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With summer fast approaching, many families are beginning to plan their summer outdoor activities and weekend getaways. A day trip is a great way to escape your everyday routines and bask in the sunshine. The area offers some great options for day trips with your family so keep reading for some ideas for the best road trips from San Francisco.
Monterey Is One Of The Best Places To Visit
Monterey, California has much to offer its visitors. Monterey features plenty of entertainment venues, and amazing dining experiences, and boasts a rich history that it is dying to share. Whether you stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf, enjoy the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or follow Monterey’s Path of History, your trip to Monterey is sure to be an enjoyable one.
While in Monterey, be sure to check out some of Monterey’s amazing restaurants such as Stoke’s Restaurant Bar and Grill, Jack’s, and the Bulldog British Pub. The trip from San Francisco to Monterey will take about two hours in travel time.
Sonoma County Is The Perfect Place For Some Wine Tasting
Sonoma County is another great day trip for wine enthusiasts. Sonoma is home to many wineries, vineyards, restaurants, and more.
Whether you tour the Benzinger Family Winery, taste wine and champagne at the Korbel Champagne Cellar, or partake in an exciting hot air balloon ride with Wine Country Balloon Tours, Sonoma is bound to be a day trip you’ll want to recreate again and again. Travel time from San Francisco to Sonoma is about one hour.
Yosemite National Park Is One Of The Most Scenic Drives
Yosemite National Park is a popular day trip adventure and one of the best national parks for nature lovers in the San Francisco area. While this trip requires a lot of travel time, a drive to Yosemite National Park is highly rewarding.
Yosemite National Park is a magnificent spectacle of wilderness at its finest, which includes trees, mountains, wildlife, and more. Your trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco will take about four hours of driving.
Redwood National Park For Giant Sequoias
A visit to Redwood National Park is a day trip your family will not forget. Children and adults stare in amazement at the ancient, magnificent redwood forests that tower to the heavens above them. Redwood National Park has much to offer including nature walks, hiking, bird watching, and over 40 miles of coastline. Your trip to Redwood National Park from San Francisco will take approximately seven hours.
Sausalito Is Filled With Natural Beauty And One Of The Best Things To See
A quick trip across the Golden Gate Bridge brings visitors to the quaint city of Sausalito. Delight in art galleries, boutiques, and a multitude of dining experiences. If traveling with children, the Bay Area Discovery Museum comes highly recommended. For adults or families with children ages 12 and over, a unique way to experience Sausalito is with a Segway tour.
For a fun-filled day with a modern twist, try a segway tour. This is one the kids will surely love. The tiny town of Sausalito offers a Sausalito Segway Tour. This tour is an eco-friendly way to travel around the bayside town taking in its pleasant sights. The town of Sausalito has many houseboat communities, parks, and harbors waiting to be explored.
Another great part of this day trip is getting to the village itself. The Golden Gate Ferry carries passengers from San Francisco to Sausalito. When you arrive, you will see this small village is ideal for a family day trip. It has many art galleries, waterfront restaurants, quaint shops, and landmarks such as the Bay Model, Cass Marina, Dunphy Park, and Galilee Harbor.
If a few hours on a segway are not exactly what you had in mind, try the Winchester Mystery House, Muir Woods, and Sausalito Tour. This 8-hour excursion has a little bit of everything to keep the entire family entertained. Enjoy a scenic drive into Muir Woods to tour the spooky Winchester Mystery House. Since the death of the heiress, many strange happenings have been reported from inside the mansion.
The Muir Woods offers spectacular views of the bay area and up-close encounters with the ancient Redwood forest. The tour then heads over to the small village of Sausalito where you will spend about an hour exploring on foot before returning to San Francisco via ferry.
Napa Valley For The Best Weekend Trips
One memorable day trip that is sure to leave a lasting impression on young and old alike is a drive to Napa Valley, California. Napa Valley is most famous for its vineyards and wineries but is among the most beautiful locations in California. Delight in wine tastings at the Sequoia Grove Winery, take a tour of the Sterling Vineyards or partake in a Napa Valley limousine tour with Beau Wine Tours.
Napa Valley is most popular during the spring and summer months but is known to be quite radiant during the autumn as well. Many wineries feature wine tastings throughout the year. The trip from San Francisco to Napa Valley should take just over an hour.
For a unique dining experience, visit the Wine Spectacular Greystone Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. At this historic setting in St. Helena, diners can enjoy such entrées as Prosciutto Wrapped Cod, Berkshire Pork Tenderloin, and Grilled Petite Hanger Steak.
The Small Town Of Vallejo Is One Of The Best Stops
If you like the excitement of theme parks, there are two that can make for great road trips from San Francisco. Located in the East Bay, in the city of Vallejo, approximately 30 miles from San Francisco is Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Here you can experience a variety of rides, along with animal attractions and shows.
Santa Clara Is Just A Short Drive Away That Worth Visiting
About 45 miles south of San Francisco, in the city of Santa Clara, is California’s Great America. Visitors can delight in thrill rides, along with rides for the whole family, and a variety of shows, including kid, shows where youngsters can be entertained by Snoopy and friends.
Sacramento Is A Great Place To See And Have The Best Time
Prefer something more historical? Then head to the downtown area of Sacramento for the day. Revel in a tour of the state capital and visit Sutter’s Fort State Historical Park. Take a trip back in time to Old Sacramento, which brings the days of the California Gold Rush to life.
California’s Great America
Approximately 50 miles outside San Francisco is California’s Great America of the United States. This large theme park is the perfect way to enjoy a fun-filled family day. The older kids can enjoy a variety of thrill rides, live shows, and the Boomerang Bay Beach Club. The younger kids can spend the day at Planet Snoopy or enjoy some of the family rides. There is also great dining at the best restaurants and areas to relax.
Final Thoughts on Road Trips from San Francisco
The city of San Francisco is a wonderful place filled with many great things to do. The area surrounding San Francisco Bay Area also offers its share of adventures that differ from the city. Young or older, visitors or locals, there is something for everyone. So plan your road trips from San Francisco today!
