Happy Stomach: Why I Had to Drive in San Francisco

Hiking in Berkeley

On my recent trip to San Francisco, I didn't really go to SF. We had one meal at the fabulous Slanted Door, and cocktails at Hard Water. But since we were staying in Berkeley, and going to Napa for a couple of days, we thought getting a car was a good idea.

It turned out to be a great idea.

Heated and cooled leather seats in the Mazda6

We stayed in Berkeley for 4 nights, at the Doubletree by Hilton Berkeley Marina. This waterfront hotel is a little off the beaten path, though you can easily bike, run, or take a free shuttle to the adorable shops and restaurants along Fourth Street.

Fermented tea leaf salad at Burma Superstar

Getting anywhere else is a bit more complicated. The shuttle takes you to BART, the train station, where you can get into San Francisco in about 20 minutes. But factor in waiting for the train, waiting for the shuttle, and a 10pm cut off, and we were glad to have a car.

And what a car

My daughter, hiking in Redwood Regional Park

Mazda loaned us its top of the line Mazda6 sedan. This 2018 Signature model, with came tricked out with a should red crystal pain job and soft nappa leather, had both a sunroof and heated steering wheel. Turns out we needed both. Our first couple of days, it was about 60, with clear blue skies. Then we had persistent rain, and temperatures in the 40s. That heated steering wheel made me forget that I left my gloves in New York. And rain sensing windshield wipers were great when the rain finally stopped. And started. And stopped...

The roomy Mazda6 trunk. We had 3 suitcases behind these

The car had heated and cooled seats, but we didn't need these features.

On a hike: Redwood Regional Park

With a car, we were also able to drive up to Redwood Regional Park, near the Berkeley Hills in Oakland. I was amazed at how short a drive it was to such excellent hiking. There are 40 miles of trails through a redwood forest.

Only the main gate charges for parking, and weekend only, April - October. If you use the main gate, you also have to pay a dog fee if you bring one. And almost everyone had a dog with them.

Checking out Oakland

Along the road from the Doubletree, a biking and running path

My daughter lives on the border of Berkeley, close to Oakland, and the Mazda6 was very convenient for driving around that neighboring city. We ate at Burma Superstar, a sister restaurant to Burma Love in San Francisco, where we ate last year. This is the original location and has the same excellent, very flavorful food. There are lots of vegetarian and vegan choices, but my meat eating brothers-in-law were pleased with their beef and lamp dishes.

Spicy tofu at Burma Superstar

My cousin's three year old was also happy with her plain white rice and veggie samosas.

Another day, we drove to the Oakland Farmer's Market and sampled our way through the lively market. There was local cheese and bread, along with unusual citrus to try. We even got large hunks of pomegranate.

The area near the market is filled with shops and restaurants. There is even a vintage movie theater that plays first run movies. On the weekends, a huge Wurlitzer organ is played before screenings.

We were so taken with Oakland that we drove there another time for a vegan brunch. Millennium has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, which recognizes great food at a good value.

Brunch at Millennium: mushroom sandwich with pickled veggies 

Heads up driving

Berkeley has Bicycle Boulevards that give priority to cyclists. So I was happy to have the Head Up Display to help me keep my eyes on the road. The Mazda6 also had lane departure warning and lane keep assist. And the adaptive front lighting was useful in returning to the hotel late at night. The roads were dark and the adaptive lights also prevent you from blinding oncoming traffic.

The soulful Soul Red Mazda 6, on the waterfront in Berkeley 

Driving in comfort

We never had more than three people in the car, so we had plenty of room to stretch out. The roomy trunk easily fit all the luggage we brought. We had to bring a huge bag for our daughter of stuff she couldn't fit on her last trip. In a combination of city and highway driving, we got about 26 miles per gallon.

All this for $36,435.

Note: Mazda loaned me the Mazda6. I was not otherwise compensated. Opinions expressed are my own.