As someone who’s lived in the bay area for over 10 years, I’ve done a good amount of weekend trips. If you’re looking to go on an adventure for two days near SF, these are my favorites:
1. Yosemite National Park
Why Visit:
My favorite national park in California, Yosemite is famous for its dramatic granite cliffs, countless waterfalls, and giant sequoia groves. It’s also one of the oldest national parks in the US and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights:
- See iconic landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Valley View.
- Go on famous hikes such as Mist Trail (Vernal & Nevada Falls), Half Dome, and Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls.
How to Go:
We drove from the SF Bay Area (~4 hours) and stayed inside the park. Since we went in July during peak season, we had to make entrance reservations online. We entered using our National Park Pass, but you can also buy tickets at the gate (cashless options only).
2. Highway 1 Roadtrip to San Luis Obispo
Why Visit:
California Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), is one of the most scenic drives in the world. It’s full of ocean views, steep mountains, and iconic sights.
Highlights:
- Hearst Castle → hilltop estate featuring 115 rooms, 127 acres of gardens, and the famous Neptune and Roman pools.
- McWay Falls → see the unique waterfall that flows directly into the ocean from the Overlook Trail.
- Bixby Bridge → historic concrete arch bridge and a landmark of the California coast.
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve → turquoise coves and coastal hikes.
How to Go:
We actually split this over two separate weekend trips. The first one we focused on Hearst Castle/SLO area (~6 hour drive) and stayed in Avila Beach. The second trip we focused on Big Sur area (~3 hour drive) and stayed in Monterey. However, if you don’t plan on doing a lot of hiking, you can hit the major stops in one ambitious weekend.
3. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Why Visit:
My second favorite national park in California, these two connected parks are home to some of the world’s largest and most impressive trees.
Highlights:
- Giant Forest (Sequoia) → see General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume, and walk the Congress Trail, a 2-mile (3.2 km) loop through towering sequoias.
- Moro Rock (Sequoia) → a steep but short stair climb (350 steps) with incredible Sierra Nevada views.
- General Grant Tree (King’s Canyon) → the second-largest tree on Earth.
- Zumwalt Meadow (King’s Canyon) → a scenic meadow surrounded by towering granite cliffs. Feels like a mini Yosemite but without the crowds.
How to Go:
We drove from the bay area (~5 hours) and stayed inside the parks. We used our National Park Pass but you can also purchase entry at the entrance stations (cashless options only).
4. Shasta Cascade Roadtrip
Why Visit:
The Shasta Cascade region is an outdoor paradise known for dramatic volcanic landscapes and numerous waterfalls.
Highlights:
- McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park → the most beautiful waterfall in California, with water flowing down 129-feet (39 meters) like a curtain.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park → unique for hosting all four types of volcanoes (shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome) in one area.
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest → the largest National Forest in the state with endless hiking options.
How to Go:
Shasta Cascade is ~5 hour drive from SF. We stayed overnight in Redding since it’s one of the bigger nearby towns, but you can also stay inside Lassen/Shasta.
5. Lake Tahoe
Why Visit:
North America’s largest alpine lake and the second-deepest in the U.S., Lake Tahoe offers year-round outdoor recreation like skiing, hiking, and water sports.
Highlights:
- Emerald Bay State Park → famous for its distinct, brilliant emerald-green waters surrounded by steep, granite cliffs and verdant forests.
- Winter Sports → ski or snowboard at world-class resorts like Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley) and Heavenly.
How to Go:
Lake Tahoe is ~3.5 hour drive from SF. However, in the winter the driving time can be a lot longer due to storm, accidents, or weekend traffic. My coworker was stuck in traffic for over 8 hours just two weeks ago! Bring chains if you’re driving between October and May.
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 half-day trips and day trips from SF Bay Area.
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