A Perfect (High) Day in San Pablo: Where to Eat, Shop & Explore

Small but mighty, San Pablo packs a lot into its 2.6 square miles in the East Bay. The city sits just north of Berkeley and Oakland and is surrounded by gorgeous pockets of Northern California nature: plenty of local history, international food, and under-the-radar spots to explore along the way.

San Pablo is also home to one of embarc’s newest locations. embarc San Pablo is located at 14501 San Pablo Avenue, Suite B, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s your easy first stop before heading out to explore the area.

So, where should you go once you’re stocked up at the dispensary? Consider this your local guide to spending a day in and around San Pablo.

What to do in San Pablo

San Pablo may be compact, but head just beyond the city center, and you’ll find hiking trails, waterfront views, picnic-worthy green spaces, and a little local history waiting to be explored.

Wildcat Canyon

For a little fresh air and a lot of scenery, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park stretches along San Pablo Ridge with hiking trails and stunning views across the Bay Area. Parking is free, and the park is open daily until 10 p.m. Talk about the perfect post-smoke sesh stroll.

Alvarado Adobe + Blume House

Take a peek at San Pablo’s past at the Alvarado Adobe and Blume House. Open to the public, the Adobe is a replica of the former home of California Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado, and the 1905 Blume House preserves a piece of the area’s agricultural history. Take a puff and learn something!

San Pablo Reservoir

Fishing, hiking, boating, or just sitting next to the water doing nothing at all: San Pablo Reservoir is an easy escape when the day calls for some time outside. It’s a chill spot just made for stoners.

Kennedy Grove

When the itinerary calls for something a little more low-key, Kennedy Grove is ready. With picturesque fields, towering eucalyptus trees, picnic areas, and short hiking trails, this local favorite is just down the road from San Pablo Reservoir. It’s a great spot to touch grass.

Where to Eat in San Pablo

San Pablo’s food scene showcases the East Bay's diversity, with Filipino baked goods, birria, Vietnamese coffee, and a Bay Area ice cream classic all within a few minutes of each other.

Starbread

Definitely come hungry to Starbread, a Filipino bakery best known as the home of Señorita Bread. These warm, buttery rolls are the obvious must-try, but the San Pablo shop also serves other Filipino favorites like pandesal, ensaymada, ube bread, pan de coco, and hopia. Warning: buying significantly more bread than you intended is a very real possibility.

Birrería La Perla Tapatía

For something savory, Birriería La Perla Tapatía is the move. This San Pablo Mexican spot specializes in birria: a worthy stop when the day calls for something rich and hearty. 

Hoài Hương Vietnamese Coffee

Tiny, casual, and beloved by locals, Hoài Hương Vietnamese Coffee is an easy-to-miss stop for Vietnamese coffee and bánh mì. In Vietnamese fashion, the coffee packs a serious caffeine punch, while sandwiches come on fresh bread with pickled vegetables and fillings like grilled chicken and pork.

Double Rainbow Ice Cream

Dessert cravings in San Pablo always call for Double Rainbow Ice Cream. The Bay Area ice cream company has been around since 1976, and its San Pablo shop serves the brand’s premium ice cream right on San Pablo Avenue. Grab a cone, sundae, shake, or whatever confection is calling to your stoned mind.

Where to Shop in San Pablo

Food and nature aren’t the only reasons to explore San Pablo. Leave a little room in the itinerary for some cool markets, crystals, antiques, and more.

Las Montañas Supermarket

A grocery store might not usually make it on a sightseeing guide, but Las Montañas Supermarket isn’t your average Albertsons. The family-owned Mexican market has fresh produce and specialty groceries alongside its own bakery, tortilleria, taqueria, and meat and seafood departments. It’s a fun place to wander, stock the kitchen, or grab something freshly made before heading home.

Lucky Energy House

Crystals, beads, rocks, bedazzled outfits, and other metaphysical goodies await at Lucky Energy House/Lucky Handicrafts LLC. The Rumrill Boulevard shop is a place made for browsing, especially if your idea of a souvenir involves a little sparkle or good energy. Take a puff and find a stone or two to align your chakras.

Ken’s Antiques

Treasure hunters should make time for Ken's Antiques (a.k.a., Antiques by Ken). This local antique shop on 23rd Street is worth a browse for anyone who would rather come home with something old and unexpected than a mass-produced trinket. And hey: who doesn’t love wandering around an antique store while stoned?

Curious Flora Nursery

Technically, Curious Flora Nursery is just over the border in Richmond, but plant lovers should consider making the detour. The employee-led nursery took over the former Annie’s Annuals and Perennials space and now grows more than 1,200 varieties year-round, from rare California natives and low-water plants to edible and unusual botanical finds.

San Pablo: A Tiny but Mighty East Bay Town

San Pablo may only take up a few square miles, but there’s still a lot of cool things to check out. Spend the day hiking, eating, treasure hunting, or doing a little bit of everything, and don’t forget to stop by your new favorite dispensary in San Pablo (embarc!) to stock up before your East Bay adventure.