When visiting Northern California there are a multitude of things to see and do, and usually a top list of what people want to experience, almost all of which are in San Francisco. But what if I told you on your next visit to Northern California’s Bay Area you must avoid going into San Fran at all costs? There is so much more to Northern California than the city of San Francisco and this is where having a rental car and the ultimate vacay experience of the road trip and day trip come in.

If you’re on a budget, or want to stick to a budget, the best place to start is where you base yourself on your California adventure. In terms of proximity to activities, overall cost, and location to the airport (I will always recommend Oakland International (OAK) over San Francisco International (SFO) because of overall cost and ease of getting around) I suggest staying in the East Bay.

What exactly is the East Bay? It includes all of the cities along the eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay, including Berkeley, Livermore (wine country!), Hayward, Oakland, San Leandro, San Ramon, Union City, Walnut Creek and more.

By placing yourself just east of San Francisco you open your trip up to a WIDE variety of fun day trips and road trips, to really get out there and experience what makes the Bay Area the place it is. And really the best way to experience all of this is by renting a car that makes the drive that much more fun, a ride such as the 2019 Mazda3 Hatch.

I had the opportunity to experience this unexpectedly awesome car throughout the duration of my long weekend visit. Being someone who hasn’t owned a car in a while the spaceship like buttons took a little getting used to, but I think I am now officially spoiled with amenities. Experiencing the black and red leather interior, large sun roof, heated seats, impeccable dashboard console, fabulous gas mileage and safety indicators (on both the side mirrors and back up camera) included in the Premium Package made me realize that when I am in the market again for a vehicle Mazda is at the top of my list.

The drive and ride could not have been smoother and when you go on a day trip almost every day that you are in town for the holidays you want to make sure you are comfortable. The Mazda3 delivered this experience and more.

The options are endless but here are 5 places to start when it comes to daily adventures on your next trip to the San Francisco Bay Area.

5 Day Trip (Road Trips) from the East Bay

LIVERMORE VALLEY

Yes, when you go to the Bay Area it is typical to make a trip up to Napa or Sonoma. But the thing with those locations is the traffic. It’s not uncommon for a drive to or from to end up taking twice as long due to the road layout and popularity. And interestingly enough, Napa and Sonoma are not even the OGs of California wine country, that title goes to Livermore.

Fun Fact: Before Prohibition there were over 50 wineries in the Livermore Valley. Currently there are more than 60 wineries spread across 96,000 acres.

Your entry point into this unexpected wine country is at Vasco Road, and after about 2 miles in you are greeted with a wine lover’s playground. Two of the oldest wineries, that must be on your list for a first-time visit, are Wente Vineyards and Concannon Vineyard, both in operation since the late 1800s. Featuring multiple tasting rooms, a fabulous wine cellar (Wente), dreamy landscaping (Concannon), and some of the best wine you could ask for both of these gems will keep you busy for hours.

One of the best things about Livermore wine country, especially if you are on a budget, is the fact that the tasting fees are noticeably more affordable than Napa or Sonoma, at $10-15 for 4-5 pours.

MONTEREY

From the aquarium to the boardwalk to the seafood there is something for everyone in Monterey. During the holidays Monterey really decks itself out near the water and Cannery Row. There are events with Santa, music, a big Christmas tree, and the local trolley even offers free days with paid lot parking.

Walking along the boardwalk, watching wildlife and the crashing waves is a favorite pastime, as is spending multiple hours in the aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is massive, with a large $50 price tag to go along with it (don’t forget to bring your student ID to knock $10 off the admission price). But with a cool wave tunnel and multiple opportunities to get up close and personal with sea life (I actually pet a ray in a pool as it swam past!) this is an unmissable experience during your visit.

Another thing you must do before you leave Monterey is stopping for a seafood meal. Again, due to the location is may be hard to find fish and chips that will be budget friendly but Sea Harvest Fish Market is the perfect spot to indulge and share with a friend at a price that will make your wallet happy.

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento may not seem like the obvious choice when making a day trip but trust me the capital of California has more than enough to do, especially during the holiday season.

Less than a two hour drive you can easily get a taste of the state’s capital in about a half a day. After you arrive, before you start on your afternoon adventures a stop at Goodside Coffee is a must. Expertly crafted drinks, the cutest interior ever and vibes that just exude “café cool”, Goodside is the definition of Instagrammable.

During our visit we walked through the Downtown Commons shopping center full of restaurants, shops and the location of the Golden 1 Center, had lunch in the coolest food hall (inside of the historic D.O. Mills Bank Building) called The Bank, checked out the fruit trees (which still had fruit on them) near the capital building, and walked through an underground tunnel to the original city, Old Sacramento (the historic gold rush district that is also a national historic landmark). This was my favorite part of the afternoon, and a must do on any visit.

BIG SUR/CARMEL/HALF MOON BAY

Why are these three locations lumped together? Because they line up one right after the other within the span of an hour and a half along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), and can easily be done in one day (as one-day trip).

We unfortunately did not have a lot of time in Big Sur (so it’s on the list of places to return to), but did make a point to get to the epic viewpoint that is the Bixby Creek Bridge (made even more popular by the HBO show Big Little Lies). Standing up at the viewpoint, and really throughout the entire drive, I could not believe how blue the water was (without a filter)! It could not have been a more perfect winter day with the sun shining, not a cloud in sight, and turquoise water as far as the eye could see. These are the times when you wish you lived in California, and in my case when the rare thought enters my head of why I left in the first place.

About 25 minutes north of Big Sur is the charming seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. After checking out the little downtown area, full of cute cafes and local shops I fully understood the draw of this place. This is what you look for when deciding to head to the beach for the day, or for a weekend getaway. And after people watching I understood why my Great Aunt and Uncle retired here.

Half Moon Bay is home to infamously, picturesque views and the stunning Ritz-Carlton. This small town makes for the perfect location to either watch the sun rise or set. As you drive along the PCH you will be confronted with viewpoint after viewpoint that is classic with the California coast. This is where you truly feel as though you are on a road trip, when I reality you are less than an hour south of San Francisco. Shocking I know!

What I realized about Half Moon Bay is this is where you can connect with nature. Outside of the Ritz-Carlton there aren’t too many locations for you to stop and shop at. Although not right in Half Moon Bay the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which is the 144-year-old, tallest operating lighthouse on the West Coast, is a must-see about 25 minutes south. When I was visiting it was pouring rain but that didn’t stop me from driving down, parking and just enjoying the view.

Half Moon Bay begs you to stop and chill outside, take in the views and experience the magic of the sea.

MARIN HEADLANDS &
THE GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL REC AREA

If you are craving some outdoor activity, besides the beach, nature calls due west of the Golden Gate Bridge. This is THE place to go for amazing (and classic) views of San Francisco, coupled with the perfect dose of nature in the form of hiking trails and Redwood trees.

History and more breathtaking views come together at the historical Point Bonita lighthouse. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is probably one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Bay Area, which is most likely due to its trails winding along the ocean and the San Francisco Bay, not to mention the unreal views of the Golden Gate Bridge.