day, daydreaming by the floor-to-ceiling window, is supremely comfy! 📍Oakland Public Library: Montclair Branch 1687 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611 #WizardsHutLibrary #MontclairLibrary #HiddenGem #BayArea #BookLovers #CozyReading #OaklandPublicLibrary #MontclairBranch