San Francisco (SF) is a city in the United States full of culture, art, medieval heritage, and artistic landmarks. On every couple of steps, you will see something that revives you of the ancient times in San Francisco. There are numerous commercial hubs and finance towers that play a vital role in boosting up the economy of the country. But if you are looking for an escape to chill out from the city’s bustle, there are a variety of options for you. We have federated an article with a list of Weekend getaways near San Francisco. San Francisco has numerous aquatic resources. Therefore, you can easily find fabulous beaches or any other marine body near the city to chill out on your weekends. Moreover, the delicious seafood will be a cherry on the cake for your weekend trip.
Famous Weekend getaways near San Francisco
1. Big Sur
Big Sur
Big Sur is the longest and most scenic stretch line in the United States. It is an undeveloped area with an abundance of picturesque locations from hilltop to waterfall and snow-covered mountains to beaches. You will get everything in the Big Sur. It is located at a 2-hour distance from downtown, making it convenient to cover this location on short weekends. Big Sur is also named amongst the top 35 most romantic getaway destinations from San Francisco.
Distance from San Francisco:146 Miles
2. Mendocino Coast
Mendocino Coast
Mendocino Coast in northern California is perfect for long weekend getaways from San Francisco. As it is located a little far from the vicinity, it will take you around three and a half hours to reach there. Additionally, the breathtaking view of mountains and beaches at the Mendocino Coast will keep you busy all your weekends. Witnessing the sunset view from the Mendocino Coast makes these places a must-go romantic weekend getaway near San Francisco. You will get numerous fancy resorts and guest rooms on the Mendocino Coastline to stay with your partner.
Distance from San Francisco: 155 Miles
Read More: Foods in San Francisco
3. Mount Diablo
Mount Diablo
If you are looking for a last-minute getaway location from San Francisco, then Mount Diablo comes first in your mind. It is located on the south of Clayton and northeast of Danville. You can easily reach the Diablo mountain range from downtown by grieving your car. The isolated upthrust peak of Mount Diablo is 3,849 feet from the ground and is visible from the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Visitors will get a stunning view of an ice-covered mountain range from the top of Mount Diablo.
Distance from San Francisco: 41 Miles
4. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a beautiful city on the coast of California with vintage views, Sandy beaches, and Pacific coastline. This is an ideal place among citizens for a one-day trip near San Francisco as it is only 3 miles from downtown. Santa Cruz offers the cheapest vacations from San Francisco, where you can chill out in the lap of nature along with witnessing the breathtaking view of surroundings.
Besides the view, Santa Cruz has some great wineries and family-friendly restaurants that will fill up your belly and make your evenings more pleasant.
Distance from San Francisco:73 Miles
Outdoor activities: Hiking, Cycling, Mountain biking, Rock Climbing
5. Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay on the south of San Francisco Highway 1 is half an hour away from downtown. This is a small city with diverse scenic locations for visitors. Series of beaches at Half Moon Bay. There are 15 state parks nearby where you can plan a whole weekend. The Ritz hotel in Half Moon Bay is the best place to stay for couples. This well-equipped hotel provides five-star hospitality to its guests. You can enjoy your evening with some old preserved wines and delectable cuisines with an unbeatable view of the sunset.
Distance from San Francisco: 30 Miles
Nearby Attractions: Poplar Beach, Lemos Farm, Coastal Trail, Dunes Beach, Miramar Beach, Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve, Montara Mountain, Rancho Corral de Tierra
Website: https://www.half-moon-bay.ca.us/
Read More: Best Things to Buy in San Francisco
6. Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore
The gorgeous view of Point Reyes from your hotel room in the morning will make you feel like you have woken up in a completely different place. Though the location is 60 miles from downtown, it has an entirely different view than downtown. The tranquil ambiance will heal your wandering soul with some aesthetic pictures. The Point Reyes National Seashore features a lighthouse, and the majestic view of whales and dolphins dancing in the blue water makes this place the best romantic getaway near San Francisco. Point Reyes is an ideal place for a short road trip near San Francisco downtown with comparatively less crowd than other beaches in the town.
Address: Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, United States
Distance from San Francisco: 60 Miles
Hike Length: 17 miles
Nearby Attractions to cover: Drakes Beach, Sea Lion Overlook, Chimney Rock, Historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station, Point Reyes National Seashore
7. Alamere Falls
Alamere Falls
If you desperately want to know where I can go for a quick weekend getaway near San Francisco then, believe me, Alamere Falls is the place you desire. Alamere Falls features four drops in total, and the height one is at 40 feet. The spectacular Alamere Falls is a popular weekend getaway near San Francisco.
Distance from San Francisco: 34 Miles
Trek Length: 17.7 Km
8. Yosemite
Yosemite
Yosemite is America’s first national park sprawling in more than 3000 square kilometers of land beneath the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Park is best known for its splendid waterfalls, high granite monoliths, deep serene valleys, and ancient giant sequoias. In 1890, Yosemite was famed as a national park, and it has successfully maintained its prestige and wowed visitors after one century.
Distance from San Francisco: 167 Miles
Nearby attractions to Visit: Half Dome, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, The Ahwahnee, Tuolumne Meadows, Bridalveil Fall, Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite Museum, Ansel Adams Gallery
Read More: Beaches in San Francisco
9. South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the only freshwater lake in California near the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake is surrounded by various resorts, beaches, parks, Skiing points, and meadows enhance the beauty of this palace. Sand Harbor Beach and Spooner Lake on the coastline offer scenic swim areas to visitors. It will take an entire weekend to visit all the beautiful places near Lake Tahoe. This makes Lake Tahoe an ideal place to spend weekends away from San Francisco.
Distance from San Francisco: 215 Miles
Nearby Attraction: Squaw Valley Resort, Emerald Bay State Park, Sand Harbor, Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak Ski Resort
10. Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley
Carmel valley in the Monterey country is encircled by grape plantations, making this place a famous exporter of wine. You will get multiple vineries and wineries on your way to Carmel Valley from downtown. The Carmel Valley can be a perfect destination for sports lovers as most of the resorts at this place feature enormous golf fields. You can end your day with a sensitive spa in the resort beneath the mountain range.
Distance from San Francisco: 125 Miles
Nearby Attraction: Holman Ranch, Bernardus Winery, Garland Ranch Regional Park, Joyce Wine Company
Hopefully, I have mentioned all the prime locations to spend your weekends near San Francisco. Most of these places are within one-hour driving distance from the downtown, so you can easily visit them on short weekends as well. Moreover, if you are planning a vacation or long weekend getaway near San Francisco with your family, then go with the isolated ones.
The post Popular Weekend getaways in San Francisco | SF Weekend Destinations appeared first on World Tour & Travel Guide, Get Travel Tips, Information, Discover Travel Destination | Adequate Travel.
