Spring break is just around the corner - where will you be? Stuck on Stanford campus and not sure how to best allocate your precious free time? If you're not a Bay Area native, this is a great time to grab a Zipcar and explore the Best Coast with your college friends, so here are 20 great ideas you definitely won't regret:
1. Go to the San Francisco Zoo.
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Tickets are only $19.00, and they have PENGUINS (among many other incredible animals, of course)! Specifically, they have over 250 species of "exotic, endangered and rescued animals," according to the SF Zoo website. Plan your visit here.
2. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The second-best aquarium in the United States (according to TripAdvisor) is only a two hour drive from campus. Make sure to check out the sea otters and, most importantly, the jellyfish.
3. Eat an ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli Square.
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Order a delicious sundae from this iconic San Francisco spot by the sea. Pro tip: order from the second floor, where the line is shorter and they'll make your ice cream right away.
4. Spend a day at the beach.
The Pacific Ocean may be cold, but there's nothing like a Northern California beach day. Some of the best beaches in the area include Natural Bridges State Beach, Seabright State Beach, Carmel Beach, and Half Moon Bay State Beach. Also, Stanford's Outdoor Center provides surfing equipment rentals at reduced rates to students, so it's also possible surfing in Santa Cruz spots such as Pleasure Point.
5. Take a scenic drive down California Highway 1.
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Blast your favorite playlist on the drive down to Big Sur. Make sure to pull over and take pictures by the Bixby Creek Bridge!
6. See the view of the city from Twin Peaks.
The photo speaks for itself.
7. Spend a day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Enjoy funnel cakes and rickety wooden roller coasters at this classic beach-side amusement park. If you're looking to save money, you have the option of paying by individual rides.
8. Go to a Farmers' Market.
Mountain View, just a 15-20 minute drive from campus, has one of the very best Farmers' Markets in the South Bay. Head over on Sunday between 9 AM and 1 PM to buy some of those berries you've been missing!
9. See a drive-in movie.
There's a retro drive-in movie theater in San Jose called West Wind Capitol Drive-In. On Tuesdays, tickets are only $5 per person.
10. Perform at (or attend) an open mic.
Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View hosts fantastic open mic nights on Monday evenings. Make sure to show up early in order to get a spot in the line-up.
11. Experience the San Francisco concert scene.
For great shows with relatively inexpensive tickets (artist permitting), head to venues such as The Warfield, The Fillmore, Slim's, Bottom of the Hill, The Independent, Rickshaw Stop, and Great American Music Hall.
12. Have a picnic with sandwiches from The Village Cheese House.
You can do this right on campus! Enjoy a customized sandwich on the green grass by Lake Lag (thanks, rain) or the lawn at Meyer Green.
13. Spend a day in enemy territory.
I hate to say it, but Berkeley can actually be a pretty fun place to hang out. Don't forget to hit up Zachary's for deep-dish pizza and Ici Ice Cream while you're there. Another fun thing to try is walking around in a Stanford sweatshirt without getting beat-up... just kidding!!
14. Wake up early for the Bay Area's best donuts.
Stan's Donut Shop in Santa Clara is usually out of donuts by 11 AM, so you've got to get there early, but it's SO worth it. They're also pretty cheap, so make sure to buy as many as you can get your hands on. And if you can't eat them all, give them away! It's a great way to make friends...
15. Enjoy California's Great America.
From Drop Zone to Flight Deck to Gold Striker (and more funnel cakes, of course), this Bay Area amusement park does not disappoint. Just be ready to pay upwards of $5.00 for bottled water.
16. Get a workout on San Francisco's stairs.
Head to the Lyon Street Steps. Running up and down those is much more interesting than jogging on the elliptical at AOERC and comes with a great view.
17. Explore a local bookstore.
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Kepler's Books in Menlo Park is a fantastic Independent Bookstore that needs and deserves more customers! Spend some time browsing the shelves, and keep an eye out for used books, which are usually sold at a huge discount.
18. Have a pool party.
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Here's another on-campus idea. When the sun's out, the AOERC Rec Pool is the place to be.
19. Thrift shop in Haight-Ashbury.
Held Over, Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads, and Haight-Ashbury Vintage are said to be some of the best spots. Find some thrifty new pieces for your Spring/Summer wardrobe!
20. Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Spend some quality time with the Bay Area's greatest landmark.
