I’ve lived in the bay area for over 10 years, including 1.5 years in San Francisco. If you’re looking for a short half-day trip from SF, these are my top picks within an hour from the city:
1. Filoli Historic House & Garden
Why Visit:
My favorite garden in the SF bay area, Filoli offers 16 acres of impeccably designed formal gardens surrounded by a 654-acre estate. The grounds change beautifully with the seasons, with tulips in spring, dahlias in summer, fall foliage, and festive holiday décor in winter.
Highlights:
- Sunken Garden → the iconic symmetrical centerpiece with a reflecting pool. It’s so beautiful I would’ve loved to have my wedding here if it weren’t for the high price tag!
- Walled Garden → constantly changing seasonal blooms.
- Historic House → elegant early-20th-century mansion featuring a self-playing grand piano.
How to Go:
Filoli is about a 45-minute drive from San Francisco, with ample free parking onsite. Buy timed entry tickets online, as they often sell out on weekends and holidays. Wear comfortable shoes, since many of the paths are gravel.
2. University of California, Berkeley
Why Visit:
My alma mater, UC Berkeley is the top public university in the nation with a beautiful campus right next to downtown Berkeley.
Highlights:
- Campanile → go up the second-tallest freestanding clock and bell tower in the world.
- Botanical Garden → another one of my favorite gardens with over 10,000 species from six continents.
- Food → check out cult favorite spots like Cheese Board/Sliver, Great China and Chez Panisse.
- Big C → try the most popular hike for a panoramic view of the campus and Bay.
How to Go:
UC Berkeley is about 30 minutes drive from SF. There is no free parking, but several visitor parking garages are available throughout the campus. The university offers a variety of campus tours, including free guided walking tours led by students.
3. Stanford University
Why Visit:
My husband’s alma mater, Stanford has a 8,180-acre campus renowned for its iconic, red-clay-tiled sandstone architecture.
Highlights:
- Hoover Tower → go up the observation deck on the 14th floor for 360-degree views of the campus.
- Rodin Sculpture Garden → free outdoor garden showing off 20 of Rodin’s sculptures.
- Stanford Shopping Center → an upscale open air shopping mall.
- Dish → take the popular hike to the 150-foot-diameter radio antenna.
How to Go:
Stanford University is about 40 minutes drive from SF. Free parking is generally available on weekends. Unlike UC Berkeley, Stanford only offers campus tours for prospective students.
4. Computer History Museum
Why Visit:
Computer History Museum houses the largest collection of computing artifacts (nearly 90,000 items) and chronicles 2,000 years of technology history. It was super interesting for me to visit as a software engineer since it gives incredible context to the industry.
Highlights:
- Revolution → exhibition that chronicles the history of computing.
- Iconic Artifacts → view the Babbage Engine, ENIAC components, and Apple I.
How to Go:
Computer History Museum is about 45 minutes drive from SF. Free parking is available onsite. You can buy tickets onsite or online in advance.
5. Angel Island State Park
Why Visit:
Angel Island is a tranquil, car-free state park with 360-degree views of the skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin County. Known as the “Ellis Island of the West,” it processed hundreds of thousands of Asian immigrants from 1910-1940.
Highlights:
- Hike up to Mount Livermore → a 5 mile (8km) loop with panoramic views of the Bay.
- Immigration Station → learn about the historical significance of the island through preserved buildings and artifacts.
How to Go:
Angel Island is accessible only by boat, with public ferries operating from Tiburon (~15 minutes) and San Francisco (Ferry Building, ~30 minutes). Ferry fares include park entrance fee, but not admission to Detention Barracks Museum.
Looking for things to do in San Francisco? Check out my top 5 must dos for first time visitors.
Looking for more ideas nearby? Here are my favorite day trips from SF Bay Area.
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