19 Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco (within a 3 hour flight)

19 Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco (within a 3 hour flight)Jordan Hinsch

San Francisco residents pay a premium for their prime location. Yes, their living costs are the highest in the country, but if you're an avid traveler it doesn't get much better. In addition to numerous direct flight options overseas, San Francisco is ideally located with easy access to National Parks, mountains, and plenty of other fun destinations within a short flight. Note: These flights can be pretty expensive compared to other markets.

This article will focus on domestic destinations via airplane and car. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for locals in the bay area within a 3 hour flight. More importantly, these trips are all possible without having to request PTO (for you M-F 9-5'ers), it just depends what you want to do at your destination.

Bear in Mind: When travelling internationally as of June 17th, 2021, you're required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test upon return to the United States. This is on top of any restrictions in the country you are visiting. Since the rules are changing frequently, I'll leave that out. Instead, I'll include a link to the embassy site where you can find the latest information.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) - 2 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Bears, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, skiing, golfing, horseback riding, rustic boutique, hotels, cool people.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $500+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Jackson Hole

Pro Tip:

• Make sure you have time to visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Jenny Lake is a must.

Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) - Just Over a 3 Hour Flight

Why go?

• BBQ! BBQ! BBQ!

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• Southwest from OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Kansas City

Pro Tip:

• Visit the Power & Light District for a unique nightlife experience & go to Arthur Bryant's for BBQ.

Lake Tahoe, CA & NV (RNO) - 1 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Gorgeous Lake Tahoe! Skiing, water sports, gambling, great scenery, interesting people. Reno is the closest airport, about 45 minutes away. It's also only a 3 hour drive from San Francisco!

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• SkyWest from LAX - See flight deals
• Southwest from OAK - See flight deals
• JSX from OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Lake Tahoe

Seattle, Washington (SEA) - 2 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Whales, Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, gorgeous views, intelligent individuals, good breweries.

When to go?

• Summer (you can't really avoid the rain but you can pray)

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Delta from SFO - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Alaska from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Southwest from SJC, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Horizon from SFO, OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Seattle

Pro Tip:

• Visit the REI flagship store. Wow.

Aspen, Colorado (ASE) - 2 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Skiing, great scenery, luxury.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• SkyWest from SFO - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $400+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Aspen

Pro Tip:

• It's very expensive, but worth a shot. 3.5 hour drive if you wish to save some $$.

Denver, Colorado (DEN) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Mountains, beer, National Parks, hiking, clean city, nice people.

When to go?

• Year-round. Ski in the winter. Hike in the summer.

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Frontier from SFO - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SJC - See flight deals
• Southwest from SJC, SJC, OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Denver

San Diego, California (SAN) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Surfing, Hiking, Zoo, Mountain Biking, Partying.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Southwest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SFO, SJC - See flight deals
• Horizon from SJC - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in San Diego

Los Angeles, California (LAX, BUR, SNA, LGB, SBA, ONT) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Surfing, Hiking, Sports, City Life, Culture, Fame, Disneyland, Food.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Delta from SFO - See flight deals
• Spirit from OAK - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Southwest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Horizon from SFO, SJC - See flight deals
• JetBlue from SFO - See flight deals
• Frontier from SFO - See flight deals
• JSX from OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Los Angeles

Austin, Texas (AUS) - Just Over A 3 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Food, Art, Music, BBQ, Tech, Bach Parties, and All-Around Fun!

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SFO, SJC - See flight deals
• Horizon from SFO - See flight deals
• Southwest from SJC, OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Austin

Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Gambling, Hoover Dam, Death Valley National Park, Valley of Fire State Park, Partying, more Gambling.

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Horizon from SFO - See flight deals
• Allegiant from OAK - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SFO - See flight deals
• Frontier from SFO, OAK - See flight deals
• Southwest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Spirit from OAK - See flight deals
• JSX from OAK - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Las Vegas

Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) - Just Under a 2 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Skiing, Salt Flats, Mormons, and Great National Parks within a moderate drive.

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• Delta from SFO - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Southwest from SFO, SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Horizon from SFO - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Salt Lake City

Glacier National Park, Montana (FCA) - Just Under A 3 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Glacier National Park and the great town of Whitefish. I recommend camping, but you can get a boutique hotel in Whitefish or Kalispell.

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• SkyWest from SFO - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $400+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Whitefish

Portland, Oregon (PDX) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Surfing. Oregon coast is only 1 hour away. Mt. Hood is nearby as well.

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Southwest from SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Alaska from SFO - See flight deals
• SkyWest from SJC, OAK - See flight deals
• Horizon from SFO, SJC - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Portland

Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD) - Just Over a 3 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Beaches, fun, great vacations.

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• United from SFO - See flight deals
• Alaska from SFO - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $600+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Los Cabos

Napa Valley, California - 1 Hour Drive

Why go?

• Wine and Fun. The ideal weekend getaway.

When to go?

• Spring, Summer, Fall

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Napa

Big Sur, California - 2.5 Hour Drive

Why go?

• Pure nature. Big Sur is the longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the lower 48 states.

When to go?

• Summer.

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Big Sur

Yosemite National Park - 3 Hour Drive

Why go?

• One of the best National Parks in the US. Prove me wrong.

When to go?

• Summer. Tioga Road can be closed up until May and after September due to snowfall.

Where can you stay?

• Camp!
• If you don't want to camp and can extend your budget a bit, stay at The Ahwahnee. Incredible location.
• See hotels in Yosemite Valley

Sequoia National Park - 4 Hour Drive

Why go?

• The largest trees in the world.

When to go?

• Summer.

Where can you stay?

• Camp!

Pinnacles National Park - 2 Hour Drive

Why go?

• Monoliths and diverse wildlands. An easy excuse to check off another National Park.

When to go?

• Summer.

Where can you stay?

• Camp!

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