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Day Trips and Tours from San Francisco

Day Trips and Tours from San Francisco

The largest city on the west coast of the United States, San Francisco, has seemingly limitless allures. The town itself is a cornucopia of culture and history, but just beyond the city limits are some of the world’s most enticing attractions.

Your options for outings abound with tours that range from redwood hikes to winery-hopping to virtual reality experiences in Silicon Valley. No matter your tastes, there are a wealth of San Francisco day trips and excursions to enhance your time in the “City by the Bay.”

Sausalito

Across the bay from San Francisco sits charming Sausalito, a colorful village that lures visitors year-round. Its peaceful vibe has drawn many celebrities to make their homes here. Sausalito is also known for its unusual houseboat communities that make a delightful contrast to the hillside mansions.

Stroll the streets and along the seashore and soak in your picturesque surroundings. Stop at one of the many shops and galleries for the perfect souvenir, and feast on creative local cuisine at eateries ranging from taverns to luxury establishments.

Reach Sausalito by car, ferry or guided tour. The 16-kilometer drive takes less than 30 minutes, and ferries run regularly across the bay between San Francisco and Sausalito. Excursions to Sausalito often include a visit to nearby Muir Woods.

Muir Woods

Just over the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marin Headlands is a stand of old-growth redwoods now protected as a national monument. Muir Woods is less than a 40-minute drive from San Francisco and affords its thousands of annual visitors a chance to marvel at the ancient trees.

Explore the ten kilometers of trails lined with redwoods and lush undergrowth, search for the woods’ many resident animals and join a ranger for an interpretive talk or hike. The park’s trails link to neighboring public spaces for a chance to extend your hike. Stretch your legs past Muir’s borders to Mt. Tamalpais State Park or Muir Beach.

Silicon Valley

The epicenter of technological advancements is just 1 hour south of San Francisco. At the northern edges of San Jose nestles Silicon Valley, the seat of Google, Facebook, Apple and virtually every other dominant tech corporation. Here you will also find Stanford University, a major player in the area’s evolution into the global giant it is today.

Opt for a self-driving or fully-guided tour of Silicon Valley. Learn about the pioneering companies that established themselves here in addition to newcomers who have yet to make their mark. Guided tours may include visits to Stanford, Google, Apple and the Computer History Museum.

Monterey

Follow the famed Pacific Coast Highway south from San Francisco to the wild coasts of Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur. See the landscape that inspired writings by Jack Kerouac, Robinson Jeffers and John Steinbeck. Quaint Monterey, upscale Carmel and windswept Big Sur are must-see destinations just over 2 hours from San Francisco.

Stop at Monterey for a dose of fishing history, fresh seafood and more. Top on the list of sites to see is Cannery Row, a fish canning facility-turned-tourist destination. Browse the shops, grab a bite and take in the structure that inspired Steinbeck’s 1945 book of the same name.

Carmel-By-The-Sea, Monterey’s southern neighbor, maintains an upper-crust yet quirky spirit. This hamlet is a magnet for artists, beginning with the founding of the Carmel Arts and Crafts Club at the turn of last century. Carmel is home to Clint Eastwood who was once its mayor.

Some tours make a detour to Pebble Beach on the way to Big Sur from Monterey and Carmel to travel 17 Mile Drive. This scenic length of coastline brings you to quintessential NoCal views of cypresses clinging to sheer cliffs pounded by surf many meters below.

Another 40 minutes south lies rugged Big Sur. This 145-kilometer swath of shoreline is some of the most photographed on the west coast. Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, hugs the cliff tops for over 40 kilometers for some of the best scenery in the state. The area boasts parks with sheltered beaches, waterfalls and one-of-a-kind rock formations.

Wine country

The fertile, sunny terrain north of San Francisco produces some of the world’s best wine grapes. With just a two hour drive to some of the country’s best wineries, a day trip to Napa and Sonoma is a must for any oenophile.

Take advantage of a tour or a driving service to hop from winery to winery with ease, tasting to your heart’s content. Napa’s panache attracts the most visitors while Sonoma has a more laid-back feel.

The lesser-known Russian River area produces award-winning wines at big-name wineries without the crowds of higher-profile Napa and Sonoma.

Yosemite

The enticing valleys, waterfalls, forests and rock faces of Yosemite National Park are a gorgeous half-day drive east from San Francisco. The 270-kilometer route offers pleasant photo ops as it leads you through rolling countryside, farming towns and zigzagging mountain roads.

The national park is great for a day trip from the city, but an excursion of several days is ideal. Yosemite’s 3,000 square kilometers beg to be discovered. However, if you can only spend a day there, you can still take in some of the park’s most famous sites. Spy Half Dome and El Captian rising from the valley, and snap photos of Yosemite Falls.

Broaden your visit to 2 or more days with a variety of lodging, ranging from tent camping to resort-style lodges. Experience the farther reaches of the park that aren’t accessible in one day. Venture to Tuolumne Meadows, Mariposa Grove or Elizabeth Lake for tranquil outings without the crowds.