If you're looking for a local weekend get away, I might suggest a trip over to the coast to a small town called Pescadero. Located about 2 miles inland off Highway 1 midway between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, the little town has a couple attractions well worth the twisty trip over the coastal range; Duarte's Tavern and Arcangeli Grocery.

Historic Duarte's, which opened its doors in 1894, is renowned for its rendition of  Ollalieberry (2/3 Blackberry, 1/3 Raspberry) Pie and Cream of Artichoke Soup. As the James Beard award winning restaurant can be a bit crowded on the weekends (they serve close to 13,000/month), it's best to arrive early and with an appetite! After dining, stroll down the street for a visit to Arcangeli's and their wonderful selection of country breads, marinades, jams, gourmet salsas, and other specialties.

If you're also looking to spend the evening, consider Costanoa Lodge; it's located 15 miles north of Pescadero. They offer an array of accommodations, but my wife and I chose the tent bungalows for our stay. The 'tent' is actually a wood-framed, canvas covered structure with reading lights, heated bed, and night tables. Because the tents are spaced at a distance from one another, you're assured of a peaceful rest with only the sound of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. The onsite restaurant, Cascade, is also worth recommending. Hard to imagine that all this is only 90 minutes from busy Silicon Valley.