If you’ve lived in Northern California for a long time, it’s probably been a while since you’ve headed to some of the places you absolutely had to see when you moved there. But if you’re looking to revitalize your love of one of the most beautiful areas in California, you’ll have a great time on this scenic road trip through some of the best sites in nature and the city. With only two and a half hour hours of driving, you’ll get to spend most of your day truly taking in all the sights and sounds. This Northern California road trip is an amazing way to kill some time.

Check out this map for a detailed look at the road trip. After your day of exploration, you’ll be more amazed than ever by the beauty of Northern California!

Buckle up buckaroos!
Google Maps
1. Point Reyes National Seashore
NeoWasHere/TripAdvisor
Point Reyes, California, USA
NeoWasHere/TripAdvisor
Go for a gorgeous hike with ocean views to die for at Point Reyes National Seashore. With the sea right next to you, you’ll fall in love with the scenic location and want to come back again and again. There are also plenty of different choices depending on what you are looking to do, whether that is a quick walk or a longer hike along the shore and through the open spaces running alongside it. Point Reyes National Monument is unlike anything you'll have ever experienced, hands down.

Check out this delightful video tour of Point Reyes and all the must-see spots while you're here:
2. Muir Woods National Monument
Jennifer A/TripAdvisor
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
Must See/TripAdvisor
Take a break from city life and absorb the enchanted feeling of being in the old-growth redwood forest. There is something magical about these trees, and you will know it when you walk through the quiet forest. You won’t be able to believe it’s only 12 miles away from bustling San Francisco. There are 554 acres of protected land at this national monument, and you will be so thankful that it is preserved when you see how beautiful it is. The Muir Woods National Monument is not an experience you'll soon forget.

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3. Coit Tower
The_Loup_Garou/TripAdvisor
Coit Tower, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
The_Loup_Garou/TripAdvisor
This monument is an amazing overlook of San Francisco, especially if you are a fan of the city’s one-of-a-kind architecture. It’s also a good place to go if you’re a history buff, as you’ll get to see interesting murals dating back to 1934. This is also a fabulous place to see a stunning sunrise or sunset, as you’ll see so much of the sky turning pastel colors.

Check out this relaxing view of San Francisco from Coit Tower:
4. Twin Peaks
Monte54/TripAdvisor
Twin Peaks, San Francisco, CA, USA
Chin711/TripAdvisor
Twin Peaks is a conveniently located lookout point that is well worth the 20-minute drive from downtown San Francisco to see. With panoramic views of the city up here at this high point, you will be so glad you made the trip. If you and your group are fans of city views, this is the spot for you!
5. Pacifica State Beach
Mini/TripAdvisor
California 1, CA-1, Pacifica, CA, USA
LindaJabiru/TripAdvisor
Conclude your day at the stunning Pacifica State Beach for some relaxation and whale watching. The misty beach is a tranquil place to remind yourself of the amazing natural environment that surrounds you in Northern California. If you’re patient, you’ll have the chance to observe whales playing in the gentle waves past the break. This experience is a truly unique one, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

Fall in love with Pacifica State Beach in this mesmerizing 4k video:

Enjoy your newfound appreciation of the great place you call home. Have you taken this road trip through Northern California yet? What are your picks for the most scenic places in Northern California? Let us know what you think!

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More to Explore

Northern California Road Trip

Tori Jane | February 02, 2023
  1. Where should I go on a road trip in NorCal? 

Northern California is famous for its overwhelming beauty and incredible majesty. The options for road trips are almost endless, and some of the best ideas for a good road trip in NorCal are ideas like:  

  • Embark upon a Northern California state parks road trip in which you visit several of our amazing parks in one adventure 
  • Do a unique hidden beaches road trip in Northern California to have a beach day without the ocean 
  • Head out on our waterfalls of Northern California road trip that’s seriously just as amazing as it sounds and then some 

Learn more about all of these amazing road trips in Northern California and then some!  

  1. What are some of the best places for iconic Northern California scenery? 

There are a number of stunning iconic locations featuring truly breathtaking Northern California scenery. This region is quite literally well-known for its amazingness, and some of the bucket list items on any list of Northern California scenery ought to be:  

  • Half Dome at Yosemite National Park, which is one of the best hikes in the United States 
  • ….okay, all of Yosemite National Park 
  • Check out McArthur-Burney Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country 
  • The Golden Gate Bridge – have you really visited Northern California without taking a look at this iconic landmark? 

Learn more about iconic places in Northern California.   

  1. What are some of the most scenic places in Northern California? 

Of course, the list doesn’t end with just the nooks and crannies mentioned above. There are many more – so many more that, again, they simply cannot all be listed – and some of our other favorite places are:  

  • Lassen Volcanic National Park, which is perfect for the geology geek in your life  
  • Lake Tahoe/Emerald Bay, which is one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the nation 
  • Sonoma Valley, some of the world’s most famous wine country 

Learn more about some of the most unimaginably beautiful places in Northern California. 

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