IN AND AROUND SAN JOSE

Enjoy European-inspired cuisine at Affinity Restaurant & Lounge (pictured left; 300 Almaden Blvd., 408/287-2100; www1.hilton.com) the newest restaurant at the San Jose Hilton, while dining al fresco on the gorgeous patio.

Experience la dolce vita at Bella Mia (58 S. First St.; 408/280-1993; www.bellamia.com), right in the heart of downtown. Head out to the quaint cobblestone courtyard at the back and dive into a hearty Italian meal.

New American classic dishes with a twist abound at Billy Berk’s (99 S. 1st St.; 408/292-4300; www.maxsworld.com/billyberks), where you can grab a seat on the open-air patio, which offers urban sophistication without the pretense.

If you like to people watch while you eat, then E&O Trading Co. (96 S. First St.; 408/938-4100; www.eotrading.com) is for you. Take in all the action as you sample Southeast Asian fusion cuisine while sitting at bistro-style tables on the sidewalk.

There’s no better way to beat the heat than enjoying a cold brewski on the patio at Faultline Brewing Co. in Sunnyvale (1235 Oakmead Pkwy.; 408/736-2739; www.faultlinebrewing.com), where delicious pub fare also awaits you.

Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air on the covered front patio of Los Gatos’ Forbes Mill Steakhouse (206 North Santa Cruz Ave.; 408/395-6434; www.forbesmillsteakhouse.com). Here, you can savor the finest steaks and wines while reveling in the mountain views.

Things heat up at Habana Cuba in San Jose (238 Race St.; 408/998-2822; www.998cuba.com), known for its homestyle Cuban fare. Head out to the eatery’s outdoor patio for some summer fun; bring Fido along, too, as the outdoor area is dog-friendly.

There’s plenty of room on the patio at McCormick & Schmick’s overlooking Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose (170 S. Market St.; 888/344-6881; www.mccormickandschmicks.com). Order a handcrafted cocktail and a delectable seafood dish, sit back and relax.

For a modern, Asiatic-influenced experience, try the patio at P.F. Chang’s (98 S. Second St.; 408/961-5250; also in Palo Alto, 900 Stanford Shopping Center; 650/330-1782; www.pfchangs.com), a favorite among diners for its menu of Asian fusion delights.

Touting the largest patio in Campbell, Rock Bottom Brewery (1875 South Bascom Ave.; 408/377-0707; www.rockbottom.com) is the perfect place for a laid-back dining experience, with a range of handcrafted beers and a diverse pub menu.

Surrounded by wrought-iron details, greenery and canvas umbrellas, the patio at the Wine Cellar in Los Gatos (pictured, left; 50 University Ave.; 408/354-4804; www.winecellarlosgatos.com) is the ideal place to partake in a fresh seafood dish or the restaurant’s famous fondue.

ON THE PENINSULA

Nothing says summer more than a cold pitcher of sangria and a spread of delectable Spanish tapas at Cascal in Mountain View (400 Castro St.; 650/940-9500; www.cascalrestaurant.com).

The terraces at Rosewood’s Madera Restaurant in Menlo Park (2825 Sand Hill Rd.; 650/561-1500; www.rosewoodsandhill.com/dining.cfm) look out to the gorgeous foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains—a wonderful setting for enjoying a leisurely meal of delicious seasonal American fare.

Max’s Opera Café of Palo Alto (711 Stanford Shopping Center; 650/323-6364; www.maxsworld.com) has extensive outdoor seating where you can indulge in generous portions of tasty American fare.

Relax to the sounds of flowing water on the patio at Medallion Steakhouse in Burlingame (pictured on right; 1095 Rollins Rd.; 650/342-4922; www.medallionsteak.com) where you can enjoy an innovative meal, exotic cocktails, and even a classic movie on the outdoor screen. 

Sidewalk seating and the open-air lounge at Piacere in San Carlos (727 Laurel St.; 650/592-3536; www2.piacererestaurant.com/joomla) are as much a draw as the lively atmosphere, contemporary American menu and extensive wine list.

At Spalti in Palo Alto (417 California Ave.; 650/327-9390; www.spalti.com), take a seat outside and savor a Northern Italian meal.

At Steelhead Brewery in Burlingame (333 California Dr.; 650/344-6050; www.steelheadbrewery.com), dig into hearty pub fare in the outdoor beer garden.

Thaiphoon in Palo Alto (543 Emerson St.; 650/323-7700; www.thaiphoonrestaurant.com) offers a range of Thai dishes and the option to take a seat at its tropical-inspired, awning-covered outdoor patio.

Don’t have time to get some R&R in Hawaii? Then try the outdoor patio at Trader Vic’s in Palo Alto (4269 El Camino Real, at Dinah’s Garden Hotel; 650/849-9800; www.tradervicspaloalto.com) where the spirit of aloha and tiki culture thrive.

ALONG THE COAST: SANTA CRUZ

True to its name, Paradise Beach Grille in Capitola (215 Esplanade; 831/476-4900; www.paradisebeachgrille.com) is a little slice of heaven, serving up fresh California cuisine on an al fresco patio with sweeping views of Monterey Bay.

The three-story mural of a street scene in Old World Italy and a towering sycamore tree add to the charm of the patio at Santa Cruz’s Ristorante Italiano (pictured to left; 555 Soquel Ave.; 831/458-2321; http://ristoranteital.com) serving home-style Italian cuisine.

Overlooking Soquel Creek and nestled among lush greenery, the upper and lower patios at the historic Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola (Wharf & Capitola Rds.; 831/475-1511; www.shadowbrook-capitola.com), provide an irresistibly romantic atmosphere for couples.

ALONG THE COAST: HALF MOON BAY

Sit out on the patio at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in Princeton (390 Capistrano Rd.; 650/728-2739; www.hmbbrewingco.com) for sweeping views of the bay, a good beer and delectable California cuisine.

At the inviting courtyard at It’s Italia in downtown Half Moon Bay (401 Main St.; 650/726-4444; www.itsitaliarestaurant.com), enjoy a full range of Cal-Italian cuisine and a great selection of wines.

With dramatic views of the beach in Montara, the outdoor patio at La Costanera  (8150 Cabrillo Hwy.; 650/728-1600; www.lacostanerarestaurant.com) is quite the setting for delicious Peruvian cuisine highlighting fresh seafood.

Sam’s Chowderhouse (pictured, right; 4210 N. Cabrillo Hwy.; 650/712-0245; www.samschowderhouse.com) boasts romantic ocean views from a multi-level outdoor patio, complete with heat lamps and fireplaces, where you can indulge in a range of chowders and fresh seafood entrees.

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