Trip Ideas

8 Great Day Trips from San Francisco

Whether you’re visiting San Francisco for a long weekend or a week, there are more than enough diversions within city limits to fill any itinerary. But even more worthy adventures await those who venture outside the urban landscape, from quirky small-town haunts to world-class wining and dining and natural wonders you won’t find anywhere else. Here are eight easy day trips to check out on your next SF getaway.

Driving south down the cliff-hugging asphalt of Highway 1 feels a bit like cruising along the Amalfi Coast. But on arrival, Carmel-by-the-Sea has a feel all its own. Bohemian-chic boutiques stand alongside cottages that look straight out of a storybook in its picturesque downtown, and the beach is an ideal place to dolphins and sea lions playing. If your agenda calls for quiet reflection, stroll through the gardens and chapels at the 1770 Spanish-colonial Carmel Mission.

For the platonic ideal of boardwalks, complete with nostalgia-tinged carnival games and roller coasters (the Giant Dipper and Looff Carousel have been designated National Historic Landmarks), look no farther than the family-friendly seaside diversions of Santa Cruz. Once you’ve had your fill of popcorn and cotton candy, wander down the wharf to watch surfers catch the waves in Monterey Bay, or hike or walk the coastal trails of Wilder Ranch State Park’s Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve, where you may even spot monarch butterflies during the fall and winter months and whales and otters in the distance. Prefer to see your wildlife up close? You can reach out and touch the sea urchins, starfish, and anemones at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center’s aquarium.

Surfers already know Half Moon Bay for its world-class waves and annual Titans of Mavericks competition, golfers for its coveted fairways and greens, but there’s also plenty for regular folks to do in this cozy hamlet by the sea. The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail runs along four wide, sandy swaths of beach that are perfect for strolling and sunbathing (if not swimming thanks to strong currents), and hiking paths crisscross the forested cliff sides of Montara Mountain. If that sounds like too much effort, you can wander the quirky shops that line downtown’s historic Main Street, sample your way through a bevy of fresh fruit stands (the area is known for its abundance of organic fresh produce), or simply kick back and savor the citrusy amber ale at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s waterfront patio.

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Serious oenophiles need no introduction to the wine meccas that surround the city, but if you’re looking for a low-key way to experience the region’s best varietals, consider the less crowded vineyards in St. Helena. Taste the cabernets in the LEED-certified showroom at Hall Wines, fill your glass in the stylish lounge at Sinegal Estate Winery, or opt for a flight on the alfresco brick patio at Cosentino Winery. After a day of sipping, fuel up with the almond- and cherry-fired steaks at Press or the hearty New American fare (artichoke risotto, lamb tartare) at Goose & Gander. If you want to make a night of it, the ultra-luxurious, neutral-hued rooms at brand new Las Alcobas ensure sweet dreams—and a spa where you can work off your hangover the next morning.