Northern Californians love to brag about one thing: we can swim in the Pacific Ocean and ski the slopes all in the same day – if we wanted to, of course. Since we’re so amazing at doing all sorts of things in one day, you’ll love this list of unique day trips you can take when you’re tired from that round trip ocean to mountain excursion. Rather than spending hours searching for the “best day trips near me in Northern California,” start with this list and see how many you’ve already tackled.
- Fremont: Coyote Hills
Tripadvisor/Sarah H. Coyote Hills Regional Park has been around for a long time. A favorite place to hike, bike, or take a deep breath after a long week.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Coyote Hills, Fremont, CA 94555, USA
- Emerald Bay: Kayaking
Tripadvisor/Wangmouse Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe is as blue as topaz and surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The perfect place to kayak, camp, or hike.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Emerald Bay Road, Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
- Camino: Berry Picking
Tripadvisor/VisitElDorado Located in the mountaintop town of Camino are dozens of fams known fondly as Apple Hill. This may be one of the best places to pick apples, blackberries, or your annual Christmas tree. Once you come here it will become an annual thing.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Camino, CA, USA
- Lodi: Bird Watching
Tripadvisor/SandhillCraneMigration If you’re one who loves bird watching then this city located in the Sacramento Valley has the spots for you. It’s a favorite spot of the Sandhill Crane, too.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Lodi, CA, USA
- Santa Cruz: Hiking
Yelp/Cristina P. The Mystery Spot is a local favorite. Picture one part nature hike, one part walking tour, and a funhouse to get dizzy in.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Byron: Skydiving
Tripadvisor/Travelermarin For some of you, this looks like fun, others not so much. A day trip for the memory books, for sure.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Byron, CA, USA
- San Carlos: Scuba Diving
Tripadvisor/Management Scuba diving is an option, too. Feel like swimming with fish? Here’s your chance in San Carlos.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. San Carlos, CA, USA
- American River: White Water Rafting
Tripadvisor/Management You don’t need to be a pro to gather your friends and hop in a raft. There are dozens of companies along the river where you can rent one for the day–unless you want to go with a professional. Either way, you’ll love it!
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. American River, California, USA
- Folsom: Cycling
Yelp/Giro D’oro Cycling Pull that bicycle out of the garage and take a ride. The gorgeous creeks, rivers, and lakes make this day a lovely one.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Folsom, CA, USA
- Milpitas: Hang Gliding
Yelp/San Francisco Hang Gliding Center Hang gliding is a thing here. Soar over the valley below and listen to the quiet. We hear there’s nothing like it.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Milpitas, CA 95035, USA
- Alameda: Sailing
Tripadvisor/Lucie Richard Sailing is just a day trip away. When was the last time you enjoyed a few hours on the San Francisco Bay with friends?
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Alameda, CA, USA
- Fair Play: Wine Tasting
Tripadvisor/Global Jewels Napa isn’t the only place to enjoy a nice glass of wine. How about visiting Fair Play, California for a nice glass of red?
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Fair Play, CA 95684, USA
- Half Moon Bay: Horseback Riding
Tripadvisor/SeaHorseRanch When was the last time you did this? If the answer is never, then consider this your sign to reserve an afternoon of beachfront horseback riding in California.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
- Tracy: Hot Air Balloon
Tripadvisor/SunRise Baloons Up, up and away! Take your honey on a hot air balloon ride. It doesn’t get any more romantic than this. Our of all of the listed “day trips near me in Northern California” that you can have, this might top them all.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Tracy, CA, USA
- Rocklin: Local Playground
YouTube/GoMommyNow A day trip doesn’t have to be a huge production. Pack a picnic lunch and load the kids in the car. It doesn’t get easier than this.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here. Rocklin, CA, USA
If you’re one of “those” Northern Californians who love to share all you can do in a day, how about actually doing a few of those very things? This list of the “best day trips near me in Northern California” just scratches the surface of unique adventures. We pretty much have it all in this part of the state. Wouldn’t you agree?
Tripadvisor/Sarah H.
Coyote Hills Regional Park has been around for a long time. A favorite place to hike, bike, or take a deep breath after a long week.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Coyote Hills, Fremont, CA 94555, USA
Tripadvisor/Wangmouse
Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe is as blue as topaz and surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The perfect place to kayak, camp, or hike.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Emerald Bay Road, Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
Tripadvisor/VisitElDorado
Located in the mountaintop town of Camino are dozens of fams known fondly as Apple Hill. This may be one of the best places to pick apples, blackberries, or your annual Christmas tree. Once you come here it will become an annual thing.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Camino, CA, USA
Tripadvisor/SandhillCraneMigration
If you’re one who loves bird watching then this city located in the Sacramento Valley has the spots for you. It’s a favorite spot of the Sandhill Crane, too.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Lodi, CA, USA
Yelp/Cristina P.
The Mystery Spot is a local favorite. Picture one part nature hike, one part walking tour, and a funhouse to get dizzy in.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Tripadvisor/Travelermarin
For some of you, this looks like fun, others not so much. A day trip for the memory books, for sure.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Byron, CA, USA
Tripadvisor/Management
Scuba diving is an option, too. Feel like swimming with fish? Here’s your chance in San Carlos.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
San Carlos, CA, USA
You don’t need to be a pro to gather your friends and hop in a raft. There are dozens of companies along the river where you can rent one for the day–unless you want to go with a professional. Either way, you’ll love it!
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
American River, California, USA
Yelp/Giro D’oro Cycling
Pull that bicycle out of the garage and take a ride. The gorgeous creeks, rivers, and lakes make this day a lovely one.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Folsom, CA, USA
Yelp/San Francisco Hang Gliding Center
Hang gliding is a thing here. Soar over the valley below and listen to the quiet. We hear there’s nothing like it.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Milpitas, CA 95035, USA
Tripadvisor/Lucie Richard
Sailing is just a day trip away. When was the last time you enjoyed a few hours on the San Francisco Bay with friends?
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Alameda, CA, USA
Tripadvisor/Global Jewels
Napa isn’t the only place to enjoy a nice glass of wine. How about visiting Fair Play, California for a nice glass of red?
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Fair Play, CA 95684, USA
Tripadvisor/SeaHorseRanch
When was the last time you did this? If the answer is never, then consider this your sign to reserve an afternoon of beachfront horseback riding in California.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
Tripadvisor/SunRise Baloons
Up, up and away! Take your honey on a hot air balloon ride. It doesn’t get any more romantic than this. Our of all of the listed “day trips near me in Northern California” that you can have, this might top them all.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Tracy, CA, USA
YouTube/GoMommyNow
A day trip doesn’t have to be a huge production. Pack a picnic lunch and load the kids in the car. It doesn’t get easier than this.
To find out more about this unique day trip in Northern California, click here.
Rocklin, CA, USA
What unique day trips have you taken recently? If you have any more must-visit places in Northern California that you think we should know about, make sure to shout them out in the comments section!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Day Trips Near Me In Northern California September 24, 2021 Marisa Roman Where can I go on one tank of gas in Northern California? Sometimes the best day trips in Northern California can be completed on one tank of gas only. Don’t break the bank going on expensive road trips when you can have weekend adventures on one tank of gas! Take a look at these one-tank road trips in NorCal that will have you exploring all over the northern part of the state. What are the most charming small towns in Northern California? Ready for a list of the best towns to visit in Northern California? Sure, we’ve come up with quite a few mentioned above that will give you an incredible adventure, but what about those smaller towns that stay under the radar? Check out these 15 picturesque small towns in Northern California and start compiling a bucket list. What is the smallest town in Northern California? We can go on and on about those must-visit places in Northern California that everyone should know about. But the smallest town in NorCal that also packs a mighty punch in terms of fun is none other than Lakeport. On the western shore of Clear Lake, Lakeport is an adorable community that has a little something for everyone.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Day Trips Near Me In Northern California
September 24, 2021
Marisa Roman
Where can I go on one tank of gas in Northern California? Sometimes the best day trips in Northern California can be completed on one tank of gas only. Don’t break the bank going on expensive road trips when you can have weekend adventures on one tank of gas! Take a look at these one-tank road trips in NorCal that will have you exploring all over the northern part of the state. What are the most charming small towns in Northern California? Ready for a list of the best towns to visit in Northern California? Sure, we’ve come up with quite a few mentioned above that will give you an incredible adventure, but what about those smaller towns that stay under the radar? Check out these 15 picturesque small towns in Northern California and start compiling a bucket list. What is the smallest town in Northern California? We can go on and on about those must-visit places in Northern California that everyone should know about. But the smallest town in NorCal that also packs a mighty punch in terms of fun is none other than Lakeport. On the western shore of Clear Lake, Lakeport is an adorable community that has a little something for everyone.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Sometimes the best day trips in Northern California can be completed on one tank of gas only. Don’t break the bank going on expensive road trips when you can have weekend adventures on one tank of gas! Take a look at these one-tank road trips in NorCal that will have you exploring all over the northern part of the state.
What are the most charming small towns in Northern California?
Ready for a list of the best towns to visit in Northern California? Sure, we’ve come up with quite a few mentioned above that will give you an incredible adventure, but what about those smaller towns that stay under the radar? Check out these 15 picturesque small towns in Northern California and start compiling a bucket list.
What is the smallest town in Northern California?
We can go on and on about those must-visit places in Northern California that everyone should know about. But the smallest town in NorCal that also packs a mighty punch in terms of fun is none other than Lakeport. On the western shore of Clear Lake, Lakeport is an adorable community that has a little something for everyone.
