Food destinations within easy reach of San Francisco. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Worth the trip

Napa Valley ★ 4.7

70 miles north of San FranciscoRental car via Highway 29 north (90 min). The Wine Train runs from Napa to St Helena and back as a fixed-route lunch.

Famous for: Cabernet tastings, French Laundry, Bouchon, Oxbow Public Market

Napa Valley, a 90-minute drive north of San Francisco, is America's cabernet capital, with Thomas Keller's French Laundry in Yountville and the Oxbow Public Market.

Napa Valley

Sonoma County (Healdsburg) ★ 4.7

70 miles north of San FranciscoRental car via Highway 101 north (75 min). Public bus from the Golden Gate Transit terminal runs to Santa Rosa.

Famous for: Pinot Noir, SingleThread, Dry Creek Kitchen, Costeaux French Bakery

Sonoma County and Healdsburg, 75 minutes north of San Francisco, are the Pinot and Zinfandel anchor of Northern California, plus the three-star SingleThread.

Sonoma County (Healdsburg)

Point Reyes National Seashore ★ 4.5

40 miles north of San FranciscoRental car via Highway 1 north (75 min). No public transport to the oyster farms.

Famous for: Tomales Bay oysters, Cowgirl Creamery, Point Reyes blue cheese

Point Reyes, 75 minutes north of San Francisco, is Marin oyster country, with Tomales Bay oyster farms, Cowgirl Creamery's home dairy and the Point Reyes blue.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Half Moon Bay ★ 4.3

30 miles south of San FranciscoRental car via Highway 1 south (45 min); SamTrans bus from Daly City BART takes 75 minutes.

Famous for: Pumpkin Festival in October, Barbara's Fish Trap, Sam's Chowder House

Half Moon Bay, 45 minutes south of San Francisco, is a coastal pumpkin and seafood town, with Barbara's Fish Trap, Sam's Chowder House and the October Pumpkin Festival.

Half Moon Bay

Petaluma cheese country ★ 4.3

40 miles north of San FranciscoRental car via Highway 101 north (50 min).

Famous for: Cowgirl Creamery, Marin French Cheese, Achadinha Cheese

Petaluma, 50 minutes north of San Francisco, is the Bay Area cheese country, with Cowgirl Creamery's cheesemaking site, Marin French Cheese and a quiet rural drive.

Petaluma cheese country

Berkeley Gourmet Ghetto ★ 4.7

15 miles east of San FranciscoBART to North Berkeley (35 min) plus a 10-minute walk.

Famous for: Chez Panisse, Cheese Board Collective, Acme Bread, Berkeley Bowl

Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, 35 minutes east of San Francisco by BART, is Alice Waters's home turf, with Chez Panisse, the Cheese Board Collective and Acme Bread.

Berkeley Gourmet Ghetto

Oakland Temescal and Old Oakland ★ 4.6

10 miles east of San FranciscoBART to MacArthur or 19th Street (15 min) plus a short walk.

Famous for: Pizzaiolo, Commis (Michelin-starred), Swan's Market, Burma Superstar

Oakland Temescal and Old Oakland, 15 minutes east of San Francisco by BART, are the East Bay's dining anchor with Pizzaiolo, Commis and the Swan's Market food hall.

Oakland Temescal and Old Oakland

Food Day Trips in San Francisco, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in San Francisco?

Peak food season in San Francisco is year-round.

What time do people eat in San Francisco?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in San Francisco?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in San Francisco?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. San Francisco rewards trust.

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