Best Bay Area Day Tripping

March 4, 2026

Need a day away? (of course you do.) No need to get on a plane. You don't even need the whole weekend! In 2 hours you can be a world away.

Here are our hands-down favorite quick trips when you've only got a day to spare.

Half Moon Bay to Pescadero - Beach vibes, elephant seals and culinary adventures. Stroll Half Moon Bay's downtown and grab a croissant at Moonside Bakery. Then keep winding your way south to Pescadero where the abalone and the artichoke soup at Duarte's Tavern are must-tries. From mid-December through March, take the trail to Año Nuevo State Park and see hundreds of Elephant Seals on the beach.

Santa Cruz - Lower your blood pressure strolling among the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park. Or raise your heart rate riding the loop-de-loop at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Our favorite? Renting a kayak and exploring the kelp beds looking for sea otters. Mountain bike trails and surf spots are also in abundance if you're looking for more adrenaline.

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Healdsburg - Here there is something for everyone, in every season. World-class road biking, wine tasting, Michelin-starred dining, and of course, the Russian River. In May the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience is a week-long gastronomic festival, and every first Thursday you'll find Art Nite happening downtown.

Tomales Bay to Bodega Bay - Whether you choose the Marshall Store or Hog Island Oyster Company, get ready for the best oysters you'll ever eat. Straight-out-of-the-bay fresh, you can shuck them yourself or order them the easy way. After lunch, keep winding up Highway 1 to the coast and enjoy stunning views on the way to any number of promising stops. Bodega Bay for the Fisherman's Festival in May, the charming town of Jenner, or Historic Fort Ross.

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Cache Creek River Rafting (summer only) - Such a cool adventure. Imagine shooting through soaring canyons, lunching on the riverbank with your feet in crystal clear water, maybe even catching a glimpse of a bald eagle. Whitewater Adventures is an outfitter that takes care of everything. If you have an extra day, you can camp under the stars and then go for Round 2 the next morning.