San Pablo is a lively city with a proud Mexican heritage. The city is a gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area and combines a vibrant arts and cultural scene with lots of activities for nature lovers. Relax in family-friendly parks, explore the San Pablo Bay shoreline and enjoy delicious local cuisine.
Things to do in San Pablo
Explore picturesque coastal trails in the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. The park is set on the shores of San Pablo Bay and showcases a variety of ecosystems, from lush marshlands to sun-dappled eucalyptus forests. Walk through wildflower-strewn meadows and spot local birdlife, including waterfowl, herons, egrets and pelicans.
Hike, cycle and enjoy beautiful views over San Francisco Bay in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Set in the San Francisco Bay hinterland, the park protects a unique landscape of rolling hills, ridges and sun-drenched meadows. Enjoy lunch at a scenic picnic spot and spot wildlife like black-tailed deer, coyotes and raccoons.
Learn about the unique history of San Pablo at the Alvarado Adobe Museum. The museum occupies a historical adobe house and features exhibits on the town’s Mexican heritage and the Ohlone Native American people. Some rooms are furnished with original antiques from the 1800s when the city experienced a ranching boom.
San Pablo is home to a vibrant Mexican community. Head to the family-friendly Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy to listen to mariachi music and watch traditional Mexican dance performances. The city is packed with restaurants where you can savour authentic Mexican dishes like “chiles rellenos” stuffed poblano peppers and “pozole” soup topped with sliced radishes, salsa and limes.
Getting around San Pablo
Downtown San Pablo is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is a one-hour drive from Downtown San Francisco and 15 minutes from Richmond, where you can take a train to San Francisco in 45 minutes. San Francisco International Airport is a two-hour drive away.