Ideas for a Day Out in San Francisco
- San Francisco Explorer Cruise: Far more interesting than the standard ride around Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, this tour is so much fun that even locals love it.
- Vertigo Movie Tour of San Francisco: Use our self-guided directions to visit some of the most famous spots in Alfred Hitchcock's classic film.
Day Trips Out of Town
- Drive South on the Coast Highway: Follow the directions going south for a drive down Highway One from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel (or further).
- 17-Mile Drive: If you want to visit Pebble Beach or have lunch at Roy's in Spanish Bay, it's worth the admission. Or try our admission-free alternative if you're just looking for pretty views.
- Big Sur: California Hwy 1 from Carmel south is one of the state's most beautiful drives. Add a stop to tour the Point Sur Light Station and it makes a nice day out.
- Mad Maps: These maps are perfect for the curious wanderer, with several routes perfect for an old-fashioned Sunday drive.
- Motorcyle Day Trips from San Francisco: Discover some great drives and places to visit from San Francisco on a motorcycle, and find out how to rent one if you need it.
- San Francisco to Santa Cruz on Hwy 1: This often-overlooked section of Hwy 1 is just as pretty as Big Sur, less crowded and a lot closer to the city.
- Sonoma Ramble: We'll guide you on a nice, day-long ramble along Sonoma's backroads.
- Sir Francis Drake Blvd: Follow US 101 north out of San Francisco, then go west in San Rafael toward Olema and the drive is almost as pretty as your destination on the coast. Return via Hwy 1.
- Valley of the Oaks: Head south to King City on US 101 then go west into one of the least-changed landscapes in central California.