Day Trips from Sacramento - Sunflower fields in Woodland. — Sunflower fields in Woodland.

Sacramento is centrally located in Northern California, making it the perfect basecamp for exploring all that the region has to offer. My husband and I have lived in Sacramento for over 5 years now and we quickly discovered how incredibly convenient this prime location is for road-trips.

Within a 2-hour drive of the city, you'll find plenty of scenic places to visit, including top destinations like Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, and San Francisco. So whether you're looking to enjoy the great outdoors, experience some of the best wine and dining in the country, or want to explore a big urban city, Sacramento is the perfect starting point for your road-trip.

San Francisco

Sacramento may be the capital of California, but it's not the biggest city in the Northern half of the Golden State. Just a semi-short drive away is San Francisco, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world.

From exploring Fisherman’s Wharf to visiting museums in Golden Gate Park, there's no shortage of things to do in San Francisco. On a day trip you can take your time exploring the city and see iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square.

Drive Time from Sacramento to San Francisco: If you depart driving during non-peak hours, you can make it to San Francisco from Sacramento in about an 1.5 hours. Beware of commute traffic hours which can significantly increase your drive time. If you’re questioning whether the drive is too long, let me tell you that my husband commuted from Sacramento to San Francisco for work everyday for a couple of years. So I promise it can be done!

Day Trips from Sacramento - The Victorian Painted Ladies houses in Alamo Square in San Francisco. — The Victorian Painted Ladies houses in Alamo Square in San Francisco.

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Auburn in Placer County

If you’re yearning for a bit of historical charm or mountain scenery, Auburn is the perfect destination for a day trip. This charming small town is home to the popular Auburn Old Town where you can find shops and restaurants, as well as a number of historical landmarks.

Visitors can explore the Old Auburn Courthouse, enjoy a beer at a local brewery, or do some wine tasting along the Placer County Wine Trail. Auburn is also a hub for outdoor activities with hiking, biking and outdoor swimming. One of my favorite ways to cool down during the hot summers is to swim at the Yankee Jims Swimming Hole. The turquoise waters at this natural swim hole are stunning!

Whether you're looking for a quiet place to relax or an adventurous escape from the city, Auburn has something to offer everyone.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Auburn: On days with no traffic, you’re looking at an easy 30 minute drive from Sacramento to Auburn. With traffic you can expect to drive 45 minutes between cities.

Apple Hill in El Dorado County

Just an hour east of Sacramento lies Apple Hill, a rural community in El Dorado County known for its apple orchards and fall festivities. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Apple Hill to pick apples, enjoy fresh apple cider, and find the perfect pumpkin for their Halloween jack-o-lanterns.

No trip to Apple Hill is complete without stopping by one of the many bakeries for a fresh-baked pie or apple cinnamon donuts. With its picturesque scenery and festive atmosphere, Apple Hill is the perfect place to enjoy a quintessential autumn day.

Apple Hill is more than just a place to go apple picking; it’s also home to several wineries, including family-friendly winery estates where you can enjoy the scenery with your kids in tow.

The holiday season is also a popular time to visit Apple Hill, with unique farms experiences like cut your own Christmas tree and DIY wreaths.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Apple Hill: During the week your drive from Sacramento to Apple Hill will most likely be about an hour. On the weekends during the tourist season (from Labor Day to Christmas), you can see significant traffic around the main hub of Carson Road.

Folsom

Just a short drive from Sacramento is the memorable town of Folsom. With its lively downtown Historical District and wealth of recreational activities, Folsom has something for everyone.

Start your day at one of the many breakfast cafes downtown, then explore the shops and boutiques that line the main downtown drag of Sutter Street.

For lunch, pick picnic supplies from one of the many local sandwich delis and visit one of the picturesque parks with river views. Black Miners Bar (previously known as Negro Bar) is a state park with picnic benches and sweeping views of Lake Natoma.

Take advantage of the recreational opportunities that Folsom offers by renting a bike and ride along the scenic Johnny Cash Trail. If you want to be out on the water, you can rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards.

End your day with dinner and drinks at one of Folsom's trendy nightspots. Whether you're looking for a relaxed day of shopping and dining or an action-packed day of outdoor adventure, you'll find it in Folsom.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Folsom: Folsom is a breezy drive from Sacramento, and I’ve rarely seen major traffic delays on this route.

Napa Valley and Sonoma in California Wine Country

Just over an hour outside of Sacramento, you’ll find yourself in California Wine Country — one of the most famous wine regions in the world. With over 400 wineries spread across its picturesque landscape, both Napa Valley and Sonoma County are the perfect place to enjoy a day of wine tasting.

Whether you're looking for a Pinot Noir or a Cabernet Sauvignon, you're sure to find the perfect sip in Wine Country. Start your day with a stop at one of Napa's iconic vineyards, like Robert Mondavi or Sterling Vineyards. Then, head to Boon Fly Cafe for a fresh lunch. Afterward, spend the afternoon exploring the charming shops and tasting rooms in St. Helena.

On a separate trip, I recommend exploring Sonoma County which is located a bit west from Napa. The small towns of Kenwood, Glen Ellen and Geyserville have world-class beautiful wineries such as the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Benziger Family Winery and Landmark Vineyards. With its stunning scenery and renowned wines, Sonoma Valley is also an ideal destination for a day trip from Sacramento.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Napa: On a good day you can make it to Napa from Sacramento in under 1.5 hours. Sometimes there are traffic bottlenecks as you get closer to the vineyards, so give yourself plenty of time if you’ve got reservations scheduled.

Lake Tahoe

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful and scenic destinations in the country. This famous lake town offers a myriad of activities for visitors to enjoy.

From hiking, swimming and camping in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter, there is something for everyone at Tahoe. And with its crystal-clear waters, lush forests, and stunning mountain views, it's no wonder that Tahoe is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe: I will be frank and admit that Tahoe tends to be more of a weekend trip from Sacramento, but it certainly can be done in one day if you’re feeling ambitious. If you leave early in the morning and return later at night, then you can complete the drive in under 2 hours. Because this is a popular destination, traffic can make the drive much longer during peak times.

Petaluma

The city of Petaluma offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Sacramento urban life. Situated in the scenic Sonoma Valley, Petaluma is home to a charming downtown with shops and restaurants, plus popular agritourism where farms host the public for novel experiences.

One of our favorite day trips to Petaluma was when we visited the Marin French Cheese Company. We brought our dog and had a picnic while we enjoyed their freshly made cheese and artisan snacks.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Petaluma: The typical drive from Sacramento to Petaluma is about 1.5 hours. If you leave early it could be less, and of course peak traffic times it will be longer.

Woodland in Yolo County

A day trip to Woodland makes for a quaint countryside experience. The Woodland Historical Old Town is the main downtown area with shops offering a unique selection of locally made gifts and home decor. One of our favorite guilty pleasure places to eat is Doggeros Urban Mexican Eats. Their Mangonadas with chamoy are the best!

The landscape surrounding the downtown area is filled with farmlands growing orchards, flowers and produce. Nature photographers, bloggers and social media enthusiasts love this area because this where you’ll find the Insta-famous blooming almond blossoms and sunflower fields.

In the summer months, the Yolo County tourism board gives out Sunflower Experience Passes. These golden tickets give you granted access to farms growing sunflower photos, and you can take all the photos you want!

Drive Time from Sacramento to Woodland: From Sacramento to Woodland it’s a breezy 30 minute drive.

Point Reyes Station and Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes offers travelers a chance to experience some of California's most stunning coastal scenery. Located on a peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, Point Reyes is home to miles of pristine beaches, towering cliffs, and sheltered coves.

Wildlife fans will enjoy spotting seals, whales, and countless species of birds, while hiking enthusiasts can explore the park's numerous trails through dense forests and along rugged coastline.

And no visit to Point Reyes would be complete without a stroll through the downtown Point Reyes Station. There's plenty of fresh farm-to-table eateries and market stores. A favorite local pastime is sampling some of the area's world-famous cheese from Marin French Cheese Co.

If you’re in search of a relaxing day by the water or an adventurous hike with breathtaking views, a trip to Point Reyes is worth the drive.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Point Reyes: This is another road trip that can be done in less than 2 hours one-way, if you’ve made efforts to avoid peak traffic times. My husband and I have done this day trip drive with a baby, so I promise any adult can handle it!

Chico

Chico is a popular college town located north of Sacramento. I lived in Chico for 5 years and I graduated from Chico State University. See my modern travel guide to Chico on the blog.

Chico has a vibrant downtown scene with blocks of restaurants, shopping and parks. Chico is also home to the enormous Bidwell Park which is one of the largest municipal parks in the country with 2,500 acres. Outdoor recreational activities include hiking, swimming holes and picnic areas.

Drive Time from Sacramento to Chico: I would plan on driving for about 1.5 hours from Sacramento to Chico.

San Jose

San Jose is a big metropolitan hub that is often overlooked when it comes to planning road trips. You may be surprised to learn that some of the best shopping and dining destinations in Northern California can be found in the San Jose area.

Santana Row is a super premium outdoor shopping center, and it is especially impressive during the holiday season. You'll find big stores for popular fashion, home and beauty brands, and delicious eats.

Additional top family-friendly attractions in San Jose include the Winchester Mystery House, Great America Amusement Park and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.

Drive Time from Sacramento to San Jose: You can expect your drive time from Sacramento to San Jose to be just under 2 hours (assuming no major traffic).

Top Weekend Road Trip Destinations from Sacramento:

If you’re willing to book an overnight stay at a hotel, then you can visit Northern California destinations that are a bit over 2 hours of driving time.

Weekend Getaway Places from Sacramento:

How to Prep for The Best Day Trip

Getting ready for a day trip? Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you have a great time.

Car Maintenance

Before you hit the open road, there are a few things you need to do to make sure your car is up for the journey.

Check the tires and make sure they're inflated to the correct pressure.
Check your oil level and top off if necessary. It's also a good idea to bring along a spare tire and some basic tools, just in case you run into any problems along the way.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you head out.
If you’re going on a California winter snow trip, make sure you have the correct size chains for your car.
If you’re driving a rental, make sure your insurance covers rental cars.

Snacks and Drinks

Ever wonder how we survive long car rides with a baby and a toddler? Having a snack bag with a variety of small nibbles will truly save your life as a parent. Don’t forget the water sippy cups!

For the adults, it can be tempting to stop at the first fast food place you see, but having your own food will save you time and money, and help you to stay on track to see all the sights! Not to mention that you can probably bring along a lot healthier options than the fast food joints available along the major highways.

Map Your Route

Bring a map of the area you're visiting. Even if you're using GPS, it's always good to have a backup. This is especially true if you’re driving into remote areas where you could encounter signal issues.

Dress for the Weather

Make sure you bring along layers of clothing, in case your destination has a change in temperature from the current Sacramento weather. Driving two hours towards the coast can mean a difference in temperature of 20 degrees or more! It is usually significantly cooler in cities towards the coast, especially during our hot Sacramento summer season.

Document Your Memories

If you’re like us and enjoy sharing your travels on social media, a day trip is the perfect opportunity to take some beautiful photos and video clips. On our blog we have a dedicated guide on how to make travel themed Instagram Reels and TikTok Videos. Trust me when I say that you’ll find some awesome content creator inspiration!