The Ultimate Summer Road Trips From San Francisco

Nothing says summer like blowing off all of your responsibilities to hit the open road and satisfy your wanderlust . And while we are fans of passably much every road misstep in California , includingthese ones you’re able to do on a budget , andthese ace that are a little off the beaten path , if we could only do five summer road trips in all of Northern California , these are the position we ’d for indisputable go first .

Yosemite National Park

Distance from SF:185 miles ; 4 - hour driveIt really does n’t get more beautiful than Yosemite . And , yes , there ’s plenty to do even if you ’re not an avid tramp or packer . The car park is quite expansive , so you ’ll need to make certain you have at least three days to spend research … though if you may swing a week , it ’s completely deserving it . Must - Do:1.Yosemite Falls , North America ’s highest waterfall . A short cost increase will provide you with views of the vale , Half Dome , and the dusk . But keep going if you may because there ’s nothing quite like being at the top of this monumental waterfall . 2.Mariposa Grove , home to giant redwood Tree , which are the big living matter on earth . ( notice : the grove is closed until 2017 ; if you ’re lead to Yosemite before then and still desire to see sequoias , check out Tuolumne and Merced Groves near Crane Flat ) . 3.Take the " Green Dragon " Tour . This open - breeze tram turn lets you hit all of the highlights , and a common Texas Ranger makes sure you discover something along the agency . Stay : In a canvass collapsible shelter or cabin inHalf Dome Village(formerly Curry Village).Eat : The Sunday Brunch at theMajestic Yosemite Hotel(you probably know it as the " Ahwanhee " ) is legendary for a ground .

Lake Tahoe

Distance from SF:200 miles ; 3.5 - hour driveA lot of people think of Tahoe as a ski destination , but summertime by the lake is when the fun really starts ( OK , also starts).Must - Do:1.Raft down the Truckee River . mob a cooler full of collation and beer , rive a great deal , and spend an afternoon floating in the water ( head up : no intoxicant is allowed the week of Fourth of July ) . The ice-cream float stops at theRiver Ranch , where you could get potable and heed to last euphony . 2 . Take the boat toChambers Landing Bar & Grill . If you do n’t have a sauceboat or a admirer with a boat , rent one . Then labor around the lake for a while before pull over at the oldest bar on Lake Tahoe to watch the sunset and soak up the famous punch . 3.Hike to Eagle Lake . This is a super - easy , mi - long hike where you ’ll pass waterfalls and granite peaks , only to end up at a laid-back lake where you may take a summertime swim and chill out . Stay : pack at one of the sites along the West Shore . exhaust : An early dinner party on the deck ofSunnysidenever gets old . Nor does their Hula Pie .

Wine Country

aloofness from SF:60 miles ; 1.5 - hour driveInstead of spending a weekend in just Napa or Sonoma , make it a actual route trip – you hump you want to see as much of wine country as possible . Must - Do:1 . Taste wine-coloured . Uh … duh . This one ’s altogether up to you , but we recommend perish to wineries that are off the beaten way of life . taste to hit more than one or two in a day will end up accept all of your time and keep you from being able to drive to the next spot , so plan accordingly . 2 . Soak in an Olympic - sized mineral pond . expend an afternoon atIndian Springswhere the pool are fed by on - site geyser , then channelize tothe spafor a massage or mud bath . 3 . Explore thePetrified Forest , where redwood Tree were turn to stone 3.4 million long time ago by a volcano . delay : Camp Carnerosis the perfect space to camp after vino taste in Napa , and since you ’re going to Indian Springs the next day , you might as well get a room there – besides , this way you’re able to take reward of the fact that the pools are open ‘ til midnight . Eat : Kayak to a foodie brunch on the Russian River . River ’s Edge Kayak & Canoe Tripsin Healdsburg will take you on a guided two- to three - minute ice-cream soda that finishes with a " Farm - to - Table " riverbank brunch .

Santa Cruz

length from SF:75 mile ; 1.5 - time of day driveSanta Cruz has an older - school California vibration that never grows old ( or grow up ) , which make it the perfect place to sound off back and recharge for a few day . Must - Do:1.The Mystery Spot . get along on ; you recognise this cheesy , pitiful , " gravitational anomaly " tourist drawing card would make this list . You ’ve catch ta see it for yourself at least once before you fail . 2.Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk . It ’s not a trip to Santa Cruz if you do n’t go on a wooden rollercoaster ride . 3.Hike in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park . Come on : giant redwoods . Stay : The Dream Innis a cute beachfront boutique hotel , but there ’s alsoplenty of encampment nearbyif that ’s more your hurrying . Eat : It ’s imperative that you tick out ( and hang up out in ) at least one of Santa Cruz ’s Downtown cafes . Part of the adventure is find one on your own , but if you get stuck , Caffe Pergolesi(“The Perg " ) has good nutrient , a very lay - back vibe , and lots ( and dozens ) of hippie .

SF to Eureka to Mendocino

Distance from SF to Eureka:270 knot ; 5 - hour driveDistance from Eureka to Mendocino:145 miles ; 3 - time of day driveThis one is arealroad trip , but if you have four days to a week , it ’s a great way to see the best Northern California has to offer , from big trees to breweries and everything in between . Must - Do:1 . force throughthe Chandelier Treein Leggett . 2 . Explore the Victorian harbour of Eurekavia horse - drawn carriage . 3.Drink your way ( responsibly ) through all of Mendocino . Stay : Camp inHumboldt Redwoods State Park , stay in aVictorian Innin Eureka , and fling on a nighttime atThe Madronesin Mendocino . Eat : Pull over atThe Peg Housein Leggett , where you’re able to get tasty burgers and maybe even catch some springy music .

contract up herefor our daily San Francisco e-mail and be the first to get all the food / deglutition / fun SF has to put up .

Daisy Barringeris a freelancer author from SF and road trip are peradventure her favorite thing to do in the summer . She just does n’t like to drive . Tell her where she should go next on Twitter@daisy .

Yosemite road trip