San Francisco is a type of magical cities – a bucket checklist vacation vacation spot within the US, assured to make you are feeling like you might be stepping right into a film set. Whether or not heading to the curvy Lombard Road or museum hopping between the Palace of Advantageous Arts and California Academy of Science, there are lots of issues to do in San Francisco.

And whereas it doesn’t have a quaint downtown space, as a substitute having super-sized skyscrapers and a relentless buzz, San Fran is an thrilling place to go to. San Fran is an excellent spot in Northern California, and we will see why you wish to go to a lot. So with all this thought-about, why would you want to depart, even only for a day journey? These 33 best-day journeys from San Francisco will reply that for us.

33 Finest Day Journeys from San Francisco

When you have greater than 72 hours in San Francisco, a day journey ought to positively be in your playing cards. Town is ideally located to offer you a launchpad to discover the encircling space. You could possibly head off to the Santa Cruz Mountains or nip to the Golden Gate Bridge on an prolonged day journey. There are simply so many choices relating to day-tripping from San Fran. These are your prime 33 decisions.

1. Monterey

What do sardines and John Steinbeck have in widespread? Monterey is a coastal metropolis south of San Fran. Monterey is an ideal day journey from San Francisco, providing a extra compact really feel than its bigger neighbor. Town is an image of coastal dwelling, with cutesy and ever-so-slightly-tacky present retailers and loads of seafood eating places. Its finest sights are the well-known Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Outdated Fisherman’s Wharf, at all times alive with over-the-water actions and cultural occasions.

At only a 2-hour drive every approach, it’s a positively possible day journey in case you lease a automotive. You’ll be driving via the San Francisco Bay Space and have a choose and mixture of little waterfront cities and cities to select from as stop-off factors. This gorgeous little seaside spot is a perfect addition to an ocean lover’s itinerary and anybody who needs a little bit of tacky seafront dwelling for a day.

Be sure to take a look at our submit on the Finest Issues to do in Monterey for extra concepts.

• Distance from San Francisco: 2-hour drive

2. Sonoma

Sonoma is a historic metropolis to day journey to and much more tempting for any wine lovers because it’s within the midst of the wine-tasting area of Sonoma Valley. Colonial buildings strew the historic downtown, and there’s even the Mission San Francisco Solano for some spiritual historical past. Nevertheless, equally, there are over 10 wine-tasting homes inside strolling distance of the town heart in case you’d favor to get pleasure from some vino. Sonoma is the perfect mix between historical past and wine and a phenomenal spot for a day journey. It’s simply an hour’s drive north of San Fran or a 2.5-hour bus trip in case you’d favor to have a drink whereas visiting.

Sonoma isn’t simply an grownup day journey both; the town has Sonoma Practice City Railroad, an amusement park with a miniature practice taking visitors to a mannequin city. You possibly can shortly flip this vacation spot right into a family-friendly day journey.

• Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour’s drive or 2.5-hours by public transport

3. Sausalito

Sausalito is a dreamy seashore neighborhood and a vibrant spot for a day journey in case you keep in San Fran for a couple of days. Essentially the most spectacular a part of the town is its neighborhood of floating houses and brightly coloured paintings. You go to Sausalito to admire it and simply stroll across the metropolis heart for a day. Its architectural and portray views are spectacular. Because the icing on the cake, Sausalito additionally has stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Space and its iconic bridge. And in case you fancy an journey, you possibly can catch the ferry throughout to go to.

San Francisco guests are probably day-tripping to the Golden Gate Bridge anyway, so Sausalito is the simplest detour. You possibly can simply mix it with day journeys to the bridge and Golden Gate Nationwide Recreation Space, particularly if you wish to drop in for one thing to eat, as Sausalito has some glorious waterfront eateries.

• Distance from San Francisco: 30-minutes by ferry

4. Oakland

Sitting tucked in amongst numerous neighborhoods in East Bay, Oakland is the most important East Bay metropolis within the San Francisco Bay Space. For a lot of, it’s the ‘Brooklyn’ to San Fran’s ‘New York’ attraction. Town throughout the water is San Francisco’s excellent counterpart, providing a phenomenal bridge and a extra fashionable vibe. Oakland has road artwork murals, Victorian structure, artwork deco theaters, and a ton of eating places and bars. And the nightlife and hospitality scene is past thriving.

You possibly can catch the ferry on to Jack London Sq., a considerable glitzy marina with a phenomenal waterfront promenade. In order for you someplace you possibly can go to utilizing public transport on a day journey from San Fran metropolis heart, Oakland is good. No automotive is important.

• Distance from San Francisco: 13-minutes by ferry

5. Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is a day journey that seems on virtually each itinerary for San Fran. However don’t let its mainstream attract put you off. This infamous jail was as soon as residence to a number of the most feared criminals in US historical past, together with Al Capone. Surrounded by fierce waves, rumored sharks, and intense surveillance, escape from this island jail was close to unattainable and virtually at all times deadly. Fortunately, this jail is retired from obligation and is now accessible as a vacationer vacation spot and interesting museum. Simply soar on an everyday ferry, and also you’ll be capable to discover – guided by an info-packed audio information,

The ferry takes lower than an hour, and also you’ll journey parallel to the Golden Gate, so count on sensible views. Tickets are a bit expensive for the day tour ferry, entrance, and audio tour, totaling round $35+ per particular person. Nevertheless, the expertise is properly value it. Alcatraz Island is infamous and completely well-known in prison historical past.

• Distance from San Francisco: 1-hour

6. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a surprising lake cut up in half by the Nevada and California border. As the most important alpine lake in North America, it’s a raging hotspot for watersports from spring to fall. Whereas in winter, the mountains that again the lake turn out to be extremely wanted for snowboarding and snowboarding. There are such a lot of issues to do in Lake Tahoe, particularly in case you love out of doors actions. For a day of snowboarding or watersports, Lake Tahoe is a agency favourite of San Fran’s day journey choices. And in case you fancy a flutter with playing, it’s one of the accessible locations to cross the Nevada border to succeed in authorized casinos.

Lake Tahoe is 3.5 hours away from San Fran by automotive, reducing via Sacramento and Tahoe Nationwide Forest or Eldorado Nationwide Forest. If you happen to can insure a number of drivers on a rental automotive, this can be a possible day journey if you rotate driving time between individuals. And in case you set off early sufficient, you’ll be capable to get pleasure from a full day of out of doors actions.

• Distance from San Francisco: 3.5-hours by automotive

7. Berkeley

Berkeley is a hub of schooling and tutorial status. So in case you fancy visiting one of the prestigious houses of schooling within the US, this can be a excellent day journey from San Francisco metropolis heart. As you’ll count on, there are lots of museums in Berkeley, together with the Berkeley Pure Historical past Museum and Lawrence Corridor of Science. Berkeley Artwork Museum can be properly value a go to, and there are some stunning parks the place you possibly can choose up a ebook and embrace your interior academia. Town is stuffed with tradition and an underrated day journey from San Fran. Berkeley is for you in case you fancy experiencing a number of the tutorial aesthetic but venturing off the crushed path.

Berkeley can be straightforward to go to from San Fran, taking simply 20 minutes by automotive or 45 minutes by public transport. Straightforward.

• Distance from San Francisco: 20-minutes by automotive or 45-minutes by public transport

8. Reno

Reno is one other cross-border possibility and an excellent likelihood to enterprise into Nevada whereas staying in San Fran. Who wouldn’t wish to squeeze two states into one journey? And by automotive, Reno is likely one of the closest locations in Nevada, taking simply 3.5 hours to succeed in a technique. When you have somebody to share the driving with, you possibly can simply rotate driving time and squeeze a visit to Reno into your itinerary.

Sufficient on that, although; why must you really go to within the first place? First, it has the nickname ‘the largest little metropolis on this planet,’ which is an appreciative nod to its assortment of sights. These sights embody the Nevada Museum of Artwork, the Nationwide Car Museum, and the Fleischmann Planetarium. Reno can be thought-about a extra budget-friendly various to Vegas, so in case you fancy a day journey of partying (no alcohol included until you choose a delegated river), it’s very best. We’ve a complete information devoted to the finest issues to do in Reno!

• Distance from San Francisco: 3.5 hours by automotive one-way

9. Turtle Bay Exploration Park

The 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a phenomenal not-for-profit day-tripping spot. You’ll be surrounded by forest and scenic river trails, however with the choice for indoor sights as properly. The park has a museum, botanical backyard, wildlife heart, and forest camp. If you happen to fancy a day journey with all the things in a single place, Turtle Bay Exploration Park has all of the comfort of assorted sights and actions in a single spot. It’s a comparatively prolonged 3-hour and 20-minute drive from San Fran, but the quantity of issues to do within the park justifies the journey. You pay a single entrance charge and get entry to all the things.

When you have a couple of particular person insured in your rental automotive, we’d counsel driving to Turtle Bay Exploration Park through Sacramento. Sacramento makes a superb stopover level. This drive is a bit longer at 4 hours, however combining two sights in a single journey is properly value it.

• Distance from San Francisco: 3-4 hours relying in your route

10. Huge Sur

If you happen to’ve already researched the most effective highway journeys from San Francisco, you’ll know all about Huge Sur. This stretch of central Californian shoreline is likely one of the most dramatic drives you can also make within the US, with highways cuts into the cliffside overlooking seashore after seashore and skipping between coastal cities. If you happen to can hack it, the 4.5-hour drive to the Huge Sur Lookout is likely one of the hottest day journey locations. You’ll be a 9-hour spherical journey, however the dramatic views will make all of it worthwhile. Skirting the elegant fringe of the Pfeiffer Huge Sur State Park, you’ll be passing essentially the most scenic surroundings within the state.

The very best issues to do en route are visiting Gamboa Level, Bixby Creek Bridge, and mountaineering the Partington Cove path. Henry Miller Memorial Library is one other sensible attraction on the way in which, with common readings and reside music on the writer’s outdated residence.

• Distance from San Francisco: 4.5 hours by automotive

11. Drive the Skyline Boulevard to the Silicon Valley Vista Level

Skyline Boulevard is essentially the most scenic drive from the San Fran metropolis heart. For anybody, a bit postpone by the size of a highway journey to Huge Sur, Skyline Boulevard is the best choice and is only a 2-hour spherical journey – a lot simpler than 9 hours straight on the highway. Sights alongside the way in which embody Pulgas Water Temple, Filoli Historic Home & Backyard, and tons of nature preserves. You’ll be hopping out and in and seeing many alternative issues. Ending on the famend Silicon Valley Vista Level, this mini highway journey is a bitesize introduction to the character surrounding San Francisco.

Make the most of a highway journey expertise in northern California. California is the state of all highway journeys, so it’s thrilling to lease a automotive and work some wheels. It is a prime San Fran day journey if you would like an entry-level highway journey expertise.

• Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour by automotive

12. Sebastopol

Sebastopol is likely one of the most unusually named day journeys from San Francisco. Some say its title originated from a bar combat likened to a siege within the Crimean Struggle, however actually, it’s a little bit of a thriller. One other declare to fame it has internationally is being a movie set location in 13 Causes Why – an enormous Netflix hit lately. It’s a metropolis for vacationers to benefit from the wine tasting in Sonoma Valley and quirky sights like Florence Avenue’s Trash Artwork and the West Nation Museum. Walkable and filled with character, it is a superb various to extra mainstream Sonoma.

Sebastopol is an hour and quarter-hour drive from San Fran or 2.5 hours by public transport. At the present time journey is definitely squeezed right into a half or full-day expertise

• Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour and quarter-hour by automotive or 2.5 hours by public transport.

13. Pescadero

This tiny city south of San Fran is someplace you most likely wouldn’t even assume to hover over on a map, not to mention manage as one among your day journeys. So, what precisely makes this spot so distinctive? Except for the much-loved Duarte’s Tavern (a neighborhood vibrant purple restaurant), the city’s entry to the Sequoia Audubon Path attracts essentially the most guests. This path is flat and straightforward to handle, even with younger youngsters, but it surely has unequalled chicken watching and delightful tide swimming pools. There are different close by trails, together with Pescadero Marsh Path and a hike to the Historic Nunziati Trout Ponds. Pescadero is ready in a number of the most stunning but lesser-visited nature preserves and has some basic surroundings.

It’s a easy drive an hour south of the town to get there. This is likely one of the shortest day journeys from San Fran, and whilst you’ll want a automotive, reserving a rental for a day is simple.

• Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour by automotive

14. Santa Cruz

Everybody has heard of Santa Cruz. We’ll maintain our fingers up and say that it’s best to ebook an in a single day keep to get essentially the most out of your go to. However in case you solely have a day journey, you possibly can condense your journey into only a few actions. The Santa Cruz Seaside Boardwalk is the spotlight, and this amusement park has some improbable rides dotted alongside its mile of sandy seashore. For a carefree coastal getaway, Santa Cruz actually hits the spot. Bear in mind to go to the Santa Cruz Browsing Museum, one of many quirkiest sights close to San Fran.

Simply 1.5 hours away from San Fran by automotive, Santa Cruz is a simple day journey logistics-wise. Whereas in case you do have to take public transport, it’s nonetheless possible as only a 2.5-hour journey.

• Distance from San Francisco: 1.5 hours by automotive or 2.5 hours by public transport

15. Level Lobos State Pure Reserve

Level Lobos State Pure Reserve is a spot of actual magnificence with many fabulous sights inside park boundaries. These sights embody Sea Lion Cove, the place you possibly can admire a great deal of sunbathing sea lions from a phenomenal vantage level. In order for you a nature reserve that gives extra encounter-like experiences, Level Lobos offers extra than simply nature trails. Different animals you possibly can spot are sea otters and seals – Level Lobos is like an moral free-range zoo. Convey binoculars and a digital camera and revel in a full time out amongst wildlife.

Level Lobos State Pure Reserve is only a 2-hour and 20-minute drive from San Fran. It is a possible and pleasing day journey possibility, particularly in case you love animals and having wild encounters.

• Distance from San Francisco: 2 hours and 20 minutes by automotive

16. Los Gatos

Los Gatos is likely one of the shortest day journeys from San Francisco. Named ‘the cats’ after the bobcats that after skirted the outskirts of the Bay Space, Los Gatos is a closing outpost earlier than suburbia reaches the Sierra Azul Open House Protect. It’s a nice space to discover on foot, with Vasona Lake County Park, a handful of wineries, and plenty of Victorian-era houses and structure. In brief, Los Gatos is a lesser-visited day journey for vacationers and an unimaginable hybrid of stylish and purely healthful. Los Gatos is that spot if you wish to take aesthetic pictures and seize a espresso at a family-friendly cafe.

Simply an hour away from San Fran by automotive, this is likely one of the most handy day journeys from the town heart. You’ll probably must drive, however organizing with many rental automotive corporations remains to be manageable.

• Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour by automotive

17. San Jose

San Jose is cool, and there’s no level denying it. Town is named a hub of expertise and improvement. Whereas it was residence to the world’s first radio broadcasting station, it continues to offer cutting-edge tech developments. You too can go to the primary broadcasting station, and Mount Hamilton has the world’s third-largest optical refracting telescope on show. After all, you’ll wish to go to Silicon Valley. The historic downtown space has different sights, too, although, like Winchester Thriller Home. There are such a lot of issues to do in San Jose.