Turn Down the So-So and Turn Up the YOLO, South Bay!

Whether you use it as a handy abbreviation, an excuse for stupid mistakes, or consider it the most annoying phrase in the social mediasphere, YOLO (You Only Live Once) is the perfect catch-all term for yelpy summer fun.

Sure, you've got a carpe diem tattoo, but have you been to ridden The Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk? Swimming with sharks in Mexico is impressive, but have you ever pet the Harley Farms goats or eaten fresh artichoke bread from Pescadero? Not to fear, we've got your YOLO homework

right here!

Check out this list of 25 essentially South Bay & Peninsula experiences: all unique, local, and of course, yelpy! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, we're daring Yelpers across the Bay to turn down the so-so and turn up the YOLO.

#1 Play a game of volleyball on/near the beach in Half Moon Bay

Community Manager Yelp Event @ Mavericks Event Center on June 9

#2 Go see a documentary at an indie movie theater during SF Doc Fest

Ticket Give Away in Palo Alto June 9-11 and Ticket Give Away in Santa Cruz June 21-23

#3 Listen to some cool jazz on a hot summer night

Stanford Jazz Festival June 22- August 9 and San Jose Jazz Summer Fest August 9-11

#4 Try a new downtown San Jose eatery during Dine Downtown Restaurant Week June 21-30

#5 Check out the Annie Leibovitz exhibit at the San Jose Museum of Art June 6 – September 8

#6 Say "cheers" over a pint South Bay brew during Silicon Valley Beer Week July 28-August 3

#7 Try a new outdoor workout, Ex: The Stanford Dish or The Stairs @ Communication Hill

#8 Treat your dog to a special night on the town

#9 Enjoy a day of sun and fun in Santa Cruz, Ex: Ride The Big Dipper at the Beach Boardwalk, Explore the eats & drinks on Swift Street Courtyard or kick it poolside at Hotel Paradox

#10 Sign up for a hands-on cooking class and learn how to cook with seasonal ingredients, Ex: Savory Kitchen, Michi's or Draeger's

#11 Celebrate the return of Music in the Park July 19

#12 Sample *at least* five top-rated (3.5 stars or above) Ramen joints from San Mateo to San Jose and pick a favorite

#13 Pescadero road trip! Ex: Pet the goats at Harley Farms, Get some fresh artichoke bread from Arcangeli, visit Pigeon Point Lighthouse or take a tour of Pie Ranch

#14 Yelp ain't fakin', we love bacon! Eat your way through the San Jose Bacon Festival August 31

#15 Attend a San Jose Earthquakes Game

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy @ Stanford June 29

#16 Shop like a VIP at Santana Row

Santana Row Summer Fashion Shows June 1 and Santana Row's Stroll for Autism ticket give away June 19

#17 Frolic in the grass at dusk at Montalvo Arts Center at a Midsummer Night's Yelp June 26

#18 Go whale watching along the coast

#19 Try your hand at berry picking in Watsonville, Ex: Crystal Bay Farm or Gizdich Ranch

#20 Stop and smell the roses (and if you have time, enjoy a picnic) at the Municipal Rose Gardens

#21 Go on a Peninsula Caltrain bar crawl, Ex: McGraw's, Marvin Gardens, Gourmet Haus Staudt

#22 Spend a day at Coyote Point Park, Enjoy the views of SF from the walking trail and visit the sea otters at CuriOdyssey

#23 Sample authentic Filipino cuisine, Ex: Attic, Fort McKinley or Tapsilog Bistro

#24 Who needs Napa when you can do a tasting at a South Bay winery? Ex: J. Lohr, Coterie Cellars or Fortino

25) Make a stop along Hwy 17 to visit The Cats Restaurant & Tavern (and maybe snap a pic with the giant white cat statue). Meow!

Do you have what it takes to live Yelp's YOLO List? Only time will tell… Don't forget to take pics and tag us in any of your quests via social media #YelpYolo

Stay tuned for photos and a wrap-up blog post at the end of the summer! Until then, we'll be YOLO'ing it up south of SF!

Want to host your own YOLO event, playing host(ess) to one of the outings above? Post a "UYE" (Unofficial Yelp Event) with all the details on your YOLO event, and email yolo@yelp.com with a link to your event on Yelp. We'll include it here!

Abby S, South Bay-Peninsula Community Manager

Turn Down the So-So and Turn Up the YOLO, South Bay!

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