Having lived in Northern California for over two decades, I’m always looking for fun and interesting weekend getaways. Top-billing spots like Carmel, Napa, and Lake Tahoe are all fantastic, but as they say, variety is the spice of life, and it’s nice to explore new destinations. If you’re itching for a change in scenery, here are some places to put on your radar.
Jenner | Coastal Bliss in Sonoma County
Where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean is the small coastal community of Jenner. Even though you’ll discover quaint cafes, funky shops, and intimate places to stay along this rugged stretch of Highway 1 about two hours north of San Francisco, it’s nature that takes center stage here.
Jenner’s defining landmark is a dramatic outcrop called Goat Rock that is tethered to the Sonoma County coast by a narrow isthmus. The surrounding beach – perfect for strolling, but too treacherous and cold for recreational swimming – is a resting spot for a rich variety of marine life, including gulls, river otters, seals, and sea lions. Squadrons of pelicans soar overhead, breaking rank only to dive bomb the waves for an ocean snack.
You set the pace in Jenner. Walk the surrounding beaches and high bluffs; hike one of the many hillside trails to reach stunning ocean vistas; kayak along the river for a unique perspective; or simply kick back and enjoy sunset with a glass of wine. For a bit of history, drive about 10 miles north along Highway 1 to check out historic Fort Ross, where a Russian fur trading colony once thrived.
Where to stay: Perfectly located at the intersection of the Russian River and the ocean is the homey Jenner Inn, with beautiful river views and individually styled rooms. Breakfast is included, and you can walk across the street to rent a kayak or grab a bite to eat at Café Aquatica.
Also nearby is the River’s End Restaurant and Inn, featuring cozy rooms and cabins, as well as top-rated dining with ocean views.
For an unforgettable experience, drive 15 miles north to the award-winning Timber Cove Resort. Perched high on a bluff above the ocean, Timber Cove will connect you to nature with its pristine surroundings and earthy décor.
Cloverdale | Down-to-Earth Wine Country Base
If you want to combine an overnight in Jenner with another day in wine country, you have lots of options by following Highway 116 east along the Russian River, which is a gorgeous drive in and of itself. Once you hit Highway 101, head north, passing through Geyserville and Healdsburg, into Sonoma County’s charming northernmost town of Cloverdale.
Overlooking the picturesque Alexander Valley, Cloverdale boasts a small downtown filled with colorful Victorians, a burgeoning arts scene, excellent wineries and restaurants, and an unassuming, family-friendly vibe. It feels like what the region’s more renowned and upscale wine industry hot spots might have been like decades ago.
Wine aside, there’s plenty to do here whatever your interests. Stroll Main Street’s unique shops and galleries; travel back in time at Gould-Shaw House Museum; take the self-guided, audio Cloverdale Sculpture Trail; or enjoy the 72-acre Cloverdale River Park on the west bank of the Russian River for kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, and picnicking.
Where to Stay:
Cloverdale has some lovely places to stay. With five rooms and five cottages, the Old Crocker Inn is a peaceful retreat with hiking and fishing nearby.
The adults-only Highlands Estate is a French-country bed and breakfast situated on 21 acres of vineyards, meadowland, and woods. Along with beautiful grounds, it provides luxury amenities like a pool, billiard room, movie theater, and gym.
For good value, the Super 8 Cloverdale is clean and conveniently located right off the freeway.
Capitola | Laid-Back Charm on the Beach
Just 10 minutes from the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk and about an hour south of San Francisco is the laid-back seaside village of Capitola, one of the oldest vacation retreats on the Pacific Coast. The town’s distinctive appeal comes from its casual vibe and is embodied by the iconic row of cheerfully colored houses that face the ocean.
On warm weekends, sun bathers flock to Capitola, attracted to its wide, sandy beach and the relatively calm waters of Soquel Cove. The beach’s unprotected eastern end has waves that also make Capitola a popular spot for surfers, and behind the beach is a lagoon, where nature lovers can observe a rich variety of birds.
In Capitola Village, browse the shops and boutiques for funky souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and art. Then head to one of the many bars and cafes to refresh, grab an ice cream to go, or curate your own bag of saltwater taffy! At The Sand Bar & Grill, enjoy their signature Bloody Mary while taking in postcard-perfect views.
Where to stay:
The boutique, 10-room Capitola Hotel on the Esplanade is a good base for your stay. It’s in the middle of all the action and features casual décor, spacious rooms, and locally made soaps and lotions.
For family-friendly suites and ocean-view rooms, check The Capitola Venetian, a Mediterranean-style hotel right on the beach.
If you don’t mind trading oceanfront location for good value, consider one of the nearby hotel chains. The Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-Sea Inn & Suites is just eight blocks from the beach and receives high praise on Trip Advisor. It’s also close to nearby Santa Cruz so you can be close to both towns.
Nevada City | Gold Country Getaway in the Sierra Foothills
In the mid-1800s, this historic Sierra foothills town 60 miles northeast of Sacramento was booming with over 10,000 people dreaming of striking it rich, including Herbert Hoover, who lived here as an engineer in the gold mining industry before becoming president.
Today, the population of Nevada City is a fraction of what it was in its heyday, but Main Street retains the look and feel of its past with old-time saloons and a lineup of historic homes and buildings that includes the longest continuously operating hotel in the Western United States and the oldest live theatre in California.
While summer is a popular time to visit, Nevada City boasts an impressive range of autumnal hues in the fall; and in the winter, Nevada City transforms into a Victorian Christmas wonderland.
Despite the town’s historic foundation, Nevada City has a more earthy side to it as well. In more recent years, it has become a popular landing pad for tech nomads, artists, and retirees from the San Francisco Bay Area, and with that, trendy brew pubs, restaurants, and boutique shops have been folded into the town’s profile.
Where to stay: Quaint bed and breakfasts dominate the lodging scene in Nevada City, and there are plenty from which to choose.
Check into the Emma Nevada House for its homey comfort, delicious breakfast, and downtown location, or the lovely Madison House Bed & Breakfast that dates back to the mid-1800s.
Also downtown is the Deer Creek Inn, a Queen Anne Victorian mansion with beautiful grounds that back up to Deer Creek.
If you’re looking for more of a hotel setting with amenities for kids and even a small dog, you can’t go wrong with the Best Western in nearby Grass Valley.
Graeagle | A Playground of Forests and Lakes
Graeagle is another gem in the Sierra foothills. Located about 45 minutes north of Truckee and an hour from Reno, Nevada, this former mill town of less than a thousand sits in the Plumas National Forest.
The heart of Graeagle is small, and you’ll know you’re in it when you come to a cluster of red and tidy wood-frame buildings along both sides of Route 89. Within this short stretch, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes, peruse art galleries, pick up necessities at the town’s century-old general store, cap off a round of mini-golf with a soft-serve cone, or book a trail ride at Graeagle Stables.
Graeagle is a popular spot for year-round outdoor recreation. Hiking, mountain biking, and back packing enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Lakes Basin Recreation Area off the Gold Lake Highway, where pristine lakes are connected by a network of trails, including a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail. The largest of the lakes in this picturesque area is Gold Lake, with several dozen campsites and a boat launch. In the winter, the landscape transforms into a blank canvas for snowshoers and cross-country skiers to make their mark.
Angling is a big deal in Graeagle too, with both Lake Davis and the Middle-Fork Feather River known for trout fishing, while golfers are drawn to a surprising number of world-class greens in the area.
Where to stay: The Graeagle area has a wide range of comfortable and well-priced accommodations. Campers will find plenty of options for sleeping under the stars, and many families and groups rent lakefront homes or rustic cabins in the forest.
The Gray Eagle Lodge is tucked in the Plumas National Forest, with easy access to alpine lakes and trails, and The Lodge at Whitehawk, has 14 private rental cabins next to a golf course, with tennis courts and a pool too.
Closer to town, the Chalet View Lodge is a lovely boutique resort with a pool, nine-hole golf course, and fishing pond onsite.
Murphys | Wine, History, and Big Trees in California Gold Country
Called “One of the Top Ten Small Towns in America” by Frommers, and “The Next Napa” by the Los Angeles Times, Murphys is a can’t-miss gateway town to the Yosemite Valley in the heart of Gold Country. About three hours east of San Francisco and at the edge of the Stanislaus National Forest, it checks a lot of boxes for a fun weekend – charming downtown, tons of history, rugged nature, and a low-key but vibrant wine scene.
Murphys was one of the richest and most important Gold Rush camps in California. History buffs will enjoy a visit to The Murphys Historic Hotel, where famous guests include Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, and Susan B. Anthony.
By car you, you’ll find plenty of wineries and vineyards around Murphys, but you can avoid driving altogether by staying downtown and visiting any of its more than a dozen tasting rooms, such as the Hovey Winery Tasting Room, which is located in the beautiful and historic setting of the Albert Michelson House, childhood home of the first American to win a Nobel Prize in physics.
Just a few miles from downtown is the border of the Stanislaus National Forest, which has 900,000 acres criss-crossed with hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Don’t miss the giant sequoias of Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Of its seven trails, the 1.7-mile North Grove Trail is one of the easiest, while the 6.7-mile River Canyon Trail will give you a workout.
Where to Stay:
Whether you want to stay in a historic hotel downtown, a B&B away from the hustle and bustle, a rental cottage, or a motel, Murphys has a wide selection of accommodations.
Right on Main Street and within easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms is the romantic Victoria Inn whose 19 charming rooms blend history with modern amenities.
Tennis players will love the Courtwood Inn. Each of this B&B’s five rooms has views of the beautiful San Joaquin Valley from a private deck and are named after and decorated to reflect the world’s major professional tennis competitions.