The San Francisco Bay Area has everything to offer the wanderlust hungry, outdoor loving, adventure thirsty traveler. From hiking in the Bay Area to exploring the city of San Francisco, it’s hard to get bored here. For us, every weekend is a chance to explore one of California’s many iconic destinations, from Big Sur to Yosemite National Park.
San Francisco is the gateway to reach several amazing destinations in Northern and Central California. Within a few hours of scenic driving, you can reach several beach towns, coastal cities, National and State Parks, mountain towns, lake towns, and so much more!
Driving up or down the Pacific Coast Highway will lead you to amazing beach towns like Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur in the South or Bodega Bay, Mendocino, and Fort Bragg in the North.
Our list of the best 10 easy weekend trips from San Francisco takes into account a range of interests, from indoors to outdoors, and motives from adventure to relaxation, so that you can enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The options are endless, and the memories made are undeniably rewarding!
1. Guerneville and Russian River Valley
A favorite vacation spot for LGBTQ travelers since the 70s, this once-sleepy town (outside of its long-running Lazy Bear Weekend and Women’s Weekend events) has experienced something of a resurgence in recent years. Bay Area locals stay in Airstreams at luxury glamping retreat AutoCamp, sample farm-to-table cuisine at boon eat + drink, and divide their time between wine tasting along Westside Road, dog walking amid the old-growth Armstrong Redwoods, and floating down the river from Johnson’s Beach.
Twenty minutes outside of town, the Sonoma Coast towns of Jenner and Bodega Bay (where Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds was filmed) are worthwhile additions to any weekend getaway itinerary. Read more about Russian River
2. Sausalito, San Francisco
Located within an hour of San Francisco, Sausalito is the perfect place to begin your weekend trip away. Use it as a pit stop before continuing the drive to another destination.
When here, I recommend visiting the Point Bonita Lighthouse for panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re a marine life enthusiast, you’re in for a real treat at the Marine Mammal Center where you can learn about various marine mammals.
The water fun continues with a selection of water activities, including kayaking and sailing. If you’d rather enjoy a leisurely outing, set up your towel on Stinson Beach and sunbathe with dramatic cliff views in the distance.
For fun away from water, there are several hikes waiting in the area, with the SCA and Slackers Hill high on my list of recommendations. They offer up some of the best views in the Bay Area.
3. Napa Valley
California’s most famous wine country region, Napa is one of the best places to visit for a weekend trip from San Francisco, especially if you’re a fan of rolling vineyards.
There are over 400 wineries in Napa Wine Country, a region that is most famous for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Some people like to say that the wine tasting in Napa is overrated or a little too posh at times, but there’s no doubt that it’s worth visiting at least once to make up your own mind.
Plus, if you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway, the scenery and luxury accommodation options in Napa are hard to beat. Besides wine tasting, this is also one of the most popular areas in California for hot air ballooning. It makes sense with the miles of beautiful wine country scenery below. So if you’re not afraid of heights and you have the budget, this is another activity that should be added to your time in the area.
4. Big Sur
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (47555 Hwy 1; 831-667-2315), the best-known section of Big Sur, has gorgeous redwood groves and an 80-foot waterfall. Abandon your modesty for a soak in the clothing-optional hot springs at Esalen Institute, a New Age retreat open to the public by reservation only. In the evening, watch the sunset from the heated patio at Nepenthe, where you’ll get views of the mountains and ocean.
Treebones Resort, a community of yurts furnished with queen-sized beds and heaters starting at $320/night. For a more rustic experience, roll out sleeping bags in the resort’s Human Nest, a lofted, woven-wood-art shelter.
5. Healdsburg and Sonoma wine country
It’s hard to see all of Sonoma wine county in a single weekend—it’s larger and more spread out than neighboring Napa Valley. Instead, make the northern town of Healdsburg, which is experiencing something of a revival, your home base for the weekend. In the past two years, a long list of exciting new hotels, restaurants, and tasting rooms have joined the area—giving the historic town a burst of new energy.
Yes, of course, you could spend an entire day tasting wine (it is Sonoma County, after all), but you’ll also want to explore the area’s natural beauty. To do so, join a cycling tour at Russian River Adventures to explore the area on two wheels with a knowledgeable guide, or combine your ride with a kayak adventure on Getaway Adventures’ pedal-paddle tour.
Healdsburg’s food scene is also a big reason to visit: It’s home to three- Michelin-starred restaurant SingleThread (and awardee of a Michelin Green Star), and the team’s newly opened vegan café, bar, and restaurant, Little Saint. (Pro move: You can also try their dips while sampling pinot noirs at the beautifully designed, downtown tasting room for Marine Layer.) For a more casual lunch or dinner, grab a pizza on the rooftop at the Matheson, or settle down for cocktails and fried chicken at Lo+Behold. The town also has an excellent farmers’ market on Saturdays.
6. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a small California beach town located between the San Francisco Bay area and Monterey Bay. The city is known for its stunning sandy beaches, charming downtown area, and many green spaces.
And with Santa Cruz’s year-round decent weather, it is a great destination for anyone looking for a break from the busy city life in San Francisco. Santa Cruz is located about 76 miles from San Francisco, which takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by car when there’s no traffic. Santa Cruz offers a wide array of activities for visitors! For example, if you’re looking to spend the day in the heart of the city and at one of its most iconic spots, head to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Mystery Spot is a very popular tourist attraction in Santa Cruz, where the gravitational laws go haywire, and you will be amazed at how you can appear diagonal while standing straight!
Alternatively, if you want to see the incredible nature spaces that Santa Cruz is home to, make your way to Westlake Park! This park is perfect for a picnic and allows you to admire the tall redwood trees!
7. Monterey
If you are looking for a coastal weekend getaway from Bay Area, Monterey is a great destination.
This Central California city is known for its beautiful coastline and vibrant downtown area, and you will find many fun things to do in Monterey on your weekend trip. Monterey is about 116 miles from San Francisco, and it will take you about 2 hours to drive here in normal traffic. You can also take a guided tour from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel beach towns.
Among the best things to do in Monterey is visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has many stunning exhibits that showcase the flora and fauna of the bay. The aquarium is a popular destination, so plan on visiting early or late in the day. Take a boat trip or kayak the calm waters of Monterey Bay. You will find boat cruises at Old Fisherman’s Wharf and kayak rentals as well. The views from the water are beautiful, and you may see otters, sea lions, and sea birds.
Another popular thing to do is to enjoy the famous 17-Mile Drive through the town of Pebble Beach. The drive features 17 stops, many of which offer beautiful ocean views. There are beaches where you can relax, and several restaurants for lunch or drinks.
8. Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is an easy day trip from San Francisco, but stop and stay awhile and you’ll find a multitude of reasons to return to its windswept coastline time and time again. On the drive over from SF, park up in Point Reyes Station town for provisions: Cowgirl Creamery is your go-to for cheese and charcuterie, Point Reyes Books is where you can stock up on reading material, Tony’s Feed Barn brews the best coffee in town, and Bovine Bakery is a must-visit for homemade chai tea and pizza.
En route from town to the seashore, drop in for tastings at Heidrun Meadery and Point Reyes Vineyards, and get your Tomales Bay oyster fix at Marshall Store (order the fish tacos, too) or Hog Island Oyster Co. Food and drink aside, make time to go hiking (if you only have time for one trail, make it Chimney Rock) and visit Tule Elk Preserve, the Cypress Tree Tunnel, Point Reyes Shipwreck, and 150-year-old Point Reyes Lighthouse.
9. Half Moon Bay
Located under an hour from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is another great start to a weekend trip from San Francisco. While it’s not filled to the brim with attractions like some of the places on this guide, it’s still worth a visit.
See some of the west coast’s best scenery while riding a bike across the 4.7-mile Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail. If you prefer exploring on foot, then make your way to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and take on their various trails — beware though, I think most of them are suited to experienced hikers.
When you aren’t lazing around on one of the town’s beaches, go view the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Park before continuing to some of the more eventful destinations.
10. Sacramento
If you’re looking to get lost in California’s pioneer history, there’s no better city than Sacramento to take you back in time to the Gold Rush era.
Less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, this historic city is a great weekend trip from San Francisco. And it has a lot to offer besides just its gold panning history and the fact that it’s the state capital of California.
Although mostly known for its politics and agriculture, in recent years, Sacramento has become a trendy city in its own right. These days, it’s especially known for its bustling foodie scene, street art around every corner, and a decent craft beer culture.
It’s also nicknamed “The City of Trees” for its countless green parks and different types of trees you’ll find all over the city.
And if you are looking to explore more of the city’s history, you won’t want to miss the Old Sacramento State Historic Park. The park allows you to step back in time to the 19th century and California’s pioneer days with historic storefronts and cobblestone streets.
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