With summer upon us, all of our friends (including internet friends) have all the time in the world to complete the activities they long to do all year. Living in San Jose there's a basic list of locations everyone has to hit to have a complete summer. And, obviously, if you don’t post an Instagram photo once you get there — did you even go? These are the top 10 Instagram posts for a San Jose summer.
1. Mission Peak
The most popular hike in the Bay Area. I have never taken the climb, but from what I've heard it's awful. And your reward at the end — standing on some strange pole thing and flexing for the 'gram. Expect girls in spandex and sports bras and their guy friends dragged along to take pictures.
2. Panther Beach
The most secluded and non-beachy beach in the Santa Cruz to Davenport stretch. You have to park in a weird, dirt pull off and climb down a steep drop to get to the beach. Also Panther is actually a nude beach, so don't be surprised when you run into some unexpected visitors. Its usually pretty windy and rarely gets warm enough to tan, but Lord knows you can get in some artsy Insta shots.
3. San Francisco Pride
The Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco every summer. I would like to think all the people I know who have ventured north for Pride are there to encourage unity and support. In reality the Pride Parade serves as an excuse to wear elaborate outfits, get drunk on Bart, spend the day in San Fran and, most importantly, take a great candid shot for your Instagram. Don't forget to caption your photo with every color heart emoji to show your rainbow colored love for the LGBTQ community.
4. Shoreline Amphitheater
The home of many summer concerts including the infamous 'Sloppy Shoreline' country concerts. Everyone you have ever met is there, they're all belligerently drunk, and they are all making out with someone they shouldn't. Dress Code: minimal clothing, a flannel and, obviously, your alcohol blanket. And, don't even front, we all have a picture from Shoreline on our Instagrams.
5. AT&T Park
The home of the San Francisco Giants, who have won three World Series in the past six years. Giants games are yet another excuse to get drunk on Bart and spend time in SF. Most people won't get there until the third inning and will leave before the end of the game, but they'll be sure to have a full photo shoot at the park before they head home.
6. Popbar
The new Cream? Popbar is a customizable popsicle bar hidden off of Saratoga Ave. If you're looking for a refreshing ice cream treat on a hot summer night that is unnecessarily complicated and too expensive, Popbar is the place for you. It's not all that exciting, but for overpriced ice cream it makes for a good looking Foodstagram.
7. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
7. Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkThe most classic option for a summer night in the Bay. The rides may be old and a little juvenile, but not much beats a summer night on the pier with your friends. And what tastes better than carnival food after a few rides on the Big Dipper. Expect to see some photos of feet dangling over the Santa Cruz sunset from atop the Sky Glider.
8. Lake Tahoe
The typical trip for Bay Area kids at least once a summer. The four hour drive to the border of California and Nevada is the perfect get away. The most popular time of year would most definitely be The Fourth of July. You'll see pictures of girls in bathing suits on the shore, pictures of girls in bathing suits on a boat, or maybe even pictures of girls in bathing suits on jet skis. And, there will definitely be a caption about "keeping Tahoe blue".
9. The San Jose Civic Center
The obligatory rave at The San Jose Civic Center. It is more likely than not, that you or someone you know had their first rave experience at The Civic. This entails five hours of scantily lad girls, sweating boys with CamelBaks, molly and adderall ridden adolescents, and plenty of Instagram photo ops. The show is followed by late night munchies at La Vic's usually pictured on Snapchat. PLUR, am I right?
10. Outside Lands
The three day music festival in Golden Gate Park every summer. This is a more expensive option for a Bay Area summer experience, but if you have the opportunity to go you definitely should. There are artists on the park grounds all weekend creating large murals, so there is plenty of material for Instagram backdrops.
