Check out these 12 great weekend getaways from San Francisco

Find unbeatable hiking, exhilarating scenery and a low-key neighborhood vibe at this woodsy coastal retreat. The iconic drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) alone is worth the trip. Note: As of this writing, due to landslides, the highway is still closed at the south end of Big Sur so consult the Caltrans website to get updated information on highway conditions and detours.

Check out: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (47555 Hwy 1; 831-667-2315), the best-known section of Big Sur, has gorgeous redwood groves and an 80-foot waterfall. Abandon your modesty for a soak in the clothing-optional hot springs at Esalen Institute, a New Age retreat open to the public by reservation only. In the evening, watch the sunset from the heated patio at Nepenthe, where you’ll get views of the mountains and ocean.

Stay at: Treebones Resort, a community of yurts furnished with queen-sized beds and heaters starting at $368 a night. For a more rustic experience, try a campsite with ocean views from your own tent starting at $137.

Eat at: Splurge on dinner at coast-hugging the Sur House, where local, sustainably fished seafood combines with foraged and housemade delights for an unforgettable meal.

Distance from SF: 2 hrs 40 mins 

The sleepy fishing town of Point Reyes is known for its fresh oysters and natural beauty. Just up the coast, Tomales Bay is lined with tiny hamlets, old-school seafood joints and picturesque farms and wineries.

Check out: Toby’s Feed Barn, a family-owned community center, has a generously stocked general store, farmers’ market, yoga studio, art gallery and coffee bar. Go for a hike along Point Reyes National Seashore (1 Bear Valley Rd; 415-663-1835) to watch the elephant seals gather at Chimney Rock, then descend the stairs to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Get a view from the water with a rented kayak or paddleboard from Blue Waters Kayaking. For a special treat, check out their nighttime bioluminescence tour.

Stay at: Nick’s Cove, where the bayside cottages are equipped with kitchenettes and wood-burning stoves. Rooms start at $490.

Eat at: Hog Island Oyster Co’s (20215 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall, 415-663-9218) shellfish farm serves shuck-your-own as well as pre-shucked and barbequed bivalves on a patio overlooking the Bay. Reserve a table in advance or expect a long wait. At the Marshall Store’s seafood shack, nosh on more oysters and Dungeness crab at picnic tables along the water.

Distance from SF: 1 hr 15 mins

A hidden treasure trove of old-school Americana, the landscape here is nothing short of incredible, riddled with tall peaks, alpine lakes and some of the tallest trees in the world.

Check out: The Giant Sequoia National Monument which boasts the densest concentration of Sequoiadendron giganteum, the world’s largest redwood species. In Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks (two parks jointly adminstered), find expansive hiking trails and Moro Dome, a massive granite rock formation that dominates the landscape.

Stay at: Virginia Creek Settlement for a no-frills, yet all-inclusive experience in a wooden cabin and easy access to nearby Mono Lake. Rooms start at $129 (or you could literally sleep in a covered wagon for $85). For a more rustic experience, snag a campsite inside one of the national parks.

Eat at: The