Vacations can often be expensive, but they don’t have to be if you know the right places to look. We’ve come up with a few of the best day trips in Northern California that are loads of fun, and also, under $100. That’s right, nobody said having fun and saving money were mutually exclusive. Check out these unique things to do around Northern California for the perfect family day trip adventures.
- Teeming with vineyards and orchards, Apple Hill is the perfect year-round destination.
James/Flickr Tourists flock to Apple Hill in El Dorado County throughout the year for the clean mountain air, buzzing orchards, and beautiful vineyards. After fruit picking and wine tasting, take the family to the golf course or one of the many family farms.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Placerville, CA 95667, USA
- Donner Lake is perfect for kayaking, hiking, picnicking, and more.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr All you’ll really need is gas money to spend a fun day at Donner Lake. Pack a picnic to eat while admiring views of the water, and bring a kayak to enjoy some water activities! If that’s not your thing, there’s plenty of hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Donner Lake, Truckee, CA 96161, USA
- Emerald Bay State Park is the perfect spot for water lovers.
Christian Arballo/Flickr Emerald Bay State Park was given the status of an underwater state park in 1994 because many boats launch from Emerald Bay’s shores. Come here for some fun scuba-diving, swimming, kayaking, or pretty much any other water sport you can think of.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Emerald Bay State Park, 138 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
- Folsom Lake is ideal for a waterfront stroll.
Gary Pryde/Flickr The Oak Avenue Nature Trail on the edge of Folsom Lake offers amazing views of the water. You can capture some totally Instagram-worthy snapshots there! The American River Trail is also a great option — it features 32 miles of trails connecting Folsom and Sacramento.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Folsom Lake, California, USA
- Half Moon Bay has some amazing beaches, but that’s not all it’s known for.
Mitchel Jones/Flickr Mild temperatures along the coast make Half Moon Bay perfect for runs along the beach or golfing with friends. And don’t miss the historic downtown area that’s packed with cool shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
- If you like good food and fine wine, you’ll love Murphys.
Jim Thoburn/Flickr The town of Murphys is nicknamed the Queen of the Sierra, and if you visit, you’ll find out why. The town has lots of good food and spectacular wineries, and it hosts many events throughout the year that cater to out-of-town visitors.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Murphys, CA, USA
- The quiet town of Truckee is filled with history.
Wikipedia Finetooth Downtown Truckee has several fun shops and cool restaurants that are perfect for a day trip into the town. If you’re feeling more adventurous, stop by the Old Jail Museum. It’s one of the last 19th-century jailhouses still around today.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip. Truckee, CA 96161, USA
What do you think about the best day trips in Northern California? Have you tackled any of these on your own? Make sure to shout out in the comments any of them that you’ve completed!
James/Flickr
Tourists flock to Apple Hill in El Dorado County throughout the year for the clean mountain air, buzzing orchards, and beautiful vineyards. After fruit picking and wine tasting, take the family to the golf course or one of the many family farms.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Placerville, CA 95667, USA
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
All you’ll really need is gas money to spend a fun day at Donner Lake. Pack a picnic to eat while admiring views of the water, and bring a kayak to enjoy some water activities! If that’s not your thing, there’s plenty of hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Donner Lake, Truckee, CA 96161, USA
Christian Arballo/Flickr
Emerald Bay State Park was given the status of an underwater state park in 1994 because many boats launch from Emerald Bay’s shores. Come here for some fun scuba-diving, swimming, kayaking, or pretty much any other water sport you can think of.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Emerald Bay State Park, 138 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
Gary Pryde/Flickr
The Oak Avenue Nature Trail on the edge of Folsom Lake offers amazing views of the water. You can capture some totally Instagram-worthy snapshots there! The American River Trail is also a great option — it features 32 miles of trails connecting Folsom and Sacramento.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Folsom Lake, California, USA
Mitchel Jones/Flickr
Mild temperatures along the coast make Half Moon Bay perfect for runs along the beach or golfing with friends. And don’t miss the historic downtown area that’s packed with cool shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
Jim Thoburn/Flickr
The town of Murphys is nicknamed the Queen of the Sierra, and if you visit, you’ll find out why. The town has lots of good food and spectacular wineries, and it hosts many events throughout the year that cater to out-of-town visitors.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Murphys, CA, USA
Wikipedia Finetooth
Downtown Truckee has several fun shops and cool restaurants that are perfect for a day trip into the town. If you’re feeling more adventurous, stop by the Old Jail Museum. It’s one of the last 19th-century jailhouses still around today.
Click here to find out more about this NorCal day trip.
Truckee, CA 96161, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips In Northern California March 11, 2022 Marisa Roman What are the best little-known attractions in Northern California? If you’re searching for the best day trips near me in Northern California, we have many more spots that you can check out to create the ultimate itinerary. This list of the 12 best day trips you can take in NorCal highlights some well-known spots but also a few little-known attractions, too. For instance, you can explore the abandoned train tunnels at the Donner Summit or walk through a tunnel of Cyprus trees at Point Reyes. Also, see Lake Tahoe from a different vantage point when you take out an authentic paddle-wheeler cruiser. What are the most unique things to do in Northern California? Looking for unique things to do around Northern California? How about places that are strangely wonderful? Northern California is filled with fascinating attractions and incredible natural wonders and quirky spots to see. For instance, these 11 strange places in NorCal can really show you a different side of the state. For example, walk the Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte County which is a real gem in nature. What are the best road trips through Northern California? If you’ve been hunting getaway spots near me and have the chance to explore Northern California and the surrounding area, then we have some road trips worth checking out. We have a list of 11 unforgettable road trips to take in NorCal, designed to highlight the best and most beautiful parts of the state. A few examples of these road trips include the NorCal State Park Road Trip, The Hidden Beaches Road Trip, and the Waterfalls Road Trip to name a few.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips In Northern California
March 11, 2022
Marisa Roman
What are the best little-known attractions in Northern California? If you’re searching for the best day trips near me in Northern California, we have many more spots that you can check out to create the ultimate itinerary. This list of the 12 best day trips you can take in NorCal highlights some well-known spots but also a few little-known attractions, too. For instance, you can explore the abandoned train tunnels at the Donner Summit or walk through a tunnel of Cyprus trees at Point Reyes. Also, see Lake Tahoe from a different vantage point when you take out an authentic paddle-wheeler cruiser. What are the most unique things to do in Northern California? Looking for unique things to do around Northern California? How about places that are strangely wonderful? Northern California is filled with fascinating attractions and incredible natural wonders and quirky spots to see. For instance, these 11 strange places in NorCal can really show you a different side of the state. For example, walk the Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte County which is a real gem in nature. What are the best road trips through Northern California? If you’ve been hunting getaway spots near me and have the chance to explore Northern California and the surrounding area, then we have some road trips worth checking out. We have a list of 11 unforgettable road trips to take in NorCal, designed to highlight the best and most beautiful parts of the state. A few examples of these road trips include the NorCal State Park Road Trip, The Hidden Beaches Road Trip, and the Waterfalls Road Trip to name a few.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re searching for the best day trips near me in Northern California, we have many more spots that you can check out to create the ultimate itinerary. This list of the 12 best day trips you can take in NorCal highlights some well-known spots but also a few little-known attractions, too. For instance, you can explore the abandoned train tunnels at the Donner Summit or walk through a tunnel of Cyprus trees at Point Reyes. Also, see Lake Tahoe from a different vantage point when you take out an authentic paddle-wheeler cruiser.
What are the most unique things to do in Northern California?
Looking for unique things to do around Northern California? How about places that are strangely wonderful? Northern California is filled with fascinating attractions and incredible natural wonders and quirky spots to see. For instance, these 11 strange places in NorCal can really show you a different side of the state. For example, walk the Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte County which is a real gem in nature.
What are the best road trips through Northern California?
If you’ve been hunting getaway spots near me and have the chance to explore Northern California and the surrounding area, then we have some road trips worth checking out. We have a list of 11 unforgettable road trips to take in NorCal, designed to highlight the best and most beautiful parts of the state. A few examples of these road trips include the NorCal State Park Road Trip, The Hidden Beaches Road Trip, and the Waterfalls Road Trip to name a few.
