Best Day Trips From San Jose To Take This Summer

California's vast landscape welcomes visitors and residents to enjoy it all. Clear skies and sunny days provide the perfect climate for outdoor adventures. In Northern California, San Jose sits nestled in Santa Clara Valley.  San Jose is full of activity but just a drive away complete with amazing day trips that await visitors wanting an escape from city life. Whether exploring nature, lounging with a glass of wine, exploring a museum, or taking a scenic hike, these summer day trips offer something for everyone. 

Pinnacles National Park

Located in Salinas Valley, the Pinnacles National Park is full of diversity with remarkable rock formations, caves, desert landscapes, and lush forests. 

For adventurous visitors who enjoy the challenge of a hike, the Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop and the Old Pinnacles Trail lead visitors through narrow dark caves. The Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop is an easier trail leading hikers through a cave to Bear Gulch Reservoir. The reservoir is surrounded by pinnacle rock formations making it the perfect place for a picnic and photos. 

Pinnacles National Park is a mosaic of habitats. While on the trails, hikers will be surrounded by unique flora and fauna. Birdwatchers will delight to spy birds of all shapes and sizes. Condors, raptors, and woodpeckers can be found in trees and the sky.

For a souvenir, the East and the West side bookstores offer a variety of books, t-shirts, hats, tote bags, magnets, and pins. Visitors can also purchase safety items such as water and flashlights.

Lace up some boots, pack a picnic, and fill the water bottles. Outdoor adventure awaits at the Pinnacles National Park!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium

Always a family favorite, the Monterey Bay Aquarium welcomes visitors to explore creatures of the sea through multiple exhibits.

Visitors can dive into the deep dark waters of the ocean while staying dry! The aquarium's Into The Deep exhibit welcomes visitors to marvel at creatures that survive dark freezing temperatures. 

Along with sharks, fish, and plants, the aquarium is home to otters and penguins! Visitors will be delighted to observe playful otters swim, tumble, and wrestle. In the Splash Zone area, African Penguins jump along rocks and dive into the water.

On the first floor, the Kelp Forest captivates spectators to visually immerse in life underwater. As one of the tallest exhibits, the Kelp Forest provides a diver's view of sardines, leopard sharks, wolf-eels, and other fish weaving through kelp.

The Life on the Bay exhibit welcomes visitors to step outside onto the deck. With a view of the ocean, visitors can sit and enjoy the sound of the waves on the rocky shoreline. Aquatic wildlife such as humpback whales and dolphins can be spotted from this vantage point.

After exploring the aquarium, visitors can stroll along Cannery Row to dine, drink, and shop!

A short drive from San Jose, a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium will delight all ages.

Napa Valley

Wine lovers flock to Napa Valley for perfect weather, beautiful scenery, and great wine. Outdoor spaces and local boutiques offer an ideal destination to escape city life. 

Visitors can walk through trails with active wine adventures, enjoying the scenery and sipping wine along the way. Many wineries offer a family-friendly atmosphere with open spaces for children to play and delicious food to starve hunger.

For a laid-back adventure, drive through winding scenic routes through the heart of Napa Valley to experience picturesque vineyards. A cruise on the back roads of Calistoga and Spring Mountain leads to the Petrified Forest.

In addition to wine, visitors can bike or hike through redwood forests and rolling hills. Trails range from easy to hard featuring creeks and vista viewpoints along the way.

For the adventurous, Napa Valley can be viewed from the sky with a ride in a hot air balloon. Floating through the air at sunrise provides a bird's eye view of the vineyards.

Napa Valley invites visitors to enjoy a slower pace while taking in the breathtaking views.

Marin Headlands

Marin Headlands is a scene picked from a movie. The park offers dramatic cliffs overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Area.

Visitors to Marin Headlands can hike, jog, or bike along trails. More than 250 trails wind through miles of national parkland. The paths along Crissy Field Promenade offer vast views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and local marsh habitat. Picnic areas are located along the path for a break to enjoy the views.

After hiking along trails in Marin Headlands, a bit of history awaits visitors at Fort Barry. The former army post is home to the Nike Missile Site and museum. A short hike along Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail yields views of Bonita Cove. 

For environmentalists, the Marine Mammal Center is the largest marine mammal hospital. Animal care experts supply care to marine wildlife to be released back into the wild. At the gift store, proceeds support the center's life-saving work.

Marin Headlands welcomes visitors to explore local history and marvel at the beauty of the Bay.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Almaden Quicksilver County Park is a spectacular park with natural diversity and history.

Starting in Spring, the park offers a spectacular wildflower display. The park features miles of trails among beautiful scenery and wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. The iconic New Alameden Bell Tower welcomes visitors at the Hacienda Entrance and provides access to the Mine Hill Trail and Deep Gulch Trail.

For a bit of history, visitors can visit the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Guided tours and special events set the stage for visitors to learn about the history and lifestyles of the mining community in California. Sealed remnants of mining structures throughout the park including the San Cristobal mine, may be viewed from behind a lock gates. After visiting the museum, the gift shop offers mining and geology souvenirs.

Beginning at the McAbee entrance, the shady trail among Bay Laurel trees provides opportunities to glimpse feathered fowl such as the Spotted Towhee, California Thrasher, and Wild Turkey.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park welcomes visitors to engage in California's mining history while hiking through trails.

Half Moon Bay

With breathtaking views and flawless weather, Half Moon Bay is a perfect destination for a day trip from San Jose.

Whale watchers will delight as Half Moon Bay is ideal to spot the ocean's majestic creatures making their way from the Arctic to the warmer waters. For an on-the-water experience, local companies offer whale-watching excursions. These excursions also include other mammal sightings such as porpoises, sea lions, and dolphins.

For surfers, the choppy waters at the Mavericks in Half Moon Bay are ideal for riding big waves. The beach also provides tidal pools for observing small marine life and beach combing. When hunger strikes, the outdoor patio at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company welcomes patrons to sit back and watch the waves crash the shore.

For a unique experience, seasoned equestrians and novices will relish riding trails through unspoiled coastal bluffs and pristine shores.

In addition to stunning coastal views, Half Moon Bay is home to spas that incorporate seasonal herbs and flowers from local farms for a relaxing massage. 

To complete the day, Half Moon Bay's downtown encompasses historic buildings mixed with parks, shops, eateries, and ample parking. A visit on Saturday morning rewards visitors with the Coastside Farmer's Market hosting craftspeople, florists, ranchers, and chocolatiers along with live music.

Idyllic Half Moon Bay awaits visitors to explore the coast with opportunities to relax.

17 Mile Drive

17-Mile Drive is 17 miles of scenery bliss and a perfect day trip from San Jose. The drive circles the Monterey Peninsula through Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, and Pacific Grove while hugging the Pacific coastline. 

Along the drive, motorists are provided with opportunities to take photos and picnic. Stops include the Point Pinos Lighthouse, Spanish Bay Beach, and Seal Rock. A stop at Crocker Grove yields a view of Monterey's Cypress Trees. 

While driving along, motorists will be flabbergasted by the million-dollar mansions. The manicured hedges and high fences will invite conversations of speculation to the building's inhabitants.

Before returning to San Jose, stop at Pescadero Point Beach for a stroll along the sandy beach. The quaint beach is optimal for a quiet stroll among the waves and rocks. A small grove of Cyprus, bleached white from the sun, clings to the rocks to add to the serene scenery.

17-Mile Drive welcomes visitors to view the Californian coast with a leisurely drive while surrounded by natural beauty.

Palo Alto

The birthplace of Silicon Valley is home to big tech companies and is a bustling city. The city also nurtures pockets of exploration fun for all ages!

A visit to the Palo Alto Art Center invites art aficionados to activate creativity by seeing and creating art. Rotating exhibitions provide a fresh perspective while the studio gallery showcases creations by locals. 

For family fun, a visit to the Palo Alto Junio Museum and Zoo is a must! The museum provides children with engaging activities that encourage imaginative play, support whole-body movement, and stimulate multiple senses. Outside the museum, the courtyard encourages water play, places to dig, and lots of space to run!

After exploring the courtyard, the zoo welcomes visitors to weave through animal enclosures. A wheelchair-accessible treehouse at the back of the zoo provides nets for climbing for a birds-eye view of the entire zoo!

In the Summer, families are invited to watch a children-led show at Palo Alto's Children's Theatre. Performances are sensory-friendly with productions performed in natural light, without loud sound cues. 

A short drive from San Jose, the city of Palo Alto is a family-friendly metropolis with something to do for every age. 

Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove is a quaint small town on the rocky shores of Monterey Bay. The town invites visitors to engage with natural surroundings.

Architecture aficionados will delight in a walk through history, visiting Pacific Grove's Victorian-style homes. The houses are identified with green plaques displaying the name of the original owner and the year the house was built.

In addition to historic architecture, Pacific Grove's Museum of Natural History welcomes visitors to learn about California's Central Coast region. Visitors will be treated to examples of diverse plants, wildlife, birds, and geology. 

For those with an interest in navigational history, a visit to the Point Pinos Lighthouse is a must. The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast. 

To end the day, enjoy watching the sunset on Asilomar State Beach, a one-mile beach consisting of rocky coves and sandy areas.

Pacific Grove is the perfect quiet town to spend the day marveling at California's natural historic beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming town with art galleries, boutique shops, and a sublime sandy beach.

The town's fairy tale architecture will enchant visitors while meandering along Ocean Avenue. Side streets provide access to charming courtyards and quaint boutiques. 

Carmel-by-the-Sea is home to delectable eateries featuring a  range of international and local cuisines. Restaurants range from a quick bite to a full-course meal. Fans of Clint Eastwood should stop at Mission Ranch. Once a condo development, the ranch is now a hotel and restaurant. 

With proximity to Napa Valley, wine aficionados can enjoy tasting an assortment of Californian wines. For a true wine-tasting experience, Carmel-by-the-Sea's Wine Walk is a walkable mobile guide through the town's wine-tasting rooms.

For a scenic hike, Carmel Meadows is a series of short loops of trails beside coastal bluffs and two breathtaking beaches. The walkable Carmel River State Beach and Monastery Beach are stunning sandy beaches perfect for gazing at the sunset. Along the hike, aquatic wildlife such as seals, whales, and dolphins can be spotted in the clear waters.

Carmel-by-the-Sea welcomes visitors to take in the sun and fairy tale charm.

Gilroy

Gilroy is a short drive from San Jose and perfect for a day trip! Although a small town in Santa Clara County, Gilroy is famous for its garlic.

Every Summer, the town hosts the Gilroy Garlic Festival. The festival features garlicky-themed foods including garlic ice cream and fries! Garlic can be smelled for miles leading up to and long after the festival ends.

For families with young children, Gilroy Gardens is a garden-themed park built around beautifully designed landscaping. The park offers thrilling rides, kid-friendly rides, and a massive water oasis.

Visitors to the park can also marvel at Axel Erlandson’s Circus Trees, trees patiently grown over many years into various shapes and designs. 

For the ultimate shopping trip, a visit to Gilroy Premium Outlets is a must for optimum savings at more than 140 factory outlet stores.

With festivals, stunning gardens, and delicious food, Gilroy is a wholesome town enticing visitors to return.

Downtown San Jose

As the largest city in Northern California, downtown San Jose has plenty to see and do, making it a great place to spend a day. 

The Plaza de Cesar Chavez is an urban park and plaza surrounded by the city's museums. The park incorporates water fountains, flower beds, and an open-air theater. Seasonal food and music festivals are held in the plaza year around.

For the tech-savvy, a visit to The Tech Interactive Museum is essential. Visitors are encouraged to explore hands-on activities and interactive exhibits regarding present-day technological advances. 

A short walk from the tech museum is the San Jose Museum of Art. Art supporters are invited to admire distinctive exhibitions of modern and contemporary art through painting, sculpture, film, and new media.

For a haunting experience, tours through the Winchester Mystery House will leave brave visitors puzzled. The house is world-renowned for its many design peculiarities, innovations, and paranormal activity residing within.

Downtown San Jose makes it easy to indulge in authentic flavors from around the globe. Savor different cooking styles with a food crawl to sample Vietnamese, Portuguese, Indian, and Greek food.

Paranormal thrills, interactive museums, and palatable charm within a large metropolis await visitors in Downtown San Jose.

Conclusion

While San Jose has many things to do, the city is just a drive away from beautiful cliffside scenery, hiking adventures, and a relaxing coastal atmosphere. Many serene beaches, local wineries, and interactive museums welcome visitors to marvel, taste, and touch for memorable experiences. Taking a day trip from San Jose is like a choose-your-own-adventure challenging visitors to do it all. Deciding where to start is the first challenge! So fill the tank because it is time for a day trip!