San Francisco has a lot of offer, but there are so many special places you can go in NorCal that are only a short drive from the city. It might be a controversial thing to say SF is in Northern California, but I consider it to be. Taking a day trip from SF is a popular thing for locals to do. Here are a few ideas for your next visit or days off.

Pacifica

Did you know you can visit this area in the summer and see the humpback and gray whales migrate through? Sharp Park is a great spot to check out! I wasn’t lucky enough to get any breaches on video, but it was beautiful to see and there were plenty of whales to see from the shore and the boardwalk. Did I mention there is a black sand beach along the walk? It was a very moody afternoon – the fog is often present – and after our walk, we went into town to Nick’s Rockaway to have crab sandwiches. They have incredible views from their dining room as well.

Napa Valley

If you are a wine drinker, Napa is the place for you. Honestly, even if you aren’t into wine, Napa has something for everyone. Wine tasting is one of the most popular things to do in the NorCal area, but Napa also has great shopping, beautiful scenery, and nice restaurants. It’s a great option for a day spent away from the city, and there are hotel and B and B’s if you decide to stay a night.

I went to Napa with a few friends one weekend to get bottomless mimosas and brunch. We wandered around the downtown area and just enjoyed the gloomy spring day. That said, you don’t have to have wine in Napa if it isn’t your thing. It’s a beautiful place to visit even if you don’t want to drink. The springtime is my favorite because everything is so green, but you have a chance of getting rained on.

Monterey Bay

Monterey is the quintessential NorCal town. It’s got that “high class” feel about it, which I feel is much more Northern California style versus SoCal (see Santa Cruz). There is a lot going on in Monterey Bay, including the world-renowned Aquarium. Though tickets there are pricey, it is worth going to if you haven’t been before.

During whale season, this is a great place to take a boat tour for whale watching. The humpbacks hang around from March to November, with the usual peak time being July and August. You can walk along the nice walking path that leads right into downtown. There are tons of restaurants and places to grab drinks with pretty views of the bay.

For a good, but different meal option, you can drive back out of Monterey a little bit and stop at Phil’s Fish Market in Castroville. Well-known for their Cioppino, they also have weekly specials based on the fish being caught locally. The clam chowder is also a great option!

Santa Cruz/Capitola

This is one of my favorite areas in NorCal and is a very popular spot for surfers and beach-goers. More of the SoCal vibes you might be looking for, Santa Cruz is well-known for the beach boardwalk. In the summertime the boardwalk, has rollercoasters, rides, and games. The beach nearby is nice with soft sand, so it is a good spot to hang out.

I also recommend Seabright State Beach. It is down the beach a little ways, but is less crowded and a bit quieter because it is further from the boardwalk. Parking can be a bit difficult here because it is street parking only, but if you can manage to go during a weekday, you might have better luck!

Capitola is only a few miles south and the beaches connect with Santa Cruz – it’s hard to tell when one ends and the other begins. This is a really good town to visit if you want to watch people surf. There are great places to sit along the coast to people watch and soak up the sun, but not be on the sandy beach. The town has nice coffee shops and cafes, plus shops (especially different surf shops) to wander around in. I’d recommend grabbing a coffee at Cat and Cloud Coffee on Portola Dr. You can leave your car there and walk down to the water.

BONUS: Yosemite National Park

Only 3.5 hours from SF, you can get to one of the most famous National Parks in the country! Yosemite National Park is known for its many waterfalls, hiking and camping, climbing, and picnicking. If you leave the city early, this could be a good one day trip, but it’s probably best for this one to be an overnight if you want to make it more worth your while and not have to rush. Even 2 nights would be my recommendation! That’s what I did – and my friend and I just car camped in one of the tent spaces at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. It’s a great place with a community center and a lot to do, plus only a few miles from the entrance to the park.

NOTE: If you go on a weekend during the busy season, there are some dates that require a reservation before entering the park. See their website for more details on what to do out there! Also keep in mind in the summer and fall, the waterfalls and rivers might be a bit dry. Winter and Spring are the best times to see the full beauty of the park!

Have you been to any of these iconic NorCal spots? Where are your faves?