5 Easy Road Trips from San Francisco To Please Even the Pickiest of Travelers

The PCH is calling.

If you ’re itching to strike the Pacific Coast Highway and place out on an unforgettable journey from San Francisco , we ’ve have just the destination for you . All are three hours or less aside from SF and make for everything from a fun 24-hour interval trip to week - farseeing adventures . register on for our five top route trip route along Highway 1 for the ocean breeze blowing in your face and epic itineraries awaiting when you put your car in park .

Santa Cruz, CA

About two hours South of San Francisco , the PCH carry you to Santa Cruz . A surfer ’s paradise , Santa Cruz is the place of origin of mainland surfriding in the United States with folks hit the wave since 1885 . It ’s also where you ’ll see the largest adjacent base of coastal redwood trees on the Central Coast . debase your legs atThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk , a so - scream “ Coney Island of the West Coast ” that has two national historical landmark : 1 ) the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster ( which turns 100 - twelvemonth - old in 2024 ) and 2 ) the Looff Carousel . Dine atCopal Restaurantfor delectably flavored Mexican cuisine and make it a precedency to visitAbbott Square Market , which has a slew of tasty food vendors and frequently hosts hot medicine . After walk or biking with your coterie alongWest Cliff Drive , a track providing stunning panorama of the Monterey Bay , take over all or part of theWest Cliff Inn . Other great digs?Hotel Paradox , a business district hotel from Marriott that ’s walking space from theSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk , theSanta Cruz Wharf , and theSanta Cruz Museum of Art and History .

The Sea Ranch, CA

time in at just shy of three 60 minutes if you take US-101 and Pacific Coast Highway ( the drive will take longer if you drive solely on Highway 1 , but wow , those views ) , this Sonoma County jewel has highlights likeGualala Point Regional Park , Gualala Arts Center , andSea Ranch Chapel , a fanciful architectural marvel kick up the graceful form of a fly skirt or the sea ’s moving ridge at its crest . You ’ll want to book the radical a reservation at newly renovatedThe Sea Ranch Lodge , with mailing-card - worthy oceanfront view . For golfing Guy and gals , pilgrimage to the property’sSea Ranch Golf Links , and while there are plenty of good restaurants in nearby Gualala ( The Sea Ranch is an unincorporated residential area on a 10 - mile reach of Highway 1 ) likeGualala Seafood ShackandUpper Crust Pizzeria , The Dining Roomat the hotel is superb . Petaluma chicken , local Petrale sole , or roasted brinjal . . . one of each , please . run for by executive chef Eric Piacentine ( who previously dispose dough at the celebrated Big Sur Bakery ) , order a bunch of their tasty appetizer and main and divvy up any reimbursement necessary with your friend for the net tab easily on Zelle ® .

Forestville, CA

carry to ride for about two - and - a - half hours north of San Francisco if you take Highway 1 for the majority of your route ( navigating more at once , you could get to Forestville in about two hours ) . Upon arrival , check into theFarmhouse Inn , perched on a ten - acre wooded holding in the notable Russian River Valley realm . It ’s a luxurious , fellowship - own dress shop hotel you ’ll hardly want to allow for thanks to the tantalizing chef ’s try out fare at its hyper - localrestaurantand its farm - to - tablespa , née “ health barn . ” When you do pry yourself off these surreal ground , find the trailhead behind the parking fortune on the right side of the place for an entrancing quarter - mile rise or venture to nearbyRiverfront Regional Parkin neighbour Healdsburg for hiking , biking , swim , boat , stand - up paddle embarkment , or horseback equitation . Steak aficionado ? For some of the most primo cuts in the Bay Area , force about 10 minutes toGoodnight ’s Steak + Spiritsand prepare to be wowed .

Bodega Bay, CA

Sure you could get there faster via Highway 101 , but the rough two - hour private road on the precious Highway 1 will reward you with unbelievable vista . Upon arriver wonder at the majestic cliffs and pristine beaches before hitting any number of hike trails ( we recommendKortum Trailfor is - this - real?!-scenery ) or gain the water for a kayak dangerous undertaking with Bodega Bay Kayak . You could also horseback ride with Chanslor Stables or Horse N Around Trail Rides or process on your lilt atBodega Harbour , a beautiful golf game form . Or , just flump down at the tranquil and elegantly appointedInn at the Tidesright on the PCH and delight in yummy catch like Dungeness Cancer the Crab cocktail , fillet of Petrale fillet of sole , and Pacific Red cracker at itsTides Wharf Restaurant and Bar .

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Saving the best for last . Welcome to Carmel - by - the - Sea , just over two hours away from San Francisco and carry a whole lot of fanciful charm into a one - square - mile seafront hamlet . The European - esque burgh in Monterey County is brimming with art picture gallery , upscale boutiques , and enchanting alleys where you never know what train ignitor or florals you ’ll discover ( or delicious eats ) . If get in the H2O is your bowling alley of pick , breakers at Carmel Beach , which you may do yr - round thanks to the pleasant condition here . descend grub time , there are no strand to be find in this idyllic town ( ditto mark for internal coffee shop ) so you really ca n’t go wrong , but we strongly advise you make a mental reservation at highbrow Aubergine , for a seasonal tasting menu watch by down - home drinks atBarmel . clean up the tab for the crowd for a celebratory round or make reimbursement a pushover with fast and wanton payment through Zelle ® . get ZZZs at theCarmel Wayfarer Innor more upscale options likeL’Auberge Carmel , where Aubergine is located .