When you live in San Francisco or the Bay area, the options for day trips and weekend trips are wonderful. There are some towns that deserve more attention and love. Be careful and always check the conditions before visiting any of these towns. Explore these wonderful towns around the Bay area that will surprise you.
- Pacifica
Creative Commons/Wikipedia Pacifica is filled with beauty and tranquility. The best thing about the town is that it is only 15 minutes south of San Francisco, and it is easily accessible from Highway Make sure to visit Rockaway Beach when you visit Pacifica.
- Pescadero
Creative Commons/Wikipedia Take a trip down Route 1 and enjoy this overlooked town. Pescadero is a farming and ranching community with beautiful state parks and a goat cheese farm. The town feels like it is stuck in time in a good way.
- Montara
JP J/Yelp Montara is often overlooked and it has a lot to offer. Montara is a small community that feels like what you would expect from a beautiful and remote coastal town, which is only a 20 mile trek south of San Francisco!
- Palo Alto
Alice W/Yelp Palo Alto can be a great day trip. Palo Alto has Stanford and lots of restaurants in the downtown area. Wander around Stanford University and take the time to see the top of the tower!
- Fairfax
Jasperdo/Flickr Fairfax in Marin County has a history of being fun, irreverent, and full of nostalgia. Fairfax has old art deco theaters and wonderful trails for bikers and hikers. This is a place for nature lovers and people looking for a quirky town.
- Aptos
Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr Aptos is near Santa Cruz is a picturesque town. Aptos is the gateway to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. This is a charming town with beautiful beaches and a slower pace of life.
- Bolinas
Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr Marin County’s hippie enclave has a small town feel with accessible hikes nearby too. You can easily get to Alamere Waterfall and Bass Lake from Bolinas as well.
- El Granada
Jenny P/Yelp Don’t overlook this spot for Half Moon Bay. El Granada is a sleepy community about 4 miles north of historic Half Moon Bay and 25 miles south of San Francisco. This is an ideal quiet getaway to enjoy the beach.
- Nevada City
Www78/Flickr If you’re up for the drive more outside San Francisco then check out this cozy town with Gold Rush history. This is a popular weekend getaway for outdoor recreation, history, and art!
- San Rafael
Jasperdo/Flickr San Rafael is not far from San Francisco, but often overlooked. The downtown area has lots of highly regarded restaurants and historical attractions.
Have you been to any of these towns? Let us know. Share this story too! If you prefer to stay in the city then check out The Gorgeous Place In San Francisco Where The Land Meets The Sea.
Creative Commons/Wikipedia
Pacifica is filled with beauty and tranquility. The best thing about the town is that it is only 15 minutes south of San Francisco, and it is easily accessible from Highway Make sure to visit Rockaway Beach when you visit Pacifica.
Take a trip down Route 1 and enjoy this overlooked town. Pescadero is a farming and ranching community with beautiful state parks and a goat cheese farm. The town feels like it is stuck in time in a good way.
JP J/Yelp
Montara is often overlooked and it has a lot to offer. Montara is a small community that feels like what you would expect from a beautiful and remote coastal town, which is only a 20 mile trek south of San Francisco!
Alice W/Yelp
Palo Alto can be a great day trip. Palo Alto has Stanford and lots of restaurants in the downtown area. Wander around Stanford University and take the time to see the top of the tower!
Jasperdo/Flickr
Fairfax in Marin County has a history of being fun, irreverent, and full of nostalgia. Fairfax has old art deco theaters and wonderful trails for bikers and hikers. This is a place for nature lovers and people looking for a quirky town.
Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr
Aptos is near Santa Cruz is a picturesque town. Aptos is the gateway to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. This is a charming town with beautiful beaches and a slower pace of life.
Marin County’s hippie enclave has a small town feel with accessible hikes nearby too. You can easily get to Alamere Waterfall and Bass Lake from Bolinas as well.
Jenny P/Yelp
Don’t overlook this spot for Half Moon Bay. El Granada is a sleepy community about 4 miles north of historic Half Moon Bay and 25 miles south of San Francisco. This is an ideal quiet getaway to enjoy the beach.
Www78/Flickr
If you’re up for the drive more outside San Francisco then check out this cozy town with Gold Rush history. This is a popular weekend getaway for outdoor recreation, history, and art!
Jasperdo/Flickr
San Rafael is not far from San Francisco, but often overlooked. The downtown area has lots of highly regarded restaurants and historical attractions.
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