10 Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco
Looking for a weekend reset without the airport drama?
These 10 road-trip getaways from San Francisco bring surf, redwoods, wine country, and mountain air within a few hours’ drive.
You’ll find who it’s best for, drive time, what to do, plus a simple 2-day plan.
1) Carmel-by-the-Sea
Drive time: ~2–2.5 hours (US-101 or Hwy 1)
Vibe: Storybook cottages, white-sand beach, art galleries, coastal walks
Why go: Monterey Peninsula scenery without the bustle. You can stroll Ocean Avenue, sip along tasting rooms, and watch sunset on Carmel Beach—then wake up to Point Lobos trails and tidepools.
Top things to do
- Walk the Scenic Bluff Path to Carmel River State Beach
- Hike Point Lobos (Sea Lion Point, Cypress Grove, China Cove when open)
- Meander galleries and courtyards off Ocean Avenue
- Quick hop to Carmel Mission or Monterey Bay Aquarium
Where to stay: Boutique hotels in Carmel
2-Day mini-plan
- Day 1: Brunch → Point Lobos hike → late afternoon beach walk → dinner in town
- Day 2: Coffee + Ocean Avenue galleries → Mission visit → coastal drive toward Garrapata + Bixby Bridge (optional Big Sur teaser)
Pro tip: Parking for Point Lobos fills early; arrive before 9 a.m. or park on Hwy 1 and walk in.
2) San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Drive time: ~3.5–4 hours (US-101)
Vibe: Sunny college town energy, wine country, laid-back Central Coast beaches
Why go: It’s smack between scenic coast and rolling vineyards. Spend Saturday tasting in Edna Valley, then hit Avila or Pismo Beach on Sunday.
Top things to do
- Wine tasting in Edna Valley (cool-climate Chardonnay & Pinot)
- Downtown SLO: palm-lined streets, indie shops, great brunch spots
- Beach time at Avila, Shell, or Pismo
- Hike Bishop Peak or the Ontario Ridge coastal trail
Where to stay: See curated, stylish stays at boutique hotels in san Luis Obispo.
2-Day mini-plan
- Day 1: Drive down → lunch downtown → Edna Valley tastings → dinner on Higuera St.
- Day 2: Morning hike → Avila Beach boardwalk + sea-breeze lunch → slow roll back up 101
Pro tip: If you love hot springs, book a private soak at Sycamore Mineral Springs near Avila.
3) Point Reyes National Seashore
Drive time: ~1–1.5 hours
Vibe: Misty headlands, tule elk, oyster shacks
Highlights: Tomales Point elk reserve, Drakes Beach cliffs, lighthouse overlook, oyster tasting at Tomales Bay.
2-Day mini-plan: Alamere Falls or Tomales Point hike → oysters at Hog Island → lighthouse and Drakes Beach → cheese stop in Point Reyes Station.
Pro tip: Dress for wind—even on “warm” days.
4) Healdsburg & Russian River (Sonoma)
Drive time: ~1.5–2 hours
Vibe: Pinot Noir, redwood shade, river floats
Highlights: Downtown tasting rooms, Armstrong Redwoods, lazy summer tubing in Guerneville, farm-to-table dinners.
2-Day mini-plan: Healdsburg plaza tastings → redwood walk → dinner reservation; next day Russian River morning paddle → brunch and head home.
Pro tip: For quieter tastings, aim for morning slots.
5) Napa Valley
Drive time: ~1.5–2 hours
Vibe: Cabernet glamour, vineyard views, elevated dining
Highlights: Silverado Trail wineries, Oxbow Public Market, Yountville restaurants, Calistoga mud baths.
2-Day mini-plan: Silverado Trail tastings → Yountville dinner → Calistoga spa morning → picnic among vines.
Pro tip: Book tastings—many are by appointment only.
6) Santa Cruz
Drive time: ~1–1.5 hours
Vibe: Surf town meets redwoods
Highlights: West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges, Boardwalk nostalgia, Wilder Ranch coastal bluffs, Roaring Camp steam train through redwoods.
2-Day mini-plan: West Cliff sunrise → Wilder Ranch hike → Boardwalk evening; next day coffee in Capitola → beach time.
Pro tip: Mornings are calmer for parking and wind.
7) Monterey & Pacific Grove
Drive time: ~2–2.5 hours
Vibe: Classic coastline, tidepools, sea otters
Highlights: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Lovers Point, Asilomar boardwalks, 17-Mile Drive.
2-Day mini-plan: Aquarium + Cannery Row → sunset at Lovers Point; next day Asilomar dunes walk → brunch in Pacific Grove → lighthouse stop.
Pro tip: Buy Aquarium tickets online in advance on busy weekends to avoid lines; walk-up may be available but can sell out.
8) Big Sur
Drive time: ~3–4 hours (longer with stops)
Vibe: Grand, rugged, camera-roll-melting coastline
Highlights: Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach (purple sand), McWay Falls, canyon and ridge hikes in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
2-Day mini-plan: Carmel coffee → Hwy 1 pullouts → Pfeiffer Beach → overnight; next day McWay Falls + short hikes → leisurely return.
Pro tip: Parts of Hwy 1 remain closed on the south Big Sur coast. Check current access and closures(Caltrans/NPS/Big Sur Chamber) and book official lodges early since many unhosted short-term rentals are newly restricted.
9) Mendocino & Fort Bragg
Drive time: ~3.5–4.5 hours (Hwy 1 or 101→128→1)
Vibe: Wind-carved bluffs, Victorian villages, quiet forests
Highlights: Mendocino Headlands, Russian Gulch waterfall, Glass Beach, Skunk Train through redwoods, sea-cave kayaking (conditions permitting).
2-Day mini-plan: Headlands walk → village shopping → sunset on the bluffs; next day Russian Gulch hike → lighthouse at Point Cabrillo.
Pro tip: Return via Hwy 128’s Anderson Valley for wineries and a faster route.
10) Lake Tahoe (North or South)
Drive time: ~4 hours (weather dependent)
Vibe: Alpine blue, four-season playground
Highlights: Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor, lakeside paths, winter ski resorts.
2-Day mini-plan: Scenic stop at Emerald Bay → lakeside walk → dinner in Truckee or South Lake; next day paddle or hike before heading back.
Pro tip: If you’re aiming for Sand Harbor (NV side), vehicle reservations are required in the morning (park opening–10:30 a.m.) from Apr 15–Oct 15; after 10:30 it’s first-come as capacity allows.
