Cities Near San Francisco
Cities near San Francisco, California: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Napa, Berkeley, Oakland. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to San Francisco, California is Napa, about 37 mi (59 km) away — roughly 1 hr 6 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NapaWine country tastings | 37 mi / 59 km | 1 hr 6 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| BerkeleyUniversity town in the hills | 10 mi / 17 km | 35 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| OaklandWaterfront, museums and food | 8 mi / 13 km | 28 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| San JoseHeart of Silicon Valley | 42 mi / 67 km | 1 hr 15 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| San Leandro | 15 mi / 24 km | 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| San Rafael | 15 mi / 24 km | 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| San Mateo | 16 mi / 25 km | 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Walnut Creek | 21 mi / 34 km | 41 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| San Ramon | 24 mi / 39 km | 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Novato | 24 mi / 39 km | 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from San Francisco
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Napa, Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, San Leandro. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near San Francisco include Napa, Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, San Leandro. The closest is Napa, about 37 miles (59 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.