United States

Day trips from San Francisco

Places you can visit in a day from San Francisco and be back by evening. Distances are in a straight line from the city centre.

Best day trips

1

Muir Woods National Monument
19 km from San Francisco
Ancient redwoods with easy trails, a peaceful escape from the city
2

Point Reyes National Seashore
55 km from San Francisco
Coastal cliffs, wildlife and historic lighthouse, great for scenic walks
3

Half Moon Bay State Beach
35 km from San Francisco
Wide sandy beach with gentle waves, good for picnics and kite flying
4

Stinson Beach
24 km from San Francisco
Long sandy stretch popular with swimmers and hikers, offers sunrise views
5

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
65 km from San Francisco
Historic lighthouse on rugged cliffs, offers ocean vistas and a museum
6

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
98 km from San Francisco
Classic seaside amusement park with rides and boardwalk food stalls
7

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
70 km from San Francisco
Old-growth redwood forest with moderate hikes and picnic areas
8

Monterey Bay Coastal Trail (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
132 km from San Francisco
Flat paved path along the bay, ideal for biking and ocean views
9

Sonoma Plaza
56 km from San Francisco
Historic town square with shops, restaurants and a weekly farmers market