San Francisco Day Trips

The Best Places to Visit Near San Francisco on a Map

To help you find your way around, we start with a map of our 7 favorite things to do near San Francisco.

Sausalito

Sausalito is the right destination from San Francisco if you need to get out of the city – a short vacation from your vacation, so to speak.

The coastal town gives you that beach vacation feeling and has nothing of the typical American city. You can stroll along the promenade, sunbathe on Sausalito Beach and eat ice cream in the small streets.

Sausalito looks really picturesque: a lot of colorful houses have been built on a hillside between the woods. That’s why you have a sea view from almost everywhere.

What you absolutely have to see are the houseboats of Sausalito. It’s really crazy how luxurious some of these floating houses are. But be respectful and always remember that people really do live here.

How to get to Sausalito

Sausalito is just about a 20-minute drive from the city. But for one of the best day trips from San Francisco, take the ferry from Pier 41. On the water you’ll get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

Another option is a bike tour — ride across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito. It’s one of our favorite tours in San Francisco. You’ll find bike rentals all over the city.

Ferry ticket to Sausalito without queuing
24-hour bike hire from Fisherman’s Wharf
Guided bike tour to Sausalito

Yosemite National Park

You’ve likely seen that iconic view on Instagram: the soaring rock faces of Half Dome and El Capitan, framed from the vantage point at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite truly is among the most spectacular national parks in the U.S. — it also features on our top 11 national parks on the West Coast.

Here you’ll find giant sequoia trees, waterfalls that drop hundreds of meters (like Yosemite Falls), and if luck is on your side, even a black bear sighting.

In short: Yosemite is a dream destination for outdoor lovers and hiking fans.

How to get to Yosemite National Park?

The easiest and most stress-free option is to take a guided tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel, freed from the hassle of entrance tickets, and travel with a guide who shares insights and leads you on hikes.

From San Francisco: Guided day trip to Yosemite National Park

If you prefer flexibility, you can also rent a car and go on your own. In that case you’ll need to purchase the park entry fee (about 35 USD) yourself. More details are available on the Yosemite National Park website.

Monterey Peninsula and Carmel

The Monterey Peninsula is just under two hours by car from San Francisco. The drive alone makes it one of the best day trips from San Francisco – you’ll travel along the iconic Highway One with sweeping views of the Pacific.

The route starts in Monterey and takes you along the famous 17-Mile Drive all the way to the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit near San Francisco, thanks to dramatic cliffs, wild beaches, and refreshing sea air.

You’ll often spot seals lounging by the shoreline, and if you’re lucky, dolphins or whales off the coast. You’ll also pass by Pebble Beach, home to the iconic Lone Cypress tree — a famous photo stop that even shows up in Hitchcock movies.

How do you get to Monterey?

Guided tours are available for the Monterey Peninsula, which include hotel pickup in San Francisco. That way you can enjoy the journey without worrying about driving and just take in the views.

From San Francisco: Day trip to Monterey and Carmel

If you prefer independence, you can rent a car and drive yourself. Just be prepared: there’s a 10 USD toll for the 17-Mile Drive.

Silicon Valley and Stanford University

Have you ever dreamed of seeing the garage where HP was founded? Or the house where Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built their first Apple PC? In Silicon Valley, you’re walking in the footsteps of the most legendary tech innovators of our age.

Companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, Intel and many others call this place home. At some sites, for example the Google Campus, you can catch a glimpse of daily life inside. Others remain more private.

Don’t miss the Apple Infinite Loop – a striking, modern building that makes quite an impression.

And just nearby in Palo Alto lies Stanford University – one of the top universities in the US. The campus is lovely, filled with history, and conveniently along your route through Silicon Valley.

How do you get to Silicon Valley?

You can easily explore Silicon Valley on your own. By car, just follow Highway 101 toward San José. Or take the L2 train to Mountain View station.

If you want deeper insight into the region’s tech giants and history, consider a self-guided audio tour.

Audio guide for Silicon Valley

Muir Woods

Muir Woods National Monument is just half an hour’s drive north of San Francisco. Here grow the famous redwoods, reaching heights of up to 80 meters – and some are more than 1,000 years old.

There are several loop trails through the forest, which take between 30 minutes and an hour to hike.

This forest truly feels like an oasis of peace, and it’s a photographer’s dream — especially when mist winds through the trees and sunlight filters through the tops.

The best time to visit is early in the morning on a weekday. The parking lot fills fast, since locals also flock here. Entry to the park costs 15 USD.

How do you get to Muir Woods Park?

You’ll find many combination tours that include Muir Woods. Because the visit doesn’t need a full day, it blends easily with other San Francisco activities, such as Alcatraz or Sausalito.

Combination tour: Muir Woods & Sausalito Bay boat trip
Combination tour: Muir Woods, Alcatraz & Sausalito

Napa and Sonoma Valley

No other U.S. state produces as much wine as California. That’s why the name Wine Country perfectly fits the area north of San Francisco. It’s here you’ll find the world-renowned wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Valley alone hosts 400 wineries! Everywhere you look, rolling green hills are draped in vines — simply stunning.

When you visit, you’ll learn about wine production and wine-making history — for instance, how wine was secretly smuggled during Prohibition. And then comes the highlight: tasting some of the region’s finest wines.

How do you get to Wine Country?

You’ll find tours that visit both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. We favor Sonoma – it’s less famous, but just as scenic and a bit more relaxed.

One popular route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and follows Highway 101, with a stop in Sausalito on the way back. It’s a beautiful drive, and it’s also great if you’re driving a rental car.

From San Francisco: Wine tour to Sonoma Valley

Bay Area

Last but not least, here’s a shorter option: a sailing trip in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is one of the best day trips from San Francisco if you don’t have much time but want to see a lot of the city.

The Bay Area refers to the bay north of San Francisco, bordered by the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.

The catamaran leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf and sails past some of San Francisco’s most popular sights: Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s great for photos! Plus, you even get to steer the catamaran yourself.

The trip lasts about 90 minutes and you can buy drinks onboard.

A boat trip through the Bay Area is also included in some San Francisco City Passes. While the included option might not be on a catamaran, getting a City Pass can still be a cheaper way to do this thing to do near San Francisco.

How do you get to the Bay Area?

The beauty of this excursion is that you simply head to Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf. You can walk there from downtown or take the streetcar to the Beach and Stockton Street station.

Catamaran trip through the Bay Area

Do you know more amazing day trips from San Francisco?

These were our tips for special activities and day trips around San Francisco. What did you do in the Golden City? Tell us more in the comments!