By Carl Pruit
From the many shops and theaters to exploring the museums and architectural wonders, you will never run out of things to do near
San Francisco. The city and its surrounding area is rich in history and culture: It was a major destination during the California Gold Rush, and many businesses got their start in San Francisco, including Bank of America and Levi's.
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens
Tour the home and gardens of one of the most famous horticulturists in history at the Luther Burbank home in Santa Rosa, California. Just an hour's drive north of San Francisco, this home stands as a testimony to the scientific discoveries made famous by the man during his lifetime. The property was occupied by Luther Burbank and his wife, Elizabeth, from 1884 to 1906 and many of his experiments were conducted in the gardens that surround the home. You can tour the gardens for free, and a tour is given of the home from April through October for a small fee.
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens
Santa Rosa Avenue & Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 524-5445
http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/recreationandparks/parks/lbhg/Pages/default.aspx
Jack London Square
Visit a place that is famous for bringing together great food, unique culture and exciting business activity in one location at Jack London Square in Oakland, California. Just across the bay from San Francisco, this distinctive town square is a virtual hive of commerce with restaurants, shops, theaters, hotels and more located within its borders. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine, a cozy little jazz club, an open-air cafe, a place to see a movie or just a comfortable place to stay for the night, you can do it all right here in Jack London Square.
Jack London Square
Oakland, California
(510) 645-9292, ext. 221
http://www.jacklondonsquare.com/
Winchester Mystery House
Explore a place where doors open onto brick walls and windows are built into the floor at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. A 20-mile drive south from San Francisco, the Mystery House was home to Sarah Winchester, heiress to the famous Winchester Repeating Rifle fortune. She inherited the fortune upon the death of her husband, whose father invented the guns. This Victorian mansion is a museum of cultural treasures and unexplained mysteries. Sarah used her huge inheritance to keep carpenters remodeling her home 24 hours a day for 38 years until she died at the age of 82.
Winchester Mystery House
525 S. Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 247-2101
http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/
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About the Author:
Carl Pruit has been a freelance writer since 2005, specializing in service journalism and travel. His work has appeared on various websites. Born and raised in California, Pruit attended Contra Costa Community College in San Pablo, Calif. and received an associate degree in the administration of justice.
