Best Day Trip Ideas in the South Bay Area

You can’t do all of San Francisco in a day, but even a single suburb can make for a memorable day trip! One of the most visited cities on the West Coast, San Francisco is home to parks, restaurants, experiences, museums, and other adventures for you or your whole family. Take the trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf before heading to the solemn and downright creepy Alcatraz Island. Then, hop on that trolley again so you can taste the delectably delicious sundaes at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory.

Looking for some nature? They’ve got that too!

Just hop over to St. Patrick’s Park, or the Presidio, or even the grand Golden Gate Park complete with its own Botanical Garden. The possibilities are endless, but can also be overwhelming, so make sure to have a plan that avoids unfamiliar neighborhoods and keeps you and your fellow adventurers on the right track for a fun-filled San Francisco day trip.

Notable Sights

Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Alcatraz Island, Chinatown, The Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Park, St. Patrick’s Park, Presidio of San Francisco, Japantown, Exploratorium

For anyone looking to truly get away “from it all,” Big Sur is the spot for you. Unlike most of the other entries on this list, you won’t find a particularly big city center or downtown, but you’ll find scenic nature and plenty of camping spots in Hearst San Simeon or Andrew Molera State Parks! Whether you’re looking for a day hike or a weekend camping trip, Big Sur has just enough nature, and civilization, to make it work.

Looking to rough it? Secluded camping spots can be booked well in advance. They even offer hiking tours for anyone who wants to hit the trail on a guided expedition. For art and nature lovers, hike near Big Sur and visit Hawthorne Gallery or the famous COAST Big Sur shop on the same day! Big Sur has a wealth of stops to explore for art lovers, nature lovers, and anyone interested in getting away from the city lights.

Notable Sights

Guided Hiking Tours, COAST Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park, Hearst San Simeon State Park, Hawthorne Gallery, New Camaldoli Hermitage

Find Your New South Bay Apartment or Condo!

We can’t promise it’s there year-round, but your best chance to see snow near the South Bay is on Mount Hamilton. Set just above Santa Clara County, the mountain looks over the Bay Area and provides some of its best scenery. Don’t let the name of Diablo Range fool you, Mount Hamilton is typically very welcoming to outsiders, just ask James Lick!

The famous Lick Observatory is nestled right atop the mountain, and though it’s only open for a short time on the weekends, it’s more than worth the trip. For animal enthusiasts, keep your eyes peeled and you might just spot many of the Golden Eagles who nest on the side of the mountain or the Tule Elk who call the mountain home.

All you have to do is take the Mt. Hamilton road, frequently used by bikers and bicyclists alike, to get to one of the most remarkable spots in California.

Notable Sights

Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton Rd, Copernicus Peak, Grant Ranch County Park

Another one of our more rural destinations is Pescadero. It’s the perfect blend of forest and shore, with plenty of hiking opportunities for you to take. Start with a short drive up to Pescadero State Beach to watch the Pescadero Creek feed into the ocean. Then hike up the Pescadero Marsh Trail while you wait for Duarte’s Tavern to open for lunch. Ever had a Calamari Sandwich? If you haven’t, you have even more of a reason to head to Duarte’s!

For those lucky to come during the busier seasons, stop at Sante Arcangeli Family Wines to see if their Grocer is open for some freshly farmed goodness.

Saunter over to the Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos for a margarita that’s as refreshing as the Creek itself. While it’s a slight trip down the road, the perfect cherry on top of this trip is the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which stands a watchful guard over the shore from Santa Cruz to Pescadero.

Notable Sights

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero State Beach, Pescadero Marsh Trail, Duarte’s Tavern, Sante Arcanlegi Family Wines, Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos, Pescadero Creek

Shopping, seafood, and one of the best aquariums in the world – Monterey has just about everything. With an entire town resembling the pastel coloring of San Francisco’s Painted Ladies, Monterey is itself a work of art that demands to be explored. The pinnacle of its beauty has to be the Monterey Bay Aquarium, considered one of the best in the entire world.

If you’ve got kids, the Dennis the Menace Playground is a simple stop with statues, play centers, and its own decommissioned train. Monterey also has plenty of modern attractions like Treasure Hunt: The Ride and the Monterey Mirror Maze. For those looking for more mature fun, Cannery Row is lined with unique bars and restaurants.

From the Old Fisherman’s Wharf to the Monterey Museum of Art, you’ve got more than a day trip waiting for you in colorful Monterey.

Notable Sights

San Carlos Beach, Monterey Bay, Cannery Row, Dennis the Menace Playground, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Museum of Art, Treasure Hunt: The Ride, Monterey Mirror Maze

Fisherman’s Wharf isn’t the only wharf you can explore on this list! Santa Cruz is its own city, but it’s mostly notable for its lengthy wharf and boardwalk that’s been entertaining guests since 1911. Of course, you can take a dip in the ocean and chill by the shore, but there’s so much more to do in SC!

If you’re a fan of surf culture, not only are these waves for you, but numerous state parks like Wilder Ranch and Natural Bridges offer unmissable sights of California’s shore.

Then after drying off you and your fellow travelers can grab some sunhats and walk down a ride-filled boardwalk with chair lifts and the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster. If you’re looking for a more toned-down Summer stop there are dozens of antique and vintage shops filled with unique clothing and antiquities. From everything from a scenic drive to a stop at the intriguing Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz happens to be one of the most colorful gems in the bright Bay Area.

Notable Sights

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mystery Spot, Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Wilder Ranch State Park, Natural Bridges State Park

Most of the Bay Area has access to gorgeous beaches, but Half Moon Bay has a few of the best beaches within just a few miles. Poplar, Francis, and Elmary Beach line the coast of Half Moon Bay, creating the unique visual from which it gets its name. So for surfers and campers alike, this should be one of your first stops.

For everyone else, you’re not left out, because Half Moon Bay has its own village with lovely stops like Flying Fish & Grill and the Coastside History Museum. If you’re looking to continue that journey with some actual history, you can walk through Burley H. Murray Ranch State Park to see the famous Mills Dairy Farm or stop at the James Johnston House.

History, nature, and some great food. Half Moon Bay has everything you could want from a relaxing weekend or day trip.

Notable Sights

Poplar Beach, Francis Beach, Elmar Beach, Flying Fish & Grill, Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, Burley H. Murray Ranch State Park, Mills Dairy Farm

Northern California’s Many Treasures

Day trips near the South Bay are as abundant as the beaches lining the Bay Area. From peaceful nature to some of the most advanced rides or museums on the planet, there is an endlessly growing list of sights that demand to be seen and enjoyed. Whether you’ve got the entire family in the minivan or just grabbed a bag and left for a solo trip, your next adventure is right around the corner!