Best Spring Break Spots Near San Francisco
When the papers are written and the exams completed, bottle or can is the only question spring breakers need to answer. This is a rite of passage students relish, so tap the keg, uncork the bottle and get down at these stellar San Francisco spring break spots.
Beer Revolution
464 3rd St.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 452-2337
www.beer-revolution.com
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri to Sat – 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
With 47 rotating brews on tap and a selection of hundreds of bottles of artisanal beers from which to choose, you can't go wrong in this beer haven. Located in Jack London Square, this spot is as far away as you can get from papers, books and exams. Walk along this popular tourist attraction on the waterfront of Oakland, home to restaurants, retails shops, hotels and Strictly Sail Pacific, the largest sail boat show on the West coast featuring parties and live music for all.
La Trappe
800 Greenwich St. (at Mason)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 440-8727
www.latrappecafe.com
Hours: Tues to Wed – 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Thurs to Sat – 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The next best thing to leaving the country is letting La Trappe whisk you away with ambiance. Stay for a hearty meal with weekly menues promising seasonal goodness, but be sure to head downstairs to the lounge where more than 19 draft beers and hundreds of bottles of Belgian ale, Italian beer and samplings from Japan await.
SOM
2925 16th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 558-8521
www.som-bar.com
Hours: Tues to Fri – 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat – 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Sun – 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Drawing a diverse crowd with solid music mixes, SOM features the hottest talents on the turntables throughout the Bay area and beyond, showcasing their skills and turning each night into an event. At SOM, music is the main attraction but you can get your drink on without the need for a student loan. Tecates run $2, well drinks $5 and signature cocktails $7 during happy hours Wednesday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Monarch
101 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 284-9774
www.monarchsf.com
Hours: Mon to Fri – 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m; Sat to Sun – 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Bar hoppers get their best buzz at this SOMA hotspot, where locals flock and out-of-towners write home about. Monarch is the brainchild of four industry vets: Chris Smith (Om Records), Manny Alferez (Black Pancake Records and Triple Crown), Micah Byrnes (Fernet Branca) and Tadd Cortell (Cav Wine Bar, The Public Restaurant). The bi-level lounge delivers with an intricate eight-foot partition of copper pipes and magnifying glasses.
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Bourbon and Branch
505 Jones St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 346-1735
www.bourbonandbranch.com
Hours: Mon to Sat – 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Armed with seven days off, enjoy the best your backyard has to offer. Pay an early visit to the redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument, schedule a two-hour sightseeing tour of Yosemite Valley Floor, which includes views of Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls, and get into the spirit at Bourbon and Branch, a 1921 speakeasy that exudes authenticity and one mean cocktail. Password required to enter the establishment, so make a reservation and be sure to speak easy.
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Robyn Chelsea-Seifert is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in The Miami Herald, Creem, Hit Parader, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and International Musician. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
