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San Francisco is dazzling, but what’s waiting just outside its seven-mile by seven-mile border is equally impressive.
Within two hours, you can find yourself wandering among redwoods taller than skyscrapers, sipping wine in Napa Valley, sundowning on soft sandy beaches, eating seafood by the seashore, and going hands up on one of the country’s oldest wooden roller coasters.
If the city’s fog has you craving more Golden State scenery, add one of these 10 easy day trips to your San Francisco itinerary.
There are plenty more where that came from, but these will give you a good taste of why we love it here in the Golden State.
(look for a free download of this guide at the bottom of the post)
1. Half Moon Bay
Just 45 minutes south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is where rugged cliffs crash into sandy shores, and small-town charm comes with a salty breeze. Once a humble fishing and farming village, it still embraces its agricultural and maritime roots, especially at Pillar Point Harbor, where you can still eat freshly catch and seafood daily.
Wander the wide Half Moon Bay State Beach or take an easy walk along the mostly-paved and multi-use Coastal Trail that goes along the bluffs.
Main Street is pure small-town Americana, with boutique shops, art galleries, and cafés, and the adorable By the Teashore, serving breakfast and afternoon tea until 1:30 p.m.
For an evening experience, head to the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay hotel and grab a drink at their outdoor bar. Every night, at sunset, their resident bagpiper circles the grounds and serenades guests.
2. Napa Valley
Ninety minutes north of San Francisco, you’ll find Napa Valley, the world-famous wine-producing region with rolling hills and more tasting rooms than you could possibly conquer in a day, from fancy-pants wineries to mom-and-pop shops.
Many companies offer easy food and wine tours of Napa Valley from San Francisco.
Downtown Napa is a good place to start. It’s full of boutiques, restaurants, the Oxbow Market, and tasting rooms, all navigable on foot. Tastings at individual wineries along Highway 29 and Silverado Trail should be booked in advance.
You can also ride the Napa Valley Wine Train. You board in downtown Napa (with easy parking) and are served a meal on board while watching the vines roll by.
Not a wine drinker? No worries. Napa Valley offers great hikes, spas, restaurants, and even hot air balloon rides.
3. Muir Woods
Less than an hour from San Francisco, Muir Woods will make you feel small in the best way possible. These coastal redwoods have been standing for more than a thousand years, some reaching heights of more than 250 feet.
Named after naturalist John Muir, this leafy cathedral has easy walking paths, like the Main Trail Loop, as well as more challenging hikes into Mount Tamalpais State Park, if you’re up for getting a sweat on.
The easiest way to get there is by car, but if you don’t plan to rent one, booking a half-day tour is ideal, and there are some that make stops in scenic Sausalito too!
If you do decide to drive yourself, be aware that advanced parking reservations are non-negotiable. So, unfortunately, that means you can’t just spontaneously show up at Muir Woods.
Also, there is NO cell phone service or WIFI at or around Muir Woods National Monument. Download your parking reservation in advance.
4. Stinson Beach
Just an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, along a serpentine stretch of Highway 1, Stinson Beach delivers classic California coastal vibes with none of the pretension. On warm days, the wide crescent of soft sand lures the entire Bay Area (or so it seems), so plan to go early, especially on sunny weekends.
Grab breakfast or lunch at Breakers Cafe, or an afternoon milkshake, burgers, and fries at the Parkside Snack Bar.
On fog-free evenings, the sunsets at Stinson Beach could convince even the most stubborn city dweller to decamp permanently to the coast.
5. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
If you’re traveling with kids, or you’re a kid at heart, head two hours south where life is all board shorts and beach cruisers.
Santa Cruz has been a surfing mecca since 1885, when Hawaiian princes introduced the sport to mainland America. Today, Steamer Lane is the place to watch surfers perform jaw-dropping feats. Meanwhile, the ultra-fun Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a kitschy classic with roller coasters, cotton candy, arcades, and ocean breezes.
The Giant Dipper is the star here, a historic wooden roller coaster that opened in 1924. Another famous attraction is the Looff Carousel, an antique carousel with hand-carved horses.
6. Sausalito
Just a quick drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, or an easy-breezy ferry ride from San Francisco, Sausalito feels like a world away. It’s so close, you can even hop over for lunch.
Sausalito was a shipbuilding epicenter during World War II, when dozens of Liberty Ships were built there. After the war, the shipyard fell into disrepair, leaving behind lumber, metal, and unfinished boats and parts.
One man’s trash is another’s treasure, and a whole community of floating homes, aka houseboats, was born. Today, there are roughly 400 houseboats floating in Sausalito.
Sausalito also became a haven for artists and musicians like Janis Joplin, the Kingston Trio, and Otis Redding, who supposedly wrote “The Dock of the Bay” here.
Check out my How to Visit Sausalito Like a Local post.
7. Petaluma
Less than an hour north of San Francisco, Petaluma is often overlooked as a day trip, and I don’t know why. Land here in 45 mintues from the Golden Gate and you suddenly slip into a slower, sunnier rhythm.
My grandparents used to bring us here (from their home further north in Santa Rosa), and it was really sleepy then. But it’s evolved into an under-the-radar hotspot, slowly and intentionally.
Set along the gently winding Petaluma River, the historic core hums with antique shops, indie boutiques, and a farm-to-table dining scene that punches far above its small-town weight, with its buttery French pastries, riverside tacos and wood-fired pizza, and cozy wine bars and oyster haunts.
Between meals, stretch your legs on shaded trails at nearby Helen Putnam Regional Park, where rolling hills and sweeping valley views reward even an easy hike, or paddle a kayak along the calm river, drifting past docks, cafes, and willow-lined banks.
8. Point Reyes National Seashore
Nature goes big here, where rugged cliffs, windswept beaches, and more than 100 miles of trails crisscross the 70,000 acres. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for herds of tule elk, one of two subspecies of elk native to California that roam here.
You might also catch a glimpse of offshore whales during their winter migration and of elephant seals between December and March from the overlook above Drakes Bay.
The little town of Point Reyes Station is a great stop for pastries and coffee at Bovine Bakery, offering a great spot for coffee and pastries. Hog Island Oyster Co. is not too far away, and a great place to sample the edible treasures of Tomales Bay.
9. Carmel-by-the-Sea
This might be a bit longer of a day trip (about 2.5-hours one way) but it’ll be worth it once you arrive in Monterey County and the one-square-mile village, Carmel-by-the-Sea.
If you’re traveling with a pooch, you’ll love the dog-friendly vibes and beach, trails along the bluff. Its gridded streets are entirely walkable and lined with Hansel-and-Gretel-style cottages housing boutiques, wine-tasting rooms, galleries, and restaurants.
If you get there early, head to Stationaery, a super-cute, tucked-away gem that serves brunch every day until 3 p.m. I also love picking up botanical oils and tinctures at Eartha Cura, a modern-day apothecary that seems to fit right into this fairy tale village.
On the way into town, or back to San Francisco, make sure to roll along the scenic 17-mile Drive in your car, or on a guided e-bike tour.
Neighboring Monterey is also worth a stop, with its historic adobe buildings, whale watching tours, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Cannery Row.
10. Filoli Estate & Gardens
When I first moved to San Francisco, I took my mom here for Mother’s Day. It has enchanted me ever since.
Entering the Filoli Estate feels like stepping into a different era of California. The Georgian Revival-style mansion, which sits on 654 acres, then wander 16-acres of exquisitely and lovingly cared-for gardens blooming with rose parterres, walled secret rooms, and quiet flowering paths perfumed with citrus and lavender.
The estate has a robust year-round calendar of events, including flower shows, guided garden walks, holiday light displays, educational events, and art installations. Check ahead to see what’s going on during your visit.
The estate is located in Woodside, about 30 miles south of San Francisco at the edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, making it an easy morning or day trip from San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Half Moon Bay.
Find more amazing things to do in San Francisco
Day Trip Tips
Timing: Leave early to make the most of your day trip. Heading north from San Francisco after about 3 p.m., especially on a Friday, is going to be unpleasantly slow.
Transportation: Renting a car gives you maximum flexibility. There is a shuttle to Muir Woods, and plenty of tours offer wine-tasting excursions to Napa Valley. Ferries can take you to cities around the bay, such as Sausalito and Tiburon.
Weather: Layer up. Coastal areas can be foggy and cool, even during July and August. Meanwhile, Napa Valley and Petaluma enjoy hot summers.
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