San Francisco has so many nice locations only a quick drive from it, and it’s one of many many the explanation why I like San Francisco so dearly.
Where else can you discover towering redwoods, rugged seashores, reaching cityscapes, and peaceable nature escapes multi functional metropolis?
While you’ll be able to actually discover all this in San Francisco correct, typically you simply wish to get away.
Growing up within the East Bay Area, I do know that town has so many potential weekend journeys from San Francisco excellent for any sort of traveler.
Whether you’re in search of a nature escape, a seaside vacation, a wine-filled weekend, or a metropolis escape, you’ll discover it inside a few-hour street journey from San Francisco.
How This San Francisco Weekend Getaways Guide Works
This information solely contains locations that require at the very least one hour of driving distance from San Francisco.
While that excludes a number of favorites, like Pacifica and Half Moon Bay for seaside cities, Oakland and Berkeley for cities, and Muir Woods and Mount Tam for nature, these are extra fitted to day journeys, which is one other submit totally that yow will discover right here!
Let’s even be practical: these are the Google-predicted instances at non-peak site visitors, in order that one hour of driving distance can be extra probably two in case you’re doing a weekend getaway from San Francisco at precisely the identical time as everybody else!
So I capped these weekend street journeys from San Francisco at a most distance of 4 hours driving one-way, since I believe greater than that may be a little a lot for a weekend getaway.
This checklist is filled with San Francisco street journeys excellent for a weekend getaway. In different phrases, locations you can get to in 4 hours or much less as per Google’s best-case state of affairs.
OK, technically Sequoia National Park is simply over 4 hours… however since a variety of that’s on I-5, wink, I believe you’ll be able to justify the exception.
But at greater than 1 hour drive, every of those locations warrants at the very least an in a single day keep to get all you can out of every vacation spot and actually get pleasure from it reasonably than rush it.
Best Nature Weekend Road Trips from San Francisco
The Russian River (Guerneville)
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 35 minutes
One of the perfect nature escapes from San Francisco is a simple, lovely hour and a half drive from San Francisco correct.
If you don’t thoughts driving a bit further, I extremely advocate driving into Guerneville through the Bohemian Highway when you attain Sebastopol — it’s a beautiful drive by means of a shaded, foggy, mystical-feeling redwood forest.
There are a number of locations alongside the Russian River worthy of being the primary hub of your San Francisco weekend journey, however I go for Guerneville. (Though you would additionally decide Healdsburg or Monte Rio)
It has an ideal eating scene and can be house to Johnson’s Beach, among the finest river ‘beaches’ which is a superb place to sit back out throughout summery days or to lease an inside tube for some lazy river floating.
Guerneville can be house to Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve, one among my favourite redwood forests close to San Francisco, with nice mountain climbing trails and delightful old-growth forest to be enchanted by.
There are additionally a number of Sonoma wineries inside a 30-minute drive of Guerneville if you wish to add some wine-tasting to your nature escape. (And I want Sonoma wines to Napa wines!)
If you’re wanting a wine-themed getaway with a little bit aspect of the Russian River, I like to recommend both Healdsburg as a day journey or as your primary base.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Hugging the rugged California coast, make your manner as much as lovely Point Reyes for a weekend getaway from San Francisco filled with enchanting mountain climbing trails, attractive sea views, and potential whale watching.
There are so many nice issues to do in Point Reyes that I’ve allotted it its very personal submit! But in a nutshell, in case you’re visiting from San Francisco for a weekend journey, right here’s what I like to recommend.
Visit the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Inverness in your manner up for an unimaginable images alternative in a Game-of-Thrones-feeling pure tunnel fabricated from cypress bushes.
Next, head to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, trying out the Leaning Tree alongside the way in which. The Point Reyes lighthouse is one among my favourite lighthouses in California, and making an appointment to tour it’s undoubtedly worthwhile.
You also can do a number of hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore. I don’t advocate you sort out the hike to Alamere Falls, one among California’s two tidal waterfalls, except you’re a reasonably skilled hiker, because the path is kind of lengthy and requires a variety of power to make the hike.
However, there are a number of simpler mountain climbing trails in Point Reyes which can be completely well worth the time, and plenty of of them have unimaginable views the place you’ll be able to stand and watch migrating whales out at sea cross by. It’s extremely peaceable and delightful.
Pinnacles National Park
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, quarter-hour
One of the lesser-known nationwide parks in California, Pinnacles National Park is completely worthy of planning a weekend getaway from San Francisco!
It’s an ideal place for wildlife viewing, with the potential to see the unimaginable, endangered California condor which was efficiently reintroduced to the wild after being almost extinct.
About two dozen reside within the High Peaks space and you may spot one in case you’re fortunate.
There are additionally a number of caves, mountaineering, and a few lovely mountain climbing trails such because the High Peaks Trail that are completely lovely although fairly strenuous.
I like to recommend staying in a single day in Soledad, as there is no such thing as a in-park lodging.
Alternately, you would keep in Salinas and even Monterey, which is an hour drive from the park.
Big Sur
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Big Sur refers to each a city but in addition a large stretch of shoreline from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon alongside the Central Coast of California.
So you’ll attain the north finish of Big Sur in about 2 hours, however to achieve the city of Big Sur, it’ll be nearer to three…. assuming you’ve got the willpower to not make a jillion stops on the way in which!
But heading straight to Big Sur Town could be completely lacking the purpose of this street journey from San Francisco. The journey is the vacation spot.
Be certain to make stops at Bixby Creek Bridge, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park, Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (the place you’ll see the well-known McWay Falls), and the Elephant Seal Vista Point in San Simeon.
Oh, and don’t neglect touring the totally unimaginable Hearst Castle, which reopened on May 11, 2022 after over two years of closure as a result of pandemic!
Calaveras Big Trees State Park (Arnold)
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Calaveras County is commonly ignored, admittedly even by Californians! With solely 45,000 residents, it’s a extremely small county by Californian requirements, however there’s rather a lot to see on this not-often-visited part of California.
One of the largest attracts is that Calaveras County is house to Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Arnold, which to my information is the closest place to San Francisco the place you’ll be able to see big Sequoias (the opposite redwoods nearer to San Francisco are coastal redwoods).
They are a few of the northernmost Seqouias in California; usually, you must head additional south to Yosemite, Sequoia, or Kings Canyon National Park with a view to see these big beauties.
Giant Sequoias solely develop at a selected elevation so they’re actually fairly uncommon and delightful, and so they’re a few of the largest residing beings on this planet (the 4 largest are all in Sequoia National Park).
If you wish to see a large Sequoia and discover a little-visited nook of California in half the time it takes to get to Yosemite or Sequoia, Calaveras Big Tree State Park is the right weekend street journey from San Francisco.
South Lake Tahoe
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, half-hour
Lake Tahoe is gigantic (the most important lake in California!) and there are such a lot of locations round Tahoe that will be worthy of a weekend getaway from San Francisco, however I restricted myself to selecting only one place and that will be South Lake Tahoe.
It’s the simplest to entry from San Francisco and it’s the most important ‘city’ in Tahoe. Though it’s nonetheless fairly small, at solely 20,000 everlasting residents. However, the stream of fixed guests on weekend journeys from the Bay Area make it really feel way more buzzy!
South Lake Tahoe has easy accessibility to a few of the most lovely hikes in Lake Tahoe, akin to in Emerald Bay State Park and D. L. Bliss State Park.
It’s additionally house to the South Tahoe Beer Trail and has plenty of nice locations to eat within the metropolis, which is why it’s my favourite place to base myself when visiting Tahoe for a weekend journey.
If visiting in summer season, count on superior seashores, tenting, and mountain biking; in winter, it’s house to snowboarding and snowboarding in addition to tons of enjoyable issues to do for non-skiers!
Yosemite National Park
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Read more: Where to stay outside San Francisco near BART Stations
Yosemite National Park is up there in relation to driving instances, and to be sincere, you’ll be hard-pressed to street journey from San Francisco to Yosemite in below 4 hours on the weekend as a result of everybody else shall be too!
But site visitors and crowds apart, Yosemite National Park is completely worthy of its spot on this checklist of San Francisco weekend getaways as a result of it’s, fairly merely, probably the most lovely place in California.
Nowhere is extra epic or humbling than marveling on the unfold of the Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View, mountain climbing on the base of Yosemite Falls (the tallest waterfall in North America), craning your head to see big Sequoias in particular person at Mariposa Grove, or catching the sundown from among the finest viewpoints in Yosemite.
I like to recommend you keep in an Airbnb in Yosemite in order that the perfect of the park is all the time at your fingertips.
Whether you’re thinking about tackling a few of the simple hikes in Yosemite, attempting a few of the more difficult trails, or discovering a few of the park’s hidden gems, you’ll be humbled and awed by the wonder round you.
TIP: If this finally ends up being the weekend getaway from San Francisco you decide, I’ve an ideal Yosemite weekend itinerary so that you can comply with.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park (Avenue of the Giants)
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Just squeezing its manner in below the 4-hour mark, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is without doubt one of the finest coastal redwood forests in all of Northern California and is completely value a weekend journey from SF up north.
On the way in which to the state park, you’ll drive up the well-known Avenue of the Giants, which is without doubt one of the most picturesque scenic drives in Northern California.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park has so many lovely trails to decide on from, however a private favourite is Rockefeller Loop.
There are a number of lodges on the Avenue of the Giants itself, however you may also keep close by and go to the state park.
Other locations value visiting within the space embody Ferndale and Eureka (these additionally make good bases for exploring the park if you need some cute small-town power along with your nature escape).
You may additionally make a aspect journey to the gorgeous black sand seaside at Shelter Cove, the endpoint of the Lost Coast Trail.
Sequoia National Park
Driving Time from San Francisco: 4 hours, 5 minutes
This is well the furthest of the weekend getaways from San Francisco, however I couldn’t justify not together with it on the checklist because it’s only a hair over 4 hours away from town.
However, a variety of that drive is on I-5, and in case you’ve even pushed the I-5, you’ll know that the pace limits are extra like pace options, as everybody tries to flee it as quick as attainable.
So that is the uncommon occasion the place a San Francisco street journey that touts a 4-hour drive is, truly, certainly a 4-hour drive!
Sequoia National Park is completely magical, and whereas it noticed fairly a bit of injury in the course of the wildfires in 2021, it’s nonetheless value a go to, although you need to test park situations earlier than planning your journey.
You can’t go to with out paying your respects to General Sherman, the most important residing tree on the planet, however you additionally ought to say good day to 3 of its siblings, who additionally maintain the information for his or her dimension (by way of mass — the tallest tree can be a redwood, however a coastal redwood, positioned in Redwood National Park).
Those siblings are General Grant (technically in Kings Canyon NP, however tremendous closeby), President, and Lincoln. You additionally shouldn’t miss strolling the Big Trees Trail and the Congress Trail, in addition to the hike to Moro Rock.
Best Beachy Weekend Getaways from San Francisco
Pescadero
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 5 minutes
The cute city of Pescadero is without doubt one of the finest seaside cities for a weekend journey from San Francisco.
It’s far sufficient of a drive so that you can really feel justified in you splurging on a cute resort, whereas it’s a bit more durable to really feel like Half Moon Bay or Pacifica — pretty as day journeys — warrant the in a single day keep.
The Pescadero State Beach is a extremely lovely seaside, a typical rugged San Francisco peninsula seaside which I (as a born-and-bred Northern Californian) will eternally defend over sandy Southern California seashores.
Bodega Bay
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, half-hour
North of San Francisco, Bodega Bay is one among my favourite seaside cities on the California coast.
Horror flick followers will acknowledge it because the filming location for The Birds, however don’t fear in case you’re planning a weekend journey from San Francisco right here; there’s nothing horrifying about Bodega Bay (besides the true property costs.)
Hitchcock followers ought to take themselves on a self-guided Hitchcock filming areas strolling tour, or individuals who simply need a pretty seaside city expertise ought to simply wander round get pleasure from its small-town charms.
Don’t miss the gorgeous Saint Teresa of Avila Church in addition to making a visit to Bodega Head, a primary whale-watching spot in California, if it’s migration season (which tends to be October-February after which once more in February by means of April).
This can be an ideal place to strive Dungeness crab if it’s in season! I like to recommend the crab sandwiches at Spud Point Crab Company.
Jenner
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Just a bit up the coast from Bodega Bay, Jenner is a superb seaside city if you wish to be near all the perfect of western Sonoma County in addition to two lovely wild, rugged seashores at your footsteps.
Jenner is the place the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean in probably the most lovely greeting, creating two distinct seashores, Jenner Beach and Goat Rock Beach.
Both are lovely for various causes: Jenner Beach is wind-tossed and filled with driftwood and feels virtually mystical, whereas Goat Rock Beach has all types of unimaginable sea stacks and rock formations.
Stay on the River’s End Inn for beautiful views day-after-day — there’s additionally an ideal restaurant right here with beautiful views, particularly at sundown.
The Kortum Trail is a superb hike to do alongside the coast, however there are dozens of different nice ones as effectively.
Guerneville, Duncans Mills, Monte Rio, and Bodega Bay are all simple to entry from Jenner as effectively.
Sea Ranch
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, 50 minutes
This beachside small city was the center of a minimalist, back-to-nature architectural motion within the Nineteen Sixties.
Rather than go for avant-garde maximalism, the way in which many beachfront properties go, the architects at Sea Ranch all agreed to mix with the character and design in order that the houses mix into the panorama in an exquisite, non-intrusive manner.
The result’s an virtually fairytale-perfect wild oceanfront with plenty of intriguing houses to stroll previous and picture residing there.
Enjoy a while at Black Point Beach, admire the intriguing Sea Ranch Chapel, go to the Sea Ranch Lodge as soon as it reopens, and head to close by Gualala for some kayaking, mountain climbing, and seaside time.
Best Wine Weekend Getaways from San Francisco
Livermore
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour
True info: I used to drive by Livermore on a regular basis and by no means realized there was an precise wine nation there! But there may be, with 60+ wineries, and it’s truly actually marvelous.
In my nerdy opinion, Livermore wines can’t fairly compete with the wines of Sonoma and Napa because the climates are simply so totally different.
Livermore is rather a lot hotter and drier with much less fog, so that you get much less of the distinction between heat and chilly that makes for actually advanced and structured wines.
But Livermore does excel at pink wines that love plenty of solar, like Petit Syrah and Zinfandel, and its Zins are a few of my favourite in California. My two favourite Livermore wineries are Wood Family Vineyards and Retzlaff Vineyards.
Plus, Livermore is absolutely budget-friendly in comparison with Sonoma and Napa (Napa particularly), and it’s often rather a lot much less crowded because it’s extra well-liked with East Bay-ers and never as well-known by individuals in SF or the North Bay, who have a tendency to go straight to Napa.
If you’re in search of a wine weekend getaway from San Francisco that’s a bit outdoors the norm, you received’t be dissatisfied by Livermore’s wine nation!
Tip: Don’t miss a hike at Del Valle Regional Park, a surprising mountain climbing vacation spot in Livermore!
Sonoma
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 5 minutes
I’ll be sincere and admit my bias right here: Sonoma County is my glad place in California. Their Pinot Noirs are magical, their redwoods are mystical, their local weather is unimaginable, and the views all over the place you look are breathtaking.
It has a fraction of the pretension and priciness of Napa, and it’s very easy to get a bit off the overwhelmed path in Sonoma and uncover some lesser-known wineries.
The city of Sonoma itself is kind of cool as effectively, because it’s a college city, so it’s obtained a extra laid-back, student-friendly vibe that Napa doesn’t fairly have. And I notice I’m type of pitting Sonoma in opposition to Napa right here, after I do love each, however I believe Sonoma simply provides a lot extra bang in your buck.
Read more: 25 Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco
In Sonoma correct, I like the glowing wines at Gloria Ferrer (they’re the identical makers because the Freixenet cava model, in order that they sort of know what they’re doing!) and the reds at Ram’s Gate.
The Sonoma downtown can be actually cute with a number of nice eating places, and also you also needs to cease by the historic Sonoma Mission to study extra about California’s pre-U.S. historical past.
Napa
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 10 minutes
While I do know I talked a little bit of s*@t about Napa above, it’s solely compared to Sonoma, as a result of I’m obsessive about Sonoma.
That stated, Napa 100% appeals to a sure kind of weekend journey from San Francisco.
It’s completely nice if finances isn’t a priority, as a result of there are such a lot of bucket list-worthy experiences in Napa like scorching air ballooning over the vineyards or having a decadent meal on the French Laundry.
But in case you’re minding your pockets, Napa can get a little bit pricy. Tastings are about $30 on common, versus $15-20 in Sonoma — and let’s not even speak about shopping for some bottles!
But Napa does have a extremely unbeatably cool downtown, particularly its hip Oxbow Public Market.
Another one among my favourite locations in Napa is Vichy Springs, which provides ‘champagne baths’ — which, fortunately in your pockets, refers back to the bubbles which naturally happen within the mineral waters and never truly bathing in champagne!
It’s a delightfully stress-free but no-frills spa expertise, although if you need some fancy spa time, Napa or close by Calistoga will definitely ship.
Healdsburg
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, half-hour
Another Sonoma wine vacation spot, Healdsburg is a superb place to base your self for Sonoma County wine exploration because it’s just about useless within the middle of Sonoma County.
It’s additionally house to the Dry Creek Valley AVA, which is without doubt one of the finest appellations in California for Zinfandel, however don’t sleep on its scrumptious white wines both!
My favourite Healdsburg space vineyards are Simi Vineyards and Dry Creek Vineyard. I additionally just like the in-town tasting room at Ferrari-Carano.
Besides all of the wine tasting, Healdsburg can be nice for shopping the artwork galleries on the town, strolling within the scenic Del Rio Woods Regional Park, and strolling alongside the Russian River.
Calistoga
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Near sufficient to Napa that they are often visited on a single weekend getaway from San Francisco, I like to recommend basing your self in Calistoga if you wish to add a spa component to your weekend.
Calistoga has its personal mini “Old Faithful” which, granted, is nowhere close to as spectacular as Yellowstone’s however is kind of cool however.
But it’s far from the one geothermal exercise below the bottom in Calistoga, and consequently, you’ll discover a number of great scorching spring lodges in Calistoga, a lot of which additionally provide geothermal mud baths.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs is maybe probably the most well-known, however there are such a lot of different choices as effectively!
Lodi
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Lodi most likely doesn’t come instantly to thoughts when considering of California wine nation, nevertheless it’s truly a improbable street journey from San Francisco for these in search of a little bit wine weekend!
It’s additionally an ideal alternative for a wine weekend if you’re coming from the East Bay, because it’s solely a little bit over an hour’s drive from East Bay hubs like Oakland and Walnut Creek.
Lodi is understood for its Zinfandels — the truth is, it’s thought of the Zinfandel capital of California, producing 40% of Zinfandel wines within the state! Top producers embody Soucie Vineyard, m2, and McCay Cellars.
Besides wine tasting, different issues to do on a Lodi weekend getaway embody kayaking on Lodi Lake, birdwatching at Isenberg Crane Reserve, and having fun with the varied eating scene.
Plymouth
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, half-hour
Another lesser-known wine nation choice in California is Gold Country — sure, the previous coronary heart of Gold Country is now a burgeoning wine mecca.
Gold Country is house to the Shenandoah Valley AVA, which incorporates Amador Valley wines, which can be identified for its Zins.
Plymouth is a cool place to base your self whereas exploring the little-visited Gold Country wineries, with a enjoyable small-town vibe that’s near a number of wineries value visiting.
I’ve but to go to Plymouth personally, however listed here are some vineyard suggestions.
Paso Robles
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, half-hour
Paso Robles is without doubt one of the up-and-coming wine international locations in California, and clocking in at just below 4 hours of driving distance, it squeaks by means of to be one of many high wine nation getaways from San Francisco.
Another enjoyable choice is to route through Highway 101 right down to Cambria after which head inland to Paso Robles by means of there, so that you get to mix a visit to Big Sur and to Paso Robles in a single excellent weekend street journey from San Francisco.
It’d be a bit rushed, and also you most likely wouldn’t wish to cease in any respect the traditional Big Sur sights, however in case you simply need the perfect views, that’s the way in which to go, as Highway 101 is nowhere close to as scenic.
Paso Robles has all of it: nice breweries, unimaginable wineries, scrumptious eating, and delightful landscapes and mountain climbing alternatives.
Two favourite vineyards of mine are Vina Robles Vineyards and Robert Hall Winery.
Be certain to take a look at the unimaginable Field of Light At Sensorio, a light-weight artwork set up by Bruce Munro, after darkish — it’s merely magical.
Best Small Town Road Trips from San Francisco
Sebastopol
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, quarter-hour
Excuse my California, however for the needs of this submit, I’m calling a “small town” something below 10,000 individuals — even when it’s thought of a metropolis!
Sebastopol is one among my favourite locations to base myself in Sonoma County, and I go to it often at the very least twice a yr.
It’s house to a cool artwork scene (full with junk sculptures scattered round city), an ideal Main Street for purchasing with plenty of nice used clothes shops, and a number of other unimaginable eating places, together with one among my favourite ramen eating places in California, Ramen Gaijin.
In addition to these enjoyable small city vibes, Sebastopol additionally is a superb base for day journeys across the Sonoma County space. Osmosis Spa is shut by in close by Freestone, providing extremely stress-free cedar enzyme baths and Japan-inspired Zen gardens. It’s the right place to bliss out for a day.
If you wish to do some wine tasting, Iron Horse Vineyards has phenomenal glowing wines which can be completely value experiencing. I additionally love Scherrer Winery and Halleck Vineyard, each by appointment solely.
Halleck’s tastings are pricy, however they’re my favourite wines in all of Sonoma County (my household was once wine membership members!) — their Gewurtztraminer is to die for! I actually do assume they’re value it, although, as a result of they arrive with a really beneficiant tasting pairing full of peculiar insights, like pairing their Gewurtz with a scrumptious pâté (and I don’t often like pâté!) and truffle goodies with Pinot… and so they all work superbly!
Not so into wine? Sebastopol is the apple capital of Sonoma County, well-known for its Gravenstein apples, and also you’ll discover plenty of cool cideries within the space: I like to recommend Ace Cider House or the Golden State Cider Taproom within the cool Barlow space of Sebastopol.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hours, 50 minutes
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a kind of magical locations in California that doesn’t really feel actual.
A fairytale-looking city middle with structure that appears extra European than American, a pristine seaside, and lovely 17 Mile Drive and the Big Sur shoreline only a quick drive away? Pinch me.
Carmel is the right weekend street journey from San Francisco too, particularly in case you take the scenic route and go through the Pacific Coast Highway, trying out the gorgeous San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Cruz, and the Central Coast surroundings as you go.
Tip: I’ve a complete weekend information to Carmel value perusing in case you’re planning a weekend getaway from SF!
Placerville
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, quarter-hour
Placerville is a historic Gold Rush city in California, and it’s among the finest locations to base your self in case you’re planning on a history-based journey of California’s Gold Country.
Base your self in Placerville with its cute Main Street, however make sure to head to close by Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park the place you’ll discover Sutter’s Mill: the place that sparked the California Gold Rush in 1848.
As talked about earlier on this submit, Gold Country can be an up-and-coming wine area, so make sure to style the native grapes when you’re on the town.
Read more: 10 incredible destinations under an 8-hour flight from California
Lava Cap Winery and Holly’s Hill Vineyard have intriguing wines made from grapes grown at a excessive altitude, creating distinctive taste profiles that may present you why in-the-know wine geeks are being attentive to Gold Country’s wine scene.
Nevada City
Driving Time from San Francisco: 2 hours, 35 minutes
Nevada City is in no way in Nevada, however reasonably proper within the coronary heart of California’s Gold Country, so it’s one other fascinating alternative if you’re planning a historic weekend journey from San Francisco.
Train lovers will benefit from the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum full with a historic practice and part of railway and many historical past info to geek out over.
Meanwhile, Empire Mine State Park is a cool place to combine historical past and nature, the place you’ll be able to discover a historic, well-preserved mine after which go for a hike on one of many many lovely trails.
Wine lovers, don’t miss Nevada City Winery, the oldest vineyard working within the Sierra Nevada foothills, which is doing nice issues to strengthen the area’s wine status.
Mendocino
OK, technically, Mendocino can be an ideal wine weekend getaway from San Francisco and a seaside getaway and a nature escape… however you actually come to Mendocino for the comfy, small city vibes, at the very least in my ebook.
Mendocino really has all of it: unimaginable whale watching, lovely hikes, a beautiful downtown with a superb meals scene, and so many vineyards producing unimaginable wines.
Sample the wines within the city middle on the punny MendoVino Wine Bar, or head out to native wineries to see the place the grapes are grown and take a look at a breadth of wines one producer at a time.
Hikers ought to head to one among two state parks, Mendocino Headlands State Park and Russian Gulch State Park, each of which have attractive mountain climbing trails. The former is healthier for whale-watching whereas the latter is healthier for seaside time and swimming in case you’re courageous sufficient to dip your toes within the icy Northern California waters!
Culture lovers will wish to head to Mendocino Art Center and wander across the city’s many different galleries earlier than diving into the scrumptious eating scene: Luna Trattoria is an area favourite.
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, quarter-hour
Morro Bay
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Famous for the large Morro Rock which sits virtually ominously offshore, the lovable Central Coast city of Morro Bay has rather a lot to supply.
Enjoy nature trails and birdwatching at Morro Bay State Park, stroll the Morro Rock Beach and be wowed by the immensity of the traditional volcanic mound which towers almost 600 toes above sea stage from your home on the shore.
Be certain to stroll alongside the boardwalk space and take a look at the native sea otters who name the pier space house!
Rent a kayak and paddle across the calm bay and spot the opposite sea animals who even have made a house in calm, peaceable Morro Bay.
Best City Weekend Getaways from San Francisco
San Jose
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour
At simply an hour outdoors San Francisco, San Jose may simply be a day journey, however this vibrant South Bay metropolis has a lot to supply that it’s worthy of a weekend journey from SF!
An absolute must-do is trying out the weird Winchester Mystery House, supposedly one of the haunted locations in California.
This weird home has fairly an fascinating historical past, and happening a tour of it is a superb option to study extra and see in case you can sense a few of its spooky vibes for your self.
Other cool issues to do in San Jose embody window-shopping alongside Santana Row (or actual purchasing in case you’ve obtained the funds — that is the poshest a part of city!), benefit from the burgeoning craft beer scene, consuming scrumptious ramen in Japantown and visiting Mission Santa Clara.
Santa Rosa
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Santa Rosa is the most important metropolis in Sonoma County.
It’s been devastated by wildfires within the not-too-distant previous (together with the above construction, the historic Round Barn, which sadly not stands), nevertheless it’s a dynamic and vibrant metropolis that certainly will rise from its ashes, actually.
Go wine tasting at one of many many vineyards round Santa Rosa — Matanzas Creek Winery and Balletto Vineyards are my high selections.
Fans of the Peanuts comics or cartoons will wish to head to theCharles M. Schulz Museum, devoted to the legendary cartoonist. The gardens at Luther Burbank Home and Gardens are additionally a beautiful place for a stroll.
For a extra energetic weekend journey from San Francisco, go for a paddle out on Spring Lake or hike across the reservoir’s rim, or head to Annadel State Park for lovely wildflower hikes.
Santa Cruz
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Funky Santa Cruz is one among my high picks for a weekend getaway from San Francisco.
This place has all of it: unimaginable redwoods hikes only a quick drive from downtown, lovely seashores, fascinating museums and historical past, and a nostalgic boardwalk that’s the right option to whereas away a sunny afternoon.
Drive down West Cliff Drive for a few of the finest views within the metropolis, ensuring to cease within the Surfing Museum housed in a historic lighthouse.
Spend a day at Natural Bridges State Park, having fun with the gorgeous rock formations within the ocean, or trying out the seasonal butterfly migration in case you occur to be visiting whereas the butterflies make their non permanent house in a eucalyptus grove contained in the park!
Of course, you’ll be able to’t go to Santa Cruz with out visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a historic boardwalk filled with rides and distributors. Kids like it, however adults could have an exquisite time as effectively.
There are additionally tons of seals who make the pier their house, and visiting them is important on any Santa Cruz itinerary!
Finally, as soon as Big Basin State Park reopens (at present closed after struggling large wildfire injury), make sure to spend a while right here. If it’s not reopened but, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is an excellent substitute.
Tip: I’ve a information to spending a weekend in Santa Cruz right here!
Sacramento
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 35 minutes
California’s capital is commonly neglected, even by those that reside within the state, however Sacramento is an efficient weekend journey from San Francisco for many who are in search of a metropolis escape!
Skip Sacramento within the summertime, when the temperatures are just too scorching to get pleasure from inland California, however within the fall, Sacramento is an excellent place for mountain climbing and seeing some lovely fall colours.
Besides trying out the State Capitol Building, a formidable constructing befitting California’s powerhouse place because the fifth-largest financial system on this planet, there’s rather a lot to do in Sacramento!
Be certain to additionally spend a while in Old Sacramento, stroll riverside alongside the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, browse the Crocker Art Museum, and take a look at the historic Sutter’s Fort.
Monterey
Driving Time from San Francisco: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Located proper by Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll be able to simply mix a visit to those two scenic locations in Central California into one excellent weekend journey from San Francisco.
Monterey is most well-known for its unimaginable Monterey Bay Aquarium, which in and of itself is worthy of the street journey from SF!
Besides that, there’s additionally the historic Cannery Row, which impressed the John Steinbeck novel of the identical identify, in addition to the Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
Both have been transformed into prime eating and purchasing areas, and whereas a little bit touristy, nonetheless ooze with allure.
And after all, Monterey is without doubt one of the finest whale watching locations on this planet, with just about year-round whale watching alternatives!
The species you’ll see fluctuate by the point of yr, however there’s virtually all the time whales hanging out within the peaceable, deep waters of Monterey Bay.
San Luis Obispo
Driving Time from San Francisco: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Yes, San Luis Obispo requires a protracted street journey from San Francisco, however in case you really feel like taking a protracted drive and exploring someplace new for the weekend, it’s an ideal decide.
San Luis Obispo is house to one of many many California missions, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, in addition to the historic Madonna Inn and its ridiculously superior pink steakhouse (a basic street journey cease on the PCH).
Besides its two most well-known attracts, there’s additionally nice outside alternatives akin to mountain climbing to the highest of Bishop Peak or Cerro San Luis Obispo.
San Luis Obispo can be a hub for wine tasting, with over 30 wineries alongside the coastal area near town: try right here for extra particulars.
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