Things to Do on a Northern California Road Trip

We have split Northern California into six areas that line up with how most people travel: San Francisco and Marin; Napa and Sonoma; Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur; Mendocino and the redwood coast; Lake Tahoe; and Sacramento with the Gold Country. Each section below shows a few of the most-reviewed tours and tickets, and every area page lists more of them alongside the places we suggest seeing on your own.

A Northern California road trip rarely follows a straight line, so use the areas as building blocks. San Francisco pairs naturally with a day in Muir Woods and Sausalito; the wine valleys reward at least two nights; Monterey and Carmel make a base for Big Sur; and Mendocino and the redwoods need several days because the roads are slow and winding. The most popular bookings are Alcatraz tickets, wine tours with a driver, whale watching on Monterey Bay, redwood day trips from the city and summer boat cruises on Lake Tahoe. Book Alcatraz well ahead; it often sells out. On a longer Northern California road trip, mix guided days with self-drive days so you are not behind the wheel every day.

Things to Do in San Francisco and Marin

Viator

Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry)

★ 4.4 (5,282 reviews) · 5 hr

From$80

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SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★ 4.1 (4,777 reviews) · 1.3 hr

From$56

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Viator

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

★ 4.3 (4,629 reviews) · 8 hr

From$165

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Viator

San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country w/ optional Gourmet Lunch

★ 4.6 (3,436 reviews) · 11 hr

From$199

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More things to do San Francisco »

Things to Do in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country

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Napa Valley Small Group Winery Tour

★ 4.9 (1,098 reviews) · 7 hr

From$151

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Viator

Sonoma Valley Open Air Wine Trolley Tour

★ 4.6 (890 reviews) · 6.5 hr

From$145

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Viator

Napa Valley Wine Trolley Classic Tour

★ 4.5 (873 reviews) · 6.5 hr

From$145

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Tiqets

Russian River Valley: Full-Day Guided Tour from San Francisco + Wine Tasting

From$144

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Things to Do in Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur

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Whale Watching Tour From Monterey

★ 4.8 (1,138 reviews) · 3.5 hr

From$75

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Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

★ 5 (953 reviews) · 3 hr

From$59

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Viator

Monterey Whale Watching Tour

★ 4.7 (926 reviews) · 2 hr

From$70

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Viator

Whale Watching Tour Monterey California

★ 4.7 (616 reviews) · 3 hr

From$62

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Things to Do in Mendocino and the Redwood Coast

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Skunk Train: Pudding Creek Express from Fort Bragg

★ 4 (324 reviews) · 1.3 hr

From$54

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Viator

Redwoods Railbike Along Pudding Creek

★ 4.7 (290 reviews) · 2 hr

From$286

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Viator

Skunk Train: Wolf Tree Turn from Willits

★ 4.4 (283 reviews) · 2 hr

From$70

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Viator

Glen Blair Bar Late-night Watering Hole

★ 4.7 (79 reviews) · 4 hr

From$65

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More things to do Mendocino and the Redwoods »

Things to Do in Lake Tahoe and Truckee

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Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise

★ 4.6 (980 reviews) · 2 hr

From$116

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Viator

Ultimate Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

★ 4.5 (498 reviews) · 3 hr

From$14

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Viator

Lake Tahoe Evening Dinner Cruise

★ 4.3 (452 reviews) · 3 hr

From$170

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Viator

Lake Tahoe East Shore Trail Self-Guided E-Bike Tour — 2–4 Hours

★ 4.9 (353 reviews) · 2 hr

From$100

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Things to Do in Sacramento and the Gold Country

Viator

Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour

★ 4.8 (138 reviews) · 3 hr

From$109

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Viator

Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour

★ 4.9 (135 reviews) · 3 hr

From$109

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Viator

Pedal, Drink, and Bar hop through Sacramento on a 15 seat Beer Bike

★ 4.9 (50 reviews) · 2 hr

From$50

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Tiqets

Historic River Cruise of Sacramento

★ 3.9 (9 reviews)

From$30

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More things to do Sacramento and Gold Country »

Tours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of NoCal may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.