Day trips from San Francisco

Question

We are a family of 8 people who plan to stay at San Hose for 5-6 days in June 24. Apart from the local attractions (hop on hop off one day, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, waterfront etc. ) we are planning to do day trips to Napa Valley and Yosemite. We will also be doing LA, San Diego and Vegas in this trip (after 5 days in SF). We were contemplating whether we should also plan a day trip to Monterey & Caramel by the sea? Wanted advice on that. Is it worth going there considering we will be doing the west coast beaches in San Diego and LA?

Answer

Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular day trip destinations from San Francisco, and they offer a very different experience compared to the beaches you’ll visit later in Southern California. While LA and San Diego have warmer, bustling beaches, the Monterey Peninsula is known for its rugged coastline, scenic drives, charming small towns, and marine life.

Here are some highlights of a day trip to Monterey & Carmel:

17-Mile Drive: One of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, featuring dramatic cliffs, iconic golf courses, and beautiful ocean vistas.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: A world-class aquarium with engaging exhibits, ideal for families and children of all ages.
Carmel-by-the-Sea: A quaint town with fairy-tale cottages, art galleries, boutique shopping, and cozy cafes.
Coastal walks: Places like Carmel Beach offer scenic views and a chance to explore tide pools and coastal trails.
Sea life experiences: Whale watching tours or kayaking in Monterey Bay are options for active families.

Considerations for your family trip:

The drive from San Jose to Monterey & Carmel is about 1.5 hours each way, so a day trip is feasible but will be a full day.
The coastline and small towns provide a very different vibe than Southern California beaches—more relaxing, scenic, and less about swimming and sunbathing.
It’s excellent if your family enjoys sightseeing, wildlife, and charming towns rather than just beach activities.
If you’re already doing Napa and Yosemite, adding Monterey & Carmel will give your trip more variety with coastal scenery and marine life.

Overall, Monterey & Carmel are worth considering if you want a mix of scenic drives, wildlife, and quaint towns. If your main priority is warm beaches for sun and surf, you might choose to skip it since you’ll be hitting the Southern California coast later.

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