Two easy day trips from San Francisco worthy of your Saturday. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Where’s Jessie B… Going Next?

Unique travel ideas in California, every other week.

Hello hello Subscriber First Name! It’s Jessie B., your well-traveled friend, back with another round-up of off-the-beaten-path travel ideas in California—and a reminder of something I think we all forget:

Day trips are totally underrated, and we should be taking more of them.

Not every getaway needs a suitcase, a spreadsheet, or a $500 hotel bill. Sometimes, all it takes is a well-timed adventure close to home to reset and feel the joy of travel.

This week, I’m sharing two of my favorite low-lift escapes for summer: one for wine lovers and one for the tree-huggers. Let’s get to it. 😎

P.S. Got a favorite day trip in California? Hit reply and let me know! I always love hearing y’alls recs too.

 

SONOMA + NAPA

For Wine Tasting That’s Close to San Francisco, Go to Carneros.

→ Wineries to visit: Donum, Hudson Napa Valley, Cline Family Cellars, Artesa, Kivelstadt Cellars & WineGarden

→ Where to eat: Bloom Carneros or Boon Fly Cafe

Living in San Francisco, I’ve spent plenty of weekends exploring Sonoma and Napa—sometimes as day trips, sometimes overnight. But lately I’ve been wondering why I haven’t spent more time in Carneros. It’s one of the easiest wine regions to visit, just about an hour north of the Bay. Plus: it straddles Sonoma and Napa, so it’s a rare chance to see a bit of both in one day.

For a perfect day trip, I’d start at Donum, a winery that also offers daily tours of their seriously impressive sculpture garden (see my video tour). Then, I’d grab lunch at Boon Fly Café at Carneros Resort and has a menu with approachable, brunchy dishes like chicken and waffles and corned beef hash. Or, get a bit closer to your next stop, Cline, with a meal at Bloom Carneros, which has a lovely garden area and more fresh, Californian fare.

End with a leisurely afternoon at Cline Family Cellars. Their most basic wine tastings start at $25 but since one of the highlights is their beautiful ranch property, it’s worth spending a little extra to sit outside or book a pond-side cabana.

Little Cline Family fun fact: One of the family’s daughters, Emma Cline, authored a novel based on the Manson murders called The Girls. also built a small writer’s retreat on the winery’s expansive property as part of a college assignment. It’s not open to the public but here’s a BTS glimpse:

 

MILL VALLEY

A Local’s Take: The Perfect Muir Woods Day Trip

Is Muir Woods one of the most touristy things you can do in San Francisco? Yes. Is it magical? Also yes. Though it’s a popular destination, most people stick to the main path—so it’s easier than you’d think to have a peaceful, not-too-crowded hike. As a local San Franciscan, I’ve spent years exploring the trails around Muir Woods (mostly by bike), and if you want to put a local twist on this classic day trip, here’s what my perfect, highlight-packed version looks like:

9:00 am - Breakfast + stock up on snacks. Drive to Tam Junction where you can get bagels at Pizza Hacker/Bagel Macher, coffee at Equator, and stock up on hiking provisions and to-go lunch at Good Earth Natural Foods.

10:00am - Arrive at Muir woods and begin your hike. For a full day, do the 4.5 hour, 10-mile Redwood Creek Trail to Muir Woods Beach and back. Otherwise, the shorter Canopy, Lost, Fern Creek Loop is a good mix of the main trail + less crowded offshoot with a view.

12:00pm - Mid-hike lunch stop at Muir Woods Beach. Bring a beach blanket (I like this super packable one by Matador) and eat your lunch on the beach. Optional pit stop at Pelican Inn for a cold beverage while sitting on their lawn. Also a good place to refill on water.

3:00pm - End your hike back at Muir Woods.

3:30pm - Grab a drink at The Lumber Yard, a former lumber yard turned boutique shopping center in the forest or grab a plate of fish tacos at Hook Fish Co.

→ The Perfect Day Trip from San Francisco to Muir Woods

 

IN OTHER NEWS…

Happening Around California

🎵 NAPA: Tickets are still on sale for Napa’s BottleRock music festival, with Sublime, Justin Timberlake, and Green Day headlining this year. May 23-25th, get tickets here.

🥐 SAN FRANCISCO: The team behind Michelin-starred Sorrel is opening Parachute Bakery (June) and Arquet Restaurant (later this summer) at the Ferry Building—bringing pastries, coffee, and wood-fired fine dining to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

🎿 TAHOE: Palisades Tahoe’s legendary Cushing Crossing pond-skimming contest returns May 10—with wild costumes, celebrity judges, and party vibes.

 

ICYMI: ON THE BLOG

➛ Napa or Sonoma? Here’s What I’d Choose—And Why It Might Be Different for You

➛ A Mexico Beach Trip Packing List for Carry-On Only Travelers

➛ Mendocino Grove Review: Why We Love This Woodsy Glamping Retreat

 

✈️ Planning a summer trip? ✈️

I’ve got space for 2 more trip planning clients this month—whether it’s Sonoma, Japan, or somewhere in between. I’ll handle the logistics, bookings, and even snag you some perks—like hotel discounts and VIP upgrades.

 Let’s Work Together 
 

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