If you have more than one or two days to spend on your San Francisco visit, and you'd like to take a trip to one of the surrounding areas, these are some of the most popular, and most convenient.
A Day in Napa
Specially designed for a day trip originating in San Francisco, this day's itinerary lets you sample Napa Valley's wines, foods and scenery.
A Sonoma Ramble
Quieter than its better-known neighbor Napa, Sonoma is filled with small wineries and winding country roads.
Santa Cruz
You may know about the Boardwalk and pier, but what about the butterflies and the historic mission? And the Wednesday night sailboat races?
Monterey and Carmel
About two hours' drive south of San Francisco lies the Monterey Peninsula, home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pebble Beach Golf Course. Our Monterey Peninsula guide covers the three different yet equally charming communities of Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is really more than just a day trip from San Francisco. Although the energetic traveler who starts early and drives back late could visit it in a day, it's really better to say overnight if you're traveling from San Francisco, to allow time to fully enjoy the park.
More San Francisco Day Trips
In case you're looking for something a little different, try this list of day trips for more ideas. You'll find fruit orchards in bloom, a place to get muddy without getting into trouble, a couple of sweet factory tours, a cartoon museum and some surprising artistic and architectural treasures, all within a day's drive of San Francisco.
Guided Day Trips
If you'd rather have someone take you out for a day trip than do it yourself, Viator.com offers a wide range of day trips to Wine Country, the Monterey Peninsula, Muir Woods, the Winchester Mystery House and even to Yosemite. For a more people-powered approach, try a bicycle tour from the Golden Gate Bridge to Mt. TamalpaisA few San Francisco tour companies offer personalized, small group tours, which are the most enjoyable way to go. They include A Friend in Town and Blue Heron Tours.
