These 8 Weekend Getaway Destinations Are All Within 3 Hours of San Francisco
After living in San Francisco for more than 10 years, I’ve had a chance to explore so many areas in Northern California—from well-known and iconic spots like Napa and Big Sur, to underrated small towns like Guerneville and Boonville. And if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that we’re lucky to have such a variety of landscapes and places within just a few short hours of San Francisco.
So whether you’re looking for a romantic, couple’s escape, or an affordable family-friendly travel idea, here are 8 of my favorite getaways in Northern California, along with my top recommendations on where to stay and what to do. Plus: they’re all a 3-hour drive (or less) from San Francisco… traffic willing 😉
Short on time? Here’s a quick overview
Guerneville: Float or canoe in the Russian River. Book a stay at Dawn Ranch.
Healdsburg: Classic Sonoma getaway. Stay somewhere with a pool, like Harmon House or splurge-worthy The Madrona.
Sierraville: An underrated Lake Tahoe alternative, just north of Truckee. Stay at Constellation Creek.
Mendocino + Boonville: Get wine country + coast in one getaway. Stay at Mendocino Grove.
St. Helena: Wine getaway in Napa Valley, with some exciting new restaurants. Stay at Alila.
Tomales Bay: Coastal getaway for oysters, cheese, and hikes, close to SF. Stay at Lodge at Marconi.
Murphys + Arnold: Affordable, nature-and-wine getaway in the Sierra Nevadas. Book Whimsy Home.
Paso Robles: A charming small town with wineries and an up-and-coming food scene. I love Stables Inn.
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1. Guerneville
Distance from San Francisco: 1.5 hours
If I were to choose one place for a summer getaway, this would be it. I know there are some rougher edges to Guerneville, but I still love this woodsy town on the Russian River, where summer activities totally revolve around hanging out on the river. Rent a canoe from Burke’s Canoes, go floating, or just hang out on the beach (Mother’s Beach is the best). After, head to town for drinks at El Barrio and some of the best darn ice cream this side of the Mississippi at Nimble + Finns. Off river, there’s also an underrated redwood forest, Armstrong Woods, and some nearby wineries (I like Hartford Family Winery).
Where to Stay
Dawn Ranch: Adult summer camp vibes right on the river, and one of the best restaurants in town.
boon hotel + spa: A Guerneville OG, centered around a fun pool area. They have glamping tents in the summer.
Stravand: Best option for a romantic getaway.
Autocamp: Glamping in airstream trailers.
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2. Healdsburg
Distance from San Francisco: 1.5 hours
Sonoma is a classic getaway any time of the year, but I’m especially fond of Healdsburg, since lately its food and beverage scene has been seeing some exciting new openings over the past couple of years. Current favorites include coffee at Black Oak, wine tasting in town Marine Layer or Bloodroot, any meal at Little Saint (also has live music some nights), dinner and martinis at The Madrona, and fried chicken at Lo+Behold. Not new but Bravas Tapas is a local fave. For an outdoor wine tasting, go to nearby Flowers Winery or Bricoleur. Or, go a bit north to the Dry Creek Valley AVA to wineries like Bella Winery, with a pit stop at Dry Creek General Store for sandwiches. It’s also close to some river spots if you want to take a dip and get respite from the heat, or go on a morning bike ride before things get too crazy. Spring through fall, it also has a Saturday farmer’s market that is one of the best in Northern California.
Where to stay
Harmon Guest House: Luxurious, airy, and right in the heart of town with access to two pools and a rooftop bar.
The Madrona: Maximalist vibes in a refurbished mansion turned luxury hotel, complete with a serene pool area and terraced restaurant that gave me some serious nostalgia for New Orleans.
Hotel Les Mars: Not the hippest, but luxe and comfortable. Love it in cooler months since rooms have fireplaces.
Note: There aren’t really any “cheap” hotels in Healdsburg but The Ruse or Hotel Trio are my picks for something more affordable. Wildhaven Glamping often comes up and it’s fine in a pinch, but I didn’t love it. It was close to the road, bright, and tents are super close together too.
Read the full weekend getaway guide to Healdsburg, California.
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3. Sierraville
Distance from San Francisco: 3-3.5 hours
Okay, okay, so this one is only under 3 hours if you hit traffic right (I usually don’t have a problem if I leave at ~7am to beat the Sacramento traffic) but it’s so worth the effort. Although just an hour north of Lake Tahoe, a weekend in Sierraville is a totally different—and less crowded—way to experience the Sierra Nevadas. Plus, there are still many, smaller lakes and waterfalls you can drive or hike to, if it’s swimming you’re after. My favorite reason to come up to Sierraville is to stay at Constellation Creek, a rustic, family-run cabin resort. It has quickly become one of those places I return to year after year. When not cozied up at your cabin, expect to be off the woods hiking, swimming in lakes, or hanging out at some surprisingly good craft breweries hidden among the mountains. Ronin is a favorite.
Where to stay
Constellation Creek: This family-owned cabin resort is one of my favorite hotels in California. The family (and their dogs + goats + cat) who run the place are the nicest humans ever, and each cabin is cozy, beautifully designed, and perfect for a comfortable weekend in the woods.
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4. Mendocino + Boonville
Distance from San Francisco: 2.5 - 3 hours
I usually pair these two charming small towns together for two reasons. First, you have to pass through Boonville to get to Mendocino anyways and second, because—despite being under an hour apart—you’ll get two very different experiences. The quirky, small town of Boonville is in the heart of the Anderson Valley wine region and tends to be very warm in the summertime, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to embrace the heat, do some outdoor wine tastings, and/or camp among the redwoods. Mendocino, which is both the name of the county and the charming coastal town, however can be 20-30 degrees cooler and covered in fog. It’s artsy, among some beautiful nature—both coast and forest—and great for escaping the heat. It’s ideal for hiking, kayaking, or simply bopping around the cute shops and galleries in town.
If you have a long weekend, you can even turn this trip into a mini road trip, stopping for one night in Boonville, then one or two nights in Mendocino, before making your way back.
Where to stay
Mendocino Grove: This is one of my favorite glamping sites in California (read my review) 5 mins north of Mendocino. Note that it’s only open from May - October.
Inns of Mendocino: This is my top pick for a cute B&B in the town of Mendocino, particularly in colder months.
Boonville Hotel: As quirky as the town itself, this “modern roadhouse” also has a lovely outdoor restaurant with a very reasonable prix-fixe menu. A very good, homemade breakfast is included with all stays.
Hendy Woods State Park: Such a beautiful campground. It tends to book up on weekends in the summer pretty quickly, but you can sometimes get lucky.
Download the digital guide + Google Map list for Boonville and Mendocino.
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5. St. Helena
Distance from San Francisco: 1.5 - 2 hours
I will never say no to an overnight to any of Napa’s small towns, but right now I’m really loving St. Helena. It’s right in between Napa town and Calistoga on Highway 29, the main highway that connects all of Napa’s towns and many of its wineries, making it a convenient jumping off spot for the rest of your weekend. But there’s also a lot to love and do right here in town, including one of my new favorite spots in Napa: Charlie’s, new restaurant led by former French Laundry chef, Elliot Bell. Great vibes. Great martinis. Woodfire food. A rare late-night bar scene and food menu. And the best damn potatoes I’ve ever had.
Not new but still wonderful, you also have Model Bakery, whose english muffins were made famous by Oprah, and several serious wineries where you can go tasting nearby, like Faust and Duckhorn.
Where to stay
Alila Napa Valley: This lovely, splurge-worthy resort (it’s a Hyatt property, for all you points people) is a quick walk to town and—importantly for summer days—has a pool overlooking the vineyards. It’s also right next to cult classic winery Beringer, which offers discounts on tastings for Alila guests.
Wydown Hotel: Not the most stylish but it’s clean, comfortable, central, and relatively affordable for the area. There’s no pool or spa on-site (they have a partnership) but in cooler months or wine-focused trips, I’d say that’s a fine trade-off. Breakfast included.
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6. Tomales Bay
Distance from San Francisco: 1 - 1.5 hours (it’s even close enough to bike!)
Most people will go to Tomales Bay for the day, but thanks to the revitalization of two amazing hotels—the Lodge at Marconi and Nick’s Cove—it’s very much worth turning that day trip into a weekend getaway. While here, you can kayak in the bay (which is warm enough to swim in late summer / early fall) or go for a hike along the much cooler coastal trails. Point Reyes Lighthouse, Thule Elk Preserve, and the Cypress Tunnel are some nature highlights. It also has some pretty amazing food, especially oysters and cheese since the area is known for its production of both. Marshall Store and Saltwater Oyster Depot are my two favorite restaurants here. More interested in cheese? Try following parts of the cheese trail.
Where to stay
Lodge at Marconi: Beautiful and quiet, architecture-forward lodge on a state park.
Nick’s Cove: Charming waterfront hotel with 5 unique, cozy cottages and a really good restaurant.
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7. Murphys + Arnold
Distance from San Francisco: 2.5 hours
When it comes to the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite might get the most attention (and visitors), but there is so much more in this enormous mountain range than just these two heavy-hitters. Case in point: the two tiny, neighboring towns of Arnold + Murphys California. I first visited last spring to review this super colorful Airbnb for work. But, I loved the area so much I went back just a few months later to finally check out the Calaveras Frog Jumping competition (fun fact: it’s been around so long, Mark Twain wrote a short story about it). Safe to say, I’m a convert—especially since this area is actually affordable, has lots of outdoor activities, wine tasting, and just enough great food to fill a weekend.
While there, be sure to take a hike at Big Trees State Park and spend at least one afternoon wine tasting. I liked Allegorie tasting room in downtown Murphys, but for a vineyard visit, check out Ironstone Vineyards. More of a spirits kinda gal? Don’t miss Hinterhaus Distillery in Arnold. As for food, I still daydream about the burrito from Pablito's Basecamp; loved the vibes at Italian eatery, Sarafina's Italian Kitchen, in Arnold, and the riverside, outdoor patio at Watering Hole in Murphys (kid tested + approved for all of y’all with littles).
Where to stay
Whimsy Home: If you can book it, you won’t regret a stay at the colorful, retro-inspired (Abba-themed bathroom, anyone?) in Arnold. We loved the cedar hot tub and cozy fireplace (see video).
Vacation Rental in downtown Murphys: If not, look for a vacation rental in downtown Murphys (there aren’t many hotels out here). I’d recommend something that’s within walking distance to main street, such as Horse and Hare Inn or The Local Pine.
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8. Paso Robles
Distance from San Francisco: 3 hours — if you time it right.
I debated adding Paso to the list. If you hit traffic right (which can be hard if you’re driving after work and battling the bottleneck around Gilroy), you can get here in just around three hours. But, I’ve come to really love it as a weekend getaway destination over the years — especially if I want to meet up with friends from LA or escape a cold, foggy weekend in SF in favor of heat and sunshine — and think it’s worth the little extra driving. It’s also seen some exciting food and restaurant openings on top of the already fun-to-explore farm and winery scene (I love Tablas Creek and Tin City for tastings). Couple that with a cute and actually affordable boutique hotel and it’s hard to go wrong.
There’s lots to do in between meals too. Don’t miss an evening at the "Field of Lights" at Sensorio (above), an outdoor art installation of fiber-optic spheres that light up the landscape at night, go horseback riding, or drive to nearby Morro Bay for a kayaking (go solo or book a half-day wildlife kayak tour). For food, go to the new Les Petites Canailles for an upscale, farm-to-table French dinner, The Backyard on Thirteenth for a beer garden with po’boys and mac n’ cheese, and Pier 46 Seafood Co. for a casual bite in Templeton (just down the road). After dinner, grab a drink at Eleven Twenty Two, a new speakeasy, or Pine Street Saloon, a classic karaoke dive bar.
Where to stay
There are so many good places to stay in and around Paso Robles, from cute boutique hotels in town to peaceful farmstays just a few minutes drive away. Some of my favorites include:
Stables Inn is one of my go-tos, since it’s a central affordable boutique hotel with fire pits. They also have a more upscale, sister property not too far away called Hotel Cheval.
Hotel Piccolo is a new, modern hotel in downtown Paso and very comfortable for an in-town stay.
Farm Blanc and Rouge or Kindred Oak Farm would be my choice if you’re more after a a rustic stay on a farm, just outside of town.
Sirena Vineyard Resort is an excellent option if you want to go all out with a luxurious stay on a winery right in the middle of the vineyards. JUSTIN wines also has an on site hotel.
Read the full weekend getaway guide to Paso Robles for more.
