• January 1, 2025 - Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. The Mendocino Coast - 2 hours and 45 minutes from San Francisco

© Pius Lee/stock.adobe.com

2. Monterey & Carmel - 1 hour and 50 minutes

© beketoff/stock.adobe.com

3. Sausalito - 25 minutes from San Francisco

© The Inn Above Tide

4. Weekend Getaways from San Francisco: Yountville - 1 hour

© Toms/stock.adobe.com

5. Weekend in Napa - 1 hour from San Francisco

6. Chateau du Sureau - 3 hours 30 minutes

7. Lake Tahoe - 3 hours and 20 minutes Getaway from San Francisco

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© AlessandraRC/stock.adobe.com

8. MacArthur Place in Sonoma, a Romantic Getaway - 1 hour

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples

9. Historic Healdsburg – 1 hour and 15 minutes

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza

10. Little River Inn - 3 hours

Category: Unique Accommodations

11. Wilbur Hot Springs - 1 hour 50 minutes

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Wilbur Hot Springs

12. Nick’s Cove - 90 minutes

© danheller/stock.adobe.com

13. Juniper Hotel Cupertino in Silicon Valley - 45 minutes

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Juniper Hotel Cupertino

14. Affordable and Stylish Riviera Beach House in Santa Barbara

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Riviera Beach House

15. Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley – 2 hours from SF

Category: Unique Accommodations
© peangdao/stock.adobe.com

16. Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino - 2 hours and 45 minutes

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Pius Lee/stock.adobe.com

17. Hotel Les Mars, Healdsburg

Category: Unique Accommodations

18. Spindrift Inn in Monterey

Category: Unique Accommodations

19. Hotel Valencia Santana Row in Silicon Valley

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Hotel Valencia Santana Row

20. Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant

21. Feather Falls Casino and Lodge, Oroville

Category: Entertainment Near Me
© Feather Falls Casino and Lodge

22. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

23. Palihouse Santa Barbara

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© Palihouse Santa Barbara

24. Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© lucky-photo/stock.adobe.com

25. Monterey

© Joop Ang/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Whether you are looking to relax on the beach, spend a day at a spa, go biking, kayaking, whale watching or wine tasting, there is plenty to choose from near San Francisco. Check into a family-friendly resort that offers activities for all ages, escape to a quiet inn on the Mendocino Coast that caters to adults, find great places to visit in the Bay Area, get pampered in a luxury suite in Monterey, Big Sur, Napa or Carmel, or plan an affordable vacation in Lake Tahoe or Point Reyes.

Driving Distances from San Francisco

From San Francisco To     Driving Time
Mendocino2 hours and 45 minutes
Elk2 hours and 45 minutes
Fort Bragg2 hours and 45 minutes
Monterey1 hour and 50 minutes
Sausalito25 minutes
Napa1 hour
Half Moon Bay45 minutes
Lake Tahoe3 hours and 20 minutes
Sonoma1 hour
Healdsburg1 hour and 15 minutes
Santa Monica5 hours and 20 minutes
Carmel Valley2 hours
Cupertino45 minutes
Silicon Valley45 minutes
Santa Barbara5 hours
Manhattan Beach5 hours and 45 minutes
Menlo Park35 minutes
Yosemite National Park3 hours and 30 minutes
Santa Cruz1 hour and 15 minutes
Sacramento1 hour and 30 minutes
Idyllwild7 hours
Palm Springs7 hours
Palm Desert7 hours

Plan Your Trip

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