Today I want to share the best day trips from San Francisco with you. This city is a great starting point for visiting a range of spots in and around the Bay Area. Whether you want to go to wine country, head to the beach, hike in the hills, or discover a city, there’s a day trip in this part of California you’ll love. Read on for my top picks. I’ve included a map as well.
Best Day Trips from San Francisco
When it comes to choosing a day trip from San Francisco, you have a lot of options. With so many choices, it can be overwhelming.
But I have some tips for narrowing down the choices and identifying a San Francisco day trip that’s right for you. It usually comes down to thinking about what you’re most excited about when you travel and going with the one that best compliments your interests.
Being from Northern California, I’ve done all the day trips on my list (a lot of them many times). I can personally say how much I enjoy them. If you go, I’m confident you’ll love them, too.
1. Napa Valley
First on my list of day trips from San Francisco is Napa Valley. This area is one of the best-known places near the City by the Bay thanks to its famous wines.
The majority of visitors to Napa Valley go wine tasting, but there are other things to do in the region as well. From fine dining in Yountville (it’s home to restaurants like The French Laundry) to shopping in downtown Napa and exploring St Helena, the area has a lot to offer.
A day trip to Napa is for you if you want to taste some of California’s best wines and take in stunning landscapes while you do.
2. Sonoma County
Just west of Napa Valley, Sonoma County also makes a great day trip from the city. This area is a bit more down-to-earth than Napa, and it’s preferred by many Bay Area residents. The wines in Sonoma Valley taste every bit as good as their Napa counterparts, and the scenery along the coast is breathtaking.
Sonoma County has a lot to offer beyond wine, too. This area is packed with hiking trails, shopping and dining in places like downtown Sonoma and Healdsburg, and heritage areas like Jack London Historic State Park and Mission San Francisco Solano. You can go rafting on the Russian River, too.
Over on the Pacific Ocean, the Sonoma Coast features beaches littered with iconic West Coat boulders and parks with loads of hiking trails. Towns like Bodega are famous for being filming locations for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, too.
Sonoma is the ideal place to visit if you want to go wine tasting, get into California’s history, hike, and take in quintessential landscapes and seascapes. You can see more in my Sonoma day trip itinerary.
3. Tomales Bay
Tomales Bay comes next on my list of the top day trips from San Francisco. Situated north of SF in Marin County, this narrow 15-mile inlet is known for oysters.
In particular, Tomales Bay is famous for the Hog Island Oyster Co. Located in Marshall, locals love it for both its food and its coastal scenery. This is an ideal spot to soak up the views and shuck oysters at the source.
Hog Island also offers a Whole Hog Experience. It includes a guided visit to the company’s oyster farm, a tasting, and a shucking master class. I did it once and went to Nick’s Cove for lunch on the pier afterwards. It was a great experience.
This is the day trip for you if you enjoy being by the water and eating fresh seafood in equal measure.
4. Point Reyes
Point Reyes is another of my top picks for day trips from the City by the Bay. Renowned for the Point Reyes Lighthouse, this peninsula in Marin County has everything from whale-watching to hiking, biking trails, and wildlife spotting.
The area is also home to the famous Point Reyes Shipwreck in Inverness. This old boat on a sandbar is one of my favorite spots for photography here.
The town of Point Reyes Station is also a treat to visit. It’s packed with historic shopfronts, art galleries, and more. Palace Market sells delicious buffalo milk soft serve, too. I make a point of getting some every time I visit.
Point Reyes is the perfect day trip if you enjoy getting outdoors, seeing Northern California flora and fauna, and discovering local towns.
5. Stinson Beach
Stinson Beach is perhaps the most famous stretch of sand north of San Francisco. Located in Marin County, it makes for one of the best day trips from the city thanks to its beautiful white sand and good swimming.
Situated right next to Mount Tamalpais State Park, Stinson Beach offers views of the hills and breathtaking oceanfront scenery. You can see everything from dolphins to seals and whales from the shore as well.
This is the perfect day trip if you enjoy going to the beach and spotting marine animals in equal measure.
6. Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument comes next on my list of San Francisco day trips. Famous for its giant redwood trees and extensive network of hiking trails, this is one of my top picks for places to get into nature near the city.
Famous spots in Muir Woods include Bohemian Grove, Cathedral Grove, Redwood Creek, and the German-style Tourist Club (it’s basically a hidden pub in the forest). Paths like the Ben Johnson Trail and the Dipsea Trail offer sweeping vistas over the Pacific Ocean and neighboring Mount Tamalpais as well.
And if you like the water, you can top off your visit to Muir Woods with a trip to Muir Beach. It’s a great place to be on the coast in the area.
This is the perfect choice for a day trip if you love hiking and redwoods. If you go, make sure to book parking in advance. There’s no option to park if you arrive on the day without a reservation.
7. Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais is located right by Muir Woods, and it’s another of the best trips from the city. This place is known for hiking and mountain biking. There are miles of trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park, some of which lead all the way up to the 2,571-foot peak.
I always enjoy hiking on Mount Tam, not least because it offers challenging hills and unparalleled ocean views. It’s a great place to get outdoors north of the city, and it’s hard to believe it’s so close to the urban center. One of my favorite hikes is the Cataract Falls trail, which has spectacular waterfalls after heavy rain.
Mount Tamalpais is the trip for you if you like hitting the trails on foot or bike and taking in stunning vistas while you do.
8. Marin Headlands
Located just over the Golden Gate Bridge from the city, the Marin Headlands are one of the easiest day trips to take from San Francisco.
Covering a 5-mile stretch of coastal land, the area not only offers some of the most spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, but also some of the North Bay’s best hiking and coastal landscapes.
I always enjoy driving over the bridge and hitting the trail up to Battery Townsley in the headlands. Visiting Rodeo Beach and Black Sands Beach is great, too. When it’s open, the 19th-century Point Bonita Lighthouse is a scenic spot to visit as well.
The Marin Headlands make for the perfect day trip for you if you enjoy being by the ocean and want to go somewhere close to the city.
9. Sausalito
Also located just north of the city, Sausalito is one of the most popular San Francisco day trips. This city in Marin County is beloved by locals and visitors for its waterfront restaurants, pretty shops, colorful houseboats, and views of San Francisco’s skyline.
One of the most popular things to do in San Francisco is rent a bike and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. After a day of exploring, it’s easy to take a ferry back to San Francisco (and it allows you to avoid the hill on the way to the bridge). It’s a fun way to get some exercise and see the North Bay.
I’ve been visiting Sausalito my whole life, and I’m always in awe of how much there is to do here. From bayside boutiques to stand-up paddle boarding and ice cream shops, there’s a wide range of activities to choose from. Sushi Ran is one of the top Japanese restaurants in the US, too.
Sausalito is the ideal day trip if you’re into seaside charm, city views, and being active while you travel. If you want something special, you can even take a seaplane tour over the San Francisco Bay from Sausalito. You can book one here. I’ve done it before and it’s amazing.
10. Tiburon
Located close to Sausalito, Tiburon is another great day trip from the city. A small town on the San Francisco Bay, this place is known for its shopping and dining scenes.
Sam’s Anchor Cafe is the most famous place in Tiburon. Locals descend on Sam’s on sunny days to sit on the deck and soak up the waterfront scene. The Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina is popular, too.
The boutiques and shops around town are perfect for retail therapy as well. There are a lot of great places to pick up clothing and gifts here.
Tiburon is easy to get to by ferry from San Francisco. You can even combine it with a trip to Sausalito, as there are ferries that operate between them.
This is a great day trip for you if you love bayside charm and a relaxed pace of life in equal measure.
11. Angel Island
Next on my list is Angel Island, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay. This place has plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking, as well as some of the best views of the city and the surrounding area.
You can take a ferry from San Francisco to Angel Island. The short ride offers views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline. It’s an excursion in itself.
Once you’re on Angel Island, there are miles of trails to enjoy. I’ve been visiting all my life, and I can’t get enough of the paths and viewpoints. This is an ideal place to get into nature right by the city.
There are also points of historic interest, from former military housing to forts and batteries. And if you just want to soak up the sun, you can head to the island for a picnic by the visitor center near the ferry dock.
Angel Island is the ideal day trip if you love hiking, biking, ferry rides, and nature.
12. Berkeley
If cities are more your thing, Berkeley is one of the best day trips from San Francisco. This university city in the East Bay is known for its counterculture, food, and campus life.
I’ve been going on day trips to Berkeley since I was a teenager, and I love its vintage shops, restaurants, colorful street art, and attractive college campus.
Telegraph Avenue is a great place to get into the alternative scene in the city, and North Berkeley is home to some of the Bay Area’s best restaurants.
Berkeley is conveniently accessible from San Francisco by BART train, so it’s an easy trip from the city.
This is the day trip for you if you like urban exploration, counterculture, and food in equal measure.
13. Oakland
Oakland is next on my list of day trips. Another famous city in the East Bay, it’s one of the best places to visit because of its cool downtown and important cultural highlights.
From the waterfront restaurants and bars in Jack London Square to the markets and shops in Old Oakland, this city has a lot going for it. And that’s to say nothing of Lake Merritt, where you can take in the scenery or take out a kayak.
The Oakland Museum of California is a great place to get into the state’s history, and the creative boutiques and restaurants in the Temescal Alleys are worth a special trip.
Like Berkeley, Oakland is easy to get to from San Francisco by BART. It’s a quick way to get the East Bay, and it makes visiting simple and straightforward.
Oakland is the day trip for you if you enjoy cities and culture, and you want to see somewhere different from San Francisco.
14. Sacramento
Sacramento is another great day trip from San Francisco. The state capital of California, this city is known for its history. But it doesn’t stop there. Sacramento is also home to independent bars, restaurants, famers’ markets, and coffee shops.
Historic streets come to life in Sacramento’s R Street Corridor. This place is known for its street art, markets, and bars. Midtown has great places to eat and drink, and there are delicious farmers’ markets dotted around the city.
When it comes to history, Old Sacramento, Sutter’s Fort, the Historic Governor’s Mansion, and the Leland Stanford House all show off California’s past.
Sacramento is the perfect day trip for you if you love urban exploration and cultural heritage alike.
15. Silicon Valley
I grew up in Silicon Valley, and I couldn’t write about San Francisco day trips without mentioning the area.
A string of suburbs on the Peninsula connecting San Francisco and San Jose, Silicon Valley is big enough to offer something for everyone. Whether you want to see the tech highlights, shop, hike, bike, or go to a football game, there are plenty of things to do here.
My favorite places in Silicon Valley are downtown Palo Alto, downtown Menlo Park, and the hiking trails in Portola Valley and Woodside. Palo Alto and Menlo Park are packed restaurants and shops, and Portola Valley and Woodside have miles of hiking trails that head into the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Tech lovers will like The Tech Interactive in San Jose and the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. College fans will have fun exploring the Stanford University campus or going to a sporting event. Cyclists will love Old La Honda Road, and those in need of retail therapy will find something at Stanford Shopping Center.
A lot of Silicon Valley is accessible from San Francisco by the CalTrain rail line, including downtown Menlo Park and downtown Palo Alto. Other places are easier to get to by car.
Silicon Valley is the day trip for you if you love exploring regional cities, technology, and getting outdoors in equal measure.
16. Pacifica and Montara
Located on the coast just south of San Francisco, Pacifica and Montara make for another great day trip. These places along Highway 1 have stunning beaches and great hiking trails.
Pacifica State Beach, Gray Whale State Beach, and Montara State Beach are ideal places to get your sand fix (just check the weather before you go, as the area can often be foggy).
Above the beaches there are miles of trails that are great for hiking and biking (they’re dog-friendly, too). McNee Ranch State Park is a great place for hikes to Montara Mountain, and there are paths for all ability levels.
Pacifica is also famous for Gorilla Barbeque, a restaurant in an old railway car that was featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
This is the perfect trip if you like coastal hikes and famous places to eat in equal measure.
17. Half Moon Bay
To the south of Pacifica and Montara, Half Moon Bay is also a fun day trip. From Poplar Beach to Miramar Beach, this famous city on the coast has some of the best beaches in San Mateo County. There’s famous surfing at Mavericks, too.
Which is to say nothing of the food. Half Moon Bay has excellent seafood restaurants on the coast and great places to eat on Main Street. Some of my favorites are Sam’s Chowder House and Pasta Moon.
Half Moon Bay is particularly famous for pumpkins, so October is a great time to visit (although traffic can be bad). There are pumpkin patches throughout the area, and an annual festival to celebrate.
This is the day trip for you if you love beaches, good food, and great scenery in equal measure.
18. Pescadero
Pescadero is another of the best day trips from San Francisco. Not far from Half Moon Bay, this town is famous for its history and food.
Duarte’s Tavern, where artichoke soup and sweet pies go down a treat, is a historic landmark. It’s worth a trip just to eat here (I know this from personal experience, as I’ve been eating here since I was a child).
The town is full of historic shopfronts, a pretty church, and fun cafes and coffee shops, too. It’s worth walking down the main street to take it all in.
If you want to be by the ocean, Pescadero State Beach is worth a visit, too. It has great rock formations that add character to its sandy shoreline.
Pescadero is a great day trip if you love California history, food, and beaches alike.
19. Santa Cruz
A short drive down the coast from Pescadero, Santa Cruz is another of my favorite San Francisco day trips. This city is known throughout the world for surfing and beaches. It’s the ideal spot to soak up the sunshine and ride the Pacific Ocean waves.
There’s a lot more to Santa Cruz, too. The city offers excellent shopping and dining in the downtown area, and there are beautiful Victorian houses to admire on the side streets. You can even go wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an iconic amusement park, too.
I grew up sailing in Santa Cruz, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the city. It has a fun beach culture and hippie vibe. Neighboring Aptos and Capitola are worth visiting, too. They have more beaches and shops to discover.
Santa Cruz is the perfect day trip if you love the coast, food, and surf culture in equal measure.
20. Monterey
South of Santa Cruz, Monterey is another of my top picks for day trips. This city on California’s Central Coast is known for the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, which contains an abundance of ocean life.
Monterey is also home to Cannery Row, a place that was once at the heart of the sardine-packing industry (if you’ve read John Steinbeck, you’ll know). Today this waterfront area is packed with seafood restaurants, shops, and bars.
The city is also a great place to do outdoor activities. You can go ocean kayaking in the bay, take a whale watching cruise, bike along 17 Mile Drive, or golf at The Links at Spanish Bay.
I spent a lot of time in Monterey when I was growing up. I not only loved the city, but also places like Lovers Point Park, Asilomar State Beach, and Pacific Grove. There’s so much to see here that you can consider taking a two-day trip from San Francisco to take it all in.
Monterey is the place for you if you love ocean life and outdoor pursuits in equal measure.
21. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Just south of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea is another of my favorite day trips from San Francisco. Packed with picturesque streets lined with thatched-roof shops, this place feels like an English seaside village on the California coast.
Carmel is also home to beautiful beaches, coastal trails, the historic Carmel Mission, and great wine tasting. If you’re into golf, Pebble Beach is a must. The Pebble Beach Golf Links have been rated the top public golf course in the country.
Carmel is the ideal day trip if you love charming streets, shopping, golf, and beaches in equal measure.
Map of San Francisco Day Trips
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of the day trips on my list. You can see it here. If you click on the blue pins, you can find more information and my relevant blog posts about each place.
San Francisco Day Trips
I hope you’ve found my list of the best day trips from San Francisco helpful, and that you’ve found one that fits your interests. A lot of my favorite places in my home state are included here, and I’m sure you’ll have fun visiting them as much as I have.
There are more places to go that are a bit farther from the city, too. Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Mendocino, and San Luis Obispo are great options if you have more time. But those are the subject of another blog post.
Happy travels!
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