In this article, you can read about a list of national parks near San Francisco (Road trips from San Francisco to National parks) with details of distance, suggested routes, commuting time, and things to do.
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Visiting national parks near San Francisco offers a breathtaking escape into nature’s wonders, showcasing towering redwoods, stunning coastlines, and diverse ecosystems just a short drive away, providing rejuvenating experiences and unforgettable adventures for all to cherish.
National Parks Near San Francisco – National Parks In Northern California
There are many stunning national parks around San Francisco, and protected areas are within reasonable driving distance; hence, they are recommended to visit during your visit to Las Vegas. Here’s a list with approximate distances, recommended routes, commuting times, and highlights.
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Yosemite National Park – National Parks In Northern California
Distance from San Francisco: Approximately 170 miles (274 kilometers)
Route: Take Highway 120 east from San Francisco through the Central Valley to the park’s Big Oak Flat Entrance.
Yosemite is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, including iconic granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees. It offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing.
Campgrounds – Upper Pines Campground, Lower Pines Campground, North Pines Campground, Camp 4 (Walk-in Campground), Wawona Campground, Bridalveil Creek Campground or Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
Overnight Hotel Stays – Yosemite Valley Lodge
Things To Do –
- Yosemite boasts over 800 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. Popular trails include the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, Half Dome via the cables route (permit required), and the iconic Yosemite Falls Trail.
- Explore the park’s stunning landscapes via scenic drives such as Tioga Road (seasonal), Glacier Point Road, and Wawona Road.
- Yosemite has numerous spectacular waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and Ribbon Falls.
- Stargazing – Experience the park’s night skies and the stars above.
Scenic Stopovers from San Francisco to Yosemite Entrance – Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, detour to Muir Woods or Tomales Bay, stop at Stinson Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Distance from San Francisco: Approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers)
Route: Head north on Highway 101 from San Francisco, then take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Point Reyes.
Point Reyes boasts stunning coastal landscapes, including rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and scenic hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy whale watching, birdwatching, and exploring historic lighthouses.
Campgrounds – Coast Camp, Glen Camp, Sky Camp, and Wildcat Camp.
Overnight Hotel Stays – Olema House at Point Reyes.
Things To Do –
- Point Reyes Lighthouse
- Tomales Point
- Limantour Beach
- Drakes Beach
- Chimney Rock
- Bear Valley Visitor Center
- Abbotts Lagoon
- Kule Loklo
- Mount Wittenberg
- Alamere Falls
Scenic Stopovers From San Francisco To Point Reyes– Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, detour to Muir Beach Overlook, relaxing break at Stinson Beach, explore the charming town of Point Reyes Station, scenic drive along Tomales Bay, stop at Point Reyes Vineyards for a taste of local wine, and make a stop in the town of Marshall.
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Muir Woods National Monument – National Parks Close To San Francisco
Distance from San Francisco: Approximately 16 miles
Route: Take Highway 101 north from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, then follow signs to Muir Woods.
Muir Woods is famous for its towering coastal redwoods, providing a tranquil setting for hiking amidst ancient trees. It offers serene forest trails and opportunities for nature photography.
Campgrounds – Muir Woods Campground
Overnight Hotel Stays – Check For nearby hotels in small towns like Mill Valley Inn, Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa – Sausalito, and Waters Edge Hotel Tiburon.
Things To Do –
- Coastal redwood trees
- Cathedral Grove
- Muir Woods Visitor Center
- Canopy View Trail
- Bohemian Grove
- Fern Canyon Trail
- Redwood Creek
- The Dipsea Trail
- The Redwood Creek Overlook
- The Founders Grove
Scenic Stopovers From San Francisco To Muir Woods National Monument – Detour to the Marin Headlands, Fort Baker, stop at Sausalito, take a short hike to Tennessee Valley Beach, and Relax at Stinson Beach.
Pinnacles National Park – National Parks Around San Francisco
Distance from San Francisco: Approximately 125 miles.
Route: Take Highway 101 south from San Francisco to Highway 25, then head east to the park’s eastern entrance.
Pinnacles National Park features unique rock formations, caves, and diverse wildlife, including the endangered California condor. Visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, birdwatching, and exploring talus caves.
Campgrounds – Pinnacles Campground (West Side) or Pinnacles Campground (East Side).
Overnight Hotel Stays – Stay nearby at Keefer’s Inn/Motel King City, Valley Harvest Inn(Motel 6) – Soledad, or Fairfield Inn & Suites Hollister.
Things To Do –
- Pinnacles Formation
- Bear Gulch Cave
- High Peaks Trail
- Balconies Cave
- Condor Gulch Trail
- Bear Gulch Reservoir
- Chalone Creek
- Moses Spring Trail
- Old Pinnacles Trail
- Reservoir Trail
Scenic Stopovers From San Francisco To Pinnacles National Park – Explore the historic town of San Juan Bautista, detour Hollister, discover the scenic beauty of San Benito County Wine Country, and drive through the Gabilan Range.
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Redwood National and State Parks
Distance from San Francisco: Approximately 325 miles to the northernmost park entrance.
Route: To reach the parks, take Highway 101 north from San Francisco along the California coast.
Redwood National and State Parks are home to some of the world’s tallest trees, the coastal redwoods. The parks offer scenic drives, hiking trails, and opportunities for camping amidst ancient groves.
Campgrounds – Jedediah Smith Campground (State Park), Mill Creek Campground (State Park), Elk Prairie Campground (State Park), Gold Bluffs Beach Campground (State Park) and Prairie Creek Campground (National Park).
Overnight Hotel Stays – Stay nearby at Best Western Arcata Inn, Red Lion Hotel Eureka, or Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn – Crescent City.
Things To Do –
- Avenue of the Giants
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Fern Canyon
- Tall Trees Grove
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- Coastal Drive
- Stout Memorial Grove
- Klamath River Overlook
Scenic Stopovers From San Francisco To Redwood National and State Parks – Take a scenic detour along the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile stretch of scenic highway, the charming Victorian village of Ferndale, stop at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the waterfront city of Eureka, and drive through scenic drive along the rugged coastline to the coastal town of Trinidad.
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Distance from San Francisco: Approximately 220 miles to the entrance of Sequoia National Park.
Route: Take Highway 99 south from San Francisco to Highway 198 East, which leads to the entrance of Sequoia National Park.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are renowned for their giant sequoia trees, including General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth by volume. Visitors can explore caverns, hike among ancient trees, and enjoy scenic drives through the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Campgrounds – Here is a list of campgrounds at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks:
- Lodgepole Campground (Sequoia)
- Dorst Creek Campground (Sequoia)
- Potwisha Campground (Sequoia)
- Azalea Campground (Sequoia)
- Buckeye Flat Campground (Sequoia)
- Atwell Mill Campground (Sequoia)
- Grant Grove Campground (Kings Canyon)
- Sunset Campground (Kings Canyon)
- Sentinel Campground (Kings Canyon)
- Moraine Campground (Kings Canyon)
Overnight Hotel Stays – Best Western Plus Fresno Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia Kings Canyon, or La Quinta by Wyndham Visalia.
Things To Do –
- General Sherman Tree
- Giant Forest
- Moro Rock
- Crescent Meadow
- Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
- Crystal Cave
- Tokopah Falls
- Grant Grove
- Zumwalt Meadow
- Kings River Overlook
Scenic Stopovers From San Francisco To – Drive through Sierra National Forest, travel along Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, also known as Highway 180, and stop at Hume Lake, a beautiful Alpine Lake.
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Channel Islands National Park
Distance from San Francisco: Varies based on departure point; approximately 60-100 miles off the coast.
Route: Accessible by ferry or plane from several points along the California coast, including Ventura and Santa Barbara.
Channel Islands National Park offers a unique opportunity to explore undeveloped islands with diverse ecosystems, including marine life, seabirds, and endemic plants. Activities include hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife watching.
Campgrounds – Here is a list of campgrounds at Channel Islands National Park.
- Scorpion Ranch Campground (Santa Cruz Island)
- Del Norte Campground (Santa Cruz Island)
- Prisoners Harbor Campground (Santa Cruz Island)
- Water Canyon Campground (Santa Rosa Island)
- Torrey Pines Campground (Santa Rosa Island)
- Del Norte Backcountry Campground (Santa Cruz Island)
- Smugglers Cove Campground (Santa Cruz Island)
- Santa Barbara Island Campground (Santa Barbara Island)
Overnight Hotel Stays – Residence Inn by Marriott Oxnard River Ridge or Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ventura Harbor.
Things To Do –
- Anacapa Island
- Santa Cruz Island
- Santa Rosa Island
- San Miguel Island
- Scorpion Ranch
- Cavern Point Loop Trail
- Inspiration Point (Santa Cruz Island)
- Potato Harbor (Santa Cruz Island)
- Pelican Bay (Santa Cruz Island)
- Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island)
Scenic Stopovers From San Francisco To Channel Islands National Park – Spend some time in Santa Monica, explore Oxnard Ventura, and drive along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1) through Malibu.
Immersing oneself in the serene beauty of these natural wonders provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, fostering a deeper connection with the environment and offering opportunities for relaxation and exploration.
These national parks near San Francisco offer various outdoor experiences and natural wonders, making them ideal destinations for day trips or longer adventures. So save and share these Road trips From San Francisco To National Parks or National Parks In Northern California
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