1. Carmel-by-the-sea, California
Travel time: 2 hours
Carmel-by-the-sea is the cutest little beach town on the Monterey Peninsula in California. Though on the pricey side for the average college student, this town sits next to Carmel beach, where you’ll see white sands and many cute dogs. If you need any eatery recommendations, here’s a small list of all the places I would recommend!
- Coffee: The Carmel Coffee House and Roasting Company
- Convenience: Bruno’s Market and Deli
- Dinner: Little Napoli
2. Ferndale, California
Travel time: 4 hours and 45 minutes
Ferndale is a small town in Humboldt County with around 1,000 people. The city gives off a rustic vibe, with most of its landscape matching old-time America. Despite the small-town atmosphere, a lot of Bay Area natives actually reside in the area! It also rests on the Northern California coast, with redwood forests on the other side. If you love the best of both worlds (aka oceans and forests), this little town is your perfect getaway. Check out some of the recommendations below!
- AirBnB: Ferndale Barndominium
- Instagram: @ferndaleairbnb
- Coffee: Mind’s Eye Manufactory & Coffee Lounge
- Pizza: Ferndale Pizza Co.
- Beaches: College Cove
3. Davis, CA
Travel Time: 1 hour and 6 minutes
Looking for some cute cows to pet? Well, look no further. Davis, California, is a somewhat rural city about an hour northeast of Berkeley. Suppose you have best friends at UC Davis or even considered attending UC Davis when looking at colleges. In that case, you know that the city is on the quieter side with weekly farmers’ markets and craft fairs. It’s definitely a fun break from the chaotic city life in Berkeley. Here are a few food recommendations whenever you’re in Davis!
- Mexican food: El Patio Fresh Mexican Grill
- Indian food: Kathmandu Kitchen
- Sweet treat: Insomnia Cookies