Line out the door, but worth it for the chicken sandwich and shortcake.

Really in Berkeley, but close enough - Family vibe cafe, lots of friends have worked there and still go back for coffee, toast, and cookies which says a lot.

One of our favorite breakfast spots.

As a dog owner, naturalist, and freelance illustrator, escaping my home office and exploring beautiful (and dog-friendly) hiking trails is high on my list. I’m lucky to live in an area surrounded by incredible, diverse landscapes that I can get to in under 20 minutes. One of my favorites is the Serpentine Prairie Trail in the Redwood Regional Park. I love going an hour or two before sunset when the light is golden and the prairie practically glows. In April, I visited at this golden hour and was delighted to see an explosion of California poppies. The view here is spectacular--in one direction, I can see the tops of the coastal redwoods, mixed evergreen forest, chaparral, and grassland. In the other direction, where the sun is setting, is the bustling city of Oakland down below, but all I can hear is the wind through the grass and the croaking of ravens.

Wins the award for brightest coffee shop. Also good for a cup on the way into or coming from San Francisco.