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Weekend getaways in San Francisco

Places within easy reach of San Francisco, with how long they take, how to get there and what a weekend costs. Filter by time and mode.

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12 getaways from San Francisco

  • Sausalito

    30 min · Ferry, Car

    A harbour town of houseboats across the bay. Cycle out over the bridge and take the ferry back.

    Stay
    Day trip
    Per person
    US$20–US$100
    Ferry from the Ferry Building or Pier 41, or cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge
    All year; clearest in autumn

  • Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais

    45 min · Car, Bus

    Old-growth redwoods, then the trails and views from Mount Tam.

    Stay
    Day trip
    Per person
    US$20–US$80
    Car over the Golden Gate Bridge; parking or the shuttle must be reserved in advance
    All year; spring for wildflowers

  • Half Moon Bay

    45 min · Car

    Coastal bluffs, beaches and the Mavericks surf break, with pumpkin farms in October.

    Stay
    Day trip / 1 night
    Per person
    US$30–US$300
    Car down Highway 1 or over Highway 92
    Autumn is sunniest; summer can be foggy

  • Sonoma

    1 h · Car

    Wine country that feels less polished than Napa, with a historic plaza and farm restaurants.

    Stay
    Day trip / 2 nights
    Per person
    US$100–US$600
    Car over the Golden Gate Bridge and up Highway 101 or 37
    Spring and autumn harvest

  • Napa Valley

    1 h 15 min · Car, Ferry

    Vineyards, tasting rooms and serious restaurants. Book tastings ahead; most wineries require it.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    US$250–US$900
    Car, or the ferry to Vallejo and a bus up the valley
    Spring, and the autumn harvest

  • Point Reyes

    1 h 30 min · Car

    A national seashore of beaches, elk, a lighthouse and oysters in Tomales Bay.

    Stay
    Day trip / 2 nights
    Per person
    US$40–US$400
    Car through Marin; little public transport
    Winter for whale watching; autumn for clear days

  • Santa Cruz

    1 h 30 min · Car, Bus

    A surf town with a seaside amusement park, redwood parks in the hills and a university.

    Stay
    Day trip / 1 night
    Per person
    US$40–US$300
    Car over Highway 17, or Caltrain and the Highway 17 Express bus
    Late summer and autumn

  • Monterey and Carmel

    2 h 10 min · Car

    The aquarium, sea otters in the bay and the cypress-lined coast at Carmel and Point Lobos.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    US$250–US$700
    Car down Highway 101 or Highway 1
    All year; September and October are sunniest

  • Mendocino

    3 h · Car

    A clifftop village on a wild coast, with headland walks and redwood parks inland.

    Stay
    2–3 nights
    Per person
    US$300–US$800
    Car up Highway 1 or 101
    Late spring to autumn

  • Big Sur

    3 h · Car

    Mountains falling into the Pacific along one of the world's great coast roads.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    US$300–US$900
    Car down Highway 1 past Carmel; check for road closures first
    Spring and autumn

  • Lake Tahoe

    3 h 30 min · Car, Bus

    Skiing in winter and a clear alpine lake for swimming and hiking in summer.

    Stay
    2–3 nights
    Per person
    US$300–US$900
    Car up Interstate 80; allow far longer on winter Friday evenings
    December to March for snow; July to September for the lake

  • Yosemite

    4 h · Car, Bus

    Granite walls, waterfalls and giant sequoias in one of the great national parks.

    Stay
    2–3 nights
    Per person
    US$300–US$800
    Car east through the Central Valley; check whether summer entry needs a reservation
    Late spring for waterfalls; autumn for quieter trails

Budgets are per person for the whole trip: return travel, a mid-range double room shared, and food.