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Places within 4 hours of San Jose

250 places are worth the drive within 4 hours of San Jose, counted by road time from ZIP 95112: 45 under 1 hour, 70 1 to 2 hours, 51 2 to 3 hours and 84 3 to 4 hours.

The mix leans toward history, hikes and beaches & lakes, mostly to the northwest and east. Four hours each way is weekend territory: most of these work best with a night away, so check the places to stay on the state page.

The headline places are Lick Observatory, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Exploratorium, and the closest real day trip is Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (28 min).

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Map: places within 4 hours of San Jose

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Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours 3 to 4 hours

Under 1 hour from San Jose 45 places

Photo: myyorgda, CC BY 2.0

Observatory · 38 min east

Lick Observatory

Historic hilltop telescopes above San Jose with a long winding road and big views.

2-3 hrs
Grounds open daily; visitor center hours limited (confirm before you go)
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0

Theme park · 40 min south

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Classic seaside amusement park with a wooden coaster, arcade and a wide beach next door.

Half day
Open daily in summer; limited days in winter (confirm before you go)
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0

Museum · 55 min northwest

California Academy of Sciences

An aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome and living roof all under one roof in Golden Gate Park.

3-5 hrs
Open daily (confirm before you go)
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Todd Dailey, CC BY-SA 2.0

Zoo · 38 min northwest

Oakland Zoo

Hillside zoo with a gondola, a kids' ride area and a California wildlife section.

3-5 hrs
Open daily (confirm before you go)
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Sanjay ach, CC BY-SA 3.0

Family fun · 38 min south

Mystery Spot Santa Cruz

A quirky roadside attraction where the ground seems to bend gravity and height.

1 hr
Year-round (confirm before you go)
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Bmp713, Public domain

State park · 43 min south

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Old-growth redwood loop trail and river trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

2-3 hrs
Year-round
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

More under 1 hour from San Jose, by type

History: Jack London Square (40 min), Santa Cruz Wharf (40 min), Mission San Juan Bautista (45 min), Chabot Space and Science Center (46 min), Mission Dolores (49 min), Exploratorium (52 min), Lawrence Hall of Science (52 min), Coit Tower (55 min) and 4 more
Hikes: Mission Peak Regional Preserve (34 min), Mount Madonna County Park (48 min), Wilder Ranch State Park (50 min), Tilden Regional Park (55 min), The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park (55 min), Briones Regional Park (57 min), Lands End and Sutro Baths (59 min)
Mountains & views: Filoli Historic House and Garden (37 min), Alamo Square Painted Ladies (51 min), UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley (51 min), Twin Peaks (52 min), Big Basin Redwoods State Park (56 min), Golden Gate Park (57 min)
Wildlife: Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (28 min), San Francisco Zoo (51 min), Elkhorn Slough (56 min)
Beaches & lakes: Lake Merritt (40 min), Natural Bridges State Beach (46 min), Ocean Beach (55 min)
Family fun: Roaring Camp Railroads (42 min), Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf (54 min)
Small towns: Capitola Village (43 min), Half Moon Bay (47 min)
Biking: Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail (54 min), Crissy Field Promenade (59 min)
Theme & water parks: Gilroy Gardens (40 min)
Food & wine: Moss Landing (1 hr)

1 to 2 hours from San Jose 70 places

Photo: Matthew Dillon from Hollywood, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0

Hike · 1 hr 15 min northwest

Muir Woods National Monument

Easy paths through old coast redwoods in a quiet canyon just north of the city.

2-3 hrs
Year-round; best on weekdays
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0

National park · 1 hr 29 min southeast

Pinnacles National Park

Spires and talus caves from an ancient volcano, plus condors and good hiking trails.

Half day
Year-round; best Oct-May
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Chris6d, CC BY-SA 4.0

Island · 1 hr 38 min northwest

Alcatraz Island

Ferry to the old island prison with an audio tour and big city views.

Half day
Year-round when ferry is running
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Morn (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic site · 1 hr 53 min north

Old Sacramento State Historic Park

A riverfront district of Gold Rush and railroad-era buildings with wooden sidewalks, under Tower Bridge.

2-3 hrs
Year-round
Free

Plan my day Official site

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Photo: Wordydave, CC BY-SA 3.0

Waterfall · 1 hr 57 min south

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Short walk to an overlook of an ocean waterfall dropping onto a beach.

1-2 hrs
Year-round
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aquarium · 1 hr 12 min south

Monterey Bay Aquarium

World-famous aquarium with kelp forest, jellyfish and sea otters, right on the water.

Half day
Year-round
See the official site for current fees

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More 1 to 2 hours from San Jose, by type

History: Golden Gate Bridge (1 hr 1 min), Bay Area Discovery Museum (1 hr 3 min), Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park (1 hr 8 min), Monterey State Historic Park (1 hr 10 min), Monterey Fisherman's Wharf (1 hr 10 min), Cannery Row (1 hr 12 min), Haggin Museum (1 hr 14 min), Carmel Mission (1 hr 15 min) and 9 more
Beaches & lakes: Fort Ord Dunes State Park (1 hr 2 min), Marina State Beach (1 hr 3 min), Asilomar State Beach (1 hr 16 min), Stinson Beach (1 hr 23 min), Andrew Molera State Park (1 hr 41 min), Calistoga Hot Springs and Mud Baths (1 hr 50 min), Limantour Beach (1 hr 53 min), Angel Island State Park (1 hr 57 min) and 2 more
Wildlife: Ano Nuevo State Park (1 hr 4 min), Marine Mammal Center (1 hr 9 min), Monarch Grove Sanctuary Pacific Grove (1 hr 17 min), Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (1 hr 18 min), Micke Grove Park and Zoo (1 hr 28 min), Great Valley Grasslands State Park (1 hr 41 min), Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (1 hr 47 min), Safari West (1 hr 52 min) and 1 more
Hikes: Marin Headlands and Point Bonita Lighthouse (1 hr 9 min), China Camp State Park (1 hr 12 min), Mount Diablo State Park (1 hr 21 min), Garrapata State Park (1 hr 21 min), Mount Tamalpais State Park (1 hr 26 min), Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (1 hr 45 min), Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (1 hr 46 min), Jack London State Historic Park (1 hr 46 min) and 1 more
Food & wine: Carmel Valley Village (1 hr 22 min), Oxbow Public Market (1 hr 23 min), Lodi Wine Country (1 hr 30 min), Point Reyes Station (1 hr 40 min) and 3 more

2 to 3 hours from San Jose 51 places

Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

Landmark · 2 hr 9 min northwest

Point Reyes Lighthouse

A historic lighthouse at the end of a long peninsula road with steep stairs and winter whale watching.

2-3 hrs
Year-round; open Thursday to Monday (confirm before you go); whale season Dec to Apr
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: MARELBU, CC BY 3.0

State park · 2 hr 43 min northeast

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Giant sequoias in the North Grove on an easy, mostly flat loop, where the big trees first became famous in the 1850s.

2-4 hrs
Year-round (best May to October)
California State Parks day-use fee (per vehicle)

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Flickr user MiguelVieira, CC BY 2.0

Town · 2 hr 6 min northeast

Sutter Creek

A small, well-kept Gold Rush town with balconied buildings, antique shops and wine tasting along Highway 49.

1-2 hrs
Year-round
Free

Plan my day Official site

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Photo: Cromis, CC BY 3.0

State park · 2 hr 6 min northwest

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

A grove of giant redwoods along Fife Creek near Guerneville.

1-3 hrs
Year-round
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Vince Migliore, CC BY 3.0

Lake · 2 hr 18 min northeast

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

A big reservoir with beaches, bike paths and boating close to Sacramento; Beals Point and Granite Bay are the main beaches.

Half day
Year-round (best May to September)
California State Parks day-use fee (per vehicle)

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Flyfresno, CC BY-SA 4.0

Zoo · 2 hr 26 min east

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

A friendly zoo with African savanna, Asian elephants and a kids' play area.

Half day
Year-round
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

More 2 to 3 hours from San Jose, by type

History: Mission San Antonio de Padua (2 hr 6 min), Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (2 hr 9 min), Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (2 hr 11 min), Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park (2 hr 14 min), Columbia State Historic Park (2 hr 20 min), Kearney Mansion Museum (2 hr 33 min), Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (2 hr 40 min), California State Mining and Mineral Museum (2 hr 40 min) and 3 more
Small towns: Sonora (2 hr 13 min), Murphys (2 hr 16 min), Groveland (2 hr 23 min), Placerville (2 hr 31 min), Mariposa (2 hr 39 min), Kingsburg (2 hr 44 min), Nevada City (2 hr 52 min), Downtown San Luis Obispo and Bubblegum Alley (2 hr 55 min) and 3 more
Beaches & lakes: Drakes Beach (2 hr 3 min), American River Parkway (2 hr 10 min), Auburn State Recreation Area (2 hr 27 min), Clear Lake State Park (2 hr 46 min), Lake Nacimiento (2 hr 46 min), Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (2 hr 50 min)
Hikes: Tomales Point Trail (2 hr 3 min), Moaning Cavern (2 hr 17 min), Anderson Marsh State Historic Park (2 hr 31 min), Hendy Woods State Park (2 hr 58 min), Bishop Peak (2 hr 59 min)
Food & wine: Amador Wine Country (2 hr 15 min), Tower District (2 hr 27 min), Paso Robles Wine Country (2 hr 28 min), Lake County Wine Region (2 hr 39 min), Anderson Valley Wine Region (2 hr 42 min)
Wildlife: Merced National Wildlife Refuge (2 hr 16 min), Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (2 hr 38 min), Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery (2 hr 52 min), Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (2 hr 55 min)

3 to 4 hours from San Jose 84 places

Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0

State park · 3 hr 26 min south

Hearst Castle

Grand hilltop mansion with tours of the pools and gardens along the coast.

Half day
Year-round; tours need reservations
See the official site for current fees

Plan my day Official site

Photo: Jef Poskanzer, CC BY 2.0

Small town · 3 hr 31 min northwest

Mendocino Village

A seaside village on a bluff with art galleries, shops and Victorian houses.

2-4 hrs
Year-round
Free to walk

Plan my day Official site

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kjkolb assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5

Landmark · 3 hr 3 min south

Morro Rock and Embarcadero

Sea-level volcanic plug beside a harbor with sea otters and kayak rentals.

2-3 hrs
Year-round
Free

Plan my day

Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hike · 3 hr 18 min east

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

Walk among huge sequoias including the Grizzly Giant. A shuttle or short hike runs from the welcome plaza.

Half day
Shuttle usually runs spring-Nov; check
See the official site for current fees

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Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0

Waterfall · 3 hr 35 min east

Yosemite Falls

The tallest waterfall in the park, with an easy paved walk to the base of the lower fall. Spring flow is biggest; it can run dry by late summer.

1-2 hrs
Year-round; best Apr-Jun
See the official site for current fees

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Photo: Ggerdel - Foto de: Gustavo Gerdel, CC BY-SA 4.0

Beach · 3 hr 42 min northwest

Glass Beach Fort Bragg

A pebble beach with sea glass pieces polished by waves. Look, do not take.

1-2 hrs
Year-round; best at low tide
Free

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More 3 to 4 hours from San Jose, by type

Hikes: Merced Grove (3 hr 5 min), Kaweah Oaks Preserve (3 hr 11 min), Tuolumne Grove (3 hr 17 min), Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes (3 hr 24 min), Van Damme State Park (3 hr 28 min), Grant Grove (3 hr 29 min), Mendocino Headlands State Park (3 hr 31 min), Montana de Oro State Park (3 hr 31 min) and 13 more
Beaches & lakes: Avila Beach (3 hr 2 min), Pismo Beach Pier and Monarch Grove (3 hr 3 min), Moonstone Beach Cambria (3 hr 3 min), Bass Lake (3 hr 6 min), South Yuba River State Park (3 hr 9 min), Lopez Lake (3 hr 15 min), Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (3 hr 20 min), Bidwell Park (3 hr 22 min) and 7 more
History: Oroville Dam (3 hr 5 min), Wawona Covered Bridge and Pioneer Yosemite History Center (3 hr 21 min), Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park (3 hr 22 min), El Capitan Meadow (3 hr 27 min), Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park (3 hr 38 min), Buck Owens Crystal Palace (3 hr 42 min), Sundial Bridge (3 hr 43 min), Vikingsholm (3 hr 45 min) and 5 more
Mountains & views: Paul M. Dimmick Wayside Camp and Navarro River Redwoods (3 hr 10 min), Donner Summit Bridge (3 hr 20 min), Tunnel View (3 hr 27 min), Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (3 hr 39 min), Emerald Bay State Park (3 hr 42 min), Olmsted Point (3 hr 46 min)
Small towns: Truckee (3 hr 26 min), Three Rivers (3 hr 37 min), Downieville (3 hr 40 min), Tahoe City (3 hr 40 min), Lompoc Murals and Flower Fields (3 hr 50 min), Solvang (3 hr 56 min)

Questions about places within 4 hours of San Jose

What are the best places within 4 hours of San Jose?

Our picks, by drive time, include Lick Observatory (38 min), Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (40 min), California Academy of Sciences (55 min), Oakland Zoo (38 min) and Mystery Spot Santa Cruz (38 min). The full list on this page has 250 places, each with its drive time and direction from San Jose.

How many places are within 4 hours of San Jose?

115 places within 2 hours, 166 within 3 hours and 250 within 4 hours of San Jose, by road from ZIP 95112.

Are there free places within 4 hours of San Jose?

74 of the 250 places need no pass or fee, such as Alamo Square Painted Ladies, Crissy Field Promenade and Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Fees and passes change, so check each place before you go.

What can I do with kids within 4 hours of San Jose?

231 places are marked good for kids, including Alamo Square Painted Ladies, Alcatraz Island and Angel Island State Park.

How are the drive times worked out?

They are by real roads on a typical day, from the middle of ZIP 95112 to each place (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Traffic, weather and closures can change them. Places under 25 minutes from the city center count as in town, not a day trip, so they are left out.

Can I see places within 4 hours of my own home?

Yes. Type your ZIP code into Day Trippin' and it shows everything by drive time. Your ZIP is used for that one search and is not saved.

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Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.