San Francisco Bay Area in northern California covers the city of San Francisco and its nearby counties. Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and Muir Woods National Monument are some prominent tourist places here worth a visit. If you like hiking, you can hike to the top of Grizzly Peak and get a majestic scenic view of the Bay Area. Have you ever watched a live wrestling game? Head to Oakland Metro Opera House and see trained professional wrestlers battle it out to entertain you. Although San Francisco is one of the most visited places in the Bay Area, there are several other locations in and near this region that attract many tourists each year. San Diego, Mendocino, Santa Rosa, and Carmel-by-the-Sea are some nearby towns and cities that are perfect for a weekend getaway. Check out the list below of the top weekend trips from San Francisco Bay Area, California.
1. Sausalito (from USD 146.0)
You can easily plan a weekend trip to Sausalito as its close proximity to San Francisco—only 15.77 km (9.8 miles) away—coupled with the mild climate makes it a year-round tourist spot. Bridgeway Promenade is probably one of the best places in the city to go for a romantic walk. The promenade also has a number of cafes where you can sit back and enjoy a cuppa while taking in the scenic views. Don’t forget to check out U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model while in Sausalito.
San Francisco, Muir Woods, and Sausalito Tour
Duration: 9 hours
2. Mendocino
The coastal region of Mendocino is about 252 km (157 miles) from San Francisco Bay Area. Mendocino has several farmers’ markets that are among the favorite stops of locals and visitors alike. These markets are perfect if you want to get a taste of local produce. From November to February, Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park becomes a popular tourist spot as you can spot gray whales on the coast. Visit Kelley House Museum if you want to check out artifacts from the 19th century.
3. Monterey (from USD 80.0)
Monterey is about 183 km (114 miles) from San Francisco Bay Area. Visitors can’t miss stopping by the vibrant Cannery Row, a waterfront street here. Cannery Row once had many canning factories, but the buildings have now been converted to hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. Visit one of the waterfront restaurants and soak up the beauty of Monterey Bay. Cannery Row is also popular if you want to experience the local nightlife. Monterey Bay Aquarium and Dennis the Menace Playground are some other points of interest in the city.
Monterey Half-Day Whale Watching Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
4. Pescadero
The town can be reached in about an hour’s drive from San Francisco as it is just 76.12 km (47.3 miles) away. Pescadero is a great place to visit if you want to spend a relaxing weekend on the beach. Pescadero State Beach, Bean Hollow State Beach, and Pomponio State Beach are just some of the beaches in the area where you can chill, enjoy a picnic, or go fishing. While in Pescadero, you can also visit Pigeon Point Light Station, which is about 8 km (5 miles) away. The iconic historic landmark was built in 1871, and it is the perfect photo backdrop during sunrise or sunset.
Tip from Content Creator
Pescadero is somewhere along Highway 1, so easy to miss! Just an hour‘s drive from San Francisco, a great day trip or weekend getaway
Sure there are beaches and all, but did you know about downtown Pescadero and the local farms around the area? It's a quaint small town with vintage accents everywhere - rich in historical significance. Most of all, it made me feel like this place was unreal, something that was put together by the folks at Universal Studios.
While you're here, you can’t say no to a lemon+berry pie! Especially not at the famous Pie Ranch. You can also visit Pigeon Point Lighthouse and have lunch at Duarte’s Tavern, a 4th generation family business ever since they operated as a Saloon. Check out their Soup Latte and artichoke+green chili half and half.
Visiting Pescadero? Check out Janice's suggested itinerary here: https://wheresjanice.com/pescadero-weekend-itinerary/
5. Carmel-by-the-Sea (from USD 139.0)
The small beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea is located about 196.5 km (122.2 miles) from San Francisco. The town is well-known for its museums, such as Carmel Mission Basilica Museum and Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. It is also a haven for wine lovers as about 20 wine-tasting rooms are tucked within a square mile here. The town’s main street, Ocean Avenue, is a must-visit as it is lined with charming restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
Carmel 3-Hour Small-Group Guided Food and Wine Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours
6. San Diego (from USD 117.72)
San Diego is not very close to San Francisco Bay Area—about 817 km (508 miles) away. However, the warm weather and the vibrant city life make San Diego an ideal weekend trip destination for Bay Area’s visitors and locals alike. The beaches here are perfect for lazing off, but you should not miss visiting popular landmarks such as USS Midway Museum, SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, and more.
San Diego: Gourmet Dinner Cruise
Duration: 2.5 hour
7. Gualala
Gualala is about 184.75 km (114.8 miles) from San Francisco. The natural beauty of Gualala makes the coastal town very inviting for tourists. It has a thriving community of artists and art lovers, which is reflected by the large Gualala Arts Center. You can indulge in a number of outdoor activities here, like camping, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and more. If you like watersports, you can rent a kayak or a canoe and take on Gualala River while admiring the scenic riverside beauty.
8. Cayucos
Cayucos is a coastal town and is about 365 km (227 miles) away from San Francisco. It is a great place to spend a relaxing and romantic weekend near the Bay Area. Cayucos has several antique shops where you can find some interesting trinkets. Apart from the sandy beaches, this destination also has several murals spread across town. Put your flipflops on and go on a self-guided mural tour while here.
9. Healdsburg (from USD 125.0)
This small touristy town is just a short drive from Santa Rosa, and San Francisco is about 111.52 km (69.3 miles) away. This picturesque location with a lush redwood forest is home to some of the best wineries in the country. Healdsburg is a great weekend destination for birthdays, anniversaries, or just an escape from city life. You can also visit one of the farmers’ markets here, where locals from across Sonoma County offer local produce and crafts.
Healdsburg Small-Group Food and Wine Walking Tour
Duration: 4 hours
10. Santa Rosa (from USD 235.0)
Known for its wineries, Santa Rosa in Sonoma County is about 88 km (55 miles) away from San Francisco. The city has a vibrant culture, with a lot to see, eat, drink, and do. If you like beer, Santa Rosa is the place to visit in February as the FeBREWary celebration takes place here each year. Pick up your Santa Rosa Beer Passport, visit participating breweries, and sample some amazing craft beers. Step back in time at Historic Railroad Square, take your children to Snoopy’s Home Ice, or shop for local produce at one of the farmers’ market—indeed Santa Rosa has it all!
Santa Rosa Bike 'n' Brew
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Enjoy a weekend trip from San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area has many nearby destinations that are perfect for celebrating anniversaries and birthdays or simply escaping busy city life, even if only for a while. A weekend trip from the Bay Area to one of the nearby towns or cities will definitely relax you.
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