The Best Road Trips From San Francisco, CA
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Best 6 Road Trips
From San Francisco
There have been numerous songs and films dedicated to the joys of road travel. You have everything you need to start the adventure with a bag full of snacks, your favorite tunes on the radio, surrounded by friends and family, and a buddy like Kyte.
Apart from being a lovely city in its own right, San Francisco allows you to be in a world-class vineyard, on the beach, or on top of a mountain with Kyte within a short drive. These six destinations will provide the best road trips from San Francisco, whether you're seeking a change of scenery, a calm getaway, or a day of unfettered excitement.
And Kyte has already taken care of the most crucial part of your trip: transportation. With that out of the way, here are our best six road trips from San Francisco.
1. Napa Valley
Travel time: 1 hour (70 miles)
Napa Valley, the ideal haven for wine lovers, has gained international acclaim for its wines. You don't have to be a wine enthusiast to visit Napa Valley. You could spend the day cycling with Napa Valley Bike Tours, interacting with an adorable crew of rescue animals at Oasis by Hoopes, or sampling brandy at California Brandy House.
Then there's Yountville, a small town with several winery tasting rooms that share the honor of having the most Michelin stars in the United States with The French Laundry and Bouchon restaurants
Kyte Recommendation
Sedan
2. Lake Tahoe
Travel time: 3 hours 20 minutes (190 miles)
Lake Tahoe makes for one of the best road trips from San Francisco. You can visit it at any time of year. The lake's clear waters, enveloped by boulders and pine trees, make for a picturesque summer getaway.
This stunning lake, mountainous terrain, and ski resorts are well worth the drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. The Desolation Wilderness is a fantastic place to hike in the spring and fall. Furthermore, since it is right on the Nevada border, you can cross over to gamble in the casinos situated directly on the state line.
Kyte Recommendation
SUV
3. Point Reyes
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes (52 miles)
The Point Reyes National Seashore has some of the most scenic hikes in the country, making it perfect for a weekend or day vacation. Steep inclines overlook stunning rocky cliffs with crashing ocean waves. If you appreciate botany or wildlife, you'll come across various trees and animals, including elk.
Aside from nature, this destination is particularly noteworthy for the Point Reyes Lighthouse, built in 1870 and well worth a visit. Finally, the Cypress Tree Tunnel is an unbelievable stretch of road with giant trees interlacing from either side to form a covered tunnel.
Kyte Recommendation
Economy
4. Silicon Valley
Travel time: 40 minutes (40 miles)
Another destination that makes for one of the best road trips from San Francisco, Silicon Valley is an incredibly short drive from San Francisco and makes for a perfect day trip. Redwood City, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Mountain View all seem to have strong connections to some of the world's leading technology companies.
Driving through the area, you'll see the headquarters of companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, Intel, and dozens of other tech goliaths. Whether or not you're a startup founder, something about the Silicon Valley vibe sets it apart from most other San Francisco road trip destinations.
Kyte Recommendation
Economy
5. Bolinas
Travel time: 1 hour (30 miles)
Bolinas, located just outside of San Francisco, is famous for being a place that wants to be less known. There have been indications of locals attempting to remove signs for the Bolinas exit from Highway 1 because they did not want visitors. But don't let that deter you. The short drive to Bolinas is well worth it for the spectacular scenery of the coastline. After visiting Alamere Falls, you must go to the Coast Cafe and the Bolinas Museum. These falls are one of the only a few in the world that fall directly into the sea, making for an unforgettable sight.
Kyte Recommendation
Sedan
6. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes (49 miles)
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small charming village with powerful central European vibes, cute Swiss-looking huts, and one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. If you're a food lover, this will be one of the best road trips from San Francisco you'll ever take. Restaurants such as Grasing's on Mission Street will amaze you with the quality of their meat and fish. You'll be in heaven if you add a few wine tasting rooms where you can sample Carmel Valley's finest produce.
After a satisfying meal, drive to Carmel Beach, where the white sand is exquisite, and you can easily spend an hour or two watching the waves roll in and be one with nature.
Kyte Recommendation
Sedan
Conclusion
The world is a beautiful place, and it’s better to experience it in person than sit on the couch and watch travel channels. And with some of these destinations that make for the best road trips from San Francisco, you have no reason not to enjoy the joy of traveling.
The cherry on the cake is you don’t need to own a car to visit these beautiful places. That’s where Kyte comes in. With us, all you have to do is enter your delivery and return address, select your dates and times, choose your Kyte, complete a short verification process, sit back, and we’ll deliver and pick up your Kyte to your door!
On the day of your trip, your Surfer will meet you at the location of your choice to hand over the keys and verify your license. All you have to do now is pack your bags and get ready to enjoy your exciting road trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I return my Kyte at a different location than my delivery?
Yes! You have the option to select different delivery and return addresses within the same service area when you make your booking. If you want to make a change after booking, let us know via in-app chat or send us a text and we will update that for you!
How do I edit my trip?
You can do it through our App or on our Website! Go to your trips, select the trip you'd like to edit, and modify it under "where & when". Make sure you click on "Confirm & Pay".
What payment methods does Kyte accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards. If using a debit card, the standard deposit during your booking will be $500. We do not accept cash or pre-paid debit card payments for the booking cost or the deposit.
Can I extend my trip?
Trip extensions are subject to vehicle availability. You may extend for as long as you’d like, just let us know at least 2 hours before your original scheduled return. Extensions made within 2 hours of your return will incur a $25 rescheduling fee to cover our Surfers’ time.
How does the handoff for delivery/return work?
Your Surfer will be at the address of your choice waiting to hand off the keys and verify your license. Yep... that’s really it!
How old do I need to be to book a Kyte?
Age Requirements by State:
Our minimum required age in California, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Washington D.C., and New Jersey is 21.
Our minimum required age in New York and Brooklyn is 18 years old.
What is the cancellation policy for bookings?
Need to cancel? No Problem!
Cancellations made 48 hours prior to your scheduled delivery time are eligible for a full refund to your original payment method.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled delivery time are eligible for a full refund in Kyte credit.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of your scheduled delivery time will be subject to a $25 cancellation / rescheduling fee which will be deducted from your refunded Kyte credit.