11 EPIC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DAY TRIPS FROM SAN FRANCISCO
If you feel like you’ve had your fill of San Francisco’s sights, don’t cross this city off your bucket list just yet, because there are so many incredible places in Northern California to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. After months of sheltering-in-place, local road trips are a great way to explore your own backyard (and honestly, they’re the only thing fueling my wanderlust right now!). So if you’re not quite comfortable venturing out for an overnight getaway just yet, why not plan a day trip? Northern California is home to some of the most magnificent destinations on the planet, many of which are only an hour or two outside of San Francisco!
Whether you’re in San Francisco for a few days or have earned your title as a local, you’ll want to add these 11 Day Trips from San Francisco to your list of places to visit. Truth be told, there’s no better base from which to explore these charming destinations!
*Note: If you’re planning a trip, be sure to reference the most recent CDC Guidelines & Considerations for Travelers and California State Parks website to stay up to date with local & county regulations before your visit.
Big Sur
Distance from San Francisco: 3 hours | Minimum Recommended Time: 9-12 hours
Cue the opening scenes of Big Little Lies! My favorite day trip of all time, Big Sur is home to the scenic coastal drive along California’s Highway 1. Not sure where to stop along the way? Here’s a quick guide with 3 Stunning Stops to Make on Your Day Trip to Big Sur!
Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 30 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 6 hours
World-renowned for its exquisite wine, California's wine country features picturesque rolling hills and gourmet restaurants you just can’t miss on your trip to San Francisco. There are endless wineries to choose from and each region has something unique to offer. You can wine taste to your heart’s content, take a tour to learn more about a vineyard and the wine-making process, or spend the day doing one of my personal favorite things: buy a bottle you love and picnic on the lawn with a DIY charcuterie & sandwiches from the local general store!
*2020 Update: While Napa and Sonoma are both welcoming guests, with the current climate almost all wineries are requiring reservations in advance.
Sausalito
Distance from San Francisco: 30 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 2-4 hours
Looking for Italy vibes in San Francisco? A quick trip across the Golden Gate Bridge will get you there! Located in Marin County, Sausalito is a picturesque seaside town you might easily mistake for a small European village, complete with art galleries and small boutiques. Dine outside at Osteria Divino and transport yourself to a small, coastal Italian town! Stroll the quaint streets and grab a scoop of ice cream at Lappert’s before making your way back to the city.
*Travel Tip: A popular way to get across is by biking to Sausalito and taking the ferry back, which comes with a scenic tour of the San Francisco Bay! You can also drive across, but parking on the weekends can (and will) be a nightmare.
Muir Woods
Distance from San Francisco: 45 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 3-5 hours
City life getting to you? Escape to Muir Woods — it’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature and leave the city behind! Home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth, Muir Woods has so many different hikes and trails to explore, which is why I love bringing family and friends here on their first trip to San Francisco. Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll to get a breath of fresh air or push your limits with a more challenging hike, there’s something for everyone!
*Travel Tip: If you plan to go, don’t forget you must reserve a parking spot or a seat on the shuttle prior to your visit at GoMuirWoods.com.
Half Moon Bay
Distance from San Francisco: 45 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 3-6 hours
You might recognize this coastal California town for its pretty yellow flowers, pumpkins and Christmas trees throughout the year, but it’s also a lovely place for a quick getaway from San Francisco. Whether you’re in the mood for a little beach escape or a hiking trail with breathtaking ocean views, Half Moon Bay will be the perfect fix! For sunset, head to the ocean terrace at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay — crashing waves, cozy fire pits and unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean make sunset here second to none!
Davenport Pier
Shark Fin Cove
Davenport
Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 30 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 5-7 hours
Start or end your day with a visit to Shark Fin Cove in Davenport — this little gem located off Highway 1 is named for the large fin-shaped rock that sticks out of the water. You can take a path up towards the overlook and then down to find the lovely beach. Davenport is also famous for its abandoned pier that sits in the water (which is sometimes accompanied by a swing!) and is breathtakingly beautiful at sunset. Bring a picnic blanket and stay for the day, or make your way to Santa Cruz to enjoy two trips in one!
Santa Cruz
Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 30 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 5-7 hours
Located on California’s central coast, Santa Cruz is a buzzing beach town known for its Beach Boardwalk, a seaside amusement park with vintage roller coasters, nostalgic eats and games galore! The amusement park may be closed for now, but on a sunny day you can head to the beach to enjoy the sand and surf. And there’s certainly more beyond the Boardwalk: Santa Cruz is really growing as a foodie destination and if you’re a craft coffee lover like me, it’s also the home of Verve Coffee Roasters!
Carmel & Monterey
Distance from San Francisco: 2 hours | Minimum Recommended Time: 6-10 hours
If you’re planning to visit California’s Central Coast, start with the picturesque 17-Mile Drive that stretches from Carmel to Monterey. You can discover hundreds of species of marine life at the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and end your day with sunset and dinner in the beloved California beach town of Carmel. This day trip checks all the boxes for anyone searching for scenic spots and amazing eats!
Mount Tamalpais & STINSON BEACH
Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 30 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 4-6 hours
Just north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, Mount Tamalpais is a California state park that offers picturesque hiking trails, sweeping views, picnicking areas and wildlife watching in the great outdoors! Make your way up to the East Peak for sunrise overlooking the San Francisco Bay or choose from a variety of trails to kick off your adventure at Mt. Tam! After your hike, wind down with a well-deserved picnic at Stinson Beach — during the summer months, you can even swim, surf or sunbathe at this 3½-mile stretch of white sand that curves around Bolinas Bay!
tomales bay
Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 15 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 5 hours
Tomales Bay is a long, narrow inlet of the Pacific Ocean located in Marin County along California’s Northern Coast. Oyster farming is one of the main industries on the bay — the two largest producers being Tomales Bay Oyster Company and Hog Island Oyster Company (you may recognize the name from the restaurant inside San Francisco’s Ferry Building). Quaint roadside restaurants sit along the coast, offering some of the freshest seafood around. After a quick hike at Mt. Tam, make your way to Tomales Bay to shuck & slurp oysters on a picnic table overlooking the bay at The Marshall Store ($$) — this cozy seafood shack serves fresh oysters from Tomales Bay Oyster Company and their barbecued oysters are delicious! Nick’s Cove ($$$) is another great spot if you’re looking for more indoor seating and their Cast Iron Mac & Cheese is a must-try!
Point Reyes
Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 30 minutes | Minimum Recommended Time: 6-8 hours
You may recognize Point Reyes for its iconic lighthouse and the magnificent Cypress Tree Tunnel. Point Reyes is a nature reserve located on the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California — it’s a wonderful escape from the city for nature lovers and foodies alike.
Here’s a detailed guide for a Day Trip to Point Reyes which includes all the must-see stops and a can’t-miss restaurant with the best broiled oysters I’ve ever had!
I hope this encourages you to safely venture out and explore your own backyard, whether it’s here in California or elsewhere. Use this time to travel slowly and intentionally — maybe you’ll uncover some hidden gems in your own city!
