I'm heading out to SF in little over a week. My buddy will be working a couple of those days so I'll need to kill some time during the day. Any suggestions on bars or breweries to hit up in SF? He lives by Toronado so I'll be going there for sure. Also going to Santa Cruz for t he weekend. Anywhere in that area that I definitely should hit? Thanks
If you're coming to Santa Cruz, you should really check out Sante Adairius Rustic Ales in Capitola. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Santa Cruz: as mentioned SARA (Sante Adarius Rustic Ales); check the days they're open! It's limited. bring your own food, I don't think they sell any. Santa Cruz Mtn Brewing has a pub off Swift Street. Right across the parking lot is a gastro pub with more taps and food. We didn't eat there, but good taps. SF/Bay area. You need way more time. I like Triple Rock across the bay in Berkeley. Oakland has Beer Revolution and The Trappist, 2 great spots for beer. cheers,
While you're in Santa Cruz if you get hungry you should grab breakfast or lunch at Cafe Brasil and your espresso at Caffe Pergolesi. I'd also recommend the Poet and the Patriot and The Red (upstairs) for bars that I always enjoyed when I lived in Santa Cruz, and enjoy going back to whenever I visit. Also just like the rest of everybody that will comment on this, go over and check out Sante Adairius. My San Francisco recommendation would be to go over and grab a few pints at Cellarmaker, and then walk a block over to City Beer Store.
Oakland has Beer Revolution, but I prefer OL Beer bar&cafe in Walnut Creek (just on the otherside of hwy 24). Also Bistro in Hayward. Jupiter is a cool hangout im Berkeley. For a cool place to just hang, Local Edition in SF...kinda hipsterish, but the vibe of the place is hella cool if you like the 1920s. Otherwise it is meh. Also if you get bored, there is a badass place in Burlingame to go gokarting at (not sure just how much time you have to kill..) If you have time, Russian River is in Santa Rosa and Lagunitas in Petaluma. Tons of other breweries in SF too.
Don't miss Bonny Doon in Santa Cruz. What? It's true. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Boulder Creek Brewing (near Santa Cruz). I have not been there since they started their brewing operations again, any reports? Does Uncommon Brewers have a local spot where they pour? I know they don't have a tasting room, but I figure one of those hippy spots might be their unofficial home.
