12 National Parks Within Driving Distance of San Francisco
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San Francisco has no shortage of gorgeous views and outdoor spaces (with and without rooftop cocktails). However if you're looking for an outdoor, out-of-the-city escape—in addition to biking through wine country, always a good time—with plenty of room to roam and no shortage of spectacular scenery you’re in luck. From San Francisco, you’re within driving distance of 12 national parks, monuments and museums. Check out our list, from closest to farthest from downtown SF, and get ready to hit the road.
Editor’s Note: Wildfires and floods have threatened (and continue to threaten) many of California’s national parks. Always check the latest updates from the National Park Service about affected areas and closures before you plan your trip.
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National Parks Near San Francisco at a Glance
1. Alcatraz Island
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The Rock’s rich history as a federal prison, including stories about the infamous mob boss Al Capone, brings locals and visitors alike to this bucket-list attraction. Plus, learn about the American Indian Occupation of 1969, when Indigenous activists occupied the island for 19 months in the name of freedom and Native American civil rights.
2. The Presidio
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SF’s very own national park offers nearly 50 miles of hiking trails winding through lush eucalyptus groves, historic military batteries, numerous beaches and three site-specific installations by British artist Andy Goldsworthy. Don't miss the Presidio Tunnel Tops, a long-awaited public park that opened in July 2022 and connects the Main Post at the Presidio to Crissy Field. Designed by the firm behind NYC’s wildly popular High Line, the 14-acre open space promises picnic areas, walking trails, meadows and gardens featuring 98 plant species native to the Presidio and…you guessed it…spectacular waterfront views of the Golden Gate bridge.
3. Rosie The Riveter National Historic Park
Facebook/Rosie The Riveter National Historic Park
At this hidden gem of a museum, you’ll learn all about the women who inspired the iconic Rosie the Riveter posters from World War II. Sign up for a virtual talk with the now famous Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest park ranger for the National Park Service. Bonus: On most Fridays, you can visit with real Home Front workers from WWII, who live to tell the story of what life in the Bay Area was like in the 1940s.
4. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
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Golden Gate National Recreation Area spans a whopping 82,000 acres of land surrounding the Bay Area, including the breathtaking Marin Headlands just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Snap the requisite selfie from the overlook (take the exit just as you cross into Marin) before heading up into the hills for a hike promising unparalleled views of the city, the Pacific Ocean and the bay.
5. Muir Woods National Monument
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It may be one of the top tourist attractions for anyone visiting San Francisco, but we still love Muir Woods for its peaceful beauty. The accessible main boardwalk trail winds its way along Redwood Creek and past Cathedral Grove and Bohemian Grove, where you’ll soak up the tranquility of the primeval forest. Locals know to take the back entrance through trails from Mt. Tam State Park…no reservations required.
6. Point Reyes National Seashore
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It’s no secret that Point Reyes is a favorite weekend jaunt for San Franciscans. Whether you’re in the mood for slurping oysters at Hog Island and window shopping at Point Reyes Station or kayaking on Tomales Bay and searching for elephant seals at Drake’s Beach, the Point Reyes National Seashore has no shortage of ways to while away the afternoon. The lighthouse is a long trek (but worth checking out at least once) and the cypress tree tunnel is not to be missed.
7. Pinnacles National Park
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Formed from volcanoes 23 million years ago, Pinnacles offers a unique landscape of talus caves, towering rock spires, vast canyons and oak woodlands. Bring your headlamp and go adventuring through the park’s network of caves. And even if you’re not a birder, see if you can spot a California condor, the nearly extinct North American bird that has been re-introduced to Pinnacles through a species recovery program.
8. Yosemite National Park
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With the most incredible views at every turn, it’s easy to see why Yosemite ranks as one of the most famous parks in the country. Chasing waterfalls in the springtime, late-afternoon hiking during long summer days, leaf peeping in the fall and skiing a snowy wonderland in winter—Yosemite is an essential weekend getaway any time of year. Admire the grandiosity of Half Dome and El Capitan, feel the cold spray of the gushing Lower Yosemite Falls on your face, stroll around the glassy Mirror Lake and don’t miss a self-guided tour of the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.
9. Kings Canyon National Park
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Named for the deepest canyon in North America (deeper than the Grand Canyon!), you’ll go to this park for a long, scenic drive through its diverse and varied landscape—from dense forest to rushing river to chaparral to desert cacti and General Grant, the world’s second largest tree.
10. Sequoia National Park
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Sequoia or redwood? In California, we’re lucky enough to have both. In Sequoia, you’ll find the park’s namesake trees (which are larger and thicker than redwoods) in giant sequoia groves that connect it to the adjacent Kings Canyon National Park. Don’t miss a stroll through the Giant Forest where you’ll find General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume, and a tunnel log you can walk through!
11. Lassen Volcanic National Park
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Steaming fumaroles, prismatic thermal waters, dormant volcanoes, sparkling glacial lakes and 10,000-foot mountain peaks—these are just some of the stunning natural features you’ll find at this hidden gem of a park that’s less traveled than famed California parks like Yosemite.
12. Redwood National Park
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Home to some of the world’s tallest trees (measuring in at 370-plus feet!), this sprawling network of national and state parks in far northern California has a trail system spanning 200 miles of jaw-dropping terrain. Protected as a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, this is where you’ll go to get lost in nature (Grove of Titans! Fern Canyon! Gold Bluffs Beach!) and marvel at the West Coast’s wonders of the world. Trust us, it’s worth the long drive.
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