Lake Tahoe

Question

We are spending 3 nights in Lake Tahoe and then wanted to head over to the coast to explore for the week. It’s our first time to CA and not sure what the coastal towns are to explore that wouldn’t take all day to get to. Would love to spend 2 nights at maybe 2 or 3 towns and end up close to an airport to head back to the east coast. Any suggestions appreciated

Answer

For your California trip, spending three nights in Lake Tahoe gives you a great mountain start. From there, you can head west toward the coast for a mix of scenic towns, beaches, and charming stops without having to drive all day.

Here are some suggested coastal towns to explore, focusing on accessibility from Tahoe and ending near an airport for your flight back:

Bodega Bay: About a 4-5 hour drive from Tahoe, this small coastal town has beautiful cliffs, beaches, and seafood spots. Great for a short overnight stay and relaxing by the ocean.
Mendocino: Roughly another 3 hours north of Bodega Bay, this town offers stunning coastal views, art galleries, boutique shops, and historic charm. It’s perfect for a night or two if you enjoy walking around scenic streets and coastal trails.
Fort Bragg: Slightly north of Mendocino, home to Glass Beach and some easy hikes. It’s a good option if you want a mix of beach and forest scenery.
Santa Cruz: If you prefer a shorter coastal drive from Tahoe and want a lively beach town vibe, Santa Cruz is about 4-5 hours south from Tahoe. It has the Boardwalk, local shops, and beaches, and you could stay here for one or two nights before heading closer to the airport.

For the final leg toward the airport to head back east:

San Francisco Airport (SFO): Convenient if you stay in Santa Cruz or Bodega Bay. About 1.5 hours from Santa Cruz and 1.5-2 hours from Bodega Bay. Good for evening flights or next-morning departures.
Oakland Airport (OAK): Similar distance from Santa Cruz as SFO, with sometimes easier traffic depending on the day.

Sample 1-week coastal itinerary from Tahoe:

Day 1-3: Lake Tahoe
Day 4: Drive to Bodega Bay, explore cliffs and beaches, overnight
Day 5: Mendocino or Fort Bragg, enjoy coastal trails and town shops, overnight
Day 6-7: Santa Cruz or Monterey, boardwalk, beaches, dining, then fly out from SFO or OAK

This plan avoids very long driving days, allows a mix of small town charm and beach fun, and positions you conveniently near major airports for your flight home.

Lake Tahoe

More California (CA) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions