Tucked into a shopping plaza at the far south end of Pacifica, this little coffee shop is "hidden" to most tourists. Locals love it; it's big and has a great vibe and a sweet patio. And the no tourist's thing means you, too, are now a Pacifica local. Their signature latte is the Cubano. It's made with condensed milk, but not too much. Try it with the puffy lemon ricotta pancakes.

Leave the car parked here and head to explore coastal beauties!

Part of the California Coastal Trail, the ocean side twin of the Pacific Crest Trail, Devil's Slide is so-named for its routine slippage into the ocean. That issue has been solved for the moment, with engineers doing their level best to stabilize the bridges, roads and hiking trails that span from Pacifica to Mavericks and beyond.
The trail is paved for this reason, but is a worthwhile hike for its fantastic views overlooking the Pacific and its path around craggy, steep rock faces that drop precipitously into the Pacific. To get to the beach from here, drive a little further south to Grey Whale Cove State Beach, which is also known as Devil's Slide.
There is a steep trail from the parking lot to the beach, though staying up top may provide the best view of migrating whales. Keep in mind, you need some time to get back to the car.

Chef Scott Clark ditched a career as a three-Michelin star chef de cuisine in San Francisco to open this tiny spot in a former railroad caboose. Think of it as a roadside stand with hell good ingredients.
Try dishes like mac 'n' cheese topped with puffed rice and chives, or a rock fish ceviche special. For dessert, taste a rose pistachio white chocolate cookie, best eaten in your car with the hatch open and the sun on your face. Don't forget the napkins.
If Dad's is not open when you visit, try Café Capistrano (Mayan – closed Wednesdays) or Jersey Joe's Coastside (sandwiches – open daily).

Stanford's campus is massive, with an array of ways to experience it. If you are not buddies with a current student or an alumnus, have a look at the self-guided tour maps on the Stanford website.
Choose from campus destinations, such as Memorial Church, a student-guided tour, or a visit to the main quad. The Mission Revival architecture and palm-lined drive are a reminder of the grandeur of the late 19th century and the robber barons who footed the bill for the buildings.

Want to know how the Silicon Valley went from being known for its lemon and orange groves to being known as a hub for technological innovation? This is the place. Numerous galleries host innovations from the past 2000 years and a demo lab invites visitors to enhance popular video games or take a stab at being a hacker of the IBM 1401 mainframe.

The first and only Michelin-starred restaurant in San Jose is also the only Portuguese restaurant in the United States to be recognized with a Michelin star. The walls are lined with blue and white tiles, and the casual table dressings belie an elevated dining experience. You must try the octopus with roasted potatoes and the caldo verde, a traditional soup loaded with kale.
The team here now offers a seven-course tasting menu, and reservations are strongly recommended.