These San Francisco suburbs are great year-round. But we especially love living here in the SUMMER!
It’s easy to live a vacation-inspired lifestyle in the San Francisco suburbs. But in the summer, there are a few towns that pop to the top of our must-visit list—and living there is even better. These communities have it all from waterfront living to tons of warm-weather activities to a totally summertime vibe that’s front-and-center through Labor Day and beyond.
Mill Valley
Beaches and mountains mean the best of both worlds in Mill Valley. Just 14 miles north of San Francisco between Richardson Bay and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Mill Valley is the ultimate town to retreat from the summer heat—take a stroll under the redwood trees in Muir Woods, or grab your cooler and umbrella and head to Rodeo Beach, South Rodeo Beach or Tennessee Cove Beach. And don’t forget about Mill Valley Downtown Plaza—this is the place to be Sundays in August, where free concerts are held from 2-5:30 pm.
Dublin
Consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S., Dublin has it all—highly-rated schools, tons of companies, a prime location in the East Bay, a renowned St. Patrick’s Day festival and the state-of-the-art Wave Waterpark. Red Cross-certified lifeguards keep an eye on kids as they explore 31,000-square-feet of pools, waterslides and a splash zone. Between swim classes and aqua fitness classes, there’s truly something for everyone at this little slice of summer delight in Dublin.
Pacifica
Beaches, mountains, theater, shopping, dining, proximity to the city—what’s not to love about Pacifica? If your family loves the great outdoors and craves a chill beach vibe, this coastal town set on six miles of shoreline is the perfect place to call “home.”
Surfers from around the world head to Linda Mar Beach and Rockaway Beach to hang ten, and Mori Point, San Pedro Valley County Park and the Sanchez Adobe are brimming with fun trails for families to explore. Afterward, head over to Pacifica Pier for fishing—salmon and striped bass are popular takeaways for experienced and novice fishermen.
Menlo Park
There’s always something to see and do in Menlo Park. There’s no question residents know how to do summer right—and that means tons of concerts, fairs, block parties and even a festival dedicated to summer, the Menlo Park Summer Fest on July 20 and 21.
When locals aren’t hitting up the city’s never-ending list of family-friendly activities, they head to Bedwell Bayfront Park or the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge to hike, fly kites, bicycle and bird watch.
Granite Bay
Technically a suburb of Sacramento, we had to include Granite Bay for its prime location on Folsom Lake, an 11,500-acre lake that has one of the best state parks in California. Ideal for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, water-skiing, horseback riding, swimming, and sunbathing, Folsom Lake is a great spot to spend the day, with kids of all ages. The lake also boasts sandy beaches with a protected swim area, lifeguards during the summer season, picnic areas and all the makings of an excellent beach day.
There are hundreds of towns to choose from. How do you figure it all out? You simply don’t, without getting a Suburban Jungle Strategist to help you through it all. Schedule here for your strategy session with our innovative suburbs strategy team. All services are completely free.