If you call San Francisco home or you are visiting, one of the best things is how many incredible day trips are nearby. With a central location, a quick drive gets you to countless of beautiful places in Northern California. It’s been one of my favorite things about the weekends — picking a new spot, packing a lunch, and heading out for a drive!
Checkout 5 incredible day trips from San Francisco!
1. Healdsburg
Healdsburg is a gem of a place, providing a home to all things wine and food. Along the 101, it’s a straight shot north of San Francisco and has a bit of a more rustic feel to it. The town square is the perfect spot to start a day with a meal at SHED and then you can enjoy walking around the area. There are plenty of wineries, like Jordan Winery nearby where you can taste local wines too.
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Read: A Local’s Guide to Healdsburg
2. Big Sur
I love heading to the Big Sur area when I am in need for time along the ocean. The air is fresh here and I love the hippie feeling to the town. It’s a great day trip for those looking to hike and enjoy small stop offs on the windy highway!
Read: 10 Photos That Will Make You Want to Roadtrip to Big Sur
3. Yosemite
This is definitely the furthest day trip from San Francisco, but one of my favorites. If you leave early in the morning around 5:30, you can beat most of the traffic and be in the park by 9 or so. It’s enough time for a hike and to enjoy most of the sights in the valley.
Read: The Ultimate Summer Hike in Yosemite National Park
4. Point Reyes
I feel like this is one of those spots that is not as popular but is starting to gain traction. The downtown is wonderful and perfect for a morning pass by. Be sure to checkout the lighthouse and the cypress tree tunnel nearby!
Read: A Weekend Guide To Point Reyes Station
5. Napa Valley
This is always a classic and you cannot go wrong with an afternoon of wine tasting. There are great spas like Solage for a day of soaking and treatments for those looking to relax. The food scene is great, and Oxbow Market is a fun stop in downtown Napa!
Read: How to Spend 24 Hour in Napa Valley 
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
2 Comments
This sounds absolutely incredible! I need to visit West Coast America immediately!
I hope you’re having a great Monday,
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
So many good spots, thank you!