Today I want to bring you my guide to the best winter weekend trips from San Francisco. From snowy mountain destinations to cozy coastal retreats and sunny city escapes, there are plenty of exciting travel destinations during the cooler months in the Golden State. Whether you want to experience the best skiing or spend time discovering a national park, there are lots of fun winter weekend getaways from San Francisco you can take. Read on for my top picks.
Winter Weekend Trips from San Francisco
Having grown up in the Bay Area, I’ve taken a lot of weekend trips from SF. From snowy jaunts to Lake Tahoe to sunny sojourns to San Diego, I’ve covered the state from north to south and east to west.
In doing so, I’ve experienced a lot of the best winter weekend trips from San Francisco. In fact, I’m always impressed by how many exciting places there are to discover in California. Whether you’re looking to go to the Sierra Nevada, lie on the beach in SoCal, explore a city, or hike in a national park, there are lots of places you can get away to this season.
Before you book your trip, it’s worth remembering that some places can be crowded in winter, and others can be closed completely for the season. It pays to plan ahead, research your desired destination, and make sure you’ll be able to do everything you want to while you’re traveling.
1. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is my favorite winter weekend trip from San Francisco. My family had a place here when I was growing up, and I’ve spent a lot of time in this part of California. It’s around a 4-hour drive (depending on weather conditions), so it’s best to leave Friday evening and return Sunday night if you can.
The Sierra Nevada Mountains are popular for skiing and snowboarding in the colder months, especially in years when there’s good snow. From Palisades to Northstar, Heavenly, and beyond, there are lots of great places to get on the slopes in Tahoe in winter.
Whether you’re an expert skier or snowboarder, or a beginner looking to learn, there are plenty of places you can go. If you’re willing to travel a bit further afield, Kirkwood is a great option as well.
You can also do winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing if you want to mix things up a bit. In fact, Tahoe has one of the largest concentrations of cross country ski areas in North America.
Beyond the pistes, Lake Tahoe has a lot to offer visitors in winter. From the restaurants and shops in Tahoe City to the lakefront scenery and indulgent spas, there’s something for everyone.
My favorite place to stay when I’m visiting is The Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel. It’s in a great location if you’re planning to ski at the resort, and the village itself has an array of boutiques, shops, places to eat and drink, and entertainment. When I’ve stayed here I’ve loved the convenience of it. You can book a room here.
2. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is next on my list of the best winter weekend trips from San Francisco. With mild weather, excellent beaches, great restaurants, and plenty to do and see, LA has a lot going for it. Less than a 1.5 hour flight from SFO, it’s easy to escape here for a couple days.
From the cool shops and restaurants in Downtown LA to the Walk of Fame in Hollywood and the views from Griffith Observatory, you’ll have no trouble filling a weekend in this part of California.
If beaches are your thing, there are great ones all the way from Malibu to Manhattan Beach and beyond. They’re the perfect places to soak up the winter sun and take in the local atmosphere.
If you prefer to be inland, there are fun hikes in LA. From Portuguese Bend Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes to San Vicente Mountain Park on Mulholland Drive, there are lots of options.
Beyond the outdoors, LA has cultural attractions, museums like The Broad and The Getty, attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood, and famous shopping streets like Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Abbot Kinney in Venice.
My favorite place to stay in LA is the STILE Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. This unique boutique hotel is famous for its hip location, stylish restaurant, buzzing rooftop bar, and creative space in the 1920s United Artists Theater next door. When I stayed, I loved its hipster vibe and great atmosphere. If you want to do the same, you can book a room here.
3. Mendocino Coast
Up the Northern California coast, Mendocino is another great place for winter weekend trips from San Francisco. I’ve done getaways with friends here in the cooler months, and we’ve always had a fun time. Just under 3 hours from SF by car, it’s a great escape.
This part of the Golden State features miles of boulder-studded beaches, dense redwood forests, vineyards, art galleries, and beautiful scenery. The towns in Mendocino County have good restaurants and coastal charm, too.
Mendocino County has everything from a botanical garden to hiking trails and more. Whether you want to explore Mendocino Headlands State Park, visit Fort Bragg, go to Manchester State Beach, or head inland to go wine tasting, there’s something for you in this part of California.
My favorite spot to call home for a weekend in Mendocino is The Andiron. This retro-chic hideout is one of the coolest places to stay in California. It features 1950s cabins spread across five acres of meadow and woodland on the iconic Highway 1.
I loved the rustic atmosphere, quirky cabins, and beautiful natural surroundings when I stayed at The Andiron. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
4. Napa Valley
Napa Valley is another great winter weekend getaway from San Francisco. This area is one of the best-known places near the City by the Bay thanks to its famous wines. I love coming here in the cooler months because there are fewer crowds and the winter light is beautiful. Less than an hour’s drive from the city, it’s a great escape.
The majority of visitors come to Napa for wine tasting, and for good reason. This part of Northern California’s wine country is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and there are world-class wineries dotted throughout the region.
There are other things to do in the area as well. From fine dining in Yountville (it’s home to restaurants like The French Laundry) to shopping in downtown Napa and exploring Calistoga and St Helena, this region has a lot to offer.
My favorite place to stay in Napa is Indian Springs. One of California’s original spas, this historic resort in Calistoga is made up of an eclectic collection of cottages, bungalows, and Mission Revival-style buildings. I’ve stayed in one of the cottages, and I loved its unique sense of history. The spa was amazing, too. You can book a room here.
5. Sonoma County
Just west of Napa Valley, Sonoma County is another of my favorite winter weekend trips from San Francisco. I’ve been here many times in the cooler months, and I love how relaxed and beautiful it is. Under an hour’s drive from SF, it’s a fun and easy getaway.
This area is more down-to-earth than Napa, and it’s preferred by many Bay Area locals. The wines in Sonoma Valley taste every bit as good as their Napa counterparts, too. My favorites are the Russian River Pinot Noirs and Dry Creek Valley Zinfandels, but there are plenty to choose from.
Sonoma County has a lot to offer beyond wine as well. This area is packed with hiking trails, shopping and dining in places like downtown Healdsburg and Sonoma Plaza, and heritage areas like Jack London Historic State Park and Mission San Francisco Solano. The scenery is breathtaking, too.
Over on the Pacific Ocean, the Sonoma Coast features beaches studded with iconic West Coast boulders and parks like Jenner Headlands Preserve with its miles of hiking trails. Towns like Bodega are famous for being filming locations for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, too.
My favorite place to stay in Sonoma County is the Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg. A charming Victorian boutique hotel, it’s a few blocks from the plaza in the heart of town. It’s a great base for a stay, and a lovely home away from home. You can read more about it in my Sonoma itinerary, and you can book a room here.
6. San Diego
Back in Southern California, San Diego is another of the best winter weekend trips from San Francisco. I used to fly down here from SF for the weekend on a regular basis to visit family, and I loved how easy it was. The flight is just over 1.5 hours, so it’s a perfect escape for a couple days.
This beachside city is the ideal place for a getaway if you love good weather and great beaches in equal measure. From Del Mar to La Jolla and beyond, there are amazing stretches of sand for sunbathing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding.
There’s more to San Diego than just beaches, though. You can take a bay cruise, do a tour or a bar crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter, eat good Mexican food in Pacific Beach, paraglide in Torrey Pines, and go shopping pretty much anywhere.
For culture lovers, visiting Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, touring the USS Midway, or exploring the museums in Balboa Park is a must. And if you love zoos, the San Diego Zoo is world famous.
My favorite place to stay in San Diego is the Andaz. This lifestyle boutique hotel in the historic Gaslamp Quarter is not only in a great location near the Balboa Theatre, but also has a rooftop pool and thoughtfully-designed guest rooms. When I stayed, I loved the decor and atmosphere. You can book a room here.
7. Yosemite National Park
Next on my list of the best winter weekend getaways from San Francisco is Yosemite National Park. I’ve loved visiting this place in the colder months ever since I came here on a class trip in seventh grade. Seeing the valley in snow was magical. It’s worth the 3.5-hour drive from the city.
There’s a lot to do in a weekend in Yosemite in winter. From hikes like the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail and the famous Mist Trail to photography in the soft seasonal light, it’s easy to fill two days in the national park. If it’s really cold, you can head indoors to places like The Ansel Adams Gallery to see some of the most famous photos of Yosemite ever taken.
There are also festive activities on offer in the park during the holiday season. These include scenic sleigh rides and an ice skating rink in Curry Village.
There’s skiing, too. Badger Pass is the oldest downhill ski area in California. I learned how to ski here when I was a child, and it’s a fun place for everything from snowboarding to tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
My top pick for a place to stay is The Ahwahnee hotel. Built in 1927 and designed to highlight its natural surroundings, this landmark property is known for its heritage interiors and stunning Arts and Crafts architecture. You can book a room here.
8. Disneyland
Next on my list of places to go on a winter weekend trip from San Francisco is Disneyland. The Magic Kingdom sparkles year-round, and winter can be a particularly good time to visit because crowds are fewer and temperatures lower than in summer.
John Wayne Airport is less than a 1.5-hour flight from San Francisco, making it an easy getaway for a couple days.
Disneyland steps things up during the holiday season, too. The festive period at Disneyland lasts from early November until early January, so there’s plenty of time to take in the decorations and enjoy the celebrations, special events, seasonal entertainment, and more.
Even after the holidays there are lots of reasons to love Disneyland in winter. There’s entertainment throughout the season, and fun decorations and events for Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and other special occasions.
My top pick for a place to stay at Disneyland is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It has exclusive access to Downtown Disney, California Adventure, and other parts of the park. You can book a room here.
9. Monterey and Carmel
Another of my favorite places to travel for a winter weekend trip from San Francisco is Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. I used to spend weekends here a lot when I was growing up, and I still love these places any time of year. At just 2 hours by car from SF, they’re easy to get to for a couple days.
Monterey is famous for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s an amazing place to see sea life, learn about marine ecosystems, and get up close with everything from adorable otters to ethereal jellyfish.
The area around it is fun, too. Whether you want to cycle by the bay, shop and dine on Cannery Row, or visit Lovers Point Park, there’s a lot to do.
Right by Monterey, Carmel is one of the cutest towns in California. From the beautiful beaches to the picture-pretty shops and great restaurants, there’s a lot to love about this place. There’s fun wine tasting in the valley, too.
My top pick for a place to stay here is Tradewinds Carmel. The rooms have featured in Architectural Digest, and they’re surround by a pretty garden with lush greenery and flowing fountains. When I stayed I loved the decor and design-led elements of the place. You can book a room here.
10. Palm Springs
Another of the best winter weekend trips from San Francisco is Palm Springs. I’ve had a great time visiting this desert area in the cooler months, partly because of the mild weather and partly because there’s a lot going on here.
Palm Springs has great restaurants, architectural tours, and other highlights throughout the year. But in the winter there are added bonuses. One is the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which is held every January. I went once and I loved the movies and events in equal measure.
You can fly here directly from SFO in just over 1.5 hours, and once you’re here it’s a great place to get some winter sun.
My top pick for a place to call home here is The Saguaro. Surrounded by mountains in Coachella Valley, this hip boutique hotel is a colorful spot to spend a couple nights in the desert. You can book a room here.
11. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is another of my favorite places to go on a winter weekend getaway from San Francisco. This city is known for its world-class surfing and beaches. It’s the ideal spot to soak up the sunshine and ride the ocean waves. Just 1.5 hours by car from SF, it’s an easy 2-day trip.
If you don’t want to brave the cold water, the city also offers great shopping and dining in the downtown area, and beautiful Victorian houses on the side streets. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an iconic amusement park, too.
I grew up sailing in Santa Cruz, and I’ve always loved the city. It has a cool beach culture and hippie vibe. Neighboring Aptos and Capitola are worth visiting, too. They have more beaches and shops to discover. You can even go wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains if you want to.
My favorite place to stay here is the West Cliff Inn. Set in a beautiful 19th-century Victorian house right by the beach, it has spacious rooms with Pacific Ocean views, seaside decor, and spa bathtubs. I loved the location and the atmosphere when I stayed. You can book a room here.
Winter Weekend Trips from San Francisco
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best winter weekend trips from San Francisco, and that it’s inspired you to head out and explore more of the Golden State. There are lots of exciting places to visit, and winter is a fun time to vacation here.
If you want more ideas for seasonal escapes in California, you can take a look at my blog post about weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. Happy travels!
Find this helpful? Buy me a coffee!
Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on them and make a purchase. It doesn’t affect the way you shop, and it’s a great way to support the California Wayfaring blog.
Pin it!