Fun Family Trips 2-3 Hours Away From Bay Area
The 10 best weekend getaways from San Francisco
Escape from the metropolis with these stress-costless weekend getaways from San Francisco, including jaunts to Napa and Lake Tahoe
Like shooting fish in a barrel admission to weekend getaways from San Francisco are one of the very best things nigh this urban center, cheers to a strategic location that places SF between beaches, forests and mountains. Head north to find the wineries of Napa and Sonoma, giant redwoods and a rugged coastline. South, y'all'll discover charming Carmel-By-the-Body of water and stunning Big Sur. Likewise within driving distance: Yosemite and Tahoe, both bucket-list destinations that offering stunning scenery and tons of activities year-round.
So put a pivot on visiting the bars and restaurants in San Francisco itself and hitting the road for Sonoma wineries, Tahoe, Big Sur and more.
RECOMMENDED: Total guide to the best things to do in San Francisco
All-time weekend getaways from San Francisco
i. Large Sur
Find unbeatable hiking, exhilarating scenery and a low-central neighborhood vibe at this woodsy coastal retreat. The iconic bulldoze down the California Coastal Highway (Hwy 1), solitary, is worth the trip.
Check out: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (47555 Hwy i; 831-667-2315), the best-known section of Big Sur, has gorgeous redwood groves and an lxxx-foot waterfall. Abandon your modesty for a soak in the clothing-optional hot springs at Esalen Institute, a New Age retreat open to the public by reservation just. In the evening, sentinel the sunset from the heated patio at Nepenthe, where you lot'll get views of the mountains and ocean. (Pro-tip: Skip the overpriced food and stick with drinks instead.)
Stay at: Treebones Resort, a customs of yurts furnished with queen-sized beds and heaters starting at $320/night. For a more rustic experience, roll out sleeping numberless in the resort's Man Nest, a lofted, woven-woods-art shelter (starting at $175/night).
Consume at: Splurge on dinner at coast-hugging The Sur House, where local, sustainably fished seafood combines with foraged and housemade delights for an unforgettable meal.
Distance from SF: 2 hours 40 mins
2. Point Reyes and Tomales Bay
This sleepy fishing boondocks is known for its fresh oysters and natural beauty. Just up the declension, Tomales Bay is lined with tiny hamlets, old-school seafood joints and picturesque farms and wineries.
Check out: Toby's Feed Barn, a family unit-endemic community centre, has a generously stocked general store, farmer's market, yoga studio, fine art gallery and coffee bar. Go for a hike along Bespeak Reyes National Seashore (i Behave Valley Rd; 415-663-1835)towatch the elephant seals gather at Chimney Stone, and then descend the stairs to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Become a view from the water with a rented kayak or paddleboard from Bespeak Reyes Outdoors. For a special treat, check out their night-time bioluminescence bout.
Stay at: Nick'due south Cove, where the bayside cottages are equipped with kitchenettes and wood-burning stoves. Rooms kickoff at $299.
Consume at: Hog Isle Oyster Co's (20215 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall, 415-663-9218) shellfish farm serves upwards shuck-your-own, every bit well as pre-shucked and barbequed bivalves on a patio overlooking the Bay. Reserve a tabular array in advance or expect a long await. At the Marshall Store's seafood shack nosh on more oysters, as well every bit Dungeness crab and other sea delights at picnic tables along the h2o.
Distance from SF: ane hour 15 mins
iii. The Loftier Sierra (plus Sequoia & King's Canyon National Parks)
A hidden treasure trove of old-school Americana, the landscape here is nothing short of incredible, riddled with tall peaks, alpine lakes and some of the tallest tress in the earth.
Check out: The Giant Sequoia National Monument which boasts the densest concentration of Sequoiadendron giganteum, the world's largest redwood species. In Sequoia and Rex's Canyon National Parks, find expansive hiking trails and Moro Dome, a massive granite rock germination that dominates the mural.
Stay at: Virginia Creek Settlement for a no-frills, notwithstanding all-inclusive experience in a wooden cabin and easy access to nearby Mono Lake. Rooms start at $70. For a more rustic feel, snag a military camp at one of 14 campgrounds in the national parks, three of which are open up year-round.
Eat at: The Epic Cafe (349 Lee Vining Ave, 760-965-6282) in Lee Vining serves hearty, wholesome fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open only in summer.
Distance from SF: 4 hours
iv. Mendocino
A NorCal oasis of untouched treelines, wineries, and sublime farm-to-table dining north of the Golden Gate Span. The quaint county namesake, the boondocks of Mendocino, has a spectacular coastline of craggy cliffs and unparalleled Pacific views.
Bank check out: Learn about organic farming at Oz Farm , then watch the dusk at Glass Beach.
Stay at: Just a short walk from downtown, theBlue Door Inn is a cozy B&B featuring complimentary breakfast foods,all-twenty-four hour period cookies and hot drinks. Rooms start at $159.
Swallow at: The Trillium Cafe in the center of Mendocino serves modern, seasonal California fare with a view of the bounding main. In Ukiah in the Mendo Valley, the Beat out Steakhouse puts an Italian spin on memorable meals paired with local wine.
Altitude from SF: 3 hours xx mins
5. Yosemite
I of America's first national parks, Yosemite however stuns with the natural dazzler of the Sierras. In Yosemite Valley find waterfalls and picture show-perfect rock formations carved by millennia of wind and h2o. In the high country, alpine lakes and granite moonscapes concenter a fraction of the visitors in the Valley.
Check out: Hiking is the proper noun of the game at Yosemite. Adrenalyn-junkies will thrive on the iconic Half Dome Trail, the concluding section of which requires clambering up a near-vertical granite wall using a rope ladder (required advance reservations work on a lottery arrangement). Up in high country, trek to the Cathedral Lakes for an afternoon of swimming and soaking in the sun.
Stay at: The Regal Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel, 1 Ahwahnee Dr, 888-413-8869) is a 19th century stone gild that's just equally classy as the twenty-four hours it was built. Rooms outset at $561. For a (much) cheaper, no-frills option, reserve a tent site at Camp four, the Valley'southward best, or whorl in last minute to one of the wonderful outset-come-first-served campgrounds in the loftier country.
Eat at: You can grab an underwhelming, overpriced meal at The Majestic Yosemite but your best bet for nutrient inside the park is to pick upwardly provisions at the Village Store or Half Dome Grocery and eat them al fresco, overlooking the park's memorable vistas.
Distance from SF: 3 hours xxx mins
6. Lake Tahoe and Truckee
Populated by moneyed ski buffs and chilled-out boarders, this ski hub encapsulates laid-dorsum luxury. In the winter, Tahoe's main draw is its slopes, including Squaw Valley, one time the site of the Olympics. In the summer, Tahoe is full of idyllic views, lakeside beaches and a wide selection of outdoor activities.
Cheque out: In warm weather, trek to Emerald Bay, a shockingly turquoise inlet ringed by hiking trails, where you tin can rent kayaks and paddleboards. Tubing or rafting downward the (mostly) bucolic Truckee River is a full-on party when the temperatures rise. Rent gear and grab a ride at the river's end from ane of a handful of rafting companies like Truckee River Rafting. In the evenings, catch local bands at Moody's, a bar and live music venue in the Truckee Hotel.
Stay at: Basecamp Hotel in South Lake Tahoe is a playful and mod with a Wes Anderson-vibe. Rooms showtime at $105.
Consume at: The lake has plenty of old-school breakfast and dejeuner spots to fill you upwards, including South Lake's classic Driftwood Buffet (1001 Heavenly Mode, 530-544-6545). Cull from more than 500 wines—many from family-owned vineyards—at Truckee's The Pour Business firm, a tiny, but well-stocked tasting room and cheese store. '
Distance from SF: four hours
seven. Carmel and Monterey
Carmel and Monterey are neighbors with very unlike vibes. The charming seaside town of Carmel, packed with art, wine and history, feels downright European. Monterey, the more down-to-earth of the two, is known for its world-class aquarium and history as one of California'south about important cannery towns.
Check out: In Carmel, investigate the historic Carmel Mission, arguably the well-nigh stunning of California's 21 Spanish-era missions or hike through Indicate Lobos State Reserve, where trails wind along the Pacific coast. Afterward, relax at Refuge, a thermal spa featuring hot and cool pools, steam rooms, saunas and fire pits. In Monterey, don't miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium (886 Cannery Row; 831-648-4800 and the adjacent Cannery Row which features boutique shops and wine tastings aslope tidbits from the boondocks's past. From November to February, see butterflies galore at The Monarch Sanctuary (250 Ridge Rd.; 831-648-3100).
Stay at: The Quail Lodge in Carmel, which completed a $28 million makeover in 2013, has updated rooms with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and cushy window seats (Pro-tip: Request a view of the lake). Rooms start at $175. In Monterey, the posh Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa dials upward the wow factor with a dynamo waterfront setting—half of the hotel sits on stilts direct in a higher place the crystal-articulate Monterey Bay. Rooms start at $275.
Swallow: It doesn't get more fresh than seafood (we recommend the cioppino!) from the sometime-school joint, Monterey's Fish House. In downtown Carmel, Grasings (6th & Mission Sts, 831-624-6562) is a cozy, romantic spot for upscale fare like filet mignon and lobster. If y'all'd rather dine with a view, stop past the Cheese Shop and stake out a spot on Carmel Beach to watch the sunset.
Distance from SF: 2 hours
8. Napa
A hotbed of subcontract-to-table food, corrupt hotels and sun-drenched vineyards, Napa's wine state is a favored getaway for the fog-weary.
Check out: Castello di Amorosa , known for their Italian-inspired wines and tastings , offers guided tours of the castle and vineyards. The French-inspired chateau at Domaine Carneros Winery, consummate with expansive formal gardens, specializes in sparkling wines.
Stay at: The Carneros Inn, a resort of private cottages where the hilltop infinity puddle offers vineyard views. Rooms offset at $525.
Eat at: In St. Helena, endeavour the newest offer from Meadowood's Michelin-starred chefs, Charter Oak, where seasonal Wine Country fare is served upwardly family-style. For a less formal experience, stroll through the Oxbow Public Market to try bites from local bakers, butchers and food trucks.
Distance from SF: one hour 15 mins
9. Sausalito
On the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge is a laid-back hub for farmers markets, dining and hiking. Fifty-fifty getting in that location is a treat—either by driving over the iconic orange-hued bridge or via ferry across the scenic Bay.
Cheque out: Snag a killer shot of the greater Bay Area and the Golden Gate Bridge fromVista Point on the span'southward far side . Afterward, learn well-nigh the sea lions and other marine mammals that frequent Bay Area waters for free at The Marine Mammal Center or g et a gustation of what life on the h2o might be similar with a stroll through Sausalito's namesake Homeboat yards.
Stay at: The Inn Higher up Tide a cozy hotel with unforgettable views named one of Northern California's best. Rooms showtime at $415.
Consume at: Right on the water, the classic Scoma's of Sausalito has been serving up oysters and more for 40 years. At Bar Bocce, feast on pizza on a individual patio with bocce ball courts.
Distance from SF: 30 mins
10. Sebastopol
Fifty miles north of San Francisco, this urban center balances its cocked, hippie past with a youthful, vibrant bar and food scene.
Check out: Drive down Florence Ave, a xiv-mile-long outdoor gallery of then-called "junk art" by artists Patrick Amiot and Bridgette Laurent. Dig through rare books, art, piece of furniture and decor at the Antique Society, a quirky collective of 125 dealers.
Stay at: Pearlessence Vineyard Inn, a pretty B&B with thoughtful perks like heated floors, rain showers and an outdoor burn pit. Rooms start at $275.
Swallow at: The Barlow, a four-block compound filled with restaurants, distilleries, breweries and galleries. Among them, the outdoor eating place Barrio Cocina is stepping upward the taco game while Kosho offers Japanese fare with a focus on sustainable seafood.
Distance from SF: 1 hour thirty mins
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Source: https://www.timeout.com/san-francisco/things-to-do/best-weekend-getaways-from-san-francisco
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