Lets start with my definition of a road trip then: a road trip is a car/vehicle journey that takes you to a series of Points of Interest (POIs) or destinations over at least one night. The first place youll find it is at theMadonna Inn where you should stay at least once in your life (so, why not now?). Okay, Ill admit it this is the most destination-ish road trip itinerary on my list of San Francisco road trips. and works north along that highway to end in the gold rush-era small town of Nevada City. As far as bites go, the halibut tacos and the shrimp tacos atPapis Grill a few miles south in Pismo Beach are some of the best seafood tacos youll ever put in your mouth. 
(Some of my favorites include Fort Bragg, Mendocino, and Crescent City!). There are several dining options, including a lively tavern; a general store where you can get snacks, gear, and souvenirs; a huge pool thats heated year-round; two hot tubs (including one thats just for adults); the best spa youll find anywhere around Yosemite with warm waterfall coves, a Himalayan salt sauna, skincare and massage treatments, and more; all kinds of activities like ping-pong, smores by the firepits, hammocks, cornhole, and fitness classes; and guided trips to the park. 
Distance from SF: 77 miles; 1.5-hour drive. This is a great short road trip from San Francisco that you can do in a weekend. Each one takes you in a different direction from San Francisco to explore the wonders of Northern California (and a few to SoCal too, if you have the time!). Start your trip by checking in atTimber Cove, a resort hotel with rustic and retro vibes perched on a bluff above the Pacific. But heres the thing: day trips are not the same as road trips and traveling to a destination is not the same as a road trip just because you need a car to get there. The deck at the aforementioned Sunnyside is always a fun time, as is Jakes on the Lake. Distance from SF: 68 miles; 1.25-hour drive. In the summer, however, Tahoe has something for everyone (boating, rafting, sunbathing, hiking, mountain biking, day drinking), with minimal crowds. Pinnacles had previously been a national monument prior to getting official national park status in 2013. Ive slowly been building out this list of the best road trips from San Francisco that Ive done or am still dreaming of. Geology buffs will love this one, as will those people who feel like theyve already explored the rest of California (the Pacific Coast, the California Coast, the National Parks, the Redwoods). Since this is such a beautiful part of the country,with numerous national parks, scenic vistas, and iconic destinations, you'll want to spend some time at each location. Tahoe City is also home to the mouth of the Truckee River (the Lakes sole outlet), so make a reservation to go river rafting and be sure to leave plenty of time to hang out and have drinks and burgers on the River Ranch patio, which is conveniently exactly where your float will end. From the Pacific Coast Highway to the California deserts and legendary national parks weve got it all and you need a car to reach it all. My husband and I and our 21 and 19 year old children are flying into San Francisco on July 29 till August 6. Most people call it the Gold Rush Road Trip, as it takes you to some of the historic sights that mark the California Gold Rush in 1849. Required fields are marked *, All words and images 2013-2022 The Kolibro Group LLC. The museum is open again, and dont forget to also enjoy the trails and picnic areas. If you choose to visit Big Sur as an out-and-back road trip from San Francisco, you can follow California Highway 1 south from the city past Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and the Monterey Peninsula then back up. I am looking at two of your described road trips but not sure how to make it work for us. Pinnacles also houses a California Condor reestablishment program, so bring your binoculars for some majestic bird-watching. Whether you feel comfortable staying in hotels, carry your vaccine card everywhere, prefer car camping, or any other combination of variables, road trips allow you to choose. I recommend doing this full route in six days, during which youll see more Coastal Redwoods than you can count, try to find Hyperion (the tallest living tree! Other places to visit in Yosemite that are close to Groveland and dont get as many tourists include theTuolumne Grove, which has two dozen mature giant sequoias, and Tuolumne Meadows. It also connects to Crater Lake in Southern Oregon. Thanks for reading, Claudia. Like most destinations around these parts, popular activities are geared toward the outdoors. To do this road trip, you can do it as an out-and-back, but Id suggest doing a loop up to Grants Pass and coming south down the PCH. Whichever you choose, reward yourself with a flight of wine atGourmet au Bay, which is right on the water and has a cozy deck with awesome views. Over the course of a four-day, three-night road trip from San Francisco, youll stop in hipster Truckee, glitzy Reno, and laid-back South Lake Tahoe. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. One-way road trips include expensive one-way car rentals, so I didnt include any on this list. Right now especially, road trips are a great, safe way to travel as they allow you to control exactly how much contact you have with others. Its like camping if camping were at an eco-adventure resort with maid service, electric lights, an outdoor hot tub, a restaurant, and a spa. Is there any better way to travel in California than a road trip? If thats the case, look no further than the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. At least one dinner (if not two) must be eaten on the heated patio of theGlen Ellen Star, which is right down the road from the Olea Hotel and specializes in wood-fired dishes. Pier 39 hasover 60 specialty shops, fresh seafood restaurants, and the best views of theplayful sea lions that bask in the sun on the floating docks. When you're done in Mendocino, continue north on US-1 and US-101 for twohours and 15 minutes and nearly 90 miles to Humboldt Redwoods StatePark. Cohn, and Hanzell Vineyards are nearby and there are a bunch of tasting rooms in downtown Sonoma. Ill be honest: this road trip is entirely inspired by my research in Moon Northern California Road Trips. San Francisco is also famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, which you'll have achance to drive over if you take US-101 out of the city. Over the course of four days, this San Francisco road trip route starts on the southern part of California Highway 49 (renamed for the 49 gold rush!) to enjoy wine tasting in Sonoma County and the Napa Valley. I like to use a guidebook like my Moon Northern California Road Trips, then modify it into my personal map I can navigate with, making it a great program to use alongside the guidebook. Near Sequoia, Id look at Three Rivers. If you dont just want to lounge around the whole time youre there, Jenner is home to tons of gorgeous beaches and state parks, perfect for hiking or kayaking, as well asFort Ross Vineyard & Winery, the closest vineyard to the Pacific Ocean in California, which overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by forest. If you exit from the east side visitors entrance, The Inn Tres Pinos in San Benito County, half an hours drive north, offers grilled wild salmon and roast rack of lamb in a casual country ambiance. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. ), On this molten-hot-but-still-cool road trip from San Francisco, youll visit three different kinds of volcanic formations: volcanoes, lava tubes, and fumaroles, which is the best new word Ive learned in a while. You can also choose to start this road trip in San Francisco and end in Los Angeles if you want to try it a different way (and have a one-way car rental!). A good truncated 4-day version would be San Francisco to Benbow/Humboldt Redwoods to Mendocino to Santa Rosa and back to SF. Your first stop is Arnold, which looks great in terms of price, but if we wanted to take a couple of days heading into and out of Sequoia, where would you stay? Eight epic road trips from San Francisco that you can plan now if you feel safe traveling. The views along this scenic highwayare just as amazing as this quaint coastal town. Summer is definitely the most hectic time to visitYosemite Valley, but its still a great time to explore the least-visited part of Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy Valley and Wapama Falls (one of the least crowded falls in the park). Instead, I looked at loop and out-and-back road trips that start in San Francisco (and end there too). But, its also a hotel that you could easily never leave for the duration of your stay, assuming youre into a spa, which, who isnt into a spa? You can potentially do this Coastal Redwoods road trip in fewer than six days, too. Hi Great resource! But when you give your first Giant Redwood hug, youll know its all worth it. We are road tripping north. Its a lot of carbs, but you should order both the house-baked bread and a pizza. Then heading inland and going back up north via Yosemite. Today, the bluff offerssome of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city. Airbnb options:Find a great place to stay near Groveland. This vibrant town of Sonoma is close to San Francisco, so you can spend less time in the car and more time eating and drinking some of the best things that wine country has to offer. Take a weeklong road trip and truly enjoy the sights and unique attractions along this journey. As far as wine tasting goes, make a reservation (required) atBenziger Family Winery for the Tribute Estate Tour, a private tour of the biodynamic farm with tastings along the way, as well as a seated al fresco tasting at the end. After reading, youll be inspired to pick one of these routes and hit the open road. Luckily, it literally only takes a short drive to find sunshine in all of its glorious forms, so even if you cant get away for an entire weekend, a quick jaunt across the Golden Gate Bridge should do the trick. Visitors arent allowed to go inside due to ongoing renovations, though. Its hard not to turn a NorCal road trip into an outdoor adventure excursion, but sometimes you just want a vacation thats all about sunshine and relaxation. This post was originally published in May 2020, and was updated in November 2021 for 2022 travel.If you see any errors, please let me know in the comments. Enjoy fast and easy car rental bookings from Enterprise Rent-A-Car at one of our 7,200 branches in cities, airports and neighborhoods near you. But, I recommend adding in an overnight stay in Carmel or Monterey (home of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which gives you a chance to see the life along this part of the Pacific Coast! Many of the trees in the park are over 300 feettall, and more than 100 trees tower over 350 feet in height. 
For a hearty dinner near the Inn after a day of hiking, tryCocuyos, a cute family-run Mexican joint in a bright turquoise house, where sizzling shrimp fajitas and vibrant homemade salsas fill your belly with warmth. Additional attractions to consider include the Chihuley Garden and Glass exhibitlocated right next to the Space Needle, the Boeing Future of Flight AviationCenter & Boeing Tour located just north of downtown and one of the manyferries that take commuters alongside visitors to the nearby islands. Below, youll find eight great San Francisco road trips mapped out with a bit of detail to help you decide if you want to do that drive. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Airbnb options:Find a great place to stay near Pinnacles National Park. Also some vegetables (try the cauliflower with tahini, almonds, and sumac). This six-day road trip itinerary cant be cut down much it takes a lot of driving time to reach the mountainous Giant Redwoods in the 75 groves where they are known to live. There are fabulous day trips and weekend getaways from San Francisco but theyre not road trips. Big Sur is both a specific place and a general area along the Pacific Coast Highway south of San Francisco which is why it earns its spot on the list. There you go! I wrote about it for the Chronicle, too. Really want to see beautiful beaches, and redwoods and we love to hike and be outdoors. We stayed there during our honeymoon and its super cute. Here you can walk among giants as you hike through one of the largest old-growth redwood forests. Doing a loop means driving further south to San Simeon before turning inland to Paso Robles and returning north on I-5. Here youll discover some of the most monstrous trees on the planet, including the Discovery tree in Calaveras Big Trees State Park (the first sequoia noted by naturalists in the 1850s!) Day 3: Tofinish your journey, continue just over twelve hours and 724 miles up I-5 Northto Seattle. If youre not much of a water person, take in the views while enjoying a meal or drinks on the water. Great question. Don't miss an excuse to hit the road: our latest offers delivered to your inbox. Take the 5-mileroad through the park to explore a few of the over 100 I stick to the main roads, and by April any snow should be melted. But to be honest, as I researched road trips from San Francisco, I found a lot of day trips, destinations, and a bunch of super old forums. Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge is a great option right on the lake, and Basecamp is a more affordable(ish) option thats right across the street from the lake. Although, if youreally want to get the perfect picture, head to Battery Spencer. which iconic spots to see. Or would you suggest an alternative? Thanks, If you click the map, itll take you to an interactive option where you can see the route I recommend . Can you help us what to visit and where we can stay? Here you'll find boutique shopping, unique dining establishments, and entertainment options. Oak and Otter Brewing,Central Coast Brewing, andLiquid Gravity Brewing are just a few of them, all of which offer stomach-lining, beer-friendly food such as bready pretzels and fried chicken sandwiches. Next, theres a pool and hot tub area thats open 24 hours a day. ), at minimum to really enjoy this part of the coast. Plan a 3-day trip to see the top sights in each city as well along the way. Turns out Bodega Bay is actually great for bird-watching in real life, too, so get ready to see tons of pelicans, herons, and hawks. Distance from San Francisco to Seattle: approximately 900 miles. I love a good road trip (we even did one for our honeymoon! The chill vibes of Northern California beaches never get old, and what Bodega Bay brings to the (quiet) party is serene isolation, film history, and a plethora of fresh seafood. At its shortest, you can do this trip as a 2-day, 1-night trip to Big Sur and back. You can make this excursion as relaxing or activity-filled as you want, but no matter what you choose, youll definitely be communing with nature in the best way possible. Your route 6 is really inspiring me, but I have a question. Safe driving! Thats mostly because it sits on an ancient thermal mineral spring that flows from 1,100 feet below the resort into five pools that range from 92 to 102 degrees. For those on a shorter schedule, it is possible to do this as an out-and-back 3-day, 2-night road trip. (Bonus: if youre an astronomy nerd, the first amateur astronomical observatory in California is located in Volcano, California. Airbnb options:Find a great place to stay near Tahoe City. Road trip routes can be one-way, a loop, or an out-and-back kind of like hiking. And Smileys Saloon, Hotel & Kitchen, a 170-year-old bar that claims to be the oldest in California, is your evening destination for live music, strong drinks, and Mexican food. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. The mineral waters are known for their healing powers, and even if you dont buy into that, its simply a fact that hanging out in and by pools all day will chill you out. Other restaurants to check out includeEvangeline, a cozy French bistro;Solbar, a classic, elevated wine country restaurant;Lovina, a woman-owned, casual fine dining restaurant thats great for brunch; andSams General Store, a charming coffee and sandwich shop inside of the last-standing cottage in its original location built by the legendary founder of Calistoga, Samuel Brannan. Regarding the former, youll want to book a room at the recently renovatedOlea Hotel. (Yep, the Cascade mountain range runs from British Columbia all the way to California! If you have questions about any of them, let me know in the comments! 
Coast Cafe is ideal for a leisurely lunch (oysters, fish tacos, and carrot cake for dessert). Rent your wetsuit and board at 2 Mile Surf Shop (where you can also book a lesson). That plus the fact this road trip takes you to three of Californias epic national parks make it the kind of trip youll want to do in full. It makes for a more interesting road trip even though its longer and the first day is all interstate driving. Hi Valerie, love this article. Once you arrive in Mendocino,take some time to explore Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum, where you canclimb to the top of the lighthouse and take in the breathtaking views of therugged cliffs and Pacific Ocean. ), If you havent seen it, I wrote about doing a road trip to the North Cascade volcanoes in my guide to Seattle road trips; this route is my counterpart in the southern Cascades. Photo courtesy of Tahoe City Downtown Association, Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Photo Credit: Bigstock, Humboldt Redwoods National Park, CA. Generally no! Distance from SF: 145 miles; 3.5-hour drive. Find a great place to stay near Tahoe City, the 40,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa, Find a great place to stay near Groveland, Dr. Wilkinsons Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, Find a great place to stay near Calistoga, Find a great place to stay near Pinnacles National Park, Find a great place to stay near Bodega Bay, Find a great place to stay near Healdsburg, Benziger Family Winery for the Tribute Estate Tour, Find a great place to stay in San Luis Obispo, Find a great place to stay near Pescadero. Slide some vinyl on the record player in your room, turn on the fireplace, and enjoy a glass of wine before heading out to explore the property or play a game of ping pong in the outdoor living room. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. The distinctive rocky spires are a result of ancient volcanic activity, as the park is located near the San Andreas fault. Thats probably why I get so many questions about planning road trips in California. The focus of a road trip is as much on the journey (by car) as the destinations themselves. The charming village of Glen Ellen may be tiny, but it has everything one could need for a pandemic getaway, including luxurious accommodations, delicious food, wine tasting, and outdoor adventures. Plus, you also get the option to relax and rejuvenate in the areas famous geothermal hot springs and mud baths. In this post, Im highlighting my favorite San Francisco road trip routes. Try the wine tasting and food pairing, a menu of locally-sourced, small bites paired with four estate-grown wines, which can be served on the deck for maximum food, wine, and view enjoyment. Even though Fisherman's Wharf is a popular tourist attraction, youshould still take a few hours to explore the shops, museums, and restaurants. Heres the other half of the PCH for those who want to drive the more rural and rugged northern California Pacific coast. We are flying into San Fran on 23rd Dec staying til the 26th, then looking to do a 4day road trip heading sth along Big Sur maybe as far as cambria. There are campgrounds in the park, but no hotels, so if you need something more than a sleeping bag and tent to snooze, check out the luxury bed-and-breakfast on a vineyard with soaking tubs and gas fireplaces at theInn at the Pinnacles in Soledad, just a six-minute drive south of the West Pinnacles visitor station. Is there somewhere closer, or would you head back to Arnold to stay another night? Want more Thrillist? Here youll only find eight awesome road trip routes from San Francisco. Hop on I-5 North, and you can drive from San Francisco to Seattle in around 13-14 hours. I moved to California a few years ago, and have spent these years exploring my new home state from my home in the San Francisco Bay Area (first in Oakland, then in Sausalito). Hi, I was curious whether any of the road trips you highlight here are mot accessable in april due to snow/road closures. And, last, but most important: Olea Hotel has one of the best breakfasts you will ever eat. Drive Time from San Francisco to Seattle : approximately 13-14 hours 
Jenners rugged cliffs, dramatic ocean views, and isolated beaches are so very quintessential Northern California, as will be your experience when you make your way to this blink-and-youll-miss-it town on Highway 1. Thanks for reading, Richard! Along either route, youll drive the most picturesque stretch of the PCH south of SF. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. The second place to find joy is in the awesome craft breweries, which offer tons of locally made adult beverages, from double IPAs to sour beers. Thats not this list! If you like being at the forefront of outdoor adventuring, then get yourself to Californias newest national park at Pinnacles, which many people still dont know about. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. The park is divided into mountainous East and West areas, all connected by foot trails.