The best trip within about five hours of San Francisco Bay Area for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
1 cityLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from San Francisco Bay Area. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
We don't post event listings for these places, so check the official page for hours and what's on. The numbers match the map.
Steam trains and an old roundhouse in Gold Country, open 9:30 to 4:30 daily. The Polar Express train ride runs here November 27 to December 20.
Granite cliffs, waterfalls and flat valley-floor walks that work with a stroller. The park is open around the clock all year, and entry is $35 per car for seven days.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Francisco Bay Area that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Francisco Bay Area has the local list.
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Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in San Francisco Bay Area this weekend.
Opens 11/06; runs through 01/31. Giant animal lanterns along a mile-long walk, and Santa is in the Rides Area on Glowfari nights through 12/23. Tickets go on sale 28 days ahead.
Fri Nov 6 · Timed entry 4:30–6:30pm; exit by 9pmOakland Zoo
Adults $26, kids 2–14 $22, under 2 free; parking includedOpens 11/06; runs through 01/03, Wednesday to Sunday. Back for the first time since 2018, with light-up playgrounds.
Fri Nov 6 · Fri–Sat 5:30–10pm; Wed, Thu and Sun 5:30–9pmSan Francisco Zoo & GardensAdults $30, kids 2–11 $21; members $3 offWe couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Francisco Bay Area that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Francisco Bay Area has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Francisco Bay Area that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Francisco Bay Area has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Francisco Bay Area that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Francisco Bay Area has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Francisco Bay Area that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Francisco Bay Area has the local list.
Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
A seaside amusement park right on the sand, with the 1911 Looff Carousel, gentle kiddie rides and indoor arcades. Walking in is free, even on days the rides are closed.
about 1 hr 15 min from San Francisco Bay Area · Santa Cruz
Rides Sat 11am–8pm and Sun noon–7pm in November; arcades open dailyFree to walk in; rides by the ticket or an all-day wristbandA 75-minute steam train ride through redwood groves to the top of Bear Mountain, pulled by engines that date from 1890. Conductors tell the logging history on the way up.
about 1 hr 15 min from San Francisco Bay Area · FeltonDeparts daily; see the schedule on the train pageAdults $42.35, kids 2–12 $26.45, under 2 freeBeaches, tule elk at Tomales Point and elephant seals near Chimney Rock, which stay all year. Gray whales pass the lighthouse from December.
about 1 hr 30 min from San Francisco Bay Area · Point Reyes StationSee the park’s visitor center page for hoursFree; no entrance fee and free parking at beaches and trailheads
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.None of our other cities are close enough for a weekend pick yet, so start with a day trip: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz (about 1 hr 15 min), Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton (about 1 hr 15 min), Point Reyes National Seashore in Point Reyes Station (about 1 hr 30 min).
Stockton–Modesto (about 1 hr 15 min), Sacramento (about 2 hr 15 min), Fresno (about 3 hr 15 min), Reno (about 4 hr 30 min), Bakersfield (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (about 2 hr 30 min), Yosemite Valley (about 4 hr 15 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.