San Francisco Day Trips

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Day Trips

San Francisco offers every activity under the sun – and all within an hour’s drive or less. Want wine? Head up to Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Crave outdoor adventure? Marin County and Mt. Tamalpais have plenty. Sand and ocean? Stinson Beach to the north and Pacifica to the south are meccas for beach goers. Look below for options that are doable in a single afternoon.

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Hearst Castle
Publisher William Randolph Hearst's 165-room estate is a magnificent sight. Explore the grounds, take a tour, and watch a documentary about the building’s construction.
4 hours south of San Francisco; 750 Hearst Castle Rd.; San Simeon, CA; 800-444-4445; www.hearstcastle.com
Tags: family | architecture | culture | history
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Overlooking Monterey Bay from historic Cannery Row, this world-renowned, and top U.S. aquarium offers special events, animal exhibits, new animals and family activities.
2 hours and fifteen minutes south of San Francisco; 886 Cannery Row; Carmel, CA; 831-648-4800; www.montereybayaquarium.org
Tags: family | aquarium | wildlife | editor pick
Oakland
A quick BART ride or drive across the Bay Bridge will deliver you to Berkeley (www.visitberkeley.com), the Oakland Museum of California (www.museumca.org), and the Dunsmuir House & Gardens Historic Estate (www.dunsmuir.org).
20-30 minutes east of San Francisco; Oakland, CA; www.oaklandnet.com
Tags: family | culture | culinary
Sacramento
No, you won’t necessarily see The Governator, but California’s Capital is loaded with history, fantastic museums, beautiful architecture, high-end hotels and A-list restaurants.
Under two hours east of San Francisco; Sacramento, CA; www.cityofsacramento.org
Tags: family | architecture | culture | history
Santa Cruz
This laid-back college town is loaded with funky shops, great restaurants, and surfers. Visit the boardwalk, the West Coast's last seaside amusement park, and the redwood forests of Roaring Camp Railroads (www.roaringcamp.com).
Ninety minutes south of San Francisco; Santa Cruz, CA; www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us
Tags: beach | family | amusement park | culture
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Your stop for numerous thrill rides, as well as chances to feed animals, learn about nature and see numerous family-friendly shows.
45 minutes northeast of San Francisco; 1001 Fairgrounds Dr.; Vallejo, CA; 707-644-4000; www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/index.aspx
Tags: family | amusement park | outdoors
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