Bay Area Locals Swear by These 24 Day Trips—And They’re All Shockingly Close
You finally have a free day in San Jose, and the itch to get out of town hits, but you don’t want to spend half of it stuck in traffic.
Luckily, some of the best day trips from San Jose are closer than you think. Hiking along coastal cliffs and sipping wine in laid-back valleys are only within a few hours’ drive. All the spots on this list are within three hours or less, ranked by distance to help you figure out what’s realistic based on how much time you’ve got.
Back when I was living on the road, juggling remote work and chasing good weather, San Jose became a frequent stop between my trips between LA and SF. I used those windows to explore everything nearby, from misty forest drives to beach towns that felt way farther than they actually were. If you’ve got a free day and need a reset, these are the day trips from San Jose that are absolutely worth your time.
Easy Day Trips from San Jose: Less than 1 Hour
1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Distance: 27.6 miles / ~45 minutes
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go: Spring for lush greenery
California’s oldest state park was heavily damaged in the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, but it’s steadily reopening, and the regrowth is already striking. Walking among redwoods that survived the fire adds a different layer when seeing the charred trunks standing beside fresh growth. The park has limited access right now, but trails like the Redwood Loop are back in action.
2. Gilroy
Distance: 32.4 miles / ~55 minutes
Type: Urban
Best Time to Go: Summer for garlic festival
Gilroy is known for producing over 80 percent of America’s garlic. You’ll smell it before you see the city limits. I had the annual Garlic Festival on my bucket list since I heard about it, and after a multi-year hiatus is finally returning in 2025!
Outside of that, there’s the Gilroy Gardens amusement park, which is ideal if you’re bringing kids along. Downtown has small shops and murals that nod to the region’s agricultural roots.
3. Santa Cruz
Distance: 32.6 miles / ~45 minutes
Type: Urban
Best Time to Go to Santa Cruz: Summer for boardwalk rides
Santa Cruz has one of the oldest seaside amusement parks in the country, with a boardwalk that has been pulling in crowds since 1907. The downtown area buzzes with street performers and offbeat bookshops.
You can catch surfers carving waves at Steamer Lane while walking along the cliffs at Lighthouse Field State Beach. The Mystery Spot, while a tourist trap, is bizarre enough to be fun. And of course, if you want sand and surf, there are plenty of beaches.
4. Half Moon Bay
Distance: 40.5 miles / ~55 minutes
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Half Moon Bay: Fall for pumpkin season
Half Moon Bay hosts one of the largest pumpkin festivals in the US, and the town leans into its harvest-season fame. Drive just a few minutes inland to see working farms and u-pick flower fields.
The beaches here are wide and wind-carved, with places like Poplar Beach offering horseback rides and tidepool exploring. If you’re into surfing or just want to see something wild, watch the waves at Mavericks, a famous big wave surf break where winter swells draw pros from around the world.
5. Pacifica
Distance: 46 miles / ~50 minutes
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Pacifica: Fall for fewer crowds
This small beach town once had a Taco Bell so close to the water you could hear the surf over your order. Pacifica draws surfers and hikers looking for a quick break from the city.
Start at Rockaway Beach or Linda Mar Beach, then hike the Mori Point trail for panoramic cliffside views and a short climb that feels surprisingly remote. The San Pedro Rock formation sits just offshore, weathered by Pacific winds and tides. You can also explore the Sweeney Ridge trail, which includes the spot where Spanish explorers first saw the Bay.
Best Day Trips from San Jose: Less than 2 Hours
6. Monterey
Distance: 71.6 miles / ~1 hr 30 min
Type: Urban
Best Time to Go to Monterey: Fall for fewer tourists
Monterey Bay Aquarium pulls more than two million visitors a year and has some of the most ambitious marine exhibits in the country. Cannery Row, once home to sardine packing chaos and immortalized by Steinbeck, is now a stretch of shops and hotels that sit right on the water.
The paved Monterey Bay Coastal Trail runs past kayakers, sea otters, and scuba diving spots that are as active below the surface as above. Lovers Point Park and the Pacific Grove coastline round out the perfect ocean loop.
7. Carmel by the Sea
Distance: 74.8 miles / ~1 hr 30 min
Type: Artistic
Best Time to Go: Spring for wildflowers on trails
Carmel has no street addresses, no neon signs, and no chain restaurants. The village-style layout has attracted artists and eccentrics that have shaped this place for over a century.
Start with a walk through the art galleries and side alleys downtown. Architecture here leans storybook, and you’ll spot plenty of cottages that look straight out of a European village. Carmel Beach is at the end of Ocean Avenue. Hike at Point Lobos or drive 17-Mile Drive for coastal views.
8. Gold Rush Towns of the Sierra Foothills
Distance: 120 miles / ~2 hrs
Type: Historical & Cultural
Best Time to Go: Spring for mild weather
California’s first big boom was built here. These quirky small towns still hang onto their 1800s bones, with wooden sidewalks, false-front buildings, and Main Streets that once buzzed with gold fever.
Murphys has become a low-key wine town but still shows off its mining roots in museums and old-time storefronts. Columbia State Historic Park has stagecoach rides and costumed interpreters. Angels Camp leans into the Mark Twain frog lore, while Sutter Creek and Jackson have saloons and antique shops still standing.
9. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Distance: 77.6 miles / ~1 hr 30 min
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go: Spring for wildflowers and sea lions
Point Lobos is called the “crown jewel” of California’s state park system, with forest, cliffs, and coves packed into a relatively small area.
The Cypress Grove Trail loops around windswept trees and coastline with views straight out to sea. Sea lions bark from offshore rocks, and otters float in the kelp just feet from shore. Hiking here is relatively easy. Just arrive early because parking fills up fast.
10. Año Nuevo State Park
Distance: 53.1 miles / ~1 hr 15 min
Type: Wildlife
Best Time to Go: Winter for elephant seal mating season
Año Nuevo is one of the few places in the world where you can see massive elephant seals up close without a zoo wall in the way. During winter, thousands come ashore to fight, mate, and molt.
Access to the seal rookeries is controlled in winter, so plan ahead for a docent-led walk through dunes and scrubland that ends at viewing platforms near the action. Outside of seal season, the park is still worth the trip. Trails weave through coastal bluffs with ocean views and abandoned buildings from its lighthouse past.
11. San Francisco
Distance: 55.3 miles / ~1 hr 15 min
Type: Urban
Best Time to Go to San Francisco: Fall for clearer skies and fewer tourists
San Francisco has more than 40 hills, and almost every one comes with a view. It’s dense, unpredictable, and never boring. Just don’t expect to see it all in one visit.
Pick a few neighborhoods and go deep. The Mission has murals and great parties, albeit can be a bit sketchy. The Richmond and Sunset districts lead to Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park. Crissy Field give you a close-up of the Golden Gate Bridge, while North Beach brings in traces of Beat history. The city changes quickly from block to block, which makes walking still the best way to explore it.
12. Capitola
Distance: 35 miles / ~50 minutes
Type: Urban
Best Time to Go to Capitola: Summer for beach season
Capitola claims to be California’s oldest seaside resort town. The small downtown runs along Soquel Creek and leads right into the sand. Colorful cottages line the waterfront and look more like a movie set than real housing.
San Jose Day Trips: Around or Less than 3 Hours
13. Big Sur
Distance: 100 miles / ~2 hr 15 min
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Big Sur: Spring for green cliffs and wildflowers
Big Sur’s coastline stretches for about 90 miles with some of the most photographed cliffs in California. Highway 1 through this stretch hugs the edge of the continent with nothing but sea and sky in view.
Start at Garrapata State Park for short trails to sea bluffs and coastal headlands. Bixby Bridge is an obvious stop at one of the most iconic bridges in the country. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has giant redwoods right along the Big Sur River, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park brings you within steps of McWay Falls. While the area has scattered lodges and cafes, cell service is spotty and development is limited.
14. Pinnacles National Park
Distance: 80 miles / ~2 hr
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Pinnacles: Spring for wildflowers and condor sightings
Pinnacles is one of the newest national parks in the US, but the rock formations here have been around for millions of years. This is one of the few places where you might spot a California condor overhead.
The park is divided into east and west entrances with no road connecting them. The east side has a campground and easier access to the Bear Gulch caves. High Peaks Trail is steep but gives the best views of the twisted volcanic spires. The talus caves are unlike anything in nearby parks, with tight passageways and cool air even on hot days.
15. Napa Valley
Distance: 85 miles / ~2 hr
Type: Artistic
Best Time to Go to Napa Valley: Fall for grape harvest season
Napa pulls in more than three million visitors a year, most of them coming for the wine. But you don’t need to be a sommelier to enjoy the rolling hills and vineyard architecture.
Beyond wine tastings, the valley has outdoor art installations, vineyard tours, and hot air balloon rides at sunrise. Yountville and St. Helena are walkable, with galleries and boutiques in between the tasting rooms. Many of the wineries require reservations, so plan ahead if you want to skip the crowds.
16. Sonoma
Distance: Approx. 95 miles / ~2 hr 15 min
Type: Historical & Cultural
Best Time to Go to Sonoma: Fall for harvest events
Sonoma’s town square is the largest in California and is surrounded by Mexican-era history and wine country. It’s less flashy than Napa but cheaper and much more walkable.
Start at Sonoma Plaza, where adobe buildings and the Mission San Francisco Solano still anchor the town. The nearby Sonoma Barracks and Toscano Hotel are walkable and tied into the state’s earliest days. Just outside town are dozens of wineries, many with picnic grounds and views of the surrounding hills.
17. Point Reyes National Seashore
Distance: 81.9 miles / ~2 hr 30 min
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go: Winter for whale migration
Point Reyes juts out into the Pacific on its own tectonic plate. You can literally walk the San Andreas Fault here.
Drive out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, perched on a cliff that feels like the edge of the world. Chimney Rock and the Tomales Point Trail are great for seeing tule elk and ocean views that go on forever. The inland trails pass through mossy forests and open meadows, especially scenic in early spring.
18. Muir Woods National Monument
Distance: 68.0 miles / ~2 hr
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Muir Woods: Spring for fewer crowds
Muir Woods protects one of the last remaining old-growth coastal redwood forests in the Bay Area. Some of the trees here are more than 600 years old.
The main boardwalk trail makes it easy to experience the forest, even on a short visit from SF or San Jose. For a quieter route, hike the Canopy View or Ben Johnson trails. Parking is reservation-only, so plan ahead or use the shuttle system from nearby Sausalito.
19. Stinson Beach
Distance: 74.9 miles / ~2 hr 20 min
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go: Summer for swimming
Stinson Beach is one of the few places on the Northern California coast where you can actually swim. On warmer days, the wide sandy beach gets packed with families and sunbathers.
The drive in via Highway 1 or Panoramic Highway is full of switchbacks but opens up to views you’ll want to stop for. Hike the Dipsea Trail for a workout with coastal payoff or stick to the sand for tidepool wandering.
20. Bodega Bay
Distance: 111 miles / ~2 hr 30 min
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Bodega Bay: Spring for wildflowers on the bluffs
Bodega Bay was made famous by Hitchcock’s The Birds, but the real draw now is the coastal access and wide-open skies. It’s one of the quieter corners of the Sonoma Coast.
The Bodega Head Trail loops along the cliffs with views of the ocean and migrating whales in season. Doran Regional Park offers a long beach that’s usually less windy than other spots. Kayaking in the bay is calm and beginner-friendly, especially in the morning. Inland has art studios and small galleries scattered through the rolling hills.
21. Sacramento
Distance: 120 miles / ~2 hr 30 min
Type: Historical & Cultural
Best Time to Go to Sacramento: Fall for cooler temps and events
Sacramento is the California capital with a strong indie scene and a massive park system. Old Sacramento is the obvious starting point with its wood-plank sidewalks, Gold Rush storefronts, and the California State Railroad Museum.
Midtown is where most of the energy lives now, with bike lanes, breweries, and street murals on nearly every block. The American and Sacramento Rivers frame the city and offer kayaking and trail access.
22. Yosemite National Park
Distance: 160 miles / ~3 hr
Type: Nature & Outdoors
Best Time to Go to Yosemite: Spring for waterfalls at peak flow
Yosemite sees over 4 million visitors a year as one of the most popular parks in the US. The granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and sheer scale of the place never really stop being impressive.
Start in Yosemite Valley to see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls all in one loop. Glacier Point gives you the overhead shot without the climb. Mariposa Grove has ancient sequoias you can stand inside. Early arrival is important in peak season when parking is limited and you need to reserve a timed entry. If you can get in, it’s worth the drive, no matter how many times you’ve been.
23. San Luis Obispo
Distance: 185 miles / ~3 hr
Type: Urban
Best Time to Go to SLO: Spring for mild weather and green hills
San Luis Obispo, or SLO, stays laid-back and has one of California’s most famous missions. It’s easy to explore in a day but packed with enough weird details to make it feel distinct.
Walk around downtown to see Bubblegum Alley, creekside cafes, and public art hiding between boutiques. Mission Plaza hosts events most weekends, and the nearby railroad district has indie shops and vintage stores. Nearby, Morro Bay, and Montana de Oro were some of my absolute favorite underrated spots in California.
24. Cambria
Distance: 185 miles / ~3 hr
Type: Artistic
Best Time to Go to Cambria: Fall for fewer tourists and open galleries
Cambria is best known as the gateway to Hearst Castle. Just north in San Simeon, visit this impressive mansion if you want to see full opulence for an hour or two.
Walk Moonstone Beach Boardwalk for a mellow coastal stroll with benches and tidepool views. The East Village has art galleries, antique shops, and small inns that feel stuck in time in a good way.
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
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