NoCal Spot: San Francisco's Crissy Field

Lay out your blanket: With iconic views of the San Francisco Bay, Crissy Field's shoreline provides beaches and picnic tables perfect for enjoying a meal together. Drop in the Warming Hut Café--an old army shed turned restaurant and bookstore--for delicious food and a refuge from the Golden Gate winds.

Family time: Although the wind can be bothersome at times, it can be a great opportunity at Crissy Field for kids to try their hands at kite flying. You can also legally fish or crab without a license at Torpedo Wharf at the west end. Don't miss the nearby Exploratorium science and art museum, with hudreds of explore-yourself-exhibits.

Make it a weekend: Stay in San Francisco's newest boutique hotel, Hotel des Arts, just 10 minutes away from Crissy Field. It's an interactive experience, as the hotel displays the contemporary work of local artists.