Are you looking for a weekend-friendly road trip that you can complete in one to two days? Finding a short road trip that has plenty of stops, excitement, and attractions to see can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be! Our road trip from San Francisco to Sacramento packs 10 stops into 1-2 days of driving and sightseeing, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful sites on a 247-mile drive that takes you from San Francisco through Santa Cruz, Walnut Creek, and more to reach your destination. Our itinerary is detailed below to help you plan your next road trip:
Stop 1: San Francisco
Before your journey begins, we recommend spending some time in San Francisco. There is plenty to see and do, including Golden Gate Park, home to the stunning Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, museums, and even an aquarium. If you are travelling with children, it is the perfect spot to spend the day!
It is also worth visiting Alcatraz Island to take a tour of the prison. The Exploratorium on the Embarcadero is a great place for your children to burn off some energy and enjoy hands-on science exhibits! If you are looking for some views, head to Presidio to hike the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, where you will enjoy beautiful views of the ocean.
Stop 2: Half Moon Bay
A 30-mile drive brings you to Half Moon Bay, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and a picnic on the coast. It’s worth visiting Half Moon Bay State Beach, where there are plenty of spots to set up camp for the morning or the entire day! The Coastline Trail follows the shoreline, offering nature walks with stunning views of the Pacific. It is the ideal place to stretch your legs before resuming your drive.
There are plenty of locally loved shops in the town, with cafes and bakeries too for you to refuel before continuing with your journey. If you want to head off the beaten track, visit the Purismia Creek redwoods Open Preserve to explore fern and redwood-lined trails. You can also check out the Filolo House and Garden, sitting on 654 acres!
Stop 3: Pescardero
A short 18-mile drive from Half Moon Bay brings you to Pescadero, a stunning coastal town that not everyone stops at. There are plenty of opportunities to stock up on local produce here, including Harley Farms Goat Dairy and Norm’s Market.
Pescadero State Beach is also worth a visit, where you can enjoy tide pooling, or head to Butano State Park to explore its walking trails.
Stop 4: Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a popular spot for tourists and road-trippers, and it is easy to see why! It offers the perfect mix of classic Americana and surf culture. A visit to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is essential, with arcade games and the Giant Dipper wooden rollercoaster attracting families from across the country. Downtown Santa Cruz is also worth a visit, where you can wander through indie record shops, bookstores, and sample treats from local cafes.
You can also drive 15 minutes out of town to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Here you can take the Redwood Grove Loop Trail and see some of the tallest trees on Earth, even stepping inside one! The West Cliff Scenic Drive is the perfect place for an evening stroll, and there are plenty of museums to teach you more about the area, including the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
Stop 5: San Jose
San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley, is your next stop, where there is more than just tech startups for you to explore! The Winchester Mystery House is definitely worth a visit, where you can marvel at its architectural oddity and decide for yourself if it is haunted. You can also visit the Tech Interactive here, where you and your family can enjoy a hands-on science and technology museum experience.
We also recommend a visit to San Pedro Market Square, where you can enjoy food from local vendors, with a huge range of cuisines to choose from! The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is another spot to visit, where you can see ancient artefacts, including some mummies. If you want to spend your stop here enjoying a peaceful walk, the Municipal Rose Garden is the perfect spot, especially in the Spring when the flowers bloom.
Stop 6: Livermore
Livermore is one of California’s oldest wine regions and is worth a visit. The wine tasting at Wente Vineyards is the perfect activity, where you can sample local wines and enjoy the stunning views. Concannon Vineyard is another excellent option, known for introducing Petite Sirah to the U.S.
There is more to Livermore than wine tasting, too, with the Livermore Heritage Guild offering a fascinating look at the town’s past. Sycamore Grove Park is the perfect place to stretch your legs, strolling through the gardens, with the chance for some bird watching too! Depending on when you arrive, you might also be able to enjoy some local festivals.
Stop 7: Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is one of the East Bay’s best shopping districts, with Broadway Plaza being one of the more popular destinations. The open-air mall has a mixture of boutique and big-name brands, with plenty of cafes and patios for a coffee break.
If shopping isn’t your scene, visit the Lesher Center for the Arts to see plays, concerts, and community performances. Check to see if there is anything happening beforehand to better plan your trip! Mount Diablo State Park is a 40-minute drive away, but it is the perfect spot to see views of the Sierra Nevada. If you don’t want to drive that far, the Lindsay Wildlife Experience is the perfect space to see wildlife up close.
Stop 8: Davis
As your trip comes to an end, stop at Davis to see what this small college town has to offer. The UC Davis Arboretum has a huge stretch of walking trails and gardens that take you through themed landscapes, including redwoods and desert plants. If you visit Davis on a Saturday, the Davis Farmers Market in Central Park will provide live music and plenty of local produce for you to enjoy. The Pence Gallery allows you to enjoy local art and maybe catch a community performance.
Stop 9: Sacramento
A short, 14-mile drive brings you to Sacramento, the end of your road trip. Head to Old Sacramento for boardwalks and 19th-century buildings that line the riverfront. If you can, visit the Delta King, a paddlewheel riverboat that is now a restaurant and hotel. The California State Railroad Museum is also worth a visit, where you can see lovingly restored train cars.
There are plenty of options for food and drink in Sacramento, with Midtown offering a range of chains and local spots. After refuelling, Capitol Park, wrapping around the California State Building, is an excellent place to relax. Wander through the gardens and enjoy trees from all around the world before heading to the Crocker Art Museum to see one of the oldest art institutions on the West Coast.
Start planning your San Francisco road trip today
Despite not travelling far, this short road trip will pack a lot in and allow you to enjoy a road trip without needing to drive for hours. When planning your San Francisco road trip, we recommend hiring a campervan, keeping you comfortable and providing the freedom to stay as long as you want in any of these stops. Travellers Autobarn offers reasonable prices on their campervans, with comfort and freedom guaranteed. Check out their best rates on campervan hire in San Francisco to continue planning your road trip.
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