5 Great Bay Area Days Out for When It’s Cold and Gloomy

We’re used to cold summers in the Bay Area. But this year has been exceptional.

According to measurements taken at San Francisco International Airport, it’s the coldest Bay summer since 1965, and the coolest in the city itself since 2000. 

This in-between weather, not quite rainy, not quite sunny, makes weekend planning tough. It’s not cold enough to seek shelter in a museum or movie theater, but nowhere near summery enough for a dip in a local swimming spot. It’s also the wrong type of cloud cover for catching an unforgettable “above the fog” view from the Bay Area’s soaring peaks.

While it’s true that you could hop in a car or public transit and travel several hours to escape the Bay Area gloom, why get away when we have a wealth of parks, hiking trails and outdoor spaces that are just as good, maybe even better, in cold, overcast weather?

Read on for ideas for a weekend spent embracing, not resisting, this cold spell.

Take a picnic to Tomales Bay in Point Reyes

Many folks’ most obvious choice for a gloomy day is Point Reyes National Seashore. You can go for a hike along this rugged terrain — any part of Point Reyes’ iconic Coast Trail will get you sweeping ocean views — or take your time on a leisurely drive down Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the park’s most iconic stops, like the Cypress Tree Tunnel, the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the South Beach Overlook.

To get the full seashore experience, stop at any one of the markets, bakeries and cafes in Point Reyes Station to pick up fresh bread, cheese, fruits and veggies for your picnic.

Then head to the S.S. Point Reyes, an abandoned boat slowly rotting on a scenic sandbar on Tomales Bay in Inverness, to sit and enjoy your meal, before this local icon is removed forever.

If you’re still hungry and you’re willing to splurge, stop by any one of the many world-famous oyster restaurants along Tomales Bay, like Hog Island Oyster Farm, The Marshall Store, Saltwater Oyster Depot or Tomales Bay Oyster Company and top off with a salty snack.

Getting more adventurous: If you’re looking for wildlife, try stopping by the Elephant Seal Overlook or brave the long hike to the Tule Elk Reserve.

Watch the waves crash at Devil’s Slide near Pacifica

Once a very treacherous segment of Highway 1, the Devil’s Slide Trail takes you on the knife’s edge of the coast for a flat 1.3-mile stroll with nonstop views of the stormy ocean below.

The trail even has benches, interpretive signs and binocular scopes to get a closer look at the cliffs below.

For a warm cup of Joe, try Pacifica’s Soul Grint Coffee Roasters — or better yet, a pint from Santa Cruz-based brewery Humble Sea Brewing, which has an outpost here.

Getting more adventurous: For an extended hike, explore the nearby Pedro Point Headlands. If you’d rather get up close and personal with the ocean, head to Gray Whale Cove State Beach. But stay aware: These waters are dangerous, the cold water can cause cramps and rip currents are present, so take care.

Learn about plant ecology at Huckleberry Path in Oakland

Nestled above Oakland in the East Bay is an unassuming 1.7-mile loop trail with a wealth of biodiversity: the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve. And on a cold, overcast day, the forest can feel even more immersive and enveloping.

As you wind your way along the well-maintained path, you’ll see ancient rock and resilient chaparral, sweeping views of the East Bay’s rolling hills and, if you’re lucky, a few huckleberries. The trail features 21 interpretive signs so visitors can orient themselves among the blooming plants and their ecological significance.

Getting more adventurous: This preserve is sandwiched in the middle of the sweeping Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, where ample miles of trail can extend your hike up to the 10-million-year-old Round Top volcano.

Get lost in eucalyptus groves at Quarry Park in El Granada

Light mist, towering trees — this small seaside park has it all.

Just above the community of El Granada near Half Moon Bay’s namesake crescent-shaped Pillar Point Harbor, Quarry Park not only immerses you in the sights and smells of eucalyptus trees but also reveals small glimpses of the harbor and ocean community below.

Grab sandwiches from The Press in El Granada or a bowl of clam chowder from Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and enjoy the view of the water.

Alternatively, bring a picnic or barbecue to Quarry Park’s parking area, which also has restrooms and even a playground for kids. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the entire network of trails.

Getting more adventurous: If you want to enjoy this park to its fullest, bring a mountain bike or rent one at Half Moon Bay Kayak nearby.

Nearly all the trails in the park allow bikes, and there’s even a pump track to help riders develop their off-road skills.

Grab a glass of zin at Picchetti Ranch in Santa Clara County

Yes, wine tasting tends to be a warm-weather activity. But at Picchetti Ranch Preserve, and the Picchetti Winery located at its entrance, you can get not just a taste of history (the winery was started in 1880) but also roam nearly 4 miles of trails that wind through old orchards with views of the nearby Sierra Azul range and Mount Umunhum.

“Do your hike and warm up with a glass of wine,” Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District spokesperson Ryan McCauley said.

There’s even a trail called the Zinfandel Trail that’s an “homage to the wineowning and vineyards of days past,” as it meanders by the historic winery building and through oak groves that have stood since its founding, McCauley said.

Getting more adventurous: The preserve is adjacent to Stevens Creek County Park and the Stevens Creek Reservoir, which offer abundant fishing, boating and hiking opportunities and even more wineries in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains.