# Weekend getaways from San Francisco Bay Area with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/bay-area/weekend-getaways/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in San Francisco Bay Area. Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo (Fri Nov 6, Timed entry 4:30–6:30pm; exit by 9pm, Oakland Zoo; https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/glowfari-2026-27/); ZooLights at the San Francisco Zoo (Fri Nov 6, Fri–Sat 5:30–10pm; Wed, Thu and Sun 5:30–9pm, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens; https://www.sfzoo.org/zoolights/)

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Other family getaways within 5 hours

We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on.

- **Railtown 1897 State Historic Park**, Jamestown, CA (about 2 hr 30 min from San Francisco Bay Area). 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. Official page: https://www.railtown1897.org/
- **Yosemite Valley**, Yosemite Valley, CA (about 4 hr 15 min from San Francisco Bay Area). 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. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/yose/

## Day trips any weekend

- **Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk**, Santa Cruz (about 1 hr 15 min from San Francisco Bay Area). 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. Hours: Rides Sat 11am–8pm and Sun noon–7pm in November; arcades open daily. Cost: Free to walk in; rides by the ticket or an all-day wristband. Official page: https://beachboardwalk.com/hours
- **Roaring Camp Railroads**, Felton (about 1 hr 15 min from San Francisco Bay Area). A 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. Hours: Departs daily; see the schedule on the train page. Cost: Adults $42.35, kids 2–12 $26.45, under 2 free. Official page: https://www.roaringcamp.com/redwood-forest-steam-train/
- **Point Reyes National Seashore**, Point Reyes Station (about 1 hr 30 min from San Francisco Bay Area). Beaches, tule elk at Tomales Point and elephant seals near Chimney Rock, which stay all year. Gray whales pass the lighthouse from December. Hours: See the park’s visitor center page for hours. Cost: Free; no entrance fee and free parking at beaches and trailheads. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/fees.htm

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from San Francisco Bay Area with little kids?**
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).

**Which cities are within an easy drive of San Francisco Bay Area?**
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.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of San Francisco Bay Area?**
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.

**Why is the same city picked more than once?**
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.

**Are the times and prices current?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.