Uncover probably the most stunning locations in western USA with our information to the perfect highway journeys from San Francisco!
Hoping to see extra of Northern California and past throughout your go to to San Francisco? Take into account a highway journey!
Western USA is so huge, with unimaginable cities, cities, and wilderness areas unfold out throughout an ever-changing panorama. Highway journeys from San Francisco are a good way to flee town, hit the open highway, and see the close by wonders with your individual eyes.
San Francisco is surrounded by world-class cities, together with Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Santa Cruz, Portland, and extra. You may as well discover small coastal cities, beautiful wine nations, and breathtaking nationwide parks.
Highway journey by means of towering redwood forests, drive alongside the Pacific Ocean, cruise by means of lush rolling hills, or tackle a calming weekend highway journey to a close-by lake, state park, or mountain vary.
Highway journeys from San Francisco can showcase the perfect of California’s numerous surroundings, whether or not you need to drive far right into a neighboring state or simply go for a brief dive across the San Francisco Bay Space.
The locations, similar to Massive Sur, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, or Yosemite, are all worthwhile locations. However the scenic drives you’ll get to take pleasure in on these San Francisco highway journeys are half the enjoyable!
17 Finest Highway Journeys From San Francisco
From the seashores and boardwalks of Santa Cruz, to the long-lasting Nevada metropolis of Las Vegas, there are many lengthy and brief highway journeys from San Francisco to select from.
Enterprise into the forests and mountains of Northern California, or head to the golden seashores of Southern California. Or select one of many inland highway journeys the place you may see volcanic nationwide parks, mighty cities and alpine lakes.
For all of those highway journeys from San Francisco, you may simply choose up a rental automobile from town. You possibly can even get one on the airport and get proper to exploring!
The easiest way to get round is to lease a automobile and discover by yourself! We suggest Rental Vehicles, which has the biggest vary of automobiles for the perfect worth available on the market.
1. Yosemite Nationwide Park
- Distance from San Francisco: 167 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours
As one of the vital well-known nationwide parks in North America, Yosemite makes a tremendous San Francisco highway journey. It’s additionally an excellent standard day journey from San Francisco, so you too can select a guided tour if you happen to choose another person do the driving in your highway journey!
A highway journey from San Francisco to Yosemite Nationwide Park provides an unforgettable journey by means of a few of California’s most picturesque landscapes.
Getting into Yosemite Valley, you’ll drive previous towering sequoias, pristine alpine meadows, and awe-inspiring waterfalls. The peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Vary supply superb mountaineering trails and scenic drives.
The highway journey would possibly embody stops at iconic websites similar to El Capitan, Half Dome, and the beautiful Yosemite Valley. Or you may hunt down probably the most scenic driving routes similar to Glacier Level Highway, Wawona Highway, and Tioga Highway.
A highway journey by means of Yosemite is among the greatest methods to flee town and join with nature exterior San Francisco.
Learn extra: The Finest Issues to Do in Yosemite in Winter
2. Lake Tahoe
- Distance from San Francisco: 210 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
One other one of the vital standard highway journeys from San Francisco is Lake Tahoe. This breathtaking alpine lake on the border of California and Nevada is a simple highway journey from the Bay Space, and also you’ll move proper by means of California’s capital metropolis of Sacramento on the way in which.
When you arrive, take into account spending a weekend in Lake Tahoe as there may be a lot to do on this beautiful space! The crystal clear lake is surrounded by lush forests and mountains, making it an excellent location for swimming, boating, water sports activities, snowboarding, snowboarding, mountaineering, and tenting.
South Lake Tahoe is the most well-liked spot on the lake. An Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise is the easiest way to soak in all of the pure magnificence round South Lake Tahoe.
North Lake Tahoe can be superb for water sports activities like kayaking or paddleboarding, or there are a number of ski resorts the place you may hit the slopes in winter.
3. Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore
- Distance from San Francisco: 37 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore is a superb selection if you happen to’re in search of a simple highway journey the place you barely have to depart the Bay space.
From downtown San Francisco, simply head north alongside the long-lasting Golden Gate Bridge. In the event you haven’t already finished so, ensure you cease to get some superb images of the well-known landmark. There are a number of scenic viewpoints and coastal walks that present pretty views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
From there, proceed north by means of Golden Gate Nationwide Recreation Space till you attain the seashore. You may even make one other detour to Muir Woods Nationwide Monument alongside the way in which, which is thought for its old-growth coastal redwoods.
When you make it to Level Reyes, spend the day admiring the attractive seashores, lush forests, and expansive grasslands. Hold your eyes peeled for wildlife, together with elk, elephant seals, sea lions, and quite a few chicken species, and drive by means of the Cypress Tree Tunnel for a picturesque photograph.
The park’s historic websites, just like the Level Reyes Lighthouse and historic ranches, supply glimpses into the area’s cultural previous. Guests can even take pleasure in mountaineering, whale watching, picnicking, and exploring the tide swimming pools at Level Reyes.
4. Santa Cruz
- Distance from San Francisco: 73 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
One other one of many closest highway journeys from San Francisco is Santa Cruz, a vibrant coastal metropolis identified for its laid-back environment, beautiful seashores, and wealthy cultural scene.
The drive from San Francisco is easy. In the event you don’t thoughts an extended drive, you may take the coastal route that brings you thru Half Moon Bay and Massive Basin Redwoods State Park.
Upon arriving in Santa Cruz, benefit from the pure magnificence and leisure! The town is famed for its iconic Santa Cruz Seaside Boardwalk, one of many oldest amusement parks within the nation. With a nostalgic mixture of classic rides, video games, and household enjoyable, Santa Cruz Seaside Boardwalk is ideal for folks of all ages.
The town’s seashores, like Principal Seaside and Pure Bridges State Seaside, are standard locations for browsing, beachcombing, and tide pooling, drawing guests from everywhere in the world. Strive some surf classes if you wish to immerse your self in that California way of life, or deal with your self to some recent seafood at a restaurant close to the coast.
5. Massive Sur
- Distance from San Francisco: 147 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and half-hour
Anybody in search of iconic San Francisco highway journeys has to think about the Pacific Coast Freeway! This beautiful coastal highway, often known as Freeway 1, trails all alongside the various shoreline of California and past.
It’s a handy highway journey from San Francisco, and you’ll both drive it north or south! However if you happen to’re uncertain of the place to finish your Pacific Coast Freeway highway journey, Massive Sur is a superb selection.
Massive Sur is arguably probably the most stunning vacation spot alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway. With distant, untouched seashores and miles of rugged, hilly shoreline, Massive Sur is a feast for the eyes.
A highway journey from San Francisco to Massive Sur might additionally take you thru Santa Cruz, and the close by cities of Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Mix all of those into one superb weekend journey if you’d like!
However driving by means of Massive Sur is among the most breathtaking highway journeys you may soak up California. Don’t miss the picture-perfect Bixby Creek Bridge, the serene Pfeiffer Seaside, and the majestic McWay Falls.
These hoping to go mountaineering in Massive Sur can try Pfeiffer Massive Sur State Park, Limekiln State Park, or Level Lobos State Pure Reserve. These wanting a little bit of rest can hunt down the Scorching Springs at Esalen Institute or ebook an evening at a comfortable lodge in Massive Sur.
6. Lassen Volcanic Nationwide Park
- Distance from San Francisco: 236 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
One other epic San Francisco highway journey thought is Lassen Volcanic Nationwide Park. This geothermal wonderland in Northern California is house to some really mind-blowing sights!
This numerous volcanic panorama consists of steaming fumaroles, boiling springs, and effervescent mud pots. Bumpass Hell is among the hottest geothermal areas, that includes a boardwalk path that winds by means of hissing steam vents and vibrant, mineral-rich swimming pools.
Lassen Volcanic Nationwide Park additionally has tranquil forests, serene alpine meadows, and crystal-clear lakes. The ample pure magnificence makes the park a tremendous spot for out of doors adventures like mountaineering, wildlife recognizing, and even snowshoeing and cross-country snowboarding in winter.
You possibly can go to the realm on day journeys, however it’s virtually a 4-hour drive from San Francisco so most would like to go to Lassen Volcanic Nationwide Park on a multiday highway journey.
Discover extra with our final Northern California highway journey!
7. Monterey and Carmel by the Sea
- Distance from San Francisco: 120 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours
In the event you’re seeking to discover a part of the Pacific Coast Freeway with out going all the way in which right down to Massive Sur, simply do a highway journey from San Francisco to Monterey!
Monterey is an enthralling metropolis on California’s Central Coast identified for its wealthy historical past and vibrant marine life. From touring the artwork galleries, to testing the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to becoming a member of a whale watching tour, there are many enjoyable issues to do on Monterey.
To stretch the legs after your highway journey you may even take into account a guided e-bike tour round this stunning a part of California. Or simply drive round and soak in all of the sights. Monterey is house to the scenic 17-Mile Drive, which winds by means of picturesque landscapes and passes well-known spots just like the Lone Cypress and Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks.
Simply south of Monterey lies Carmel by the Sea, a quaint and picturesque village famed for its fairy-tale cottages, superb eating places, and pristine seashores. Discover each Monterey and Carmel by the Sea on a enjoyable highway journey from San Francisco! Each cities make nice day journeys or weekend getaways from the Bay space.
Discover extra superb issues to do in Monterey!
8. Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wine Nation
- Distance from San Francisco: 59 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour
These hoping to go wine tasting within the rolling vineyards of Northern California can tackle a scenic highway journey by means of Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
These two standard areas in California’s Wine Nation supply a few of the greatest wine tasting and picturesque views in all of North America.
A highway journey by means of Napa Valley guarantees beautiful countryside views and many world-class wineries to go to. Simply across the nook lies Sonoma County, one other top-tier wine tasting vacation spot filled with beautiful eateries, stunning vineyards, and wonderful tasting rooms.
Improve your weekend in wine nation with a sizzling air balloon experience, a kayak down the Russian River, a experience on the Napa Valley Wine Prepare, or a guided tasting with a sommelier. This is among the greatest San Francisco highway journeys for anybody who loves wine, meals, and quaint nation cities.
9. Los Angeles
- Distance from San Francisco: 383 miles
- Driving time: 6 hours
Probably the most standard highway journeys from San Francisco is Los Angeles. Whether or not you’re simply making the drive to save cash on a flight, otherwise you’re taking a enjoyable weekend journey right down to the Metropolis of Angels, Los Angeles is a superb highway journey vacation spot.
You possibly can drive south from San Francisco alongside the rugged shoreline, stopping in locations we’ve already talked about similar to Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Massive Sur.
Add on different Southern California locations to your highway journey, similar to San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara. Or prolong your highway journey past LA and discover Palm Springs or Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. There are such a lot of choices for an thrilling tour to Los Angeles.
The sights and actions in LA are world-famous, so there is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do once you arrive there. From the Hollywood Signal and the Hollywood Stroll of Fame, to the Getty Museum, Griffith Observatory, and golden seashores like Venice, Santa Monica, or Malibu, Los Angeles is stuffed with pleasure!
Discover extra of Southern California on these 16 Finest Highway Journeys From Los Angeles!
10. Fort Bragg
- Distance from San Francisco: 164 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and quarter-hour
Discover the hidden gems of Northern California with a highway journey as much as Fort Bragg. Drive out of town and discover the coastal magnificence and marine lifetime of Mendocino County.
Fort Bragg was initially a navy garrison, however has advanced into a preferred vacation spot for nature lovers and out of doors fans.
The town’s most well-known attraction is Glass Seaside, the place waves have polished discarded glass into colourful pebbles that create a novel and mesmerizing shoreline.
Close by, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens provides beautiful shows of native and unique vegetation, together with scenic coastal trails that present breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Different adventures to have close to Fort Bragg embody canoeing down the Russian River, whale-watching off the coast, or driving the historic Skunk Prepare Railway by means of the redwood forests.
11. Pinnacles Nationwide Park
- Distance from San Francisco: 123 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Pinnacles Nationwide Park in Central California is a volcanic panorama identified for its dramatic rock formations, generally known as pinnacles. It’s one of many coolest highway journeys from San Francisco!
Drive southeast out of town, passing by means of San Jose and arriving at Pinnacles Nationwide Park.
The park provides over 30 miles of mountaineering trails that wind by means of its distinctive panorama, together with the favored Excessive Peaks Path which offers beautiful panoramic views of the distinctive rock formations.
The park’s Talus Caves, fashioned by fallen boulders creating passages and caverns, add a component of journey for explorers keen to navigate their darkish passageways.
Along with its geological wonders, Pinnacles Nationwide Park is a sanctuary for numerous wildlife and plant species. It is among the few locations the place guests can spot the endangered California condor, because of a profitable reintroduction program.
Birdwatchers and nature fans can even encounter golden eagles, prairie falcons, and quite a lot of different birds throughout the park.
Learn subsequent: The Final San Francisco To Seattle Highway Journey
12. Redwoods Nationwide and State Parks
- Distance from San Francisco: 311 miles
- Driving time: 5 hours and half-hour
Nature lovers in search of the perfect San Francisco highway journeys can head out to the Redwoods Nationwide and State Parks.
Positioned in Northern California close to the Oregon border, that is the best possible place to admire the well-known coastal redwoods of the US west coast.
These parks embody Redwood Nationwide Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Every nationwide and state park protects almost half of the remaining old-growth redwoods, which may soar over 350 ft and dwell for greater than 2,000 years.
Strolling amongst these historical giants is a humbling and awe-inspiring expertise, with standard trails just like the Woman Chook Johnson Grove and the Tall Timber Grove providing intimate encounters with these towering timber.
A surprising spot to incorporate in your highway journeys from San Francisco is the scenic drive alongside the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and the Howland Hill Highway. These routes showcase the grandeur of the coastal redwoods and the various landscapes of the area.
13. Half Moon Bay
- Distance from San Francisco: 30 miles
- Driving time: 40 minutes
In search of highway journeys that don’t truly require a lot driving? Half Moon Bay is a stunning spot to go to that’s proper on the outskirts of San Francisco.
Recognized for its stunning seashores, similar to Maverick’s Seaside and Half Moon Bay State Seaside, the city is a favourite spot for beachgoers, surfers, and nature fans. Maverick’s Seaside is especially well-known for its world-class surf breaks, attracting surfers from across the globe.
The city’s coastal path offers scenic strolling and biking routes alongside the bluffs, providing breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and alternatives for wildlife recognizing, together with seals and migrating whales.
Half Moon Bay additionally hosts quite a few festivals and is stuffed with unimaginable eating places, galleries, and areas of pure magnificence similar to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. You will get right here in slightly below an hour from San Francisco, making it one of many metropolis’s prime day journeys!
14. Portland
- Distance from San Francisco: 635 miles
- Driving time: 10 hours
One of many extra bold highway journeys from San Francisco is Portland, Oregon. This iconic metropolis is about 10 hours away from San Francisco, so you could need to break up your highway journey up over a number of days. However Portland makes for some pretty weekend getaways from San Francisco!
Head straight up the coast from San Francisco, exploring the highlights of Northern California alongside the way in which similar to Glass Seaside in Fort Bragg or Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Cross the border into Oregon and spend a weekend within the unimaginable metropolis of Portland!
With its eclectic environment and numerous sights, Portland is stuffed with enjoyable issues to do. Stroll by means of the galleries and cafes of the Pearl District, be taught in regards to the spooky historical past on a ghost tour, or feast on the native meals vans and craft breweries.
Discover the pristine parks and gardens, together with Washington Park, Forest Park, or the Lan Su Chinese language Backyard. Discover town from the water on a Willamette River cruise, or try the highly-rated museums.
Portland is among the greatest cities within the Pacific Northwest, and it’s among the finest highway journeys from San Francisco when you’ve got a number of days to spare.
In search of extra enjoyable actions? Try our checklist of the perfect issues to do in Portland
15. Santa Barbara
- Distance from San Francisco: 326 miles
- Driving time: 5 hours and 10 minutes
Probably the most standard San Francisco weekend getaways is Santa Barbara, a wonderful coastal city in Southern California. San Francisco highway journeys to Santa Barbara may be finished in a day, however you’ll need as a lot time as potential on this spectacular city.
Drive south from San Francisco and select to cease at cool locations on the way in which like San Luis Obispo, Pismo Seaside, or Solvang. Upon arriving in Santa Barbara, charming Mediterranean climate and vibes await!
Guests can stroll alongside Stearns Wharf, glimpse into the previous on the Santa Barbara Mission, or go to one of many many museums and galleries. Or head to the coast and check out watersports at East Seaside and West Seaside.
Santa Barbara can be among the finest weekend journeys from San Francisco for wine lovers! As an alternative of the standard Napa Valley journey, highway journey right down to Santa Barbara and check out a guided wine tour by means of the highest vineyards and tasting rooms of the Santa Ynez Valley.
16. San Luis Obispo
- Distance from San Francisco: 232 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
San Luis Obispo is a typical place to cease on highway journeys right down to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, however it may be a pleasant highway journey vacation spot by itself as properly!
It’s solely 2.5 hours from San Francisco, making it a simple spot for weekend journeys and even day journeys. This charming metropolis on California’s Central Coast is thought for its pleasant environment, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural scene.
The downtown space is energetic and walkable, that includes boutique retailers, galleries, cafes, and the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, one among California’s unique missions based in 1772.
Farmers markets, bike trails, wineries, state parks, museums, hikes, and seashores are plentiful in San Luis Obispo, making it a stunning vacation spot for highway journeys in California.
17. Las Vegas
- Distance from San Francisco: 568 miles
- Driving time: 9 hours
Final however not least on our checklist of fantastic highway journeys from San Francisco is Sin Metropolis! The enduring Nevada metropolis of Las Vegas makes an epic day journey or weekend journey from San Francisco. The driving distance is kind of lengthy, however the surroundings alongside the highway journey is well worth the journey.
Cross by means of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite Valley in your manner out to Las Vegas from San Francisco. Take slight detours if you wish to tour some unimaginable nationwide parks alongside the way in which, similar to Loss of life Valley or Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nationwide Park.
Watch the surroundings transition from the luxurious forests of Northern California, to the excessive peaks of Central California, to the stark deserts of Nevada. It’s a beautiful drive, and there may be infinite pleasure awaiting you in Las Vegas as properly!
Spend your days soaking in all the colourful power that Sin Metropolis has to supply, from the casinos and nightclubs to the dwell exhibits and eating places. Uncover the thrill of Las Vegas by reserving your night time at one among their top-rated accommodations or you too can enterprise exterior town to take a look at a historic gold rush city, state park, or nationwide treasure just like the Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon.
It’s no marvel why Las Vegas is among the greatest weekend highway journeys from San Francisco!
DISCLAIMER: A few of the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks, which implies if you happen to ebook lodging, excursions or purchase a product, we’ll obtain a small fee at no additional value to you. These commissions assist us maintain creating extra free journey content material to assist folks plan their holidays and adventures. We solely suggest the perfect lodging, excursions and merchandise that ourselves or our unbelievable editorial staff have personally skilled, and repeatedly evaluation these. Thanks in your assist, variety pal!
