Napa Valley
Distance from San Francisco: approximately 1 hour
Napa Valley has nearly 500 wineries of all styles ranging from castle-like estates and understated luxurious properties, to striking contemporary architecture. This makes it the Bay Area's premier wine country getaway. Most wineries offer tastings, and open landscapes make this a perfect day trip for anyone looking to enjoy some good wine and spend time among the vineyards.
Photo by Mandy
Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine region, but its history, culture, and scenery go beyond the wines and deserve more than a quick stop to taste.
Photo by Mandy
Suggestions:
1. Most wineries have tours and tastings, and advance reservations through the official websites are required at most of them.
2. It is considered good tasting etiquette to either finish all of each pour, or to take a very small sip.
3. If you buy wine after a tasting, you do not have to tip; otherwise, tipping is expected.
Recommended Wineries:
Note: The recommendations below are organized by approximate cost per person, not in order of preference.
Opus One Winery: A sophisticated, upscale contemporary winery.
Booking: https://en.opusonewinery.com/estate/plan-your-visit/
Price reference: Opus One Experience (room for 4 wines tasting): $200; Courtyard Experience (shared setting, 2 wines): $100.
Note: No children permitted.
Castello di Amorosa: Popular Italian castle-style winery.
Booking: https://castellodiamorosa.com/tour-tasting2/
Price reference: Reserve Tasting Experience (no cellars): $60 for 5 wines; Diamond Estate Tour & Reserve Wine Tasting (guided tour & cellar): $70 for 5 wines.
Artesa Vineyards & Winery: Winery with a unique gallery and visual identity.
Booking: https://www.artesawinery.com/se Domaine Carneros Winery is located at this link. You can do a winery tour and wine tasting, which is about $40 for four sparkling wines, and for an additional $25, you can have cheese and crackers. It is recommended that you arrive early to watch the sunset. Tip: The winery's specialty is Sparkling Wine. Beringer Vineyards is a historic german-style winery that offers excellent value. The booking link is here. You can do a self-guided tour, but walk-in's are available. You can “sip and stroll” for $20 and do a guided tour of the caves for $35, which includes three wines. For a calm and relaxed fine dining experience in the woods, The Meadowood restaurant in Napa is recommended. The French Laundry is also a popular choice. You can board the Napa Valley wine train, which will take you through the historic wine country and will serve you local wines. You will also learn about the history of the area. If you are looking for a unique experience, you can do a hot air balloon ride. It will give you a great view of Napa. Muir Woods National Monument is about 30 minutes away from San Francisco and is where visitors can see the coast redwoods that were saved from the logging that destroyed most of the area in the late 1800's. The main experience for visitors is hiking under the giant redwoods, which is also the main attraction. There are various parks in the San Francisco Bay area that have redwoods, but Muir Woods is the closest to coastal redwoods. The most popular trails include Fern Creek and Hillside Loop and Fern Creek, Lost and Canopy Trail Loop. Fern Creek and Hillside Loop is a 3.2 kilometer trail that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It is an easy trail that is rewarding to those who walk it. Fern Creek, Lost and Canopy Trail Loop is a 4.6 kilometer trail that takes about 2 hours to complete, but is a little more challenging than the previous one. This trail has a lot of forked paths, so have a trail map ready. There are two types of giant conifers that are often confused. The coast redwoods are also known as the Redwoods and can be found in the Muir Woods National Monument along with the Redwood National and State Parks. Giant Sequoias are called the Sierra Redwoods and are not as tall as the coast redwoods, but are a lot wider and stubbier. You can find them in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the Yosemite National Park. The hours are from 8:00 - 20:00 and the cost of admission is $15 per person. To get to Muir Woods, you may drive to the Muir Woods Visitor Center, but you will need a reservation for a parking spot and will need to print a voucher. The parking fee is $9. You may also take the Muir Woods Shuttle from Sausalito. The fare is $3.50 for a round trip, but the shuttle only operates on weekends and holidays. The one way trip takes about 30 minutes so be sure to book it early to get a spot. You can also book a local day tour from San Francisco, but keep in mind that you will not get any cell service in the Muir Woods area and be sure to download any confirmations beforehand. North of San Francisco Redwood National and State Parks are a roughly 6 hour drive away from San Francisco. The National and State Parks are home to enormous forests that are stunning. The towering trunks of a redwood forest and the central valley can make the daylight seem like almost complete darkness and because of that, drivers may need headlights and hikers should have to bring a flashlight.
Photo by Jimmy
Most of the trees have some signs of fire. Some trees have been burned by lightning and have their cores hollow, but they still have their trunks intact and still stand tall. Visitors are able to drive through a tree trunk that has survived and is hollow near Eureka. The central valley region has four waterfalls. This area is a good fit for those travelers who are fond of hiking and enjoy a breath of fresh air.
Redwood National and State Parks is located in Northern California. The journey to redwood parks is worth it because of the other things besides the redwood groves. These include sites with intact beaches, prairie, beautiful streams, and mixed evergreen forests made up of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and other species. The parks have a total of six areas which are divided into two areas, one which is the southern half which has Prairie Creek, Bald Hills, Orick, and the northern half which has Hiouchi, Crescent City, and Klamath. The hiking options are on both sides, and it is sensible to plan two days for the trip to complete one of the sides. Tip: Redwood National and State Parks contains Redwood National Park as well as three California state parks: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Travelers do not need to treat these parks as separate destinations because California State Parks and the National Park Service jointly manage them. Visitor Centers Open year-round: Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center and Crescent City Information Center. Prairie Creek Visitor Center, Jedediah Smith Visitor Center, and Hiouchi Information Center are open seasonally. Howland Hill Road This is the most admired scenic drive in the park system. Starting from the Hiouchi Information Center, take Howland Hill Road through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to Crescent Beach. This 16-kilometer drive goes through lots of gigantic trees and shows the true spirit of the park. If you're short on time, take a 30-minute hike on the Stout Grove Trail. Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway This isn't as popular as Howland Hill Road, but it is worth the drive. This scenic parkway goes through Big Tree Wayside, where you can take pictures of a redwood that's at least 1,500 years old. Fern Canyon This unusual trail, which is 1.8 kilometers long, follows a canyon with fern-covered walls. If you want to walk through the stream, waterproof hiking shoes are recommended because the location feels like a fantasy forest. Tip: You must make a reservation in advance to access the canyon in the summer. Trillium Falls Trail This 4.3-kilometer trail goes through a beautiful waterfall and a lush redwood forest before reaching an old-growth forest. Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail This is often the first major stop for travelers driving north and it is one of the most popular trails in the park. This simple 2.4 kilometer loop runs through foggy looking forest and is located close to the visitor center.
Reference costs: Camping is paid. Reservations have to be made through Reserve California.
Access: Self drive or San Francisco day tour.
Opening hours: Winter 10:00–16:00;
Summer 9:00–17:00.
Recommended period: Scenery from April to June is more appealing.
Suggested walks: The better known and generally manageable walks are: Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Grove of Giants Trail, Drive Through Tree and Stout Grove Trail.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Distance from San Francisco: around 4.5 hrs.
Described in the BBC documentary Planet Earth, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are two adjoining parks near Yosemite. The parks have Giant sequoia trees, canyons, more than 1000 meters deep. The scenery is comparable to Yosemite, but is less crowded. A perfect place for people looking for large scale views without the crowds.
Photo by karenluna
There are ancient trees in Sequoia National Park, but the main attraction is the General Sherman Tree. The largest tree in the world by volume. It was named after Union general William Tecumseh Sherman. In 2002, the volume of its trunk was recorded at 1,487 cubic meters.
Tips for visitors:
1. Don’t feed or touch the wild animals.
2. Watch out for poison oak. The three leaf clusters indicate its presence. Immediately wash your hands after contact.
3. During winter visits, it is necessary to carry tire chains.
4. Gas is available in the park, but it's expensive. Be sure to fill your tank before entering the park.
5. There is a small train ride in the park that is maybe worth doing.
Directions: From San Francisco, you can either self-drive or take a local day tour.
Visit: From late spring to early fall is the ideal time.
Admission: For a week, the park can be visited for $35 per car.
Access: The park encompasses Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Start with Sequoia.
Accommodation: If you are not confident driving on steep and winding roads, you can stay in the park. Three Rivers is a 15-minute drive from the park entrance and has a lot of lodging options. Restaurant and supermarket options are more plentiful in Visalia which is 40 minutes from the entrance to the park.
General Sherman Tree.
Where: Sequoia National Park.
Age: 2,300+ years old. General Sherman has the largest volume of any tree in the world. The maximum trunk diameter of 11 m requires more than 10 people to cross. The round trip to General Sherman is 1.9 km, and it is central to the park's experience if you are short on time. For those with more time, there is a 4.6 km trail called the Congress Trail that is approximately 2 hours south of the tree.
How to get there: Set your navigation to General Sherman Tree Car Park, and then walk for about 10 minutes to reach the tree. To avoid the uphill return, when shuttles are operating, walk to the accessible parking lot first, then to General Sherman Tree, and ride the shuttle to the General Sherman Tree Car Park.
Giant Forest Museum
Location: sequoia national park area
This museum describes giant sequoias and the history of ranching and people in the area. The Big Trees Trail, which is relatively quiet and has bears, is an easy 1.9 km loop. People on tight schedules do not need to make this detour.
Moro Rock
Moro Rock is one of the highest points in the park. It overlooks the entire park, and on clear days, it has dramatic views of clouds and sunsets.
Tunnel Log
Location: sequoia national park area
This giant sequoia, now over 2,000 years old, fell across the road in 1937. A passage the size of an automobile was cut through its trunk, which made it one of the must-see attractions in the park.
Tips
1. In summer, vehicles can pass through the log on weekdays. On weekends, park 1.6 miles from the Giant Forest Museum and take the free shuttle.
2. In winter, the road is closed. You’ll have to park at the Giant Forest Museum and walk more than 5 km round trip, which will take about two to three hours. Do not underestimate the conditions, and make sure to bring snowshoes.
General Grant Tree
Location: kings Near the park entrance, tourists can traverse the hollowed out base of the fallen Monarch.
Hume Lake
Location: Kings Canyon Area
Known as "Little Switzerland," Hume Lake is the park's primary lake-and-mountain landscape. It is common for guests to rent boats, eat, and enjoy the scenery.
Big Stump of the Mark Twain Tree
Location: Kings Canyon Area
This 4.8-meter-wide stump is a grim testament to how giant sequoias used to be treated. At the opening of Sequoia National Park in 1890, many people began to voice doubts about the existence of trees of this magnitude. The tree was cut down in 1891 and exhibited in New York and London.
Junction View
Location: Kings Canyon Area
This viewpoint looks over Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America, having a depth of 499 meters. Other viewpoints are Panoramic Point Overlook, Kings Canyon Overlook, and Redwood Mountain Overlook.
Grizzly Falls & Roaring River Falls
Location: Kings Canyon Area
The two noteworthy waterfalls in Kings Canyon are Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls. Usually, Roaring River Falls tends to be the stronger of the two.
Zumwalt Meadow
Location: Kings Canyon Area
Also known as "Little Yosemite," Zumwalt Meadow is one of the most beautiful meadows in Kings Canyon. The 2.4-kilometer round-trip Zumwalt Meadows Trail is one of the area's most popular walks.
Lake Tahoe
Located on the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the deepest lake in the United States and the largest alpine lake in North America. Approximately two-thirds of its surface area is located in California. Mark Twain once described this place as “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” It is also where the extravagant lakeside party scenes of The Godfather were shot.
Photo by Dudu
Lake Tahoe is surrounded by old pines and snow-capped mountains. This sapphire among the Sierra Nevada is a true year-round destination. Summer is for water activities, skiing during winter, and spring and autumn are perfect for taking in the views.
How to reach: South Lake Tahoe is the best place to start. It has better public transport and more businesses. It takes around 4-5 hours to drive there from San Francisco.
It is recommended that you spend three days and two nights, one day on the east shore and one on the west shore.
It is important to note that from early November to early April, drivers must carry snow chains and install them if required by law. Chains can be found at Walmart or gas stations. Travelers can learn to install them using online videos or pay about 50 dollars for roadside assistance.
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
This state park is on the quieter west shore of Lake Tahoe and features beautiful lakeside scenery and submerged railroad tracks that look like scenes from Spirited Away.
Hours: 8:00-19:30
Reference admission: in spring summer and autumn it is 10 dollars per vehicle; in winter it is 5 dollars.
Suggested visit: 1 hour.
Emerald Bay State Park
This is one of the most popular spots on the west shore of Lake Tahoe and the sweeping view of the bay lives up to the lake’s reputation. Lake Tahoe has Fannette Island, the ten-mile-long clear water of the only island in Lake Tahoe, and the much-loved Eagle Falls.
Open: Sunrise to sunset.
Estimated fee: US$2 per vehicle per hour or US$5 per vehicle per day.
Stay suggestion: 30 minute.
Tahoe East Shore Trail
Finished in 2019, this new trail goes along the water’s edge and connects Tahoe East Shore Trailhead to Sand Harbor. It is 4.2 kilometers in one direction. Walking and biking are both options.
Stay suggestion: 1 hour.
Named bike rentals: Flume Trail Bikes is located near the trailhead, so it will likely be more expensive than the further away ones: Vista Trail Bikes and Tahoe Multisport. These will likely be cheaper.
Note: If you don’t like to pedal 💪, you’ll appreciate an e-bike.
Parking fee: US$1-7 per hour depending on the day and time.
Sand Harbor
Sand Harbor, which is close to Incline Village, is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches of Lake Tahoe. They host a Shakespeare festival every summer.
Open: 8:00 and closes one hour after sunset.
Estimated fee: US$15 for vehicles and US$2 for bicycles (cash only). For other activity rates, visit https://clearlytahoerentals.com/rates-and-equipment/.
Stay suggestion: 1-3 hours.
Note: If you want to park on a holiday or summer day, you ‘ll need to show up before 8:00. If the parking lot has no more room, you can walk or bike to the beach via Tahoe East Shore Trail.
Secret Cove Nude Beach
This is the well-known clothing optional beach at Lake Tahoe and attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
Open: 24 hours.
Estimated fee: None.
Stay suggestion: 1-2 hours.
Taylor Creek
Each October, salmon swim upstream into Taylor Creek which is The Taylor Creek salmon run, featuring large numbers of bright red fish, is an impressive natural event.
Hours: Open all year, but the big salmon run occurs only in October.
Reference admission: No charge.
Recommended stay: 1 hour.
Cave Rock
At Nevada Lake Tahoe State Park, Cave Rock is about 300 years old, having formed from the remnants of a volcanic eruption. It is a landmark of the area and a popular climbing destination for sunset views over the lake.
Recommended stay: 1 hour.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is among California's and America's favorite national parks. It is known for its towering granite cliffs, stunning waterfalls, clear rivers, giant sequoia trees, and diverse plant and animal life.
Photo by Douya
Yosemite was established as a national park in 1864. It has an extensive road and trail system that connects visitor centers, campgrounds, and all the major attractions, which makes it accessible to travelers of all ages and capabilities. Each season features its own attractions: powerful waterfalls in the spring and summer, colorful wildflower blooms in the summer, brilliant fall foliage, and a blanket of snow in winter.
Practical Information
How to get there: Driving is the most efficient way to get to Yosemite. You can also take public transportation, starting with an Amtrak train or bus to Merced. From Merced, take the YARTS bus service to Yosemite, but check for any road or service delays before you leave.
How to get around the park: The best way to get around Yosemite is by car.
In the peak season, open the park early, shuttle early, and shuttle to the major attractions.
Shuttle advice:
1. The green and purple Valleywide shuttle routes are unilateral (a one-way street) and do not announce every stop. Make sure you know when to get off before boarding.
2. Shuttles are scheduled every 10-20 minutes, although it's common to wait 30-40 minutes.
3. During busy times, wait at larger pullouts for stops 1, 6, 7, 14, and 19 (larger than the other stops) instead of smaller stops, as boarding will be considerably harder.
Fees: Visitors using YARTS do not have to pay the park entrance fee. Everyone else, the inclusive fee is US$35 per vehicle good for up to 7 days.
Park transport: Free shuttles are offered in the valley to 19 stops each, running about every 10-20 minutes.
Note: Advance reservations are necessary during some peak times in February and from April to October.
Staying inside the park means you won't have to wait in line at the entrance and looking for a place to park is also a thing of the past. One of the best-known properties is the Ahwahnee. Some of the best options for lodging after leaving the national park are located at the Yosemite View Lodge. Lodging located further away from the national park is usually more affordable.
Yosemite National Park
There are enough famous sites inside Yosemite to spend three days exploring them, but most people only need one or two days.
Day 1: You could take a relaxed scenic trip and see Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls, Horsetail Fall, Yosemite Valley View, and El Capitan.
Day 2: The best known hiking trails, and what I consider to be the best hiking trails in the park, are the Mist Trail and Half Dome via John Muir Trail.
Day 3: If you no longer wish to hike, or if you have finished hiking, start heading South towards Mariposa Grove to see the massive sequoias trees or head North on the Tioga Road to see the high-country mountains and lakes.
Famous Lookout
The car park is located right next to Yosemite's most famous lookout where you can see the entire valley all at once.
Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Falls is 189 meters tall. It is often the first waterfall that travelers see after they arrive at Yosemite Valley. Even though it is not the largest waterfall, and the peak flow is usually in May, it has a unique beauty which is why it can be seen year-round.
Glacier Point
Glacier Point is a viewpoint that overlooks Yosemite with a magnificent vista. The valley stretches below with several important waterfalls, and right across the point is Half Dome. It's quite popular to arrive there for sunset.
If you have extra time, you can walk along the Pohono Trail for 2 kilometers to Taft Point, where there are great views of the valleys.
Tip: If you're visiting in the spring, be aware that Glacier Point Road, which connects both sites, is usually open from May to November. Check for current road conditions on the official website before heading out. Yosemite Falls Yosemite’s most famous waterfall is also the tallest in North America. It has three components: Lower Fall, Middle Cascades, and Upper Fall. Water flows from November until July, with most powerful conditions occurring in late spring (around May). Most people take the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail to see the lower portion up close. This is a flat 2-kilometer round trip walk that takes about 40 minutes. If you want a much tougher and more dramatic experience, hike to Upper Yosemite Fall which is about 11.5 kilometers (round trip). Tip: You can park at Yosemite Valley Lodge or the visitor center. Horsetail Fall For a week or two in mid to late February, Horsetail Fall can glow in the sunlight and look like a stream of fire. This creates the famous “Firefall” effect in Yosemite. Tips:
If you plan to visit during the Firefall period, it is recommended to make an advanced reservation for weekends. The booking fee is $2.
The conditions for this effect are very specific: clear weather, no clouds, and enough water flowing over the fall.
Yosemite Valley View This viewpoint is also popular for wide valley images, especially when the landscape is reflected in the water. El Capitan El Capitan is one of the biggest granite monoliths in the world and is a climbing icon. To reach the summit, it is said to take two days and one night of climbing. Mist Trail Yosemite’s most popular waterfall hike leads to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. Most hikers go back when they reach Vernal Fall. At this point, most of the hikers have completed a 5-kilometer walk with 450 meters of elevation gain and take roughly 3 hours to walk the distance. Neveda Fall is the next step for more experienced hikers, and the reward is even better views, although they will need to spend double the time to get to the goal. Some tips to help on this journey:
Try to park at Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking because it is the closest to the start of the walk, but spaces fill up quickly, so get there before 8:00. If the spot is full, you can park at the Curry Village Parking Lots, then walk 1 kilometer, or take the shuttle to Happy Isles at stop 16.
The trail is wet and slippery, so pack some food, water, a pair of good hiking shoes, some trekking poles, a rain jacket, and quick dry clothes.
The Mist Trail is very steep so for the descent, take the easier and more gentle John Muir Trial for the switchbacks.
Half Dome. Half Dome is Yosemite’s trademark peak. From the top, you can see Snowy Mountains, Cliffs, Canyon Country, and a lot of other epic views. The John Muir Trail route to Half Dome is nearly 30 kilometers long and climbs about 1,650 meters in elevation, so prepare to spend over 13 hours and be highly experienced, because this is an extremely serious challenge. Tuolumne Meadows is a broad valley meadow that is known for its flowers that bloom in the summer, while Mono Lake is one of the oldest saline lakes in North America and is a great spot to take some photos. The first thing to do when traveling is to see if the road is open first, as it is a high-elevation road. It is only open in June until November due to the snow, so check the conditions before you go. Tioga Road is open in late spring to autumn and runs along some of the quieter highlights of Yosemite. During this time it also connects Olmsted Point, which is a place where you can see a different angle of Half Dome, and Tenaya Lake, which is a beautiful and less crowded lake with lots of wildlife. A more scenic route back to San Francisco can be taken via Highway 395 with beautiful autumn colors in October.
Important Notes for Traveling to Yosemite:
1. If taking a bus to Yosemite, be sure to check the bus schedule and note that there is no other public transportation to the park. If you miss the last bus, you could be stuck in the park.
2. Snacks are a good idea, as there are only limited places to buy food in the park.
3. If you need to stop and restock on supplies, Mariposa has hotels and restaurants.
4. Weak phone reception means you should download any maps you may need before you get to the park.
5. You are more likely to see deer or squirrels than bears.
Mariposa Grove & Giant Sequoias
Suggested Visit: April to November when the free shuttle is running. Otherwise, plan to walk a long distance to reach the grove.
Home to over 500 Giant Sequoias, some of these trees are over 1,000 years old. Their enormous size makes it difficult to see the tops of them from the ground, with most visitors taking the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail in order to see the famous Grizzly Giant who is estimated to be over 3,000 years old, along with the California Tunnel Tree. If you plan to visit Mariposa Grove, you should also plan on visiting Sequoia National Park as it is the best place to see Giant Sequoias in Yosemite.
Angel Island
History of the bay's largest island begins with the Indigenous People, and continues on as a Spanish colonial outpost, and U.S. military base.
It's a beloved weekend getaway for San Francisco residents. They can enjoy sweeping views of the bay, explore forts and parade grounds from the Civil War, a museum dedicated to the history of Asian immigration, or hike, bike, or tram tour the island. To get there, take a ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon. The ferry ride is 20-30 minutes. Tip: There are restaurants located near the pier and next to the area where you can rent bikes and the tram boarding area.
