Where near San Francisco can you walk among giant trees and hike? If your guess is Muir Woods, then keep reading. The Muir Woods National Monument is a must-see destination for any local or visitor to the San Francisco Bay Area. The biggest reason to come here is to appreciate one of the world's last remaining coastal redwood forests, made up of the tallest living things on earth. If you are seeking a leisurely stroll in an ancient forest, near San Francisco, then Muir Woods is ideal. Now, let's learn more about the day trip of a lifetime you can only take near San Francisco.
Muir Woods is just a short drive from the city. Only 12 miles north across the Golden Gate Bridge at 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Muir Woods National Monument is part of the National Park Service on Mount Tamalpais. The Muir Woods National Monument is an old-growth coastal redwood forest.
Do the 1/2 hour loop within Muir Woods for the ideal urban hike. The trails in Muir Woods are asphalted or boadwalked. The Trail loop within Muir Woods is for just about everyone, including wheelchair-accessible trails if needed too.
Make sure to follow signs for 'The Main Trail Loop' an easy one-mile hike. Simply follow the paved path along one side of the creek and then cross over one of the four bridges and make your way back for the loop.
The biggest attraction here are the redwoods that can grow to nearly 380 feet. The the tallest tree in the Muir Woods is 258 feet, and the oldest is at least 1,200 years old.
Muir Woods is one of the most popular San Francisco tourist attractions and its stunning beauty is a key reason why it is trip of a lifetime. You'll feel like you've entered a magical forest once you start walking and exploring.
The Coast Redwood grows only along the northern California coastline until the Oregon border, so this is a one of a kind experience. Some of the Redwoods have become perfect photo backdrops especially the popular with a hole in the stump!
Before you leave, make sure to drop by the Visitor Center to learn more about Muir Woods, and the park founder John Muir. Learn more about the forest and the Redwoods as well.
It’s easy to stay cozy in the 7x7 bubble of San Francisco, which holds a wealth of attractions, both indoors and out. But sometimes a change of scenery does the mind and body good, and, thankfully, city residents have a myriad of fun options at our disposal, in whatever direction we choose to travel (even straight into the Pacific), with whatever means of transportation we can get our hands on. Here are some of the best day trips from San Francisco that are an absolute must-do.
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1. Marin Headlands, Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais & Stinson Beach
Travel slightly north and take a look at the city from a whole different angle. Marin County has a slew of things to do: explore the coastal areas of the Marin Headlands (including the Point Bonita Lighthouse), walk through the sky-high redwoods of Muir Woods, hike up Mt. Tam, and hang out on the expansive Stinson Beach.
One of the best Northern California day trips is always Muir Woods. Enjoy a hike on the Bohemian Grove Trail and the Redwood Creek Trail with California Through My Lens:
Make your way up through the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, where you’ll find hundreds of wineries to visit and quaint towns to pass through, all with incredible scenery and food (we suggest stops in Sebastopol, Calistoga, and/or St. Helena, too).
And while Napa is certainly glorious, don't forget about Sonoma County, Napa's wine-producing neighbor to the south. If you've yet to experience the splendor of Sonoma County, now’s the time to change that. Between long-standing institutions like Gundlach Bundschu Winery (the third-oldest winery in the state, in fact) to beloved family-run operations like Chateau Diana, wine lovers have a lot to celebrate (and taste!) in Sonoma County -- as do environmentalists. With 99% of Sonoma County’s vineyards certified sustainable, this is the most sustainable wine-growing region in the world.
Take a short day trip down Highway 1 and stop at the adorable seaside town of Half Moon Bay. Explore the fancy Ritz-Carlton while you’re at it, as well as the beach that sits below it. From there, keep traveling south to Pescadero for more great beach options. Then, head into the small downtown and to Harley Farms to play with goats and sample their incredible cheeses. If you keep traveling south, we also recommend a hike through Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Keep traveling south and you’ll find yourself in Santa Cruz, known as, among other things, the birthplace of the best hot dogs in NorCal! Dogs aside, walk around downtown for great shops and cafes, then take to the Beach Boardwalk, hop on some rides, and scarf down a funnel cake. It’s also worth exploring nearby nature, including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where you can even go zip-lining through the trees.
No car? No problem. Because our neighbors across the bay have some pretty great attractions to discover. Take a walk around Oakland’s Lake Merritt (and be extra kind to the geese), and head to neighborhoods like Rockridge, Temescal, and Piedmont Avenue for quirky shops and notable eateries. Don’t forget to stop by the Gourmet Ghetto of Berkeley for some of the Bay Area’s finest restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of great hiking trails scattered throughout the hills of Oakland and Berkeley.
Another one of our favorite San Francisco day trips is Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Enjoy a virtual tour in this video from LifeOfBD:
The best way to experience these two charming towns across the bay is by bike and/or ferry. Both will quickly melt the city stress right off of you with their cute boutiques, cool art galleries, fantastic waterside bistros and cafes, and, of course, unmatched views. For a jam-packed day of fun, we recommend biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, stopping in Sausalito first, then winding your way through to Tiburon, and taking the ferry back to the city.
A quick ferry ride away from downtown, Angel Island, a California Historical Landmark, is for the more adventurous day-trippers. There are a few different hiking trails, all of which grant 360 views of the bay, as well as plenty of historical landmarks to explore. If you want to turn this into more than just a day trip, it’s also a pretty cool spot to camp.
Just north of Stinson Beach is the artsy small town of Bolinas. It’s a good spot to grab some lunch before heading to Point Reyes National Seashore, which offers some of Marin County’s most beautiful trails (and that’s saying a lot). Our favorite hike takes you to the stunning beauty of Alamere Falls.
Travel further up the coast to explore two more beautiful spots: Shuck and slurp your way through all the oysters you can eat along Tomales Bay, then head up to the picturesque fishing village of Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds.
From San Francisco, head south on Highway 280, then take Highway 92 until you reach the peak, where you’ll arrive at Skyline Boulevard, one of the most scenic drives in NorCal. This road winds through lush mountain forests and offers scenic overlooks of the Pacific as well. Take a pit stop at the rustic biker diner Alice’s Restaurant in Woodside, and go for a hike (and a climb) in Castle Rock State Park.
A few different tour companies will guide you right into the Pacific, 27 miles off the coast of San Francisco, to explore this group of islands, home to seals, whales, and even great white sharks.
Taking a boat tour of the beautiful Farallon Islands, often called California's Galapagos Islands, is one of the best day trips in San Francisco. Learn more about this fascinating tour in this video from At Home In Wild Spaces:
Planning your day trips from San Francisco as a starting point gives you nearly an infinite amount of exceptional places to explore. Seriously, you can’t get bored around here, but if you’re looking for more of the best day trips in San Francisco, check out these nearby hiking spots, waterfalls, and state parks.
Trains are not used enough in exploring the beauty of California and the West Coast in general. There are train trips to enjoy from San Francisco, so take a chance on these fun routes. Don't worry, a train trip is more than possible in the San Francisco Bay area. If you’re looking to take a step back in time then take a look at these six wonderful and best day trips from San Francisco. All of these train trips are in the San Francisco Bay area. Now, pack your bags and board the train. Ready to go!
The Capitol Corridor is a 168-mile passenger train route by Amtrak. The Capitol Corridor is a popular route on a train that will take you to Auburn in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, through the Sacramento area, and eventually to Emeryville where one can transfer to a bus to San Francisco. You can also continue onward to Santa Clara and San Jose. This is one of the most scenic day trips near San Francisco. Book your tickets for the Capitol Corridor route on the Capitol Corridor website.
The Coast Starlight is a passenger train by Amtrak. Board at Emeryville if you're in San Francisco and take a day trip to Davis, Chico, or any number of stops locally. The Coast Starlight is a special route because it features a first-class lounge car called the "Pacific Parlour Car". A train trip aboard the Coast Starlight is one of the most unique things to do around San Francisco. Visit the Amtrak website to book your tickets.
The Napa Valley Wine Train is 18 miles long and runs between Napa and St. Helena. Although a short ride, this train goes through Yountville, Rutherford, and Oakville. The most unique aspect of this train is that the route passes by many of the best vineyards and wineries in Napa. Enjoy wine tastings and a gourmet meal aboard the train. It's one of the best day trips near San Francisco you can take.
Altamont Corridor Express connects Stockton and San Jose, so you need to get to the Pleasanton Station from San Francisco. The route is 86 miles and includes 10 stops. WiFi is available on board. Visit the ACE Rail website to view routes and book your tickets.
The San Joaquins Train by Amtrak takes you to Fresno, Stockton, and as far as Bakersfield. Start your journey at the Oakland station and explore the San Joaquin Valley for a fun day trip. This train runs multiple times a day. You can learn more and book your tickets on the Amtrak website. It's one of the best day trips near San Francisco.
The California Zephyr is operated by Amtrak and runs locally through Martinez, Sacramento, and Truckee. You can continue to Reno, NV for a more scenic route if you would like. This will be one of the most beautiful day trips near San Francisco you could possibly take.
Have you taken any of these trains? What other best day trips from San Francisco would you suggest? Let us know your opinions. Also, if you're curious check out this lighthouse road trip near San Francisco that's dreamily beautiful!
