Cal High students are all ready to pack their vacation bags and get out of here.

Summer begins next week.

But what if you could stay where you are and still have a great summer? The Bay Area provides some of the best places and events that will surely capture your attention. So make sure you grab all your friends and family and make some unforgettable summer memories.

San Francisco

San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California and it is known for the beautiful red monument that is the Golden Gate Bridge. Besides that, the city also has plenty of other activities to do, such as visiting museums, shopping, hiking, and eating.

One of the most popular attractions is Union Square, which lies in the heart of San Francisco and is a popular hangout for shopping and dining. The Westfield Mall is the center of attention in this bustling place dotted with a wide variety of chain designer stores and unique shops.

“I like going to Powell Street and shopping there,” said sophomore Maya Morris.

If you’d like to do something more intriguing instead, such as experiencing a different culture, Chinatown is the way to go. As the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America, this attraction is always an interesting visit for both tourists and locals.

“[If you are in Chinatown], definitely go to the Eastern Bakery and get the baked pork bun,” said sophomore Dez Jower.

Chinatown certainly has many exotic restaruants and shops to visit, and you can expect to find yourself encaptured by all the different things to see.

Another main attraction is Fisherman’s Wharf. If you prefer more of a waterfront view, you will definitely appreciate this place.

Restaurants like Boudin, known for its popular clam chowder bread bowl, line the piers. As soon as you’re finished indulging in the food, you can take a ferry ride along the bay and enjoy the scenic view.

Overall, San Francisco is guaranteed to satisfy you whether you are a tourist or a local. So if you are looking for a lively environment full of cable cars and Victorian style houses, be sure to head down to the city.

Music Festivals

Why would you go to a concert for one artist when you can go to a music festival and see several of your favorite artists?

Fans all over the West Coast are hyped for the many bands that will come and give you the summer performance of a lifetime. Some of the most popular music festivals are Live 105’s BFD, KMEL Summer Jam, and Vans Warped Tour ‘16.

Live 105 is known to be the summer’s kickoff festival and hosted the 22nd annual Live 105 BFD which took place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. This year’s lineup was perfect for music lovers who enjoy genres ranging from alternative to rock. The event showcased more than 30 artists, including BØRNS, Silversun Pickups, Bad Religion, Fitz and the Tantrums, Night Riots, and The Offspring, on four separate stages.

For those more interested in Hip Hop and R&B music, KMEL will be bringing that ultimate experience to you on June 12 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

As the top urban contemporary radio station in the Bay Area, this year’s lineup is bound to bring you the best of the best rappers in the music industry. Some of the highlights will be performances by Fetty Wap, DJ Mustard, Rae Sremmurd, Kehlani, Kevin Gates, and Yo Gotti.

Warped Tour has toured all over the United States annually and has never failed to bring its fans some of the best bands of all time. This year’s festival occurs on Aug 6 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre.

Ranging from well-known bands to unknown bands, this music festival is enjoyable for anyone who is an avid listener for pop-punk music. Bands such as Crown The Empire, Mayday Parade, Roam, Sleeping With Sirens, and We The Kings are performances to look out for.

But seeing your favorite artists aren’t the only aspect of Warped Tour that makes it worth going.

“I enjoyed crowd surfing and I’m looking forward to crowd surfing again,” said sophomore Gabby Reid, who has attended the last two Warped Tours and is excited for what this year’s festival has in store for her.

These are some of the best, most anticipated music festivals in the Bay Area and gives music lovers a huge variety of genres to jam out to.

Beaches

Sometimes, it is simply better to relax by the seaside, take in the beautiful surroundings, and clear your mind.

And the California coastline has some of the nicest beaches that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Some of the best beaches to visit are at Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. They both have beautiful blue waves that make your stay there, along with your drive, very pleasant.

“I like going to Half Moon Bay on Saturday mornings just because I enjoy stopping by the San Mateo Farmers Market,” said sophomore Humaira Niazi.

Located approximately 35 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is a beautiful, coastal city with many activities to keep you busy. Some of the attractions include whale watching, horseback riding, hiking trails, and restaurants such as Sam’s Chowder House, which is known for its award winning Lobster Roll.

“It’s cold and windy there sometimes, but if you wear warm enough clothing, there aren’t that many people so you can relax,” said junior Gordon Dohemann.

As a more populated city, the Santa Cruz beaches will definitely be a little more crowded, but it‘s still a great place for recreational activities such as surfing, kayaking, shopping, and sailing.

Santa Cruz is well-known for its boardwalk and is one of the most popular tourist attractions during the hot summer months.

Amusement Parks

Games, food, rollercoasters, and the feeling of adrenaline as you get off of your favorite rollercoaster, what’s not to love about amusement parks? The Bay Area has several that will surely leave you with a smile for the rest of the day.

California’s Great America is located in Santa Clara and features the most thrilling rides in Northern California, with one of its newest rides, “Gold Striker,” being ranked as the top wooden roller coaster in  America by“Amusement Today.”

Another equally exhilarating amusement park is the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.

“My favorite roller coaster is the V2 because it’s so exhilarating; but then again I really like Medusa because it’s a classic,” said senior Miriam Aguilar, who has an undying love for roller coasters.

One of the most known oceanfront amusement parks in California, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is is the oldest standing amusement park.

It offers a selection of old and modern roller coaster rides as well as mini-golf, bowling, restaurants, and an arcade. But if the amusement park noise is too much, you can also walk on the mile of sandy beach nearby.

“There are a variety of things to do and there are famous people there sometimes,” said junior Krishna Sadhanala.

Make Some Memories

These are just some of the many popular summer activities that you can do over the summer to keep you occupied and entertained. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to have fun, stay hydrated, and make some  summer memories that will last a lifetime.