Sometimes I see tour buses taking visitors from San Francisco on outings so far afield that they’re not really a day trip. So I just want to set the record straight on what you could realistically do in a day that both starts and ends in San Francisco (or anywhere else in the Bay Area).
Muir Woods and Marin
Is it daytrippable? So much.
Marin is a perfect day trip from San Francisco. You get to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, and it’s close enough that distance isn’t an issue (though traffic might slow you down a bit).
If you’re looking for the ideal version of walking in a redwood forest, Muir Woods is what you’re looking for. It can get a little crowded but it’s just so beautiful (and on rainy or foggy days, it’s even more gorgeous) it almost doesn’t matter. Note that you’ll need to plan in advance, since you’ll need to reserve either a parking spot or a seat on the shuttle if you’re coming via public transportation or parking in either Larkspur or Sausalito.
Other great day trip destinations in Marin include the cute towns of Sausalito and Tiburon, Angel Island State Park (take the ferry over from Tiburon), and Mount Tamalpais.
San Mateo Coast
Is it daytrippable? Definitely
Just south of San Francisco is the San Mateo coast (sometimes called “Coastside,” as in the coastal side of San Mateo County). This chain of towns, beaches, bluffs, and lighthouses are an easy drive from the city but still feel like a totally separate experience. Pacifica, Montara, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, and slightly inland, Pescadero (go for the cute downtown and the ollalieberry pie at Duarte’s).
Nearly a dozen beaches and state parks are perfect for Northern California style beach outings (pack a jacket) and tidepooling. In the winter, you can head even farther south to Ano Nuevo to take a guided tour of beaches full of massive, loud, aggressive, and utterly amazing elephant seals. As part of a tour (it’s the only way to reach the beaches), you’re at a safe distance but it’s still such a sight.
Berkeley and Oakland
Is it daytrippable? For sure.
From San Francisco, it’s an easy trip across the Bay Bridge (or a quick ride on BART) to both Berkeley. In Berkeley, my favorite things to do are to walk around on campus and Telegraph Avenue, do some upscale retail therapy on Fourth Street, climb up Indian Rock (or go to another of the city’s wonderful rock parks) for great views of the Bay, and visit city museums like the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives, the Lawrence Hall of Science, the tiny and wonderful Aftel Archive of Curious Scents, and the Magnes Museum.
Next door, Oakland is another great day trip. Its most popular stops include the Oakland Zoo (great with kids), the old timey and sweet storybook-themed theme park for young kids Storyland, and its incredible regional parks (my favorite is Redwood Regional Park, which as the name suggests, has some of the area’s most fantastic redwood forests).
Sonoma
Is it daytrippable? Yes
Sonoma is a massive county, and pretty much all of it is worthy of a visit. And all of it is a reasonable drive to and from San Francisco. Sonoma is great because you can sample so much of the best of California in one day. The Sonoma Valley is picture perfect wine country, and tends to offer a mellower vibe than Napa next door. The Russian River Valley blends wineries and redwood forests, plus river activities like kayaking and canoeing. Out along the coast, you get wild Pacific beaches plus beautiful little towns like Jenner.
Napa
Is it daytrippable? Yes
You can absolutely do Napa as a day trip, though if you’re planning on going wine tasting, this is one where it makes sense to join a tour or hire a driver so you don’t have to worry about having a designated driver (driving while under the influence is a serious offense in California).
Point Reyes and the towns of Tomales Bay
Is it daytrippable? Yes
Point Reyes National Seashore is a pretty and leisurely 90-minute drive from San Francisco. Decide on your plan in advance or stop for picnic supplies in the town Point Reyes Station and then head to the visitor center for some ranger advice on what to visit. They’re good at tailoring suggestions to your interests, abilities, and time constraints.
Bodega Bay
Is it daytrippable? Yes
A bit north of Point Reyes, the fastest route to Bodega Bay is to take 101 to Petaluma and then drive through miles of gently rolling hills back out to the coast. This town, best known as the setting for the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds, is an easy way to soak up the charms of the Sonoma Coast. There are nice beaches nearby, a bunch of restaurants, and the obligatory salt water taffy shop.
Stinson Beach and Bolinas
Is it daytrippable? Yes
Heads up that the roads to Stinson (and Muir Beach and Bolinas) are winding, but also very pretty. The drive to Stinson takes about an hour, and you can spend the rest of the day hanging out on the beach and in the smallish but busy town of Stinson Beach. The proximity to San Francisco (and the rest of the Bay Area) means that both the beach and the town can get packed on nice days, so if you’re heading there on a warm day, consider getting there early.
Santa Cruz
Is it daytrippable? Yes
To get between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, you cover a lot of ground (the trip is about 75 miles), but since it’s mostly on highways, you can do the trip (as long as there’s not a lot of traffic) in about 90 minutes. Santa Cruz is a fun day trip destination, and one that you can do a lot of different ways. You could spend the day on seaside rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, soak up the mellow college-beach-town vibe, or beach hop along the coast. For a real treat (and only a slightly slower drive), take Highway 1 down the San Mateo Coast–it’s beautiful.
Sacramento and Davis
Is it daytrippable? Yes
Sacramento is about two hours from San Francisco, and can be a fun day trip, especially if you have kids. Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum, and the Sacramento Zoo are particularly popular with families (mine included). But even if you don’t go with kids, there’s still plenty to do, including hanging out in the low-key and hip Midtown neighborhood, where there’s a nice mix of boutiques, cafes, and some great restaurants that make the most of Sacramento’s proximity to thriving farmland. Just 20 minutes away, the college town of Davis is also worth a stop.
Monterey or Carmel
Is it daytrippable? Yes
Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are beautiful, oceanside Central Coast destinations that are about a two-and-a-half hour drive from San Francisco. It’s a longer drive for a day trip but still doable, and both Monterey and Carmel are nice spots to just wander, so even if you don’t go with a clear plan you’ll probably still have a nice time just soaking up the seaside charms. Monterey is most famous for its pretty incredible museum, and Carmel-by-the-Sea is packed with art galleries and the town has no addresses, which is sort of quirky and fun.
Big Sur
Is it daytrippable? Yes but it’s a stretch.
To get to Big Sur from San Francisco is a long, slow, winding three-hour drive. Along the way, you pass all sorts of Central Coast spots worth a stop, which can slow your journey farther. And Big Sur is a place that wants you to slow down and stay a while to appreciate its natural beauty, so trying to rush through it will mean you don’t really get to experience its magic. Instead, stay overnight either near Big Sur or in nearby Monterey or Carmel.
Yosemite
Is it daytrippable? In my opinion, no, even though there are day trip tours there.
Here’s my reasoning: Yosemite is a long drive from San Francisco and is also absolutely deserving of at least an overnight stay. Don’t sell yourself short–unless you really only have a single day for Yosemite, make a trip to this national park at least an overnight. The only time I’d recommend doing Yosemite as a day trip is if this is the only time you’ll ever get to see it and you’ll be content with the briefest glimpse of its majesty.
Lake Tahoe
Is it daytrippable? I have done it as a day trip and wouldn’t recommend it.
The trip takes about four hours each way if there’s not traffic (and there’s usually traffic), and the lake and its surrounding towns wilderness are also worthy of an overnight stay. In summer, it’s worth staying a few days to hike, swim, boat, and enjoy the towns around the lake. In fall, it’s quiet and beautiful, and you can go see the salmon swimming upstream at Taylor Creek on the South Shore. And in winter, there’s skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and lots of other chances to play in the snow.
