San Francisco to Yuba City Road Trip Guide
Introduction
San Francisco is one of the most iconic cities in the whole of the US. Its dramatic coastal setting is certainly part of the reason for that. But there's also its rich history, its status as a reliable center of counterculture and, in recent decades, its centrality to the tech industry.
It might seem difficult to tear yourself away from the beautiful city of San Francisco with her trams and the delights of the waterfront area, but there are many more delights to explore, and you don’t need to go too far in order to do so. On a one day road trip to Yuba City, you will have the chance to experience different vistas, culture and countryside.
Point of Interest
Fairfield
As your journey is just for one day you are going to want to squeeze as much out of it as possible. Pick up your van early, hit the road and worry about breakfast along the way. Fairfield is just an hour and a half away and provides the ideal place at which to grab a quick but hearty breakfast.
Chef's Table was started in 1995 by the Culinary Institute of America graduate Richard Herzfeld and has proved very popular in Fairfield. This rock and roll themed eatery serves breakfast until 2 pm and has all the breakfast treats you would expect from a good restaurant.
From there you are a hop and a skip from Fiorello Olive Oil Factory. Fiorello is the Italian word for 'small flower'; just like those of the olive tree. It is also the name of the family who founded the farm. From the first six-pound harvest off of 170 trees, they now have over 3000 trees and mill olives for many other farms in the area.
They offer tours and tastings that will open your eyes to the wide variety and complexity of olive oils. Like wine, there is a huge variation among different olive oils and this is the place to gain a better understanding of this popular product. One thing is for sure, after passing through the farm you will never look at olive oil in quite the same way again.
Sacramento
From Fairfield it should not take you much longer than an hour and a half to reach the city of Sacramento and, if you time it right, this should place you there at an ideal time to think about lunch.
You are not going to be short of choices here as Sacramento lies at the heart of America’s most abundant agricultural hub. As a result, farm to fork is really a big thing here and locals often joke that on the coast, farm to fork really means buying from a truck that comes from Sacramento. There are dozens of restaurants to choose from in this up and coming food capital.
After that, you should definitely consider a stroll through the Crocker Art Museum which houses the world’s premier collection of California art, some of which dates back to the Gold Rush. Set in a historic building that was purchased by Judge Edwin Crocker in 1868, you will be exposed to fine architecture, art from some of the European masters and one of the largest ceramic collections in the US.
Summary
After a varied day of gastronomic indulgence, olive oil education and impressive art, the last bit of the journey to Yuba will take just forty-five more minutes. That need not be the end of your adventure, however. Along with restaurants and breweries, Yuba City boasts a delightful historical area around 2nd street. Here you can stroll and soak up the historical and architectural heritage of this early Californian city.
