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Get out
For laid-back, involved-with-your-fellow-travelers kind of travel (cooking is shared, the sleeper busload camps ensemble), check out the Green Tortoise. GT runs buses up to Seattle and down to Baja California; to Black Rock City, Yosemite National Park, a National Parks loop including the Tetons, Yellowstone and more, and to New York (city)|New York.
Bikes can be rented from around the northern waterfront (Pier 41/Fisherman's Wharf/Aquarium Park area) or near Golden Gate Park for trips to Marin County via the Golden Gate Bridge. Stanyan near Haight at the end of the park has several good shops.
Golden Gate Transit also sporadically serves the North Bay from San Francisco, and has bike racks on most buses.
Nearby destinations suitable for day trips include:
- Oakland— A diverse and vibrant city, Oakland was once considered San Francisco "sister city," and has been regaining that title in recent years due to a growing economy and a general renaissance of the city. Its worth a visit for its many distinct and charming neighborhoods.
- Berkeley (California)|Berkeley— Home to the University of California, Berkeley and one of the nation's most progressive communities. Also a hub of liberal political activism for the past several decades. It is also home to quite a few superb restaurants. Alice Waters’ French-inspired Chez Panisse in the north of the city, and is often listed as one of the best restaurants in the world, offering regional and seasonal organic food prepared simply but skillfully. Prices vary, and the restaurant has more and less formal dining areas, but dinner and wine for under $100 is easily possible.
- Healdsburg— Charming Wine Country town located among some of California's greatest wine appellations: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill. Relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, Healdsburg offers excellent restaurants, shopping and wine tasting. About 70 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Napa Valley— The main wine growing region in the United States, a trip to the many wineries makes for a fun day, while those wanting a longer adventure can relax in any one of the many spas, bed and breakfasts, or other lodging options.
- Muir Woods— A 560 acre forest of old-growth redwood trees located in Mill Valley just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods is a pleasant respite from the city, and accessible by Golden Gate Transit.
- Point Reyes National Seashore— Located just north of San Francisco along the Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 1), Point Reyes is a beautiful seashore that is particularly nice to visit when gray whales are migrating along the coast, usually best in mid-January and then from March through May. Point Reyes Station is the main town at the base of the massive peninsula and has plenty of restaurants and places to stay.
- Monterey (California)|Monterey is an otherwise quiet beach town home to one of the country’s best aquariums.
- Santa Cruz (California)|Santa Cruz— Located on the coast north of Monterey (California)|Monterey Bay, this funky town is home to surfers, the beautiful and tech-savvy University of California, Santa Cruz, and a popular boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Mountains north of town are a great place for outdoor recreation such as hiking, and home to misty forests of famous, enormous redwood trees. The city is accessible by Amtrak-run shuttle bus (about 50 minutes) from San Jose Diridon station.
- Vallejo is home to a wildlife discovery theme park, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
- Yosemite National Park— Tours from San Francisco make for a wonderful day trip. Make sure to visit the amazing Giant Sequoias.
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