5 Perfect Day Trips Just Outside of San Francisco
My partner has lived in the Bay Area for years, and we put our heads together to offer weekend activities for all types of visitors to the region. This list is designed to take you way beyond the tourist activities into the beauty of the Bay that locals enjoy. To get the most out of this guide, skim it at least a week before your trip. A few of these activities require reservations! Table of Contents: 🌊 Explore the Point Reyes coast 🏄🏽‍♀️ Surf in Pacifica 🚴🏽‍♂️ Bike in Santa Cruz ⛰ Hike in Marin 🍻 Imbibe in the East Bay
17 Places • 5 Saves • ago
Free

1. For lovers of the coastline

The California coast is one of the world’s most beautiful, and the national preserve just north of the bay boasts all its amenities— even elephant seals if you’re lucky.

Point Reyes National Seashore
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

If it’s Tuesday or Thursday, sign up for a guided tour of this oyster farm. If it’s not, drop by and ask to look around anyway, and then head a mile down the road to their restaurant to try their oysters for yourself.

Hog Island Oyster Co
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Tony's Seafood Restaurant
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

2. For the surf curious

Pacifica State Beach
@gabdrinksbeer
Great for beginner surfers. Rent gear down the street or book a lesson!
Add to
Details
Taco Bell
@gabdrinksbeer
The only Taco Bell I’ve ever been to in my life. So worth it.
Add to
Details

3. Santa Cruz is for lovers

This is a pro tip: you can rent these top or the line mountain bikes (worth thousands of bucks) for $60 for the day from their factory store. Then you can explore the miles of trails just down the road.

Santa Cruz Bicycles
@gabdrinksbeer
Rent a brand new mountain bike demo for $60 for the day. Reserve several days in advance.
Add to
Details
Wilder Ridge Vista Point
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

After mountain biking you deserve some beer and tacos.

Taqueria Los Pericos
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
@gabdrinksbeer
This is a nationally recognized brewery for funky beers. And don’t miss their unfiltered lagers!
Add to
Details

4. Marin headlands hike

There’s a reason it’s so expensive to live in Marin.

Park here and check out the trail map. The falls could be your destination depending on how many miles you have in you that day!

Tennessee Valley Trailhead
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Cataract Falls
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

This incredible Puerto Rican sandwich spot is exactly where you should head after your hike:

Add to
Details

5. East Bay fermentation day

You’re adjacent to wine country, and luckily some real gems lie just over the Bay Bridge in Berkeley.

Fieldwork Brewing Company
@gabdrinksbeer
Lovely brewery with true California charm.
Add to
Details

These two wineries are *natural* meaning they don’t add anything to their wine, and their grapes ferment with the yeast that already lived on them.

Go enjoy the East Bay sunshine and sample a few glasses of wine, then beer. Or vice versa:

Broc Cellars
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Donkey & Goat Winery, Tasting Room & Wine Shop
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

If you still have the energy, drive 10 minutes into the heart of the east bay for some queer and women led beer experiences:

The Good Hop Bar & Bottle Shop
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Temescal Brewing
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this guide, consider leaving a tip <3

* * *
CURATED BY
đź“ŤAsheville, NC Your certified beer expert specializing in culinary, road trip, and budget travel. Beer, coffee, mezcal, and natural wine guides to come! Follow me on IG for photos of my latest adventures. Click the website icon to book a virtual beer class with me!
Send A Tip
Support Gab Bonfiglio’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Gab Bonfiglio • Privacy • Terms
5 Perfect Day Trips Just Outside of San Francisco
My partner has lived in the Bay Area for years, and we put our heads together to offer weekend activities for all types of visitors to the region. This list is designed to take you way beyond the tourist activities into the beauty of the Bay that locals enjoy. To get the most out of this guide, skim it at least a week before your trip. A few of these activities require reservations! Table of Contents: 🌊 Explore the Point Reyes coast 🏄🏽‍♀️ Surf in Pacifica 🚴🏽‍♂️ Bike in Santa Cruz ⛰ Hike in Marin 🍻 Imbibe in the East Bay
17 Places • 5 Saves • ago
Free

1. For lovers of the coastline

The California coast is one of the world’s most beautiful, and the national preserve just north of the bay boasts all its amenities— even elephant seals if you’re lucky.

Point Reyes National Seashore
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

If it’s Tuesday or Thursday, sign up for a guided tour of this oyster farm. If it’s not, drop by and ask to look around anyway, and then head a mile down the road to their restaurant to try their oysters for yourself.

Hog Island Oyster Co
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Tony's Seafood Restaurant
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

2. For the surf curious

Pacifica State Beach
@gabdrinksbeer
Great for beginner surfers. Rent gear down the street or book a lesson!
Add to
Details
Taco Bell
@gabdrinksbeer
The only Taco Bell I’ve ever been to in my life. So worth it.
Add to
Details

3. Santa Cruz is for lovers

This is a pro tip: you can rent these top or the line mountain bikes (worth thousands of bucks) for $60 for the day from their factory store. Then you can explore the miles of trails just down the road.

Santa Cruz Bicycles
@gabdrinksbeer
Rent a brand new mountain bike demo for $60 for the day. Reserve several days in advance.
Add to
Details
Wilder Ridge Vista Point
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

After mountain biking you deserve some beer and tacos.

Taqueria Los Pericos
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
@gabdrinksbeer
This is a nationally recognized brewery for funky beers. And don’t miss their unfiltered lagers!
Add to
Details

4. Marin headlands hike

There’s a reason it’s so expensive to live in Marin.

Park here and check out the trail map. The falls could be your destination depending on how many miles you have in you that day!

Tennessee Valley Trailhead
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Cataract Falls
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

This incredible Puerto Rican sandwich spot is exactly where you should head after your hike:

Add to
Details

5. East Bay fermentation day

You’re adjacent to wine country, and luckily some real gems lie just over the Bay Bridge in Berkeley.

Fieldwork Brewing Company
@gabdrinksbeer
Lovely brewery with true California charm.
Add to
Details

These two wineries are *natural* meaning they don’t add anything to their wine, and their grapes ferment with the yeast that already lived on them.

Go enjoy the East Bay sunshine and sample a few glasses of wine, then beer. Or vice versa:

Broc Cellars
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Donkey & Goat Winery, Tasting Room & Wine Shop
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

If you still have the energy, drive 10 minutes into the heart of the east bay for some queer and women led beer experiences:

The Good Hop Bar & Bottle Shop
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details
Temescal Brewing
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this guide, consider leaving a tip <3

* * *
CURATED BY
đź“ŤAsheville, NC Your certified beer expert specializing in culinary, road trip, and budget travel. Beer, coffee, mezcal, and natural wine guides to come! Follow me on IG for photos of my latest adventures. Click the website icon to book a virtual beer class with me!
Send A Tip
Support Gab Bonfiglio’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Gab Bonfiglio • Privacy • Terms