5 Coastal Drives and Mountain Escapes from San Francisco

One of the best ways to discover the beauty of California is to drive around from San Francisco city to scenic coastal and mountain escape views. San Francisco Airport serves as the best starting point for immersing yourself in a captivating landscape. Take your SIXT Car Rental and explore the breathtaking coastal highways and breathtaking valleys and mountains from the airport. Below are just some of the places you might consider driving around. 

Mount Tamalpais State Park

 This spot is 27 miles from the airport. It will take you roughly around 45-60 minutes to get there. This is located in Marin County. If you are bringing your rented car, there are free parking lots around the park. If you plan to have a picnic, there are two picnic spots you can choose from: The Bootjack Picnic Area and the East Peak Picnic Area. These locations have clean water, comfort rooms, and picnic tables. The Mountain Theater is another great spot to have a picnic. If you wish to reach this place, you can hike from the Rock Springs parking lot or the Pantoll. This state park also has plenty of gorgeous waterfalls you can visit. The three trails you can take for the best spots of these waterfalls are the Cataract Trails, Steep Ravine, and Troop 80. There are also other trails you can take, each of which offers different difficulty levels and lengths. If you wish to see some wildflower views, take the Dipsea Hike,  West Peak Loop Hike, and Dias Ridge Trail Hike. If you are eager to conquer some difficult and strenuous hikes, take the Boot Jack, Matt Davis, Redwood Creek Loop, and Dias Ridge. The hike is worth the effort once you see the beauty of nature at the top. 

Point Reyes National Seashore

This is a longer drive from the airport as compared to Mount Tamalpais. The trip will take you more than an hour to get there using your car rental at San Francisco airport. This spot is about 60 miles away from the airport.  Before visiting Point Reyes National Seashore, make sure to plan your trip first and visit their website. There are instances where some roads leading to the shore are closed due to the presence of elephant seals.  This is where you hear the waves roaring against the huge rocks and expansive views of the coastline. If you’re lucky you can also see some migrating Gray Whales passing through Point Reyes. They are often seen from the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock. The best times to see them are around May up to December. You can also check out Alamere Falls which is a 13-mile round-trip hike.  If you are bringing your furry friends with you, there are only selected spots within the Point Reyes where dogs are allowed. Also, they must be on a leash at all times while exploring some trails. 

Highway 101: Redwood Highway

If you are not a fan of long drives, this one’s for you. Just 30 minutes from the airport and you’ll get to Redwood Highway. Some people consider the Washington stretch as one of the most scenic parts of this road. There are plenty of things you can do at Redwood Coast. Visit some of the oldest Redwood trees which have been standing for more than 100 years already. Reconnect with nature, clear your mind, and find your peace as you hike the rugged terrains of Lost Coast. You can also immerse yourself in some of the beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean as you climb the Astoria Column. The Northern part of Highway 101 is where you can find the Hoh Rainforest, it has its magical charm. 

Sonoma and Napa Valleys

The Sonoma and Napa Valleys are about 80 minutes drive from the airport which is about 65 miles away. You won’t mind the long drive as you get to enjoy the scenic view of the mountain ridges, vineyards, and rolling hillsides. Not to mention that at the end of your trip, you get to savor different kinds of wine aged for years. Driving through the wine country should be part of your checklist when visiting San Francisco. Sampling world-class wines is an experience worth taking. After the long drive, treat yourself to some of the sumptuous cuisines that Michelin-starred restaurants have to offer. 

Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)

This will take you more than an hour to get to this place. It’s about 40-60 miles away from San Francisco airport. Start your trip from Half Moon Bay where you get to see the stunning cliffs and coastal towns. You can also stop over a quaint beach city named Carmel-by-the-sea. Talk to some locals and learn more about the place. There are plenty of boutique shops and art galleries you can visit here. When taking the Pacific Coast Highway, make sure to also check out the Big Sur and the Bixby Creek Bridge. 

These are just some of the scenic drives you can take to indulge yourself with the most spectacular views of nature. There are still plenty of roads to take and trails to conquer. So, rent a car and start your journey along the coastal drives and mountain views of California.