The Weekend Wind-Down
Our Favorite Road Trips Out of San Francisco
Buckle up with the pod and get to these must-visit destinations in the state
The Weekend Wind-Down is a series from The Bold Italic highlighting ways to explore the Bay Area and wind down from your stressful week. If you have an idea or tip, email us, or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.
The pandemic has shape-shifted our relationship with travel. What was once a means of relaxation is now a source of anxiety, fear, and confusion for so many. But what experts still wholeheartedly agree is road-tripping is, bar none, the safest means of travel amid Covid-19.
Why? If you’re, say, renting a well-sanitized RV or exercising the perks of car ownership, you’re taking your self-quarantining out on the road. Moreover, communing with Mother Nature still stands among the most pandemic-friendly activities you can do.
All this in mind, we’ve rounded up some road trip journeys you could (somewhat) take on a whim, should you be feeling increasingly little stir-crazy.
San Francisco to Calistoga (75 miles)
No quick roundup of go-to California road trips would be complete without a nod to wine country — and setting your GPS to Calistoga will afford you views of sweeping vineyards and 13th-century-style castles built using medieval methods and antique bricks.
San Francisco to Pacific Grove (114 miles)
The unsung sister of Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove is a somewhat sleepy coastal town brimming with great hiking trails and outdoor dining areas right next to the shoreline.
San Francisco to Oz Farm (139 miles)
An organic farm and learning center nestled in Mendocino, the journey to Oz Farm’s apple orchards and river floating opportunity are filled with gorgeous panoramas, lush greenery, and breathtaking wildlife watching opportunities.
San Francisco to ‘The Glass Beach’ (165 miles)
Fort Bragg’s Glass Beach — which is literally made up of strayed, rounded pieces of glass that wash up ashore — is a bucket list item to check off before you die… or leave the state for Hawaii.
San Francisco to Sequoia National Park (272 miles)
Get lost in a sea of redwoods — without worrying about someone bursting your socially distant bubble.
San Francisco to Shasta-Trinity National Forest (294 miles)
Get your wild on and take the pod out to visit California’s largest national forest; many of the trailheads in the park make up the northern stretch of the famous Pacific Crest Hiking Trail.
San Francisco to Arcata (479 miles)
One of the state’s most beloved small towns, one that numbers fewer than 19,000 residents, Arcata has among the best hikes in California that weave through Pacific temperate rainforests; Arcata’s Finnish-vibes have also lent themselves to great local saunas and coffee shops.
If you’re up for the road-trip of a lifetime — we also wrote about the absolute best road trip in the United States, according to scientists:
And some underrated day trips:
For some more close-to-home jaunts that’ll help you kiki with Mother Nature, check out some of TBI’s favorite Bay Area hiking destinations:
