I anticipate that 2023 will be a year for exploration and travel. As busy people, we may not have the time or resources to go across the world anytime we wish, but we can surely go to places within our reach. Here is a guide to Bay Area spots — places to visit during each season of this new year.

Spring:

• Japantown: As flowers start to bloom in the spring, you won’t want to miss seeing cherry blossoms in Japantown. It’s a great place to appreciate Japanese culture, walk around during the yearly cherry blossom festival to see the stalls and pop-up shops and savor authentic Japanese snacks and foods.
• Foothills Park: For all of the nature lovers out there, a picnic at Foothills Park in Palo Alto would be perfect. There’s a picturesque lake, beautiful meadows, must-see wildlife, hiking trails and wonderful views of the Bay Area for you to admire.

Summer:

• Half Moon Bay State Beach: Surely, you can’t have summer without the beach, and the Bay’s most popular beaches include a few in Half Moon Bay. While you’re there, you can sunbathe, swim, partake in water sports and enjoy a Bay Area summer under the sun.
• Great America: There’s nothing like a fun day at an amusement park, especially in the summer. Located in Santa Clara, Great America is filled with rollercoasters and even a water park for those extremely hot days. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a thrill-seeker.

Fall:

• West Wind Drive-In: A timeless activity to enjoy is going to a drive-in theater, and there’s one right in San Jose. The West Wind Capitol Drive-In shows both new releases as well as old classics, and fall is a great time to enjoy an outdoor movie and the light autumn breeze.
• Santana Row: When Black Friday rolls around, a great place to go shopping is Santana Row in San Jose. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere and it’s also right across from Westfield Valley Fair, a huge mall for even more shopping if you so choose.

Winter:

• Union Square: Ice skating is always a fun winter festivity, and Union Square is a San Francisco winter staple. The rink has beautiful Christmas decorations set up, and there are also tons of restaurants and stores in Union Square to peruse and dine in as well.
• The Ferry Building: While 2023 has just arrived, it is never too soon to start thinking about ’24. If New Year’s Eve fireworks are in the plans, the waterfront outside the San Francisco Ferry Building is a great spot. And for an extra event, you can even hitch a ride on a mini-cruise and catch the fireworks on a boat while enjoying a nice dinner at midnight.

The Bay Area is home to a lot of cool spots and 2023 is the year of checking them all off your bucket list! The year of 2023 looks to be one of exciting Bay Area adventures.