The San Francisco Bay Area is a “choose your own adventure” place with natural beauty in the city and beyond: mountains, valleys, beaches, and lush parks are all reachable on day, and half-day, trips.
North Bay
The Napa and Sonoma wine regions are some of the best ways to explore outside of the city, and most people arrange wine tasting and transportation tours for a safe and enjoyable day out. For those looking for more of an outdoors vibe, the Marin Headlands are laced with beautiful hiking trails, many of which lead to Mount Tamalpais (better known as Mt. Tam). You can also head out in the early morning to Muir Woods to see some of the world’s most ancient redwoods. From there, take the scenic Highway 1 drive to find a sprinkling of beach towns with cafes, breweries, and bookstores in places such as Dillon Beach, Stinson Beach, and Point Reyes.
Bike rides over the Golden Gate Bridge drop you in Sausalito for galleries, restaurants, and more waterfront trails that extend to Mill Valley. For those who don’t feel like making the round trip on two wheels, opt for a quick ferry ride from Sausalito back to the Embarcadero. Another great ferry option: a short ride drops you at Angel Island for beautiful sweeping views of the bay and easy-to-moderate hikes. Just be sure to bring a picnic to Angel Island, food and drink options are limited.
East Bay
Just over the Bay Bridge, urban wineries, live music, and shopping can be found in Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda. The first Sunday of each month, the Alameda Flea Market (the Alameda Point Antiques Faire) is a popular spot for locals to shop for a mix of vintage clothing, art, and furniture in a labyrinth of stalls, set against 360-degree backdrop of San Francisco’s skyline and the Port of Oakland’s cranes. For nightlife, First Fridays are a celebration of the Oakland arts, and the Fox Theatre in Uptown Oakland is a Bay Area favorite for music venues, with easy BART access back to the city.