Ten day trips from San Jose to inspire your next weekend getaway.
I’ve lived in San Jose my entire life, so I’ve been taking day trips from San Jose since before I started driving. All the San Jose getaways highlighted below are places I’ve been to multiple times (I’ve even stayed overnight in nearly every one of these towns and cities).
No matter the direction you head from San Jose, you’ll encounter mountains and trees, beaches and coastland, or busy metropolitan areas – whatever your travelust desires. One guarantee: these drives are adventures, leading to unique locations you’ll want to return to again and again.
Read on to find out my top picks for ten incredible day trips from San Jose, California!
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One of the prettiest day trips from San Jose, Carmel-By-The-Sea showcases plenty of eye candy with its unique art galleries, delectable bakeries, and luxury boutiques. Comparable to Hollywood’s Rodeo Drive, Carmel-By-The-Sea is known for its celebrity sightings (Clint Eastwood and Brad Pitt have even purchased property in this exclusive seaside town). Wander down Ocean Avenue, catch the cottagecore charm of Carmel, then head to Mission Valley Ranch for an early dinner appetizer with a breathtaking meadow-meets-ocean view.
Travel Tip: Even if the forecast calls for high temperatures and sunny skies, dress in layers if you plan to be in Carmel-By-The-Sea during evening hours (the ocean breeze picks up once the sun goes down).
A couple freeway exits from Carmel is the beautiful coastline of Monterey. Although you could visit both Carmel-By-The-Sea and Monterey in one day, Monterey is worth a dedicated day trip.
Don’t miss Cannery Row, a historic waterfront street that’s transitioned into a hub of shops and restaurants. Try seafood at Old Fisherman’s Wharf. See spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Or simply relax by the beach.
P.S. Grab a girlfriend (or two) for an antiquing trip. Hit up Cannery Row Antiques Mall, two floors with over 100 sellers located in one of Monterey’s old sardine canning buildings.
Even as a lifelong Californian, I still squeal in delight as Highway 101’s scenery transforms from miles of farms to crystal-clear waters and clusters of mountains. Located on the Central Coast, Pismo Beach carries a three-hour drive time, but it’s one of the best mini weekend getaways from San Jose, with over six miles of beaches, a tourist shop-filled boardwalk, a fishing pier, and surf schools.
A little under 16 square miles, Santa Cruz is a small city with a hip downtown area. In just a few hours, you can hop between sections of Santa Cruz. Start at the beach (Santa Cruz Beach is one of the closest beaches to San Jose). Then, after some time in the sun, head to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for amusement park rides. Walk to the Santa Cruz Wharf, an old wooden pier that is one of the longest in the world. Check out beachwear at shops or dine at a seafood restaurant (a rec: Riva Fish House, for its non-touristy prices, the quality of its food, and mix of indoor and outdoor seating).
Although Santa Cruz lies 30 miles from San Jose, getting to Santa Cruz can take longer than expected. During weekdays, hop onto Highway 17 after 10 a.m. to avoid rush hour. On weekends, depart before 11 a.m. to avoid getting stuck in congested traffic.
Editor’s Note: The drive times from San Jose I’ve listed in this article take the average of the expected drive time and rush hour traffic drive time (at the time of publication).
Known as the garlic capital of the world, Gilroy is one of the most unique day trips from San Jose. Local grocery stores stock fresh garlic (and there are dedicated garlic vendors, too), but here are a few other reasons to visit Gilroy. Gilroy Gardens, an amusement park with rides and landscape grounds spread over 500-plus acres, is one of the best San Jose day trips for families. Then, for adults sans kids, there are the wineries (Gilroy has over 30 wineries and tasting rooms to choose from).
Travel Tip: During summer months, Gilroy can be unbearably hot. If you’re heat sensitive, try going early to avoid the afternoon hours and bring water to stay hydrated.
No list of day trips from San Jose would be complete without mention of San Francisco. Narrowing down where to go when visiting the ‘city by the bay’ is nearly impossible, but here are some sights to see on a whirlwind, jam-packed trip: Ghirardelli Square (stop at the namesake for a delicious chocolate fudge ice cream sundae), Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park (think: museums, a flower conservatory, playgrounds), the famous Ferry Building (browse the shops and restaurants in this landmark), and Alcatraz (tickets sell out quickly and need to be booked in advance).
Travel Tip: If possible, extend your San Francisco day trip by two days (your feet will thank you). A car isn’t necessary (many places are close by and walkable). Uber and the cable car system (another San Francisco mainstay) can also help you get around. And if you are driving into San Francisco or renting a vehicle, don’t leave anything inside your car (as break-ins have become more frequent).
After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, past San Francisco, is one of the most charming day trips from San Jose: Sausalito. Brightly-colored houses. Buildings on steep hills overlooking the bay. An adorable downtown area with ocean views from every angle.
Sausalito is a small coastal town with cafes and waterfront restaurants (here are some recs for places to eat in Sausalito).
Travel Tip: Allocate time for a 25-minute ferry ride across the Bay to San Francisco.
Napa Valley
Drive Time From San Jose: 2 Hours
Napa Valley – consisting of Napa, St. Helena, and Calistoga – is renowned for its wine tastings and wineries. A favorite is Castello di Amorosa (picture a 13th-century castle on a steep hill overlooking Napa Valley, complete with farm animals milling about). Be sure to check out downtown Calistoga, too, for dining and downtime.
One of the best weekend getaways from San Jose (definitely worth an overnight stay) is Lake Tahoe, a sprawl of blue nestled in the Sierra foothills. Surrounded by mountains, trees, and sparkling water, Lake Tahoe is divided into North and South; both are equally beautiful, no matter what season you visit. In the winter, take advantage of the resorts scattered throughout Tahoe, where you can ski, snowboard, or even snow-tube. In warmer months, enjoy hundreds of hiking and biking trails and beaches.
For a truly mesmerizing experience, drive around the lake (approximately 72 miles of shoreline), stopping to take photos along the way.
UC Berkeley marks Berkeley as a college town, but this San Jose day trip destination is so much more than the university. Featuring a vast downtown area, Berkeley is vibrant. It’s a haven for music lovers, a passionate place with lots of small businesses you can get lost in. Staying until evening? Attend a concert at The Greek Theater, where popular bands often perform.
Did you enjoy this list of day trips from San Jose? What are your favorite day trips from San Jose? Let us know in the comments below! As always, we love hearing from you.
