Ocean photographed from atop a hill.
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Down by the Bay

Down by the Bay

Regular price $65.00 USD
Sale Sold out

One trip is required per group.

* "PDF Instant Download" means the trip will be sent by email as a PDF document, and not by mail (the email is sent immediately after completing your purchase)

WHAT TO EXPECT

You don't have to go far from home to have an epic adventure! The scenic viewpoints and easy trails are endless on this trip. And while you won't see watermelons grow, there are tons of fantastic local eateries along the way.

Trip Highlights

  • A unique WWII photo op
  • The tastiest local cafes and breweries
  • Epic views around every corner
  • Wildflower blooms (March - June)
  • A haunted lunch stop

AVAILABLE TO DEPART

This itinerary can be done on any day throughout the year.

SUGGESTED FOR

  • Families
  • Photographers
  • Seniors
  • A quick road trip

Itinerary

STOP 1

Start your day off with an easy trail that ends with vibrant views. We've also recommended a couple cafes to get energized for the day! Drive time to the second stop is 10 minutes.

STOP 2

Get your cameras ready! The funkiest roadside stop has a cool history, and you'll want to capture the outdoor adventures. Drive time to third stop is 6 minutes.

STOP 3

Head to one of our brewery recommendations for a break and bite to eat. Drive time to the fourth stop is 12 minutes.

STOP 4

A cute beachside town finishes the day. There are tons of shops, eateries and a coastal trail to choose from.

Region

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Can depart from

San Francisco Area, San Jose Area

Before you go

What You'll Need to Bring

  • Camera
  • Reusable Shopping Bags
  • Walking Shoes
  • Water
  • Sunscreen (lots of easy outdoor activities)
  • Cash
  • Bathing Suit
  • Beach Towel
  • Binoculars

Additional Details

  • Kid-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Accessible

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We're here to help!

Please see the approximate driving distances below. This just includes round-trip driving distances and not time spent at stops.

Don't see a city close to home listed below? Send us an email with your departure location and trip choice(s) and we'll give you an idea of the round-trip driving distance from home.

From San Francisco:
1 hour and 30 minutes / 60 miles



From Oakland:
1 hour and 50 minutes / 80 miles



From Fremont:
2 hours and 4 minutes / 96 miles



From San Jose:
2 hours and 10 minutes / 103 miles



From Santa Rosa:
3 hours and 26 minutes / 160 miles



*We recommend booking an overnight hotel if the driving distance is greater than 4 hours round-trip.

This trip can be done on any day throughout the year.

We recommend departing between 9:30 am and 10:00 am if you’re in the San Francisco area. The later you leave, the less time you’ll have to explore all of the stops.

This trip is pet-friendly! On every stop there will be at least one option that allows furry friends.

Note that most of our eatery suggestions will only allow dogs on outdoor patios. Please keep this in mind and coordinate with the weather.

We recommended bringing up to 5 people on your surprise road trip.

If you're bringing a larger group, we highly recommend having one person in charge of booking reservations at restaurants and attractions in advance. Please see the previous page for a copy of the digital itinerary.

First Stop: No fee

Second Stop: No fee

Third Stop: No fee

Fourth Stop: One “Want to keep going?” suggestion requires an entrance fee ($). We’ve provided many free alternatives.

After booking your trip, we'll send you a confirmation email with a few recommended accommodation options.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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S
Stephanie Leveene
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Excellent! I would definitely recommend this trip
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Lovely Trip Down by the Bay

My partner and I had a wonderful time on the SF-area seaside excursion Down by the Bay. We've been in this neck of the woods many times, but I was surprised at how many places were new to me.

Because the roads and such in the area get very crowded on nice days, I would recommend going on a weekday (Thursday or Friday) if possible or perhaps on a cloudier day.

K
Kristen Loreto
Overall, how would you rate this trip?:
I would not recommend this trip
Excellent! I would definitely recommend this trip
Rate how active the trip was:
Not very active
Very active
Rate how accessible the trip was:
Not very accessible
Very accessible
Rate how 'unique' the stops were:
Not really
Yes, very unique!
Relaxing and peaceful trip!

We are Canadians who travelled to California. We had a day to kill while in San Jose and had access to a car. We didn’t know what to expect with this trip, but it was absolutely beautiful to explore towns along the Bay Area coast!