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Day Trips from San Francisco: The 40 Best Places to Explore
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: January 19, 2023
Are you looking for the best day trips from San Francisco? Here you will find top picks such as Napa and Sonoma wine regions, Muir Woods, and Monterey.
You will also find some less-traveled options such as the Carmel Valley wine region or Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Most are easy to get to, either on your own or with a tour and offer you an experience you will remember for a lifetime.
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1. Monterey
Travel Time from SF: 2 hours via Hwy 101, 3 hours via Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Highway)
One of the most popular day trips from San Francisco is Monterey. This small village sits on the gorgeous Monterey Bay. It is about two hours south of San Francisco.
Monterey is home to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's a must-see during your visit.
You can also shop on Cannery Row, sample some of the local wines, or go golfing. Fisherman's Wharf is also popular for those looking to go whale watching or enjoy some fresh seafood.
Its mild weather makes it the perfect place to visit all year long. Here are a few other popular things to do here.
>> Find my tips on the best ways to get between San Francisco and Monterey
2. Muir Woods National Monument
Travel Time from SF: 45 minutes north
The closest place to see some of Northern California's huge redwoods trees is in Muir Woods in Marin County. This national monument is only about a 45-minute drive north of San Francisco.
The beautiful trees you will find here are Coastal Redwoods. They are a close relative to the larger Giant Sequoias. Most are between 600 and 800 years old.
In the park, you can walk along a wooden path which is flat and perfect for those that don't want to exert themselves too much. You can also set off on one of the dirt paths for a moderately challenging hike.
It's also one of my favorite places to take nature photographs. This is an easy day trip from SF.
>> More great National Parks in and near San Francisco
>> Find tips to get from SF to Muir Woods
>> What you need to know to the the Muir Woods shuttles
3. Napa Valley
Travel Time from SF: Just over an hour north
This wine region is the most well-known in Northern California. The southern end is just over an hour from SF and it will take about two hours to reach the northern end.
Napa is home to more than 400 wineries. Many of them open their doors to the public daily for wine tasting.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the red wine of choice from Napa. However, winemakers here also do an amazing job with Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
If you love whites, check out this region's Chardonnays. I've also tasted some great Sauvignon Blanc wines and some lovely sparkling white wines.
>> Here are some fun things to do all around Napa Valley
4. Sonoma County Wine Country
Travel Time from SF: About an hour north
To the west of Napa, you will find hundreds of delicious Northern Californian wines throughout Sonoma County. The county is broken up into a number of regions. You can reach the southern regions in about an hour and it will take about an hour and a half to reach the northern end.
If you love Pinot Noir, check out the Russian River Valley or Carneros.
Zinfandel lovers should head north to Dry Creek Valley. This region also offers some of the best Syrah in the area.
If you want just a sampling of the wines from this region, then head to Sonoma Valley, which is an easy drive from both San Francisco and Napa Valley.
Click the links below for more details about visiting Sonoma.
>> My 15 Favorite Wineries in Sonoma
Are you interested in taking a day trip from SF to wine country? If so, then visit this page to find the best tours to Northern California Wine Country from San Francisco.
5. Sausalito
Travel Time from SF: 25-minute drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, 30-45 minutes by ferry
Another close place for a day trip from San Francisco is Sausalito. This is a common place for people to visit as it's only a short ferry ride away.
In this cute seaside village, you can shop at boutique stores, enjoy fresh seafood as you gaze out at the SF Bay, or visit Sausalito's museums.
Outside of sampling saltwater taffy along Bridgeway, one of my favorite things to do here is to visit the Bay Model Visitor Center. Here you can check out a three-dimensional hydraulic model of the SF Bay. It might sound strange, but believe me, it is really cool!
If you are traveling with kids, you will all enjoy a visit to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. It's full of fun kids' activities, games, and exploration.
6. Yosemite
Travel Time from SF: 4.5 hours east
Yosemite is a beautiful national park about four and a half hours from San Francisco. It's home to El Capitan, where you can watch climbers make a straight-up ascent from the floor of the valley; Half Dome, which offers you the chance to scale a rock to see Yosemite from above; and Yosemite Falls, a set of three falls with hiking trails and amazing views.
While in Yosemite, you can also visit their museum, enjoy a meal, spend the night at one of their campsites, or ride horses all afternoon. It's an amazing place and the main subject of many Ansel Adams black and white photographs.
Although you can get here in one day, if you have more time, I recommend booking a hotel and exploring for an additional day or two. If you love the outdoors, this place will amaze you and you'll never want to leave it!
>> Fun things to do near Yosemite
>> Tips to enjoy the Sugar Pine Railroad
7. Angel Island
Travel Time from SF: About an hour by ferry
Angel Island is also a great day trip from San Francisco. While it sits close by in the SF Bay, I consider it a day trip as the ferries to and from only run a couple of times a day.
If you head over in the morning, you will have to stay until the late afternoon. That will give you plenty of time to explore.
On the island, you can hike, bike, or take a Segway Tour. You can also visit a couple of museums or spend some time outside in one of the cafes.
My favorite thing to do is hike to the top of the mountain in the picture shown above. From this point, you get an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the SF skyline.
>> More Things to See & Do Here
8. Tiburon
Travel Time from SF: 30 minutes to an hour by ferry (some ferries make multiple stops), 30-minute drive
A cute seaside town just to the north of SF is Tiburon. It's about a half-hour north of San Francisco by car or the Tiburon ferry. This small town offers you the chance to do a little shopping and enjoy one of its waterfront restaurants.
Its most famous waterfront restaurant is Sam's. On a warm summer day, you will find a large crowd soaking in the rays and enjoying a nice cold beer or some tasty local wine.
9. Big Sur
Travel Time from SF: 2.5 hours south via Hwy 101, 3.5 hours via Hwy 1
Big Sur is a stretch of undeveloped shoreline about two and a half hours south of San Francisco. Its stunning scenery and peaceful surroundings make it one of the more popular day trips from San Francisco.
In addition to checking out the views, you can also do some hiking, hang out on the beach, or camp for the night. The area does have a few hotels and restaurants, but it's still mostly natural, which is why more than 7 million people visit each year.
This place does have problems with mud and rock slides, so make sure to check if there are any issues with it before you arrive.
10. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Travel Time from SF: Just over 2 hours south via Highway 101
About 30 minutes south of Monterey (and about two and half hours from SF) is another quaint town, Carmel. This village offers shopping at dozens of high-end shops, a beautiful beach for sunbathing, and several places to go wine tasting.
It's smaller than Monterey but just as cute and friendly. It's one of my favorite places to go in order to escape the city.
>> Best places to stay in Carmel
>> Best things to do in Carmel, CA
Are you looking for additional ideas in Northern California? This list offer 31 of the best things to do all around the Northern California region.
11. Half Moon Bay
Travel Time from SF: 35 minutes south via Hwy 101, 45 minutes via Hwy 1
Half Moon Bay is a small town on the Pacific Coast. It's a dream vacation for surfers and is famous for its Mavericks Surfing Competition held most years.
Even if you don't like to surf, you will still find some fun things to do here. You can spend the day on one of its many beaches, hike its trails that offer amazing views of the water, or grab a cocktail at the Ocean Terrace Bar at the Ritz Carlton for the best sunsets.
You can also head over to the local distillery for a tour, gaze up at the redwoods in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, or do a little wine tasting.
>> More fun things to do in Half Moon Bay
12. Marin Headlands
Travel Time from SF: 15 minutes north across the Golden Gate Bridge, 1 hour by bike
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find the Marin Headlands. It's one of the best places to get a picture of the bridge with San Francisco in the background.
You will also find a few additional attractions nearby including the Point Bonita Lighthouse, several old military batteries (the most visited is Battery Spencer), and some hiking trails.
You can either get here by car or by bike. If you decide to ride a bike across the bridge, there is a lane on the East side of the bridge specifically for walking or cycling. If you decide to drive over, it takes less than 30 minutes to get there and the views alone are worth the visit!
13. Mount Tamalpais State Park
Travel Time from SF: 30 minutes north
If you love to hike, don't miss some of the best hiking in the Bay Area at Mount Tamalpais State Park. Inside the park (often referred to as Mount Tam), you will find more than 60 miles of hiking trails. They also link to several other state parks which connect you to a total of our 200 miles of trails.
You will find trails for hikers of all levels and ability. The most popular hike is a moderate hike that includes the Matt Davis, Steep Ravine, and Dipsea Trail. You will get some amazing views on this trail and it includes a hike to the top of Mt. Tam.
A less strenuous hike that is also popular is the Verna Dunshee Trail combined with the Plank Trail.
Make sure to bring along some snacks and water as there is nowhere in the park to pick these up.
14. Santa Rosa
Travel Time from SF: About an hour north
Santa Rosa is the county seat and largest city in Sonoma County. It's another great jumping-off point for visiting the amazing wineries and tasting some delicious wines in this area, including those in the Russian River Valley.
Santa Rosa is less than an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is one of the more popular options for day trips from San Francisco.
In addition to wine tasting, you will find several other fun things to do including visiting the historic Railroad Square, the Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center (Snoopy and Charlie Brown!), and Safari West. You will also find a large selection of hotels here.
15. Healdsburg
Travel Time from SF: About 1 hour and 20 minutes north
Healdsburg is another popular spot in Sonoma County. This wine country town is the meeting point for Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and the Russian River Valley.
Many people use it as their base for tasting in these regions. You will also find a number of great places to taste right in town and around their town square.
Other fun things to do here include attending some of their popular festivals, checking out some of their amazing restaurants, or exploring its historic town square.
Healdsburg is just over an hour north of SF.
16. Stinson Beach
Travel Time from SF: About an hour north
Another one of the fun day trips from San Francisco is Stinson Beach. It's only about 20 miles north of SF but takes about an hour to get there.
This low-key town (only about 600 residents) is popular for the beach. It's also perfect for those looking to do some hiking, bird watching, or just spending some time in the outdoors.
There are only a couple of places to stay and about a half-dozen places to eat, so many people prefer to just spend the day there and then return to SF.
17. Point Reyes National Seashore
Travel Time from SF: 1 hour and 15 minutes north
This gorgeous national park is about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Some of my top picks include the hike to Alamere Falls (starting at the Palomarin Trailhead), the 1870 Point Reyes Lighthouse, the Cyprus Tree Tunnel and seeing the Elephant Seals (for those visiting between December and March).
You can either hike or drive around the park to see many of its main attractions.
18. Bodega Bay
Travel Time from SF: 1.5 hours north
Bodega Bay is a cute oceanfront town that is about an hour and a half north of San Francisco. Some of the best things to do here include water activities such as sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. People also love to come here just to hang out on the beach or go horseback riding.
Make sure to also leave some time to check out the Fishetarian Fish Market. They have some of the best clam chowder and fish & chips around. They are open 7 days a week.
19. Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve
Travel Time from SF: 1.5 hours north
Another great place to see some of our amazing giant redwoods is Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. It's about an hour and 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are several hiking options here with loops that range from just around a mile to up to 10 miles. The shorter ones are mostly flat and the longer ones will give you a great workout.
The trees in this park often live between 500 to 1,000 years and grow up to 200 to 250 feet tall. You can drive around the park a bit, but the best way to see these magnificent trees is on foot.
>> Find more top parks to see redwoods near SF
20. Jenner
Travel Time from SF: 1 hour and 45 minutes north
If you really want to get away from it all, then head up to Jenner. This lovely waterfront town is a great place to kick back and relax.
Just to the south of Jenner, you will find the Sonoma Coast State Park where you can do a little hiking or enjoy the views at Goat Rock State Beach. Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve is also a short drive away as well as several Sonoma wineries.
There are only a few small places to stay and all have wonderful views. You will also find a couple of great restaurants including my favorite, the River's End Restaurant.
21. Anderson Valley
Travel Time from SF: 2 hours and 20 minutes north
Less than two and a half hours north of San Francisco, you will find the up-and-coming wine region of Anderson Valley. It isn't as built-up or as popular as Napa or Sonoma, but it's an amazing experience for those looking for a unique wine tasting option.
There are about four dozen wineries in this region and they are a bit more spread out than Napa or Sonoma. Almost all offer drop-in tastings. Due to the cooler temperatures and just a bit of elevation, most wineries here focus on Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
Boonville is the main town on the southern end. It's isn't large—only around 8,000 people—but it's a great place to find a hotel. It's also home to a very successful brewery called the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.
>> Additional top wine regions around Northern California
22. Silicon Valley
Travel Time from SF: 45 minutes south by car, 1-2 hours by train (longer on the weekends)
Silicon Valley is home to dozens of tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Facebook. Although most don't offer an inside view of their facilities, you can easily drive around checking out some of these most valued companies in the world.
You can also stroll through Stanford University's campus in Palo Alto and visit one of several technology museums in the area.
Silicon Valley is made up of several towns, including Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, and Santa Clara.
23. San Jose
Travel Time from SF: Just over an hour south by car
San Jose is also part of Silicon Valley, but I wanted to separate it out as it has so much to offer. San Jose is the largest city in Northern California and makes for one of the best urban day trips from San Francisco.
Here you will find some great museums, a large performing arts community (with opera, ballet, and theater performances), and several unique districts including everything from the downtown area to Japantown.
San Jose is also where you will find the Bay Area's NHL team, the San Jose Sharks, and MLS team, the San Jose Earthquakes. In addition, the San Francisco 49ers play just north of San Jose at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
24. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Travel Time from SF: 1.5 hours south
About an hour and a half south of San Francisco, and about an hour west of San Jose, you will find the oldest California State Park. Big Basin Redwoods State Park covers around 18,000 acres.
It's famous for its ancient coastal redwoods that are between 1,000 and 1,800 years old. Inside the park, you will find around 80 miles of hiking trails. Along these trails, you will find views of the Pacific Ocean and dozens of waterfalls.
The recent fire in 2020 impacted the trees here and it will take time to regrow. Some trails are still closed, so make sure to check the latest on their reopening before you plan your visit.
25. Henry W. Coe State Park
Travel Time from SF: 1.5-2 hours southeast
On the eastern side of San Jose, about an hour and 45 minutes from San Francisco, you will find another great state park named Henry W. Coe State Park. The park covers around 87,000 acres and is the largest state park in the SF Bay Area.
It's a wonderful place to reconnect with nature with more than 200 miles of trails. Some of the trails are well maintained and easy to follow. Others are overgrown and might be hard to spot. Either way, you will find plenty of space to relax, unwind, and enjoy the outdoors.
26. Año Nuevo State Reserve
Travel Time from SF: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Año Nuevo State Reserve is another one of my favorite day trips from San Francisco. The biggest draw to this beach and wildlife reserve is the northern elephant seals.
You will find them all year round on the beaches near the Pacific Ocean.
To see the seals, you must pick up a permit at the visitor's center. They are a hot commodity during mating season (mid-December to late March), so make sure to reserve yours ahead of time.
Visitor access to the elephant seals is closed during the first two weeks of December when the pregnant seals arrive on the beaches.
The only way to see the seals is by walking a 3 to 4-mile trail through the reserve. It's a flat walk with plenty of wildlife and other things to see along the way.
27. Santa Cruz
Travel Time from SF: 1.5 hours south
Just south of Año Nuevo State Reserve and on the northern end of Monterey Bay is the city of Santa Cruz. This bustling college town offers a variety of activities.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is fun for the entire family all year long. This seaside amusement park opened in 1907 and is home to the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and the Looff Carousel (both are national historic landmarks).
It's open daily from April through Labor Day Weekend and some parts of it are also open during the off-season.
Santa Cruz is also a great place to find unique art pieces created by local artists, go whale watching, or spend some time sampling local beers and wine.
>> More fun things to do in Santa Cruz
28. Pebble Beach
Travel Time from SF: 2-2.5 hours south
Just south of Monterey, you will find the famous golf town of Pebble Beach. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rolls into town every February and is the biggest event of the year.
The courses here are open to the public and are rated as some of the best in the country. It's also part of the gorgeous 17-Mile Drive between Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Even if you don't like to golf, it's worth a quick stop to see the courses and their views. It's another great find on the Monterey Peninsula.
>> More about visiting 17-Mile Drive
29. Carmel Valley
Travel Time from SF: 2-2.5 hours
The biggest draw to Carmel Valley is the wine tasting rooms centered around Carmel Valley Village. You will find almost 20 tasting rooms within just a few minutes of each other.
The wines that grow well here include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc.
If you want to stay for a night or two, you will also find some great high-end hotels and boutiques in Carmel Valley Village.
It's about a 20-minute drive inland from the Monterey Coast and about 2.5 hours from San Francisco.
30. Oakland
Travel Time from SF: 15 minutes driving (up to an hour in rush hour traffic), 20 minutes on BART
Just across the San Francisco Bay is the lively city of Oakland. You will find tons of things to do here including world-class museums, Jack London Square, and Oakland A's baseball.
The Rockridge and Temescal area of Oakland are a food lover's dream. Lake Merritt is a great place for a nice walk, run, or gondola ride. These are just a few of the most popular things to do around Oakland.
Most of these places are a quick 15- to 20-minute BART ride away from downtown San Francisco.
31. Berkeley
Travel Time from SF: 20 minutes driving (up to an hour in rush hour traffic), 40 minutes on BART
A little further north of Oakland, you will find the university town of Berkeley. Here you can do some shopping, check out the UC Berkeley Campus, and enjoy an amazing meal.
Other fun things to do here include attending a concert at the Greek Theatre, catching a theater performance, or going hiking in Tilden Park. Two of my other favorites here include visiting the Lawrence Hall of Science and the Botanical Gardens.
Berkeley is also just a 40-minute BART ride away from San Francisco.
32. Mount Diablo State Park
Travel Time from SF: 1 hour and 15 minutes east by car
If you are heading over to the East Bay and are looking for a nice outdoor adventure, then check out the hiking at Mount Diablo State Park. You can either walk or hike to its peak at 3,849 feet.
From the top, you will see most of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, and out to the Pacific Ocean. There is also a visitors' center at the peak that is open daily.
The drive to the peak takes about an hour and 15 minutes from San Francisco.
33. Livermore Valley
Travel Time from SF: About an hour by car
You will find wine regions on all three sides of San Francisco. The closest to the east is the Livermore Valley.
There are more than 50 wineries in the Livermore Valley area. Even though this region isn't as well known, the first grapes were planted here in the 1760s with the first commercial grapes planted in the 1840s.
The region offers wineries the chance to produce everything from Merlot to Chardonnay. Quite a few of the tasting rooms are open Friday through Sunday with some of the bigger ones open all week long.
Livermore Valley is about an hour's drive from San Francisco.
>> Find a full list of great places to taste here
34. Fairfield
Travel Time from SF: About an hour northeast by car
Fairfield is an unassuming town on Highway I-80 about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento. If you speed by it on the freeway, it will seem like there isn't much to do here except gas up your car and head through the drive-thru for some fast food.
However, one fun thing to do here is to visit the Jelly Belly Factory. Their headquarters and visitors center is located at One Jelly Belly Lane. On their self-guided tour, you will see how these tasty treats are made each day. In the end, you will also get the chance to pick up some of your favorites for the road.
35. Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
Travel Time from SF: About 1-1.5 hours northeast by car
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a fun summer weekend getaway. It's an inland river delta that covers around 1,100 square miles.
Most people come for the boating. However, there are plenty of other fun things to do, including hiking, fishing or camping. You can also check out the fun bars and restaurants in the small towns of Isleton, Rio Vista, or Clarksburg.
Depending on which area you decide to visit, you will find it between one to two hours away from San Francisco.
36. Sacramento
Travel Time from SF: 1.5-2 hours northeast, depending on traffic
Sacramento is another one of the popular day trips from San Francisco. About 90 minutes away from SF, you will find plenty of things to do in this capital city.
Some of my top picks include visiting the California State Capitol, strolling around Old Sacramento, or watching a Sacramento Kings basketball game. You can also check out the large collection of Californian and European art at the Crocker Art Museum or visit the California State Railroad Museum.
Sacramento is full of wonderful restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities too.
37. Lodi
Travel Time from SF: 1.5-2 hours east, depending on traffic
About an hour and a half east of San Francisco, you will find yet another Northern California wine region. Lodi is home to more than 80 wineries growing a diverse array of grapes. Some of the most planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel.
The fun part is that you will find a number of tasting rooms in the downtown area, so you can park your car and walk from one to the next. There are also plenty of places to stay here if you decide not to drive back after a day of tasting.
38. Lake Tahoe
Travel Time from SF: 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic
You will love a visit to Tahoe, a large alpine lake that borders Nevada State in the Sierras. Lake Tahoe offers dozens of places to ski and snowboard in the winter. In the summer months, you can enjoy water sports, hiking, and biking through the mountains.
When people talk about Lake Tahoe, they will often refer to either North Lake or South Lake. North Lake is home to Boreal, Sugar Bowl, and Incline Village. South Lake Tahoe is home to Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Sierra at Tahoe.
Either is about 3.5 to 4 hours away from San Francisco.
39. Sierra National Forest
Travel Time from SF: 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic
Just south of Yosemite is the Sierra National Forest. You will find some amazing vistas here and plenty of places to go hiking or fishing.
Some of my favorite stops include views of Fresno Dome (a large granite rock formation) and Nelder Grove (home to more than 100 Giant Sequoia trees). You can drive to both of these and they also offer some hiking trails too.
It's about three and a half hours from San Francisco and a perfect stop on the way to its northern neighbor Yosemite.
40. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Travel Time from SF: 5-6 hours depending on traffic
Head just south of Yosemite and Sierra National Forest and you will find both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. You can easily visit both in one day (and they are administered together by the parks service), so I have them as just one entry.
Kings Canyon National Park is on the northern side and right next to Sierra National Forest. It gets its name from a rugged glacier-carved valley and several 14,000-foot peaks. The biggest draw is General Grant, the second-largest tree in the world, which you will find in Grant Grove.
You will also find plenty of places to go for a walk or hike. The Pacific Crest Trail/John Muir Trail crosses the entire distance of this park.
Just to the south is Sequoia National Park. This park is home to the highest point in the contiguous US, Mount Whitney. It's also home to the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world.
A visit to either or both of these parks is an amazing experience and one you will not forget. Even though these days trips from San Francisco will take quite a while to get to, I know you will remember your experience here for a lifetime.
>> More great places to find giant sequoias near SF
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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