10 Romantic Weekend Getaways from San Francisco Bay Area
This is the season for romantic weekend getaways and there are quite a few from the Bay Area – all less than 5hrs from San Francisco Bay Area. The best part is that some of these are less than 2hrs away and are a perfect escape from the hustle of the city.
Big Sur, California
I am always on the lookout for places to escape to from SF Bay Area and I admit that I love romantic couples’ getaways. Getting away for just a day or two with my husband leaves me refreshed and ready for the new week. After our stressful workweeks, I think we all deserve to unwind from technology and need that break. While it takes some planning (that’s where I make your life easier :)), the feeling of being on the road is so liberating! In this blog post, I present to you 10 most romantic weekend getaways from San Francisco Bay Area that you can visit with your partner. The list includes best hotels with spectacular views, great restaurants to dine in and fun things to do at each place.
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10 Romantic Weekend Getaways From SF Bay Area
Bixby bridge, Big Sur
SANTA CRUZ
Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz sunset
Drive from San Francisco: < 1hr 30min
Where to stay?
Where to eat?
Things to do and see
Coastal views, Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Walk along W Cliff Drive
- Coastal hikes at Wilder Ranch State Park
- Hike the Redwoods State Park
Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz
I consider anywhere with water and views as a romantic weekend getaway. And Santa Cruz is one such perfect getaway with a beautiful boardwalk, coastal trails and sunset views. Santa Cruz is the closest we have to Southern California beach towns and is a must visit from Bay Area. To avoid traffic, either go early in the morning on a Saturday or late in the afternoon.
POINT REYES & TOMALES BAY
Point Reyes shipwreck
Drive from San Francisco: < 1hr 30min
Where to stay?
Four Points by Sheraton, San Rafael
Where to eat?
Things to do and see
Cypress tunnel, Point Reyes
- Point Reyes National Seashore and Lighthouse
- Point Reyes shipwreck
- Tomales Bay State Park
- Cypress tunnel
Point Reyes Lighthouse
Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay are two of the more pristine places near Bay Area. This area offers some unique and interesting things to do like safaris, Elk tours, oyster shucking and perfect couples’ photography at Cypress Tunnel. Doing and figuring out things together is the essence of romance for me. And what better than oyster shucking and some laughs over romantic dinner? Spend a day exploring the shipwreck, cypress tunnel and sunset at the lighthouse. And end your weekend with a trip to Tomales Bay State Park and a tour at one of the many dairy farms or a safari.
NAPA/SONOMA WINE COUNTRY
Napa hot air balloon ride
Wine tasting in Sonoma
Drive from San Francisco: < 1hr 30min
Where to stay?
Hotel Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
Where to eat?
The French Laundry, Yountville
Angele Restaurant & Bar, Napa Downtown
Things to do and see
Jacuzzi winery, Sonoma
Ledson winery, Kenwood
- Bubbles tasting at Domaine Carneros
- Napa riverwalk
- Hot air balloon ride in Napa
- Spa day and couples mud bath in Calistoga
- Wine tasting in Kenwood
The wine country of Napa and Sonoma is the epitome of a romantic weekend getaway. Some romantic activities to do with your significant other are wine tasting in the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, Napa riverwalk, brunch in downtown Sonoma and a stroll around Yountville. If you are feeling extra fancy, start your day with a hot air balloon ride and end with a romantic dinner at the renowned Michelin starred restaurant, The French Laundry.
HEALDSBURG & DRY CREEK VALLEY
Dry Creek Valley
Healdsburg
Drive from San Francisco: < 1hr 30min
Where to stay?
Where to eat?
Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Things to do and see
Lake Sonoma
Healdsburg wineries
- Healdsburg downtown
- Wine tasting in Dry Creek Valley
- Lake Sonoma
Healdsburg is a charming little town and quite a gem in the wine country. Unlike Napa or Sonoma, Healdsburg’s Downtown and the nearby wine region of Dry Creek Valley are quiet and not very crowded. Spend a fun weekend at one of the cute hotels in the downtown and taste famous Zinfandel of Dry Creek Valley. For a weekend full of activities, check out my post about Healdsburg and Dry Creek Valley.
BIG SUR & CARMEL
McWay Falls, Big Sur
Garrapata State Park, Big Sur
Carmel-by-the-sea
Drive from San Francisco: < 2hr 30min
Where to stay?
Resort Hyatt, Carmel Highlands
Where to eat?
Sierra Mar, Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
Things to do and see
Big Sur
Town of Carmel
- Carmel-by-the-sea downtown
- Carmel beach
- Historic Carmel Mission
- McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Big Sur, California
You haven’t seen the beauty of California until you have visited the coast of Big Sur. Coasting along the Highway 1 with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean is one of the most romantic things to do in California. Add the quaint town of Carmel to your trip and you have the best couples’ weekend ever! A few stops that you cannot miss along the way are the town of Carmel, McWay falls and Garrapata State Park.
MENDOCINO COAST
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Drive from San Francisco: 3hr
Where to stay?
Where to eat?
Things to do and see
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Wine tasting Navarro vineyards
- Hike Mendocino Headlands State Park
- Visit Mendocino Botanical Gardens
- Fort Bragg and Glass Beach
- Wine tasting in Anderson Valley
Mendocino Botanical Gardens
Mendocino is probably the most romantic of all the listed couples’ weekend getaways from San Francisco Bay Area. Mendocino is a charming little town in the northern coast of California. It is quiet and peaceful with sweeping coastal views from Mendocino Headlands State Park, old Victorian bed and breakfast places and beautiful botanical gardens. Check out my post about all the things to do in Mendocino and stops to make on your road trip.
LAKE TAHOE
Chimney beach
Sand Harbor beach, Lake Tahoe
Drive from San Francisco: 3hr 30min
Where to stay?
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort
Where to eat?
Jake’s On The Lake, Tahoe City
Maya’s Mexican Grill, Heavenly Village
Things to do and see
Commons beach, Tahoe City
- Emerald Bay
- Spend the day at Sand Harbor beach
- Kayaking, paddle boarding or skiing depending on the time of the year
- Hike cave rock for the best sunset views.
Sunset at Cave Rock Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places to getaway from San Francisco Bay Area and relax. Lake Tahoe is so serene and peaceful that you will forget all your worries and would want to stay there forever. South Lake Tahoe and the towns around the lake offer plenty of activities to do like kayaking, paddle boarding, rafting, hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. I cannot think of a more romantic way than spending a weekend by the water. 🙂 Check out my comprehensive post about Lake Tahoe and 25 incredible things to do in the summer.
PASO ROBLES
Sunset over vineyards, Paso Robles
Drive from San Francisco: 3hr 30min
Where to stay?
Where to eat?
Things to do and see
- Wine tasting at Tablas Creek and Niner Estate
- Beer at Firestone Walker Brewery
- Field of light display
- Paso downtown stroll
- Olive oil tasting at Kiler Ridge Olive farm
Paso Robles is so underrated compared its cousins Napa and Sonoma. The wineries and vineyards in the Paso Robles area are equally spectacular and make a perfect couples’ getaway from SF Bay Area. Some of the recommended activities include heart hill at Niner Estate, wine tasting, beer tasting and olive oil tasting. Also check out the incredible Field of Light display called Sensorio by Bruce Munro.
SAN SIMEON & MORRO BAY
Morro Rock
Hearst Castle, San Simeon
Drive from San Francisco: 4hr
Where to stay?
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, San Simeon
Where to eat?
The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar
Things to do and see
Morro Bay
- Hearst Castle
- Morro Rock Beach
- Beach towns of Cambria, Cayucos
Hearst-castle
Morro Bay and San Simeon are not among the first places that come to mind when you think of romantic getaways near SF Bay Area. These two towns are 30min apart along the Pacific Coast Highway past Big Sur and are quaint getaways with sweeping ocean views and beautiful parks to explore. San Simeon is also home to Hearst Castle, the majestic home of William Hearst and a national landmark. I highly recommend visiting Hearst Castle while in San Simeon.
SANTA BARBARA
The Four Seasons entrance Santa Barbara
Drive from San Francisco: 5hr
Where to stay?
Where to eat?
Things to do and see
Paseo Nuevo Mall
- Santa Barbara Courthouse and take a stroll along State Street
- Santa Barbara Mission
- Wine tasting in Santa Ynez Valley
- Sunset at Butterfly Beach
- Day trip to Channel Islands National Park
Santa Barbara Courthouse
I cannot say enough things about how incredibly romantic Santa Barbara is. It is easily one of my favorite cities in California. Some of my favorite things about Santa Barbara are its long beaches, Colonial Spanish architecture, the beautiful courthouse and its bell tower, its Mexican heritage and the surrounding wine trails. My blogpost about spending a perfect day in Santa Barbara covers more things to do, places to stay and amazing restaurants that you do not want to miss. If you want to make the trip even more memorable, spend an extra day and check out the Danish town of Solvang. Another option is to take a trip to Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park.
P.S. If you are looking for Instagrammable spots while you are in Santa Barbara, check out my 7 favorite Instagrammable places in SB. 🙂
Bonus Getaway (SAN DIEGO)
I always love adding a bonus. Isn’t it fun and rewarding to find something extra? 😉
San Diego skyline view from Tidelands park
San Diego Museum of Art
Drive from San Francisco: 9hr
Air travel: < 2hr
Where to stay?
Where to eat?
Things to do and see
Balboa Park architecture
Balboa Park pond, San Diego
- Visit Balboa Park
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Sunset at Coronado Beach
- Check out La Jolla Village and Cove
Sunset at Windandsea beach, La Jolla
Sunset at Coronado beach
If you have an extra day or are willing to fly, San Diego is a great city to getaway from the hustle of SF Bay Area. Yes, San Diego is a big city but the vibe is totally different and laidback. With warm ocean breeze, great restaurants and beautiful parks, San Diego does not feel like a busy city. If you are looking to spend a weekend or a long weekend in San Diego, check out my posts on how to spend 3 days in San Diego plus free itinerary (including more places to stay and things to do) and 20 best places to eat and drink that are a must visit!
*****
I truly enjoy living in the Bay Area and so grateful that there are many beautiful and romantic weekend getaways within driving distance. I hope you get to visit at least one of these and have a lovely romantic weekend with your partner. If you have any questions about any of these places, feel free to comment below or email me at hello@acharmingescape.com
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Hi there!
I am Aswani Kurra. I am an engineer, dreamer and part-time wanderlust, writer and wine lover. I always had an urge to write, create and travel. So I created this space to satisfy my creative itch and combine all my skills to help you plan your Charming Escape.
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Loving all of these romantic ideas and your photos are so gorgeous! Thank you for giving me the inspiration to visit the Bay area!
Ahh thank you so much Elena! Glad you loved it and yes, time to visit. 🙂
I have been so Cali many times, but I always seem to forget just how beautiful it is. Thanks for the gorgeous photos as a reminder. Saving & Pinning this post for so I can cross all these places off my California travel list.
Thank you so much Shelley! There are so many things to do here and truly lucky to live here. 🙂
Loved reading this post! I don’t have a partner so will have to take myself on a romantic getaway. Would love to visit San Diego 🙂
That is so sweet. I sometimes like to take solo vacations too! Thank you for checking out. 🙂
What a dreamy post – your photos themselves are so romantic! I love the Santa Cruz coastal views. Lake Sonoma looks perfect, and obviously I will need to visit all of those wineries too!!! Ledson looks like a mansion! Thank you for the inspo – I’d love to get to California one day!
Thank you so much Sarah! Ledson is actually a mansion turned into winery. 🙂
I love the Bay Area! And I love all the spots around it. Looks like there are a few I didn’t know about! Thanks!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
This is a great post!! I love to road trip up to SF from SoCal! This is a great list of things to do to get away from the city or avoid tourist traps for a bit! Thanks for sharing.
I love the road trip too! And thank you for checking it out Kelsey!
Did you hike down to Point Reyes Lighthouse? The way down was easy but all those steps back up were a doozy!
Such great content thank you for all the great info!