I flew in the Bay Area 3 years ago and had a mgnificent time. Visited Oakland (flew over the Golden Gate / Alcatraz - a real thrill) and over the wine country of Napa, Sonoma and up the beatiful North California coast to Mendocino / Little River (O48).. .. .Hilly terrain, plenty of redwood forests, rivers, dramatic coastline etc. make VFR beautiful and navigation easy. Away from San Fran the sky is yours.. .. .Santa Rosa has a number of rental operations.