These are the 12 best weekend getaways from San Francisco

Find unbeatable hiking, exhilarating scenery and a low-key neighborhood vibe at this woodsy coastal retreat. The iconic drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) alone is worth the trip. Note: the highway at the south end of Big Sur, closed because of landslides in 2024, is due to reopen in March 2026, reports Caltrans. Consult the Caltrans website to get updated information on detours.

Check out: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (Hwy 1 mile marker 35.8; 831-667-1112), not to be confused with the similarly-named Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, is the best-known section of Big Sur with gorgeous redwood groves and an 80-foot waterfall. Abandon your modesty for a soak in the clothing-optional hot springs at Esalen Institute, a New Age retreat open to the public by reservation only. In the evening, watch the sunset from the heated patio at Nepenthe, where you’ll get views of the mountains and ocean.

Stay at: Treebones Resort, a community of yurts furnished with queen-sized beds and heaters starting at $368 a night. For a more rustic experience, try a campsite with ocean views from your own tent starting at $137.

Eat at: Splurge on dinner at coast-hugging The Sur House at Alila Ventana Big Sur, where local, sustainably fished seafood combines with foraged and housemade delights for an unforgettable meal.

Distance from SF: 2 hrs 40 mins 

The sleepy fishing town of Point Reyes is known for its fresh oysters and natural beauty. Just up the coast, Tomales Bay is lined with tiny hamlets, old-school seafood joints and picturesque farms and wineries.

Check out: Toby’s Feed Barn, a family-owned community center, has a generously stocked general store, farmers’ market, yoga studio, art gallery and coffee bar. Go for a hike along Point Reyes National Seashore (1 Bear Valley Rd; 415-464-5100) to watch the elephant seals gather at Chimney Rock, then descend the stairs to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Get a view from the water with a rented kayak or paddleboard from Blue Waters Kayaking. For a special treat, check out their nighttime bioluminescence tour.

Stay at: Nick’s Cove, where newly-renovated bayside cottages are equipped with kitchenettes and wood-burning stoves. Rooms start at $405.

Eat at: Hog Island Oyster Co’s (20215 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall, 415-663-9218) shellfish farm serves shuck-your-own as well as pre-shucked and barbequed bivalves on a patio overlooking the Bay. Reserve a table in advance or expect a long wait. At the Marshall Store’s seafood shack, nosh on more oysters and Dungeness crab at picnic tables along the water.

Distance from SF: 1 hr 15 mins

A hidden treasure trove of old-school Americana, the landscape here is nothing short of incredible, riddled with tall peaks, alpine lakes and some of the tallest trees in the world.

Check out: The Giant Sequoia National Monument which boasts the densest concentration of Sequoiadendron giganteum, the world’s largest redwood species. In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (two parks jointly adminstered), find expansive hiking trails and Moro Rock, a massive granite rock formation that dominates the landscape and is incredibly fun to climb via a carved staircase.

Stay at: Wuksachi Lodge, a stone-and-cedar lodge in the heart of the national park (inside Sequoia National Park and a quick drive to Kings Canyon) with rooms starting at $175.

Eat at: Sierra Subs and Salads in Three Rivers, minutes from the national park gates. It was named the second best sandwich shop in the U.S. this year by Yelp. Dine inside or on the outdoor decks overlooking the bubbling Kaweah River.

Distance from SF: 4 hrs

Mendocino County is a NorCal oasis of untouched treelines, wineries and sublime farm-to-table dining north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The quaint town of Mendocino itself has a spectacular coastline of craggy cliffs and unparalleled Pacific views.

Check out: Learn about organic farming at Oz Farm in Point Arena, then drive an hour away to watch the sunset at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.

Stay at: Just a short walk from downtown Mendocino, the Blue Door Inn is a cozy B&B where they deliver a breakfast basket to your door in the morning. Rooms start at $223.

Eat at: Trillium Cafe in the heart of Mendocino serves modern, seasonal California fare with a view of the ocean.

Distance from SF: 3 hrs 20 mins

One of America’s first national parks, Yosemite stuns with the natural beauty of the Sierras. In Yosemite Valley, find waterfalls and picture-perfect rock formations carved by millennia of wind and water. In the high country, alpine lakes and granite moonscapes attract a fraction of the visitors in the Valley.

Check out: Hiking is the name of the game at Yosemite. Adrenaline junkies will thrive on the iconic Half Dome Trail, the last section of which requires climbing a near-vertical granite wall via the path set up seasonally with cables as makeshift banisters (required advance reservations work on a lottery system). Up in high country, trek to the Cathedral Lakes for an afternoon of swimming and soaking in the sun.

Stay at: Yosemite Valley Lodge in the heart of the valley, where you can hear Yosemite Falls from the parking lot and easily walk to it. Gateway towns offer other options, like the fancy Château du Sureau or historic Sierra Sky Ranch in Oakhurst or Firefall Ranch in Groveland.

Eat at: The Base Camp Eatery isn’t fancy but will get you fed and sustained for more hiking (there’s also a Starbucks in the same complex). If you have the wallet to splurge, the Ahwahnee’s Dining Room is spectacularly beautiful.

Distance from SF: 3 hrs 30 mins

Populated by moneyed ski buffs and chilled-out boarders, this ski hub encapsulates laid-back luxury. In the winter, Tahoe’s main draw is its slopes, including Palisades Tahoe, once the site of the Olympics. In the summer, Tahoe is full of idyllic views, lakeside beaches and a wide selection of outdoor activities.

Check out: In warm weather, trek to Emerald Bay, a shockingly turquoise inlet ringed by hiking trails, where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards. Tubing or rafting down the (mostly) bucolic Truckee River is a full-on party when the temperatures rise. Rent gear and catch a ride at the river's end from one of a handful of rafting companies like Truckee River Rafting. In the evenings, catch local bands at Moody’s, a bar and live music venue in the Truckee Hotel.

Stay at: Basecamp Hotel in South Lake Tahoe (with another location in Tahoe City) is a playful and modern with a Wes Anderson vibe. Rooms start at $160. To upscale your stay, visit the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, a boutique resort right on the edge of the lake, where rooms start at $504.

Eat at: The lake has plenty of old-school breakfast and lunch spots to fill you up, including South Lake’s classic Driftwood Cafe in the Shops at Heavenly Village. Choose from more than 350 wines—many from family-owned vineyards—at Truckee’s The Pour House, a tiny but well-stocked tasting room and cheese shop.

Distance from SF: 4 hrs

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey are neighbors with very different vibes. The charming seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, packed with art, wine and history, feels downright European. Monterey, the more down-to-earth of the two, is known for its world-class aquarium and history as one of California’s most important cannery towns (read Steinbeck’s Cannery Row before you go!).

Check out: In the larger region of Carmel, investigate the historic Carmel Mission, arguably the most stunning of California’s 21 Spanish-era missions, or hike through Point Lobos State Reserve, where trails wind along the Pacific Coast. Afterward, relax at Refuge, a thermal spa featuring hot and cool pools, steam rooms, saunas and fire pits. In Monterey, don’t miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the adjacent Cannery Row which features boutique shops and wine tastings alongside tidbits from the town’s past. From November to February, see butterflies galore at the Monarch Sanctuary in nearby Pacific Grove.

Stay at: The Cypress Inn, once co-owned by Doris Day, is architecturally beautiful, amazingly dog-friendly (yes, we brought ours, and cleaned her sandy paws post-beach at the outside dog washing station) and full of history. Rooms start at $329. In Monterey, the posh Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa dials up the wow factor with a dynamic waterfront setting—half of the hotel sits on stilts directly above the crystal-clear Monterey Bay. Rooms start at $368.

Eat: It doesn’t get more fresh than seafood (we recommend the cioppino!) from the old-school joint, Monterey’s Fish House. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, Grasings (6th & Mission Sts, 831-624-6562) will knock your socks off with impeccable service and beautifully prepared fare like wagyu beef, lobster and filet mignon (it also won Wine Spectator’s Grand Award of 2024 and 2025). If you’d like to watch the sun set on the beach, stop by the Cheese Shop for picnic goods.

Distance from SF: 2 hrs

A hotbed of farm-to-table food, decadent hotels and sun-drenched vineyards, Napa’s wine country is a favored getaway for the fog-weary.

Check out: Castello di Amorosa, known for Italian-inspired wines and tastings, offers guided tours of the castle and vineyards. The French-inspired chateau at Domaine Carneros Winery, complete with expansive formal gardens, specializes in sparkling wines.  

Stay at: Bardessono Hotel & Spa in the heart of Yountville (walk to The French Laundry!) is an exquisite space with paintings and sculptures all over the beautiful campus—don’t miss the rooftop pool with its views. Another option is The Cottages of Napa Valley, which are self catering cottages about two miles out of Yountville. 

Eat at: The Grove Restaurant at Copia, the Culinary Institute of America’s restaurant. With Italian and Mediterranean traditions combined with California cuisine and Napa wine country garden-to-table vibe, The Grove offers indoor dining or tables beneath the olive trees on the outdoor patio.

Distance from SF: 1 hr 15 mins

On the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge is a laid-back hub for farmers’ markets, dining and hiking. Even getting there is a treat—either by driving over the iconic orange-hued bridge or via ferry across the scenic Bay.

Check out: Snag a killer shot of the greater Bay Area and the Golden Gate Bridge from Vista Point on the span’s north side. Afterward, learn about the sea lions and other marine mammals that frequent Bay Area waters for free at the Marine Mammal Center or get a taste of what life on the water might be like with a stroll through Sausalito’s houseboat yards. Finally, jump onto a gaff-rigged schooner for a bay tour on the Freda B, docked here.

Stay at: Cavallo Point–The Lodge at the Golden Gate, on the grounds of Fort Baker with modern or historic rooms to choose from and free ebike rentals to bike the short distance to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Rooms start at $536. Another choice is the Inn Above Tide, a cozy hotel with unforgettable views. Rooms start at $585.

Eat at: We love Joinery, a beer hall and rotisserie on the waterfront with informal group seating at long tables and delicious pub grub. Also right on the water, the classic Scoma’s of Sausalito has been serving oysters and fresh halibut, family owned since 1969.

Distance from SF: 30 mins

Fifty miles north of San Francisco, this city balances its artsy, hippie past with a youthful, vibrant bar and food scene.

Check out: Drive down Florence Ave, a 14-mile-long outdoor gallery of so-called “junk art” by artists Patrick Amiot and Bridgette Laurent. Dig through rare books, art, furniture and decor at the Antique Society, a quirky collective of more than 100 dealers with a nice in-house bakery/café. 

Stay at: Pearlessence Vineyard Inn, a pretty B&B with thoughtful perks like heated floors, rain showers and an outdoor fire pit. Rooms start at $265.

Eat at: The Barlow, a four-block compound filled with restaurants, distilleries, breweries and galleries. Among them, try the Blue Ridge Kitchen, a farmhouse style eatery with a wood grill and cocktail bar, or Sushi Koshō offering Japanese fare with a focus on sustainable seafood.

Distance from SF: 1 hr 30 mins