For me, the San Francisco Bay Area is a quick trip from Eugene, taking just over an hour by plane. With 11 National Park units within two hours and many hiking trails, there is so much for an outdoor lover to do! In this three-day itinerary, I will share with you how I spent a long weekend; keep in mind there are tons of things to do in the city, but this is directed at my outdoor lovers. There is so much to explore, and you can easily expand this trip and have more trails to explore.
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There are three airports in the Bay Area, so you have options on which one to fly to. I prefer to fly into Oakland via Southwest Airlines because it is a direct flight from Eugene.
The other airport options are San Francisco and San Jose.
When to Visit
Any time of year is good, as the weather is pretty consistent throughout most of the year. January and December tend to be the coolest, with the summer months into early fall averaging in the high 60s-70s. This itinerary is based on a trip I made in March, which is one of the best times to visit Pinnacles National Park.
Starting your trip
Any airport in the Bay Area is a great starting point for your trip. Arriving early in the morning is ideal, as this trip is quite packed (like most of my trips). However, feel free to use this itinerary as a flexible base and modify it as needed.
You will need to rent a car for this trip as it involves a lot of drivin
3 Day Bay Area Itinerary
Day 1: Point Reyes National Seashore
After arriving at the airport and picking up your rental car, drive to Point Reyes National Seashore. The park offers much more than beaches, including grasslands and forests. It is home to 1500 species of plants and animals, including the Tule elk and elephant seals.
Getting There
From Oakland Airport plan 1 1/2 hours to drive.
From San Francisco International Airport plan 1 1/4-1 1/2 hours.
From San Jose International Airport plan about 2 hours.
Go for a hike
There are many opportunities to hike in this park, from leisurely strolls to longer, more strenuous hikes. I only did a few hikes on this trip, but I want to return and do more. Chimney Rock was a hike I enjoyed. I really wanted to do Tamales Point as well, I think both could be done in a day, but I was fresh off an ankle injury and couldn’t put in many miles this trip.
Point Reyes Lighthouse
Stop at Point Reyes Lighthouse on your visit. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Bear Valley Visitor Center. This is a great spot to try to spot a whale.
The lighthouse is open Saturday through Monday, but it closes for winds over 40 miles an hour. There are 313 stairs down to the actual lighthouse, and you must be able to climb back out if you go on a day that the lighthouse is open.
Drakes Beach
If visiting from December through March, a stop at Drakes Beach is a must, as it is elephant seal pupping season. They are very close to the parking lot on the beach, and you can see them easily with your eyes; there is a fence and rangers to ensure no one gets too close.
Where to Eat
There isn’t much food in the park, so bring food and plan ahead. After hiking, I stopped at Inverness Park Market, which has a general store and several food options, including vegetarian options. I had a decent portabella sandwich and garlic fries. This was one of the only places I found open for food on the day I went.
Tip: Be sure to bring food and water with you to the park. You will get hungry hiking. Access to food and water is very limited inside the seashore.
Where to Stay
I chose to stay at the Marriott in Walnut Creek for the entire weekend. It does require a 1 1/4-1 1/2 hour drive from Point Reyes, but it is closer to my intended day two stop.
Day 2: Pinnacles National Park
Plan to start your day early, no later than 7 am, but 6 am would be better. Due to its national park status, the park is gaining popularity. Plan to arrive early to avoid spending your day sitting in a long line. You should arrive before 8 am to get a parking spot.
It is about a two-hour drive to the East entrance of Pinnacles National Park. One important thing to note is that the park has an East and a West Entrance, and no road connects them. Knowing what you want to see will be important in trip planning. If you want to see both sides, you must drive about two hours to the opposite entrance.
This itinerary will focus on the East entrance activities.
Hiking at Pinnacles National Park
This national park is best explored on foot. It does not have many scenic roads to drive on, but once you are on the trail, you are in for a treat.
I visited the park the first weekend in March; it was perfect hiking weather. It did pour rain for a few minutes while I was hiking, but I could easily find shelter and wait it out. The park’s average annual rainfall is 16 inches, most of which occurs between January and March.
With only one day in the park, I highly recommend the Bear Gulch Cave to High Peaks trail. This entire loop is 6.5 miles and 1800 feet of elevation (AllTrails varies slightly on mileage). Offshoots from the High Peaks Trail allow you to extend your trip. Be sure to bring your day pack with lots of water and a headlamp.
Tip: Bring food and lots of water to the park. There are no restaurants in the park, and food options at the camp store are very limited.
Read my full article on Pinnacles National Park.
Drive back to your hotel. This is a two-hour drive.
Day 3: Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Surrounding Area
Day three of your trip will have a few different stops to take in some of the national park units in the area.
Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is an hour’s drive from the Marriott. It is part of the GGNRA. The park’s main attraction is the redwood trees, which thrive in the coastal climate. Reservations must be made in advance, so be mindful of that when planning your trip.
Hike at Muir Woods National Monument
The park’s main boardwalk trail is accessible to all ages and fitness levels. Its length varies depending on how far you want to go. I enjoyed this path after a day of strenuous hiking.
Enjoy a snack at the gift shop before heading out to your next stop.
Muir Beach
Muir Beach is part of the GGNRA area and only three miles from Muir Woods. It is a quick walk to the beach and worth the stop. There are many hiking trails within the GGNRA. It’s a nice place to sit, hear the waves crash upon the rocks put your feet in the sand, and it’s free.
Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park
The drive from Muir Beach to Rosie the Riveter takes about 40 minutes.
Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park serves as a tribute to the men and women who labored on the home front and a reminder of the social changes and advancements in civil rights that were accelerated by the war.
This park is free and well worth the stop.
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SS Red Oak Victory
The Victory Ship is open to tour on Sundays. I was lucky enough to visit on a Sunday. Even if you are there on another day, you can still drive to the Kaiser Shipyard, about 15 minutes from the Rosie the Riveter visitor center, and see the ship in port. It is incredible to think of the times and conditions in which these ships were built.
After the Red Oak Victory, I headed to the airport to fly home. There, I had an embarrassing experience with my checked backpacking gear. Read my guide on flying with backing gear to avoid the same mistake.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan an epic three-day outdoor itinerary in the Bay Area. You probably noticed that I didn’t write many food options. Packing my own food is one way that I reduce costs while traveling.
Read my guide on visiting national parks on a budget. Read this guide for a round-up of all 11 national parks near San Francisco.
Don’t forget your National Park Passport to collect all your memories!
