9 of the best day trips from San Francisco without a car!
San Francisco is a quirky, fun-filled city that remains one of my favorite cities in the U.S., and that’s not just me being sentimental because I was born here. But because of all the amazing things there are to do in San Francisco!
And actually, one of my favorite parts about spending time in San Francisco is all the amazing towns nearby that I can explore!
And you don’t even need a car to explore these cool nearby spots. One fun day trip is to Sausalito, a cute little town on the water that’s just a short ferry ride away across the Golden Gate Strait.
Another option is to hop on the train over to San Jose. There, you can wander around the lively downtown and visit the Tech Interactive Museum and the San Jose Museum of Art. And if you’re into nature, you could take a ferry over to Angel Island State Park for some scenic hiking.
These 9 day trips show off the Bay Area’s cool mix of stuff to do and prove how easy it is to get around without a car!
❤️ Helpful Tip! Our favorite place to stay in San Francisco is the Fairmont San Francisco, a 5-star hotel located at the top of Nob Hill. The Fairmont is renowned for luxury, and many of the hotel’s rooms offer views of Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge.
9 AWESOME day trips from San Francisco without a car
1. Sausalito
- Distance from San Francisco: 11 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Get the ferry from Pier 41, the ride will take around 30 minutes
Sausalito is often described as a laid-back town with an almost Mediterranean vibe. It’s small at just over 2.2 square miles and has a population of just over 7,000 people. I’m sure this gorgeous town tops the wish list of ‘places to live if I won the lottery‘ for a lot of people. I know, for one, I’d love to live here!
Easily accessible by ferry from Pier 41 in downtown San Francisco, a good idea is to rent a bike from Fisherman’s Wharf and bring it on the ferry with you. As this is the perfect way to explore this gorgeous town.
Even if you only have one day to spend in San Francisco, I recommend trying to squeeze in a visit to lovely Sausalito!
Best things to do in Sausalito:
Imagine a different way of life at the Houseboats (there are over 500 of them) that occupy the waters at the Northern end of the town. Or why not rent a kayak or go on a boat tour to see the best of Sausalito from the water?
And this interactive cruise is popular because it gives you the chance to take the wheel and sail. It passes under the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz, too. It departs from Sausalito and costs $149 USD per person.
✅✅ BOOK THE interactive cruise of Sausalito HERE!
Or you can take it easy and browse through the many boutique stores that line Main Street. But, I’ll be honest, my favorite thing to do in Sausalito is a simple one – watching the boats go by in Gabrielson Park with a coffee in hand.
Seafood is a must-have when eating out in Sausalito – one of the best seafood restaurants in town is Scoma’s of Sausalito at 588 Bridgeway. Meanwhile, non-seafood fans should head to Napa Valley Burger Company or Taste of Rome. For coffee, my favorite spot is Firehouse Coffee & Tea on Johnson Street.
Did you know – Sausalito is where Otis Redding wrote: “Sittin’ on a Dock in the Bay”?
📍Check out the TOP-RATED tours of Sausalito here:
2. Mill Valley
- Distance from San Francisco: 17 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Catch the Line 70 bus from the Civic Center; hop off at Marin City Hub and hop on Line 17 to Mill Valley Depot. The journey will take around an hour and costs approx. $10.50 USD.
Mill Valley is a charming little town built at the base of Mount Tamalpais. As one of the cutest towns near San Francisco, it’s just over 17 miles (around an hour by public transport) from downtown San Francisco and has a very European feel to it. This sweet little town certainly captured my imagination! It has the best restaurant selection in Marin County, with some of my favorites including Piazza D’Angelo on Miller Ave and Bungalow 44 on East Blithedale Ave.
Some great annual events in Mill Valley, and well worth checking out, include the Mill Valley Film Festival, Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, and Winterfest.
Getting to Mill Valley from San Francisco:
Catch the Line 70 bus from the Civic Center; hop off at Marin City Hub and hop on Line 17 to Mill Valley Depot.
✨Read Next: Our 5 day itinerary for San Francisco!
3. Muir Woods
- Distance from San Francisco: 17 miles
- Getting here from downtown: The easiest way is to take the ferry to Larkspur from San Francisco and then hop on the shuttle from the terminal.
Just minutes away from Mill Valley is the very popular Muir Woods National Monument, which attracts thousands of tourists daily. A visit to Muir Woods offers the opportunity to see giant redwood trees, one of the few places to see these trees in the Bay Area. It’s the perfect day trip if you’re visiting San Francisco with kids.
There’s a range of hiking trails at Muir Woods, all varying in difficulty and length.
It is worth noting that reservations are required for all vehicles and tourists to the Woods. You can catch the Route 66 Shuttle from Sausalito, Marin City, or Mill Valley if you’re in those areas. Entrance to Muir Woods can work out pretty costly; current rates are as follows:
- $9.50 per vehicle
- $3.75 per adult for a space on the shuttle
- $15.00 per adult entrance fee to gain entry to Muir Woods. Children 15 and under are free to enter.
Getting to Muir Woods from San Francisco:
The easiest way is to take the ferry to Larkspur from San Francisco (a 35-minute ferry ride) and then hop on the shuttle from the terminal. You need to pre-book the shuttle at least 3 months in advance. Shuttle prices cost $3.75 per adult round-trip, and children 15 or under are free.
Or if you plan to visit Mill Valley first (which I recommend), you could either get the Route 66 shuttle (this needs to be pre-booked, though) or hop in a taxi from there to Muir Woods, which is around a 10-minute ride.
Best tours of Muir Woods:
Another good option to get to Muir Woods is to book a guided tour from San Francisco. There are plenty of options, but this 4.5-hour tour to Sausalito and Muir Woods is a great choice if you’re looking for a well-rated guided tour to Muir Woods. Not only does it tick off two of the best places outside of San Fran, but it’s a small group tour (making for a more personalized experience!) Plus, it includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you don’t need to worry about anything. It costs $99 USD per person.
✅✅ YOU CAN BOOK this 4.5-hour tour to Sausalito and Muir Woods HERE!
4. Tiburon
- Distance from San Francisco: 17 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Grab the Blue and Gold ferry from Pier 41 or the Ferry Building
The gorgeous small town of Tiburon is just 17 miles from San Francisco. Making it one of the best day trips from San Francisco.
The views from Tiburon over the bay and of the city’s skyline are truly breathtaking. It’s home to the elite and super-rich. Take a drive and spot some seriously stunning and huge homes! Ark Row is the hub of this little coastal town and is where you will find most of the restaurants, boutique stores, and cafes. Some of my favorite restaurants in Tiburon include Tiburon Tavern on Tiburon Blvd and Lolas Taqueria at Ark Row shopping center.
For the best views, take a stroll along Paradise Drive for epic views of the city skyline, Angel Island, and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. Go slightly further afield into Shoreline Park to see Elephant Rock – a pier with stunning views that is very popular for fishing. Or copy the ‘social media darlings’ and hike up to the swing at Hippie Tree and snap that all-important shot.
I love my coffee, and one of the best spots for coffee is Cafe Accri on Main Street.
Getting to Tiburon from San Francisco:
Grab the Blue and Gold ferry from Pier 41 or the Ferry Building for one of the most gorgeous ferry rides in the world. Fares cost $14 per adult one-way, and the ride is just 30 minutes. Alternatively, bus options to Tiburon can be found here.
5. Angel Island
Angel Island State Park in San Francisco Bay is packed with cool history and stunning scenery.
People often call it the “Ellis Island of the West” since it was an immigration station from 1910 to 1940, mostly welcoming folks from Asia. Nowadays, it’s a California State Park where you can wander scenic hiking trails, soak in killer views of the Bay Area, and check out some awesome historic spots. The island’s Immigration Station gives a real glimpse into the tough times immigrants faced, with tours that break down the complex history.
Just hop on a ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal (SFFT) to get here – the journey is around 30 minutes.
✨ Read Next: How to spend an awesome two days in San Francisco!
6. Half Moon Bay
- Distance from San Francisco: 30 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Get the San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Mateo, then walk to the bus stop at 28th Ave & S El Camino Real and grab the bus to Hillsdale Shopping Center. Finally, get the 294 bus from here to Half Moon Bay.
Around 40 minutes from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is known for its wild and rugged beaches and is very popular with surfers.
Because of its location, this area is often blanketed in the thick fog the Bay Area is known for, but it makes for some pretty epic photos.
The history-rich Half Moon Bay is filled with cute B&B’s, cozy hotels, as well as many Cafes and Restaurants. Pasta Moon is very popular with locals and has been open for over 30 years. But, for dinner with a view, it’s best to head down to the harbor. Also highly recommended is the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, which has live music and a fantastic vantage point next to the sea
You can also walk part of the California Coastal Trail, a stunning 5-mile walking track that starts at Seymour Bridge in Half Moon Bay and ends at Pillar Point Harbor. For golfers, there are two world-class golf courses in town. Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Purisima Creek Trail are also worth doing whilst in town.
✅✅ Fancy biking along one of the most beautiful trails in California? Then this guided e-bike tour will be right up your street! You’ll see the whole town, including all the attractions, on this tour, which is two hours long and costs from $110 USD per person.
Getting to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco:
I’ll be honest, getting public transport to Half Moon Bay is lengthy (it will take around 2.5 hours). You will need to get the San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Mateo, then walk to the bus stop at 28th Ave & S El Camino Real and grab the bus to Hillsdale Shopping Center. Finally, get the 294 bus from here to Half Moon Bay.
An alternative is to get a taxi, which will cost around $100 USD and take around 40 minutes.
7. Stinson Beach
- Distance from San Francisco: 27 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Catch the 150 bus from Van Ness Ave & Clay St to Marin City Hub, Mill Valley, and from there hop on the 61 bus, getting off at Stinson Beach.
Not really a town, more of a tiny village with a few restaurants and a little supermarket. The population here is just over 600 people. The road to Stinson Beach is steep and winding and not for the faint of heart. It’s 27 miles from downtown San Francisco and is popular for fishing, windsurfing, and surfing.
It’s best to go surfing here in Winter or Spring. For windsurfers, the afternoon is the best time for the prevailing northwesterly winds.
Its white sand and long oceanfront make it one of the best beaches for swimming in the Bay Area. The shallow waters make it ideal for little ones, with Muir Woods and the unique rock formations providing the perfect backdrop.
Getting to Stinson Beach from San Francisco:
It’s a lengthy journey via public transport – yep, the bus takes about 2.5 hours. You will need to catch the 150 bus from Van Ness Ave & Clay St to Marin City Hub, Mill Valley, and from there hop on the 61 bus, getting off at Stinson Beach.
8. San Jose
- Distance from San Francisco: 27 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Catch the Caltrain to San Jose Diridon (an hour’s journey).
San Jose, right in the middle of Silicon Valley, is famous for its tech-savvy vibe (it’s home to Facebook, Google, and the likes). And as the biggest city in Northern California, it’s a melting pot of cultures and cool experiences.
There’s plenty to check out here, like the awesome exhibits at the Tech Interactive Museum and the San Jose Museum of Art, plus loads of green parks where you can kick back and enjoy the chill Mediterranean weather. We loved wandering around the Japanese Friendship Garden.
It’s around an hour’s train ride to San Jose; you will need to catch the Caltrain to the San Jose Diridon station.
✅✅ Another fun thing to do here if you plan to be here after dark, is this ghost tour which visits the haunted grounds of San Jose State University and the Winchester Mystery House. Prices start from just $26 USD per person!
9. San Mateo
- Distance from San Francisco: 27 miles
- Getting here from downtown: Get the San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Mateo, which will take around 30 minutes
San Mateo, right in the heart of the San Francisco Peninsula, is a chill place where city vibes meet natural beauty – perfect for a day trip from San Fran.
This lively spot has it all, from the lovely Central Park and the Japanese Gardens, great for laid-back walks and picnics, to the buzzing Hillsdale Shopping Center for some serious shopping fun. If you’re into nature, you’ll love Coyote Point Recreation Area with its awesome Bay views, hiking trails, and marina. Plus, the food scene here is super diverse, with tons of international eats to try.
My family lives out this way, and so we’ve spent a lot of time here over the years.
Getting here from downtown San Francisco is super-easy, just hop on the Caltrain Southbound to San Mateo, which will take under 30 minutes. Or you could get the 292 bus, which will take 1.5 hours.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
- The Westin St Francis – conveniently located at Union Square, all rooms have great city views, and there are a number of on-site dining options as well as a fitness center.
- Fairmont San Francisco – a 5-star hotel located at the top of Nob Hill, the Fairmont is renowned for its luxury and many of the hotel’s rooms offer views of Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The on-site restaurant is famous, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar serves Polynesian food and has live entertainment nightly.
- Hotel Zephyr – is located just 300 meters from Fisherman’s Wharf, plus the rooms are all nautically themed! There’s an on-site mini-mart as well as a shared lounge and a games room.
- Phoenix Hotel – this 1950s motor lodge has had a stylish makeover recently. This is one of the only affordable, indie boutique hotels in San Francisco!
Final thoughts – best day trips from San Francisco without a car!
As you can see, you can easily explore San Francisco’s surrounding areas without a car. There are some spots that are super-easy to get to, like Sausalito and Tiburon, and some that require a bit more effort (Half Moon Bay). But all the spots I listed above are 100% worth escaping the city for the day.
Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the below links you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Skyscanner or Cheapoair to find the best flights. Both platforms allow you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Travel Sim Card
An eSIM is a great idea if you’re coming to a place for more than a week. As that way, you won’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone. They are so handy and cheap, too. Obviously make sure your phone is compatible with an eSIM first. We always use Saily for our eSIM’s.
6. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
7. Travel Insurance
This is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it’s a search engine for travel insurance companies so you can find the best travel insurance for your trip. On their site, you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be too!
Enjoyed this guide to the best day trips from San Francisco without a car? You may also enjoy reading –
How to find the Lincoln Park Steps in San Francisco
How to find Mrs Doubtfire’s House in San Francisco
What is the Best Way to See Redwood National Park, California?
PIN THIS
Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by snaphappytravel