Get ready to bundle up—it's summertime in San Francisco! And Karl the Fog has really been working overtime this year. But the gloomy days and windy nights have never stopped the intrepid residents of this city from having an epic good time, no matter the season. Here are some of the best summer destinations in San Francisco.
Every summer sees an even more impressive lineup of artists and dancers performing amid the eucalyptus trees in Stern Grove on the western edge of the city. It kind of feels like a camp performance — on a totally epic level. And it's all free! Check out the lineup here.
There are nearly 30 miles of trails weaving their way throughout San Francisco, which is pretty impressive given its small 7×7 landmass. Every one of these trails has something incredible to see, from fertile forests to lush parks to sweeping city views.
This enchanting plot of land is actually 20% larger than New York's Central Park! There are so many things to explore here, from the De Young Museum to the Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden to the Conservatory of Flowers. There's also the Dutch windmills, Stow Lake, and the bison. It's also the destination for music fans in early August for the Outside Lands Music Festival.
There are so many small, secret refuges speckled throughout the city, from mini-parks to mystical forests to POPOS (privately-owned public open spaces) to hillside slides!
After a long three years, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art finally reopened its doors to the public. Explore the revamped space and collection of modern and contemporary art that includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and other iconic creative.
Get out of the city for a bit and either bike or ferry across the bay to the charming Marin town of Sausalito. Browse cute boutiques and art galleries, load up on saltwater taffy, and sit serenely on the dock of the bay.
For another quick and easy escape from the city limits, head south to the quaint coastal city of Half Moon Bay and then to the beaches and tiny downtown of Pescadero, where you can meet seals and goats in one day! Learn more about this fun day trip here.
It’s easy to stay cozy in the 7x7 bubble of San Francisco, which holds a wealth of attractions, both indoors and out. But sometimes a change of scenery does the mind and body good, and, thankfully, city residents have a myriad of fun options at our disposal, in whatever direction we choose to travel (even straight into the Pacific), with whatever means of transportation we can get our hands on. Here are some of the best day trips from San Francisco that are an absolute must-do.
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1. Marin Headlands, Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais & Stinson Beach
Travel slightly north and take a look at the city from a whole different angle. Marin County has a slew of things to do: explore the coastal areas of the Marin Headlands (including the Point Bonita Lighthouse), walk through the sky-high redwoods of Muir Woods, hike up Mt. Tam, and hang out on the expansive Stinson Beach.
One of the best Northern California day trips is always Muir Woods. Enjoy a hike on the Bohemian Grove Trail and the Redwood Creek Trail with California Through My Lens:
Make your way up through the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, where you’ll find hundreds of wineries to visit and quaint towns to pass through, all with incredible scenery and food (we suggest stops in Sebastopol, Calistoga, and/or St. Helena, too).
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And while Napa is certainly glorious, don't forget about Sonoma County, Napa's wine-producing neighbor to the south. If you've yet to experience the splendor of Sonoma County, now’s the time to change that. Between long-standing institutions like Gundlach Bundschu Winery (the third-oldest winery in the state, in fact) to beloved family-run operations like Chateau Diana, wine lovers have a lot to celebrate (and taste!) in Sonoma County -- as do environmentalists. With 99% of Sonoma County’s vineyards certified sustainable, this is the most sustainable wine-growing region in the world.
Take a short day trip down Highway 1 and stop at the adorable seaside town of Half Moon Bay. Explore the fancy Ritz-Carlton while you’re at it, as well as the beach that sits below it. From there, keep traveling south to Pescadero for more great beach options. Then, head into the small downtown and to Harley Farms to play with goats and sample their incredible cheeses. If you keep traveling south, we also recommend a hike through Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Keep traveling south and you’ll find yourself in Santa Cruz, known as, among other things, the birthplace of the best hot dogs in NorCal! Dogs aside, walk around downtown for great shops and cafes, then take to the Beach Boardwalk, hop on some rides, and scarf down a funnel cake. It’s also worth exploring nearby nature, including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where you can even go zip-lining through the trees.
No car? No problem. Because our neighbors across the bay have some pretty great attractions to discover. Take a walk around Oakland’s Lake Merritt (and be extra kind to the geese), and head to neighborhoods like Rockridge, Temescal, and Piedmont Avenue for quirky shops and notable eateries. Don’t forget to stop by the Gourmet Ghetto of Berkeley for some of the Bay Area’s finest restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of great hiking trails scattered throughout the hills of Oakland and Berkeley.
Another one of our favorite San Francisco day trips is Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Enjoy a virtual tour in this video from LifeOfBD:
The best way to experience these two charming towns across the bay is by bike and/or ferry. Both will quickly melt the city stress right off of you with their cute boutiques, cool art galleries, fantastic waterside bistros and cafes, and, of course, unmatched views. For a jam-packed day of fun, we recommend biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, stopping in Sausalito first, then winding your way through to Tiburon, and taking the ferry back to the city.
A quick ferry ride away from downtown, Angel Island, a California Historical Landmark, is for the more adventurous day-trippers. There are a few different hiking trails, all of which grant 360 views of the bay, as well as plenty of historical landmarks to explore. If you want to turn this into more than just a day trip, it’s also a pretty cool spot to camp.
Just north of Stinson Beach is the artsy small town of Bolinas. It’s a good spot to grab some lunch before heading to Point Reyes National Seashore, which offers some of Marin County’s most beautiful trails (and that’s saying a lot). Our favorite hike takes you to the stunning beauty of Alamere Falls.
Travel further up the coast to explore two more beautiful spots: Shuck and slurp your way through all the oysters you can eat along Tomales Bay, then head up to the picturesque fishing village of Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds.
From San Francisco, head south on Highway 280, then take Highway 92 until you reach the peak, where you’ll arrive at Skyline Boulevard, one of the most scenic drives in NorCal. This road winds through lush mountain forests and offers scenic overlooks of the Pacific as well. Take a pit stop at the rustic biker diner Alice’s Restaurant in Woodside, and go for a hike (and a climb) in Castle Rock State Park.
A few different tour companies will guide you right into the Pacific, 27 miles off the coast of San Francisco, to explore this group of islands, home to seals, whales, and even great white sharks.
Taking a boat tour of the beautiful Farallon Islands, often called California's Galapagos Islands, is one of the best day trips in San Francisco. Learn more about this fascinating tour in this video from At Home In Wild Spaces:
Planning your day trips from San Francisco as a starting point gives you nearly an infinite amount of exceptional places to explore. Seriously, you can’t get bored around here, but if you’re looking for more of the best day trips in San Francisco, check out these nearby hiking spots, waterfalls, and state parks.
Trains are not used enough in exploring the beauty of California and the West Coast in general. There are train trips to enjoy from San Francisco, so take a chance on these fun routes. Don't worry, a train trip is more than possible in the San Francisco Bay area. If you’re looking to take a step back in time then take a look at these six wonderful and best day trips from San Francisco. All of these train trips are in the San Francisco Bay area. Now, pack your bags and board the train. Ready to go!
The Capitol Corridor is a 168-mile passenger train route by Amtrak. The Capitol Corridor is a popular route on a train that will take you to Auburn in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, through the Sacramento area, and eventually to Emeryville where one can transfer to a bus to San Francisco. You can also continue onward to Santa Clara and San Jose. This is one of the most scenic day trips near San Francisco. Book your tickets for the Capitol Corridor route on the Capitol Corridor website.
The Coast Starlight is a passenger train by Amtrak. Board at Emeryville if you're in San Francisco and take a day trip to Davis, Chico, or any number of stops locally. The Coast Starlight is a special route because it features a first-class lounge car called the "Pacific Parlour Car". A train trip aboard the Coast Starlight is one of the most unique things to do around San Francisco. Visit the Amtrak website to book your tickets.
The Napa Valley Wine Train is 18 miles long and runs between Napa and St. Helena. Although a short ride, this train goes through Yountville, Rutherford, and Oakville. The most unique aspect of this train is that the route passes by many of the best vineyards and wineries in Napa. Enjoy wine tastings and a gourmet meal aboard the train. It's one of the best day trips near San Francisco you can take.
Altamont Corridor Express connects Stockton and San Jose, so you need to get to the Pleasanton Station from San Francisco. The route is 86 miles and includes 10 stops. WiFi is available on board. Visit the ACE Rail website to view routes and book your tickets.
The San Joaquins Train by Amtrak takes you to Fresno, Stockton, and as far as Bakersfield. Start your journey at the Oakland station and explore the San Joaquin Valley for a fun day trip. This train runs multiple times a day. You can learn more and book your tickets on the Amtrak website. It's one of the best day trips near San Francisco.
The California Zephyr is operated by Amtrak and runs locally through Martinez, Sacramento, and Truckee. You can continue to Reno, NV for a more scenic route if you would like. This will be one of the most beautiful day trips near San Francisco you could possibly take.
Have you taken any of these trains? What other best day trips from San Francisco would you suggest? Let us know your opinions. Also, if you're curious check out this lighthouse road trip near San Francisco that's dreamily beautiful!
