Seven Takeaways from Millbrae, California
A small town in the suburb of San Francisco, right in the center of what is known as the Bay Area, Millbrae is a perfect place to spend time in the region. No matter who you are or what you are in the area for - students, professionals, tourists or temporary residents - everyone would have something to be charmed about. We lived in the city for a fortnight as we were traveling to the Bay Area and we document here our takeaways from our experience in the town.
Overview - Introducing Millbrae
Milbrae is a small bay area town just south of San Francisco and is a flourishing community. Though the town does not appear on any tourist map and is often overlooked, there is a unique charm in this town. Hidden behind the lush green face is a taste of culture, art, and food different from everywhere. The town has restaurants, museums, and parks that keep you enchanted for hours. While one may not spend a lot of time in the town, it deserves a day trip.
Also, if you are visiting the Bay Area, Milbrae is a nice locality to choose accommodation because of its nearness to the San Francisco International Airport. Though the town does not have too many of the fancy hotels, there are ample of CouchSurfing and Airbnb accommodations. We stayed at one of the Airbnb and had a great experience.
During our work-fortnight in the city, we ventured out to explore the exquisites hidden from the tourist maps. In this article, we bring a list of top 7 experiences from Milbrae. Why 7 - as they say it is for the lucky 7 or Mr. Bond 007 - the number does stand out. While, some of these may not look as touristy to read, but they potentially allow living like a local. We aim to help you absorb the spirit of the soil and experience the soul of the city rather than cover some glamorized tourist sites.
1. Stay Like a Local - Pick an Airbnb over a Hotel
We are always the ones who recommend avoiding hotels to the extent possible. Hotels make us feel like tourists and take away a part of the fun of traveling. Though not every city is AirBnB friendly, Milbrae sure is one with plenty of options. The town has a nice community with single or double-story houses nestled in nature. Residential areas are scenic and offer plenty of opportunities to walk around and interact with locals. Residents are friendly and inviting.
If you happen to walk around the residential areas on one of the weekends, then you may find people working on their cars or mowing their lawns. You can always lend a helping hand and gain insight into the city and its hidden treasures. Another benefit of Airbnb is access to the kitchen offered by many of them. If you are with kids or have some other eating restrictions,
Read about other United States destinations at - Destinations in the United States
2. Gaze at the take-offs in a scenic backdrop at the Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is a small green patch along the eastern boundary of the town. The park is located right across the San Francisco International Airport and is only separated by a water lagoon. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend an evening watching people strolling across the sidewalks and jets taking off from the runaway across the lagoon. Besides the takeoffs, this is a wonderful place to unwind after a hectic day. While it is not the most peaceful place to be, it has a different soothing effect. All the chaos has a method which creates a wonderful aura to relax and enjoy.
You may want to be aware of the limited free parking and hence expect a slight wait. Also, it could get windy towards late evenings, so you may want to carry your coffee and a light jacket.
3. Unwind at the Central Park or see kids play
If you are with kids or like seeing them play, this is a perfect place to head to on a summer afternoon. Located centrally around the prime residential areas, this is a site for playful activities. You could find kids flying kites if the weather is right. If you are not into all these activities, the park offers a good place for an evening stroll. The environment is peaceful and tranquil and apt for a relaxing couple of hours.
4. Hungry anyone, head to the Millbrae Pancake House
If you one of the fans of a breakfast meal at any time of the day, Millbrae Pancake's house is a perfect destination to look for. Located centrally in the town, it is a small yet popular eating joint. The family-owned restaurant serves home-cooked waffles and pancakes along with other snacks including burgers, pizza, etc. It is a small place and hence tends to be full-on weekend mornings. So, if you plan on one of the busy slots, you may want to reserve a table ahead.
5. Farmer's Market, if not for grocery then to honor
We love visiting farmer's markets in cities where we stay for a relatively long term. These markets, on one hand, offer fresh groceries and on the other, provide a glimpse into the city in its raw form. Locals throng these markets in search for their weekly produce. This is a great opportunity to strike a conversation with some of the locals and understand various intricacies of the local population. If you are looking to understand the culture of a place, farmer's markets are the place to go. Millbrae's farmer's market is open on Saturdays mornings and sometimes attract local musicians to entertain the visitors.
6. Museums and monuments, a peek into the history
Milbrae is a great destination for art and history lovers. The Millbrae's History Museum is a living artifact in itself as it is housed in a historical building itself. The museum showcases furniture, art, photos, and documents from the city's past. It is a rich collection of the story of the city's development into what it is today. However, the museum is only open on Saturdays.
If you are a travel enthusiast, then the Southern Pacific Train Depot is a perfect stopover. The train museum provides a glimpse into the locomotive history of railways in Milbrae, San Francisco Peninsula and the Western United States. It is a small yet nicely arranged museum built along the Caltrain tracks. Same as the history museum, the depot is open only on Saturdays.
7. Stay active with hiking outdoors
There are several scenic trails around Millbrae. These trails offer a perfect activity for a summer weekend afternoon to delve into nature. While some pass through dense tree cover, others take you along a water stream - each has its charm. One of the most popular trails is the Spur Trail which divides the city into two halves. The two-mile trail is paved and accessible and sees ample walkers (along or with pets) during the evening.
What do you think of our list from Millbrae? Do you have other items on your list? Let us compare notes :)
Here is the link to the official portal of the city for additional information - City of Millbrae
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