San Francisco Bay Loop

This loop drive takes in the best of the Bay Area, a diverse, dynamic, and beautiful region with lively cities, celebrated wine country, and outstanding natural wonders. Start at the gateway to San Francisco, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, to head north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Explore coastal parklands before heading northeast to Napa and Sonoma wine countries. Continue circling the bay to visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, with rides and exotic animals, then onto the East Bay city of Oakland, a hot bed of outstanding restaurants. Drive south to San Jose and the tech-y Silicon Valley, home to Google and Apple, then head to the coat for more family-friendly fun in Santa Cruz. Finish in San Francisco for shopping, dining, nightlife, and other urban attractions.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

See one of the world’s most famous landmarks, spanning an elegant bay

Start your trip with a visit to one of the most iconic spans in the world. With towers soaring 746 feet/227 meters into the sky, its span arcing across the mouth of San Francisco Bay, and all of it painted fire-engine red, the Golden Gate Bridge makes a dramatic destination, and a great way to begin a tour of the region.

While you can simply drive north across the bridge, it’s more fun to walk. Dress in layers, and bring a hat or flip up a hood to keep your head warm. Riding bikes across the bridge is another fun option; most bikes come equipped with detailed route maps showing you where to ride from San Francisco across the bridge to idyllic towns, such as Sausalito and Tiburon, in neighbouring Marin County. (For extra fun, catch a local ferry to get back to the city.) Back on the bridge, there’s a nice gift shop and a café at the south (city) end, and paths let you wind down to
historic Fort Point.

Now it’s time to climb in the car and head north to Marin County and the closest grove of coast redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument.

MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to the land of the giants

Heading north into Marin County, you’ll get sweeping views of this lovely region, known for desirable towns tucked into lush canyons and dotting the bayfront and rugged coastal hills. The region is also notable for extensive parkland (80 percent of the county is set aside as park or open space), and one of its premier parks is Muir Woods National Monument. Keep in mind that the road to the park is twisty and narrow, and parking lots often fill up early in summer and on weekends.

From Muir Woods, take winding Highway One north to another exceptional, uncrowded park, Point Reyes National Seashore.

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE

So far out you seem to be in the sea

Follow the coast, past broad Stinson Beach and the sparkling Bolinas Lagoon (a great place for kayaking and birding) to this extraordinary peninsula. Jutting dozens of miles out into the sea, Point Reyes is loaded with amazing discoveries, including remarkable wildlife, deep forests, dramatic sea cliffs, and remote beaches.

No matter what time of year you visit, there’s something extraordinary to see and do. In winter, travel to the tip of the point (a shuttle takes you the last few miles) to look for migrating gray whales passing remarkably close. (It helps when you just out into their swimming lanes). In spring, walk the trail to Chimney Rock to see countless wildflowers (look for puffins nesting on oceanfront cliffs), or follow a trail lined with irises into a rare Bishop pine forest. In summer, watch the cool fog tumble in, then have a cup of cocoa in the cozy village of Point Reyes Station. And in fall, listen for the eerie bugle of tule elk bulls; can usually spot individuals or small herds of these native elk in the Tomales Point preserve area, at the tip of the park.

Your road trip now heads inland to explore some of the finest wine country in the world.

NAPA & SONOMA

Ultimate wine country luxury

Turning east you leave the drama and wildness of the coast to explore these two premier wine regions, with rolling hills and flat valleys planted with some of the most coveted grapes in the world. There are literally hundreds of wineries and tasting rooms here—in settings ranging from castles to renovated barns—with tours, special events, and wine release parties filling the calendar year-round.

Sonoma is the more western region, and tends to have more intimate feel, especially as you head further north towards the redwood forests and rugged terrain around the Russian River. A great place to get oriented is the gemlike town of Healdsburg, a place that has transformed itself from a rough-around-the-edges country town to a first-class destination. First, there’s a perfect town square, surrounded by tasting rooms filled with beautiful people, boutiques with tempting offerings at every turn, and swanky restaurants glowing at dusk. Locally grown produce gets the spotlight here, and the twice-weekly (June through October) farmers market is a model of fresh, local, and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables. Stop in at Healdsburg Shed, an expertly curated haven of kitchenware, cookbooks, and garden tools. Pick up artisanal cheeses and a fresh crusty loaf at tempting Oakville Grocery and have an impromptu nosh in the square. Finish the day with a decadent meal of pork-belly biscuits, Hamachi crudo, and squid-ink pasta at Chalkboard.

If you like twisty country roads, you’ll love the Oakville Grade, which squiggles and hairpins over the Mayacamas Range between Sonoma and Napa Valley. Here, you’ll descend into some of the world’s most celebrated vineyards, a land of grand estates, expansive tasting rooms, quaint towns, and elegant lodgings, many lining the celebrated Silverado Trail.

Here’s the best of the best, a country road trimmed with shady oaks and world-class wines, with so many wineries you could travel it for a week straight and still not visit them all. The first permanent road linking the town of Napa to Calistoga, roughly 30 miles/48 kilometers south, the Silverado Trail is the country-road counterpart to busier Highway 29, which roughly parallels the route. Drive—or better yet rent a bike and pedal—along this tranquil, scenic route, snugged up against the valley’s eastern hills. To see one of the prettiest places in the whole region, take the long, leafy drive onto the manicured grounds of Meadowood Napa Valley for an al fresco lunch at The Grill

From Napa, continue south around the eastern side of San Francisco Bay to a bayfront amusement park.

SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM

Flip out on mega coasters and see exotic animals

There’s no hiding what’s the big draw at this popular attraction in the East Bay city of Vallejo. Even before you park your car you’ll see the giant loop-de-loops, spirals, and white-knuckle descents of the park’s trademark coasters and thrill rides, such as Superman Ultimate Flight and Tsunami Soaker. Get your fill of these adrenaline pumpers, then retreat to the calming beauty of the Butterfly Habitat. Once your blood pressure is back to normal, watch entertaining dolphin and sea lion shows, see African lions and Bengal and Siberian tigers and mountain lions in naturalized enclosures, ride an elephant, or feed a giraffe.

For tamer entertainment for the little ones, let them romp around Acme Fun Factory, a two-story playhouse. There’s also a water play area just for smaller kids, plus tot-friendly rides and activities. For you, consider deluxe experiences, like finding out what Flipper really feels like on a special dolphin interaction.

Next up is a trip to hip Oakland for great food, shopping, and art.

OAKLAND

Edgy, artsy, diverse

Drive south from Vallejo into the hilly East Bay, past the university town of Berkeley to San Francisco’s sister city. Oakland is often referred to as “San Francisco’s Brooklyn,” with the same kind of historic twists, beautiful views, and exploding food and wine scene as that New York borough. Diverse, dynamic, artsy, edgy—Oakland has seen an influx of young locals, drawn not only by the vibe but by the city’s lower rents too, have moved into downtown lofts and condos, and so have come the single-pour coffee bars, cafes, galleries, and clubs, too. Lower costs in the East Bay have also lured chefs—both established big names and new-gen kitchen whiz kids—to open restaurants here, in settings ranging from splashy Art Deco (Flora) to sleek hipster chic (Plum).

When the sun’s up and shining, paddle a kayak around the adjacent Oakland Estuary, especially lively during the fall bird migration. Post paddle, stroll the square to visit shops, or tour two historic vessels: the Lightship Relief, a floating lighthouse which aided navigation along various U.S. coastlines from 1951 to 1974, and the USS Potomac, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s historic yacht (ask about bay cruises). Dine at inviting options like Baia for organic pasta, or have crab cake benedict for brunch at Oakland Grill. Farmers’ markets and outdoor movies add to Jack London Square’s neighborhood-y appeal.

From Oakland, follow the edge of the bay to California’s third largest city.

SAN JOSE

Tech savvy, international flair

Never has this metropolis, California’s third largest city, sparkled more. The center of the booming, tech-centric Silicon Valley, San José is packed with worthy destinations, like ultra-hands-on The Tech Museum, and light and airy San Jose Museum of Art. De Anza Hotel is an Art Deco gem, while the SAP Center, which draws headline entertainers and is home to the San Jose Sharks NHL franchise, is a glassy modern palace.

And of course, there was life before silicon chips. Learn about San José’s rich agricultural and impressive ethnic roots at the expansive campus of History San José, on the southeast side of town.

For the city’s most luxurious shopping experience, visit Santana Row, a snazzy outdoor mall, a mix between California’s relaxed stylishness and a swanky European village on market day. It’s the kind of place where you can easily while away the hours, sitting on a bench perusing your purchases while nibbling fresh croissants from Cocola. And, in the ultimate Silicon Valley indulgence, why not custom-design your own luxury all-electric car at Santana Row’s Tesla store.

Your next destination is a deeper dive into the towns and tech
campuses of the Silicon Valley.

SILICON VALLEY

If you don't believe us, just Google it

Welcome to California’s tech-centric brain pool. Wrapping around the south end of San Francisco Bay, the communities collectively known as Silicon Valley are home base for the heart and soul of computer technology, including silicon chip technology, computer design, apps and Apples, smart phones—smart everything. Visit a museum that blinks and buzzes with what-if technology. And enjoy the riches of a booming economy, with performance spaces, high-end shopping, and multi-starred restaurants.

Just south in Cupertino, pick up logo t-shirts, baseball caps, and mugs at another legendary campus, Apple, at One Infinite Way.

North in Menlo Park, the Facebook campus continues to expand. It’s also closed to visitors, but the sign out front—the iconic, thumbs-up “like” in baby blue—has become a popular backdrop for selfies. You can do it too: just pull over, smile, click, and post.

And then there’s the modest building where it all began: the shed/garage at 367 Addison Avenue, Palo Alto, where, in 1939, Bill Hewitt and Dave Packard forged a partnership that would become the global tech powerhouse known as HP.

Once you’ve got your fill of technical wizardry, head south (just like locals do on weekends) to the coastal town of Santa Cruz, best known for its broad beach and waterfront amusement park.

SANTA CRUZ

Surf's up at NorCal's friendly beach getaway

Follow Highway 17 south over the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains toward the coast, where you can relax and play in this ultra-mellow beach town. Santa Cruz has a decided split personality—and both sides are cool. First, there’s the woo-hoo family fun of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a yesteryear-style esplanade lined with classic coasters, arcade games, corn dogs, and a historic carousel. Then there’s downtown Santa Cruz, where local college students browse for vintage and boho chic, and relaxed restaurants focus on organic, local ingredients.

A wide beach and splashable waves are always inviting; add a colorful boardwalk with rides, games, and music—well, how can you say no? Not many people do—this popular waterfront boardwalk is a summertime ritual for countless California families, a wonderful way for you to relax and play just like the smiling locals. While there are countless attractions lining the boardwalk, the big star is the Giant Dipper, a burly wooden coaster first opened in 1924 and generating screams, squeals, and squinched-shut eyes for decades.

Your road trip ends back in San Francisco, where you can explore by foot, bike, or clanging cable car.

SAN FRANCISCO

Sparkling Bay, Magic City

End your road trip by exploring one of the world’s great cities. Famous for grand-dame Victorians, classic cable cars, dynamic diversity, a beautiful waterfront, and a soaring crimson bridge, the “City by the Bay” truly has it all. Trend-defining cuisine ranging from Michelin-starred dining to outrageous food trucks; world-renowned symphony, ballet, theater, and opera; plus almost boundless outdoor adventures, San Francisco justifiably stands out as one of the ultimate must-sees on a traveler’s wish list.

This road trip was provided by Visit California.

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