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The Best Weekend Escapes from San Francisco

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The Best Weekend Escapes from San Francisco


Between the Michelin-starred restaurants, iconic architecture and historic sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, there is no shortage of things to do in San Francisco. This city is a hub for innovation and diversity, and its unique location right on the bay makes it just as beautiful as it is busy. However, getting out of the city for a weekend allows you to take a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Luckily, San Francisco is surrounded by a plethora of getaway-worthy escapes.

From wine tasting in rolling vineyards to indulging in creamy clam chowder on Tomales Bay, some of California’s most amazing small towns and cities are a mere two hours away from San Francisco. In addition to diverse landscapes, several destinations also boast acclaimed eateries, unique shopping scenes and luxury hotels that you can call home during your trip. Whether you’re seeking a coastal retreat in Big Sur, an adventurous stay in Lake Tahoe or a wine-filled weekend in Healdsburg, the possibilities are endless. Get ready to plan your next road trip with our guide to the best weekend escapes from San Francisco. 

Brian Ferry West Marin.

1.5-hour drive

Enjoy Tomales Bay views, small-town charm and the freshest seafood when visiting West Marin. Places like Point Reyes and Marshall make West Marin a go-to spot for city locals who need a breath of fresh air, and it is without a doubt one of the most picturesque parts of NorCal. Start your day with a cheese tasting at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. before heading over to Heidrun Meadery to sip Champagne-style mead. Tony’s Seafood Restaurant is the ultimate place for clam chowder and BBQ’d oysters, but nothing beats a sunset dinner with fresh oysters and cod dip at Nick’s Cove. You’ll also want to check out the legendary Hog Island Oyster Co. while in town. 

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Where to Stay:

Accommodations are extremely limited in West Marin, but the Lodge at Marconi has completely changed the game by providing 45 retro, cabin-like guest rooms for visitors. The hotel sits in the heart of Marconi State Historic Park, giving guests premium access to hiking trails and picnic areas where you can admire Tomales Bay from up high. Though there is an adorable market in the lobby where you can purchase high-end snacks and bottles of wine, the Lodge at Marconi is set to open an on-site restaurant in June 2024. 

Edgewood Lake Tahoe’s Edgewood Tahoe resort.

3.5-hour drive

Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination that is home to some of California’s most pristine scenery. The crystal-clear lake is surrounded by enchanting pines, which get dusted with a white blanket of snow during the winter. Whether you’re into skiing and snowboarding or hiking and paddle boarding, Lake Tahoe caters to a variety of outdoorsy adventures. There are also several breweries and lake-front restaurants where you can quench your thirst, including South Lake Brewing Company and Jimmy’s at The Landing Resort and Spa.

Where to Stay:

Located in Truckee, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is one of the nicest accommodations in the California side of Lake Tahoe. Open year-round, this sprawling resort is surrounded by picturesque pine trees on the side of a mountain. Edgewood Tahoe Resort is another high-end property, but just across the border near South Lake Tahoe, and the waterfront views are magical. 

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Montage Healdsburg Montage Healdsburg.

1.5-hour drive

Healdsburg is the ultimate destination for weekend wine tasting near San Francisco. Despite its small-town charm and low-key vibe, Healdsburg is crawling with Michelin-recognized restaurants. From three-star SingleThread to one-star Barndiva, eating well is easy in this charming slice of wine country. If you’re exploring the main town square, you can also walk from tasting room to tasting room; highlights include The Society: Healdsburg, Siduri Wine Bar and Tasting Lounge and Selby Winery. 

Where to Stay:

Those hoping to stay in the heart of downtown Healdsburg should consider booking one of the 16 intimate guest rooms at Hotel Les Mars. The French-inspired property is reminiscent of an Old World chateau, and the convenient location makes walking to each tasting room and restaurant a breeze. For a more traditional luxury resort experience, nothing beats the rolling vineyards and bungalow-style accommodations at Montage Healdsburg. 

La Playa Hotel Carmel by the Sea’s La Playa Hotel.

2-hour drive

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a European-esque escape that is a mere two hours from San Francisco. This unique beach town is home to cozy cottage-like buildings and storybook streets that make you feel as though you’re strolling around a real-life fairytale. Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting before sitting down for dinner at one of the 60-plus restaurants. French food definitely reigns supreme in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with standouts such as La Bicyclette Restaurant, L’Escargot and Pâtisserie Boissiere.

Where to Stay:

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Also known as the “Pearl of Carmel,” La Playa Hotel has been a luxe staple of the area since 1905. The former private mansion boasts 75 recently renovated rooms, with lush gardens surrounding the grandiose building. With the beach only steps away, this is the perfect hotel for travelers seeking bespoke luxury across the board. For a more intimate and boutique experience, book a room at the new Villa Mara Carmel, which features 16 residential-style, adult-only rooms. 

Alila Ventana Alila Ventana Big Sur.

3-hour drive

Big Sur is one of the best road trip destinations in the world, let alone Northern California. The dramatic and windy cliffside roads make for some of the most jaw-dropping photo opportunities all along the coast, but some can’t-miss sights include Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls. Since Big Sur looks like an actual screen saver, you’ll want to spend most of your time outdoors exploring, but once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy sweeping Pacific views at Coast Big Sur or river-side dining at the Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn. 

Where to Stay:

Situated on 160 acres of awe-inspiring land, Alila Ventana Big Sur offers guests the best of both worlds with ocean and forest views. The all-inclusive experience allows you to make the most of your weekend escape with nourishing meals and a plethora of wellness activities like meditation, foraging and bike tours. Post Ranch Inn is another luxury property that sits atop a striking hill in Big Sur. With only 40 rooms, visitors are treated to exclusive accommodations along with complimentary breakfast and activities such as yoga and guided nature walks.  

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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Giants Gold Glove Catcher Projected For Huge Season

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San Francisco Giants Gold Glove Catcher Projected For Huge Season


The San Francisco Giants have made some huge offseason moves already and hope they aren’t done just yet, but as is the case for every team that doesn’t win the World Series, the most important development will have to come from within.

One player who took a huge step from 2023 to 2024 and will try to improve even further in 2025 is Giants catcher Patrick Bailey. After a beyond solid rookie season in 2023 in which he finished in the top-ten for the National League Rookie of the Year, Bailey won a Gold Glove in 2024.

While the offensive output was similar to his rookie season and not anything to write home about, there’s confidence the bat will come along for the 25-year-old.

In an article naming breakout stars in 2024 who are due for a huge season in 2025, Bailey was one of the first names mentioned by Will Leitch of MLB.com.

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“Bailey led all players in Statcast’s fielding run value metric (plus-22), and FanGraphs, which factors pitch framing into its WAR calculation, had Bailey third among catchers with 4.3 WAR,” Leitch wrote. “At age 25, Bailey already has won as many Gold Gloves as Posey — now his team’s president of baseball operations — did over his whole career.”

Leitch pointed out that Bailey has established himself to be San Francisco’s catcher of the future, something that seems undeniable at this point. If the former first-round pick can develop his bat to the point where he is hitting at least close to the same rate as he was raking in the minor leagues, he will have a chance to become one of the best catchers in baseball.

Through 218 games over his first two seasons in MLB, Bailey has posted a batting average of .234, an OPS of .640, slugged .348, and has hit 15 home runs and 94 RBIs. Certainly not numbers that will blow you away at the plate, but his defense has more than made up for it and allowed the Giants to be patient with his bat.

In 193 minor league games since being drafted No. 13 overall in 2020, Bailey hit .251 across all levels and had an OPS of .779. He also showed an encouraging level of power with 25 home runs, but has struggled to replicate that in the big leagues thus far.

Having already established himself to be one of the best in the game on defense, Bailey will have a chance in 2025 to enter the upper echelon of catchers across the game if he can have the breakout season he appears poised to.

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San Francisco, CA

Christmas gifts arrive early for children at San Francisco hospital

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Christmas gifts arrive early for children at San Francisco hospital


Christmas gifts arrive early for children at San Francisco hospital – CBS San Francisco

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Kelsi Thorud reports on Operation Holiday Cheer, an event aimed at cheering up children staying at the hospital.

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San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker celebrates big milestones this season

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San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker celebrates big milestones this season


It’s a magical and beloved holiday tradition that’s uniquely San Francisco – The San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker.

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This year, the production is marking big milestones at the War Memorial Opera House.

The San Francisco Ballet performed the first Nutcracker in the United States in 1944. This year, the company is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

“My family has this term called ‘nerv-cited,’ it’s a mix between nervous and excited… so I’m feeling nerve cited,” said 12-year-old Stella Sieck.

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Sieck performs as a butterfly in the Nutcracker this season. Dancers have been rehearsing for the production since October.

This holiday season, the company is marking its 20th year of Helgi Tomasson’s Nutcracker. The former artistic director set this production in San Francisco, inspired by the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, a world’s fair held in 1915.

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Tomasson led the San Francisco Ballet for 37 years. The Nutcracker is his tribute to San Francisco.

“It means so much to the city, and the audience, how they bring their children and their grandchildren, and it has become a real tradition, and they have taken ownership of this Nutcracker, and I’m very proud of that,” Tomasson said.

Grace Maduell Holmes first danced in SF Ballet’s Nutcracker in 1979, performing in upwards of 350 holiday shows. Today, she serves as the San Francisco Ballet School Director.

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“I hope that they’re not just enjoying their time on the stage as performers but also having a look at the teamwork that it takes to put on a production of this professional level,” she said. “I think it’s so important for these students to see that it’s not just about class, it’s not just about performance, but it takes a huge group of people to put something on like this.”

KTVU was there as Stella prepared to go on stage. She normally trains six to seven days a week throughout the year, and hopes to join the company one day.

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“It’s just an honor and I’m so grateful to be in a production like this one, and there’s so many amazing dancers,” said Sieck. I’m standing here, an incredible dancer stood here before me.”

“We make people happy. I love making people happy because I know when I dance, I’m bringing joy to other people,” she added.

This season, the San Francisco Ballet will hold more Nutcracker shows than ever. The final day of performances is December 29.

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