Northern California

Northern California travel region centered on the San Francisco Bay Area, surrounded by the Napa and Sonoma wine country, Point Reyes and the Mendocino coast, and redwood forests.

Northern California (NorCal) is the general name for the northern half of California. In travel contexts it mainly means the San Francisco Bay Area and destinations within a few hours' drive. Highlights: San Francisco (the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, cable cars, Lombard Street) along with Silicon Valley, Stanford and Berkeley; to the north, Muir Woods, Sausalito and the Point Reyes coast; Napa Valley and Sonoma wine country (winery tastings, hot-air balloons, Michelin-starred restaurants); and farther north along Highway 1, the Mendocino cliff coast, lighthouses and redwood-forest towns. Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur to the south belong to the Central Coast, while Sacramento, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe to the east belong to the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada, and are often added as extensions. A classic plan: San Francisco 3 days + wine country 1–2 days + Mendocino 1–2 days, then an extension to Yosemite, Lake Tahoe or south along Highway 1, for 7–10 days. In San Francisco itself, BART, Muni and the cable cars are enough, but outside the city you need a car or a tour. Prices in the Bay Area, including hotels, are high. The coast is often foggy in summer, so bring a jacket. During the summer and autumn wildfire season, air quality and road access may be affected.

Destinations

• San Francisco
• Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
• Mendocino
• Arcata & Redwood Coast
• Redding

Itineraries

• Northern California Redwoods Coast & Volcano Loop – Head north along Highway 1 to Mendocino and the Redwoods, then turn toward Redding and Lassen Volcanic before returning…
• Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles – Drive south along Highway 1, connecting San Francisco, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and Santa Barbara
• US West National Parks & Coast Grand Loop – A Los Angeles loop passing through Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Yosemite, and San Francisco, returning…
• Eastern Sierra US-395 & Yosemite Crossing – Head north from Los Angeles along US-395, crossing the mountains via Tioga Road to Yosemite and San Francisco
• Death Valley, Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks – Fly into Las Vegas and out of San Francisco, visiting Death Valley, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite in succession
• Napa & Sonoma Wine Country Weekend – Depart from San Francisco, stay two nights in Napa Valley for wine tasting and mud baths, then explore historic Sonoma