Approximate Drive Time: 3 hours

Why it’s worth it: Fog Eater Cafe is a small vegetarian restaurant with way outsize charm, serving southern food and an excellent selection of natural wines and low ABV cocktails with locally foraged ingredients. The vibe is “a whisper of grandma,” owners say, though it’s actually the youngest, hippest thing in the charming town of Mendocino. Don’t miss the pie.

Approximate Drive Time: 3 hours

Why it’s worth it: Perched on a cliff along the coast, Harbor House Inn was first built in 1916 and features an intimate restaurant with ocean views. This is hyper-local cuisine, with ingredients foraged from the property and tide pools prepared with natural sources of heat like fire — the vision of chef Matthew Kammerer, previously executive sous chef at Saison.

Approximate Drive Time: 1.5 hours

Why it’s worth it: Healdsburg’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant and inn is a splurge, but it’s a unique and beautiful dining experience. Chef Kyle Connaughton brings the bounty of Sonoma to the dining room directly from Single Thread’s farm, tended by Katina Connaughton. It’s a tasting menu experience that includes time spent on the roof garden, and impeccable service and wine in the dining room.

Approximate Drive Time: 1 hour

Why it’s worth it: Lamb tacos, lamb tacos, also the huevos rancheros, and the lamb tacos. Actually everything at this bright, casual eatery in Boyes Hot Springs is a winner, from Niman Ranch beef birria tacos to the Dungeness crab tostada. Order at the counter and grab a seat on the patio in the sun.

Approximate Drive Time: 1 hour

Why it’s worth it: Quicker than a trip to Sweden, but with all the same amazing candy available by the pound. The focus of this fast-casual spot (from the team behind PLÄJ in SF) is the modern, Middle-Eastern food that’s all over the streets of Stockholm: kebabs, falafel, and yes, Swedish meatballs, which are actually Turkish in origin. The punnily named Stockhome does indeed stock lots of goods, including chic Nordic home items, to take with you, further justifying the trip.

Approximate Drive Time: 45 minutes

Why it’s worth it: The quaint town of Port Costa is home to Bull Valley Roadhouse, located in a maybe-haunted hotel in a hundred year old building. The restaurant itself caters to ex-pat San Franciscans, offering high-quality, locally sourced food from a former Slanted Door chef. Fried chicken, pork chops, and biscuits and gravy are accompanied by pre-prohibition cocktails, making it a fun, short road trip, or stop on the way to wine country.

Approximate Drive Time: 1 hour

Why it’s worth it: While other restaurants around Point Reyes largely rely on local oysters, Sir and Star harvests, hunts, forages, and fishes for just about every ingredient on its menu. The food is a true expression of West Marin — set in a historic roadhouse with lovely garden views.

Approximate Drive Time: 45 minutes

Why it’s worth it: San Francisco has plenty of restaurants that serve soup dumplings, but none compare to the perfection served at this Fremont restaurant. From the precise folds to the thickness of the wrapper to the savory broth within, these xiao long bao are a must for any dumpling connoisseur.

Approximate Drive Time: 1 hour

Why it’s worth it: Currently run by the fourth generation of the Duarte family, the tavern has been running steadily since 1894 (and it hasn’t changed much). Fresh fish, old favorites like fried sea scallops and shrimp cocktail, and Portuguese influences from the family’s recipes are part of why it was a James Beard Classics honoree in 2003. A very low-key lunch stop on the way to a beach day in Santa Cruz.

Approximate Drive Time: 1 hour

Why it’s worth it: Channeling the spirit of New Orleans, this black-and-white-tiled restaurant is a love letter from three Michelin-starred chef of Manresa to his favorite city. Po’boys, oysters, jambalaya, gumbo, and classic NOLA drinks like hurricanes and sazeracs are the order here. An excellent destination on its own, or stop on the way back from a beach day.

Approximate Drive Time: Usually around 2.5 hours by car

Why it’s worth it: This is restaurant is more than worth the drive for the view alone, though the menu of dishes like celery root agnolotti and wagyu short ribs isn’t too shabby. Make reservations to coincide with sunset for the ultimate experience.