Ringing the San Francisco Bay in northern California, the Bay Area is a sprawling and exciting destination, stretching north, east and south around San Francisco. From Napa Valley and some of the best wine in the world, to the innovative Silicon Valley.
Offeing plenty to see and do, the Bay Area also houses a great and diverse selection of rooftop venues. From swanky downtown lounges with skyline views, to relaxing terraces overlooking the impressive enviroment. Let's dive into the best ones.
Perched on top of Graduate Palo Alto, in the heart of downtown, President’s Terrace invites to panoramic views and playful drinks.
As Palo Alto’s only rooftop bar, this is both a unique and beautiful venue. In an intimate and charming setting, featuring vibrant greenery, an outdoor fireplace and retro-chic furniture, you are surrounded with sweeping city vistas.
Seven stories above it all, the rooftop offers creative signature cocktails inspired by bright West Coast flavors, natural wines & local craft brews, as well as a seafood-forward food menu, filled with California flavors.
Open every afternoon / evening (weather permitting), President's Terrace is a great spot for a relaxing after work with friends and colleagues, a cozy date, or a memorable and elevated evening under the twinkling lights.
PRESIDENT'S TERRACE
Floating 12 floors above the buzzing streets of SoMa, Shelby’s Rooftop offers a modern and elevated SF rooftop experience.
From its location on the top floor of the Canopy by Hilton San Francisco SoMa, the rooftop presents some truly stunning San Francisco views.
Mixing interior and al fresco seating, here you can enjoy everything from after work drinks and romantic evenings, to vibrant weekend nights, all year round.
Both rooftop restaurant and bar, Shelby’s Rooftop menu features plenty of global small plates and a few large ones, and drinks ranging from crafted Shelby's signature cocktails and timeless classics, to a nice array of wine and spirits.
SHELBY'S ROOFTOP
Found on the sixth floor of the fantastic Archer Hotel Napa, Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar is the place to go if you are looking to savor the wine country flavors with a side of views.
Overlooking Napa’s buzzy downtown and the lush valley beyond, the spacious, lush and charming rooftop terrace really blends with the surroundings.
Here you can indulge in handcrafted cocktails, handpicked wines, a vast array of spirits and sharable plates. Or you head over to the discreet Whiskey Bar, and try something from the 150+ list with unique and rare whiskeys.
Visit for sunny afternoon drinks, comfy conversations by the fire pit, or the bottomless Sunday brunch.
SKY & VINE
Three floor up at the Kissel Uptown Oakland, High 5ive Rooftop Bar & Lounge offers a refined and lively Oakland rooftop experience.
Modern and sleek, the rooftop blends interior lounge with an outdoor terrace, where you can take in panoramic views of Uptown Oakland and the bay.
On the menu, crafted signature cocktails and local draft beer is paired with refined American-style small bites.
Open to the public Friday to Sunday (available for private events all week), High 5ive comes surrounded with a somewhat exclusive feel, and vibes perfect to enjoy an elevated weekend.
HIGH 5IVE
KAIYŌ Rooftop is a tropical oasis in the sky, found on the 12th floor of Hyatt Place San Francisco/Downtown, next door to the SF Giants stadium.
Surrounded with amazing panoramic views over the city skyline and San Francisco Bay, the rooftop mixes the elegant with the airy.
Among vibrant colors, lush greenery and rich textiles, here you can enjoy a Nikkei experience, with both food and drinks that explore the Japanese culinary influence within Peruvian culture.
Gather with friends and colleagues during afternoon and nights, sip crafted signature cocktails, nibble on sushi and ceviche, and enjoy the view.
KAIYŌ
Opened during 2022, Study Hall Rooftop Lounge is the highest rooftop bar and restaurant in Berkeley.
Found on the 12th and top floor of Residence Inn By Marriott Berkeley, this indoor / outdoor rooftop offers amazing views over the city, the Bay and the the University of California Berkeley campus.
While it may not be the best place to get some studying done, Study Hall sure is great for plenty of other things. Like enjoying local libations and craft cocktails, paired with Oceana and Asian inspired cuisine. Or to let loose with live music and DJs every weekend.
STUDY HALL ROOFTOP LOUNGE
Hotel Valencia is the only hotel located on San Jose's fashionable Santana Row, and home to the city's best rooftop destination.
Called Cielo Rooftop Bar, this is an intimate and seasonal wine bar, with amazing views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
In an old-style yet chic elegance, here you can get comfy in the lounge sofas and sip on a glass from California’s wine country. Or cozy up by the fireplace with a crafted cocktail, and admire the fantastic sunset.
CIELO ROOFTOP BAR
Located in Old Oakland, Oeste is a bar, kitchen & rooftop, filled with soul and celebrating Oakland’s rich history and culture.
Set in a completely transformed old brick building from 1921, here you find a beautiful interior mixing the modern with original details, and above a lush and sprawling rooftop deck.
The menu features Oeste cocktails, the highest quality spirits, wines and beers, as well as dishes with Latin, Southern, and Californian flavors, made with fresh and organic ingredients.
Aiming to provide an inviting and inclusive atmosphere, Oeste welcomes all to sip drinks on the rooftop, enjoy vibrant dinners, watch a Warriors game at the bar, or munch on Sunday brunch.
OESTE
Floating 120 feet above Market Street, on top of San Francisco Proper Hotel, Charmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge offers a fantastic mix of bites, drinks and views.
Featuring both a quirky and colorful indoor lounge and a spacious outdoor terrace, here you can enjoy some amazing views over the San Francicso skyline.
Among fire-pits and comfy lounge furniture, you can sip unique signature cocktails, crafted by Josh Harris and Morgan Schick of BVHospitality, and nibble on elevated bar snacks and bites by Chef Jason Franey.
A venue where 'the energetic chic of a European terrace meets laid-back vibes of California cool', Charmaine's is open daily for dinner and drinks, and on weekends usually also for rooftop brunch.
CHAIRMAIN'S
Found in downtown San Jose, Loft Bar & Bistro is mainly an event venue, that can accommodate up to 250 people for banquets, weddings, corporate events and most any party.
However, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, this two-level space with a beautiful rooftop patio also opens to the public, inviting to a buzzing San Jose nightlife experience.
Visit for dinner, and stick around as resident DJs turn up the heat with deep grooves and soulful beats.
LOFT BAR & BISTRO
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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