Day Trips from San Francisco to San Jose

Check off several towns and landmarks along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, all without the stress of driving or having to hire a car, with this full-day small-group tour from San Francisco. Take in the coastal views, and enjoy free time in Monterey and Carmel-by-the Sea, along with scenic stops at 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, Bird Rock Vista Point, and more.

California’s Highway 1—also known as the Pacific Coast Highway—stretches along the Pacific Ocean, and is known for its spectacular scenery. This private, self-led smartphone audio guide accompanies you from San Francisco to Los Angeles, sharing facts and stories about the cities and landmarks you pass. The app’s GPS functionality works offline, letting you explore independently at your own pace with lifetime access and no expiry.

On our exclusive Silicon Valley tour, we explore the Googleplex — a tech playground with cafes, shops, and art installations. From volleyball courts to on-site haircuts, you’ll glimpse the dynamic world of Google employees and even spot the colorful Google bikes around the campus. We’ll visit the Computer History Museum, journeying through four decades of computing history, including one of the earliest computers. Then, enjoy Stanford University with free time to explore, immerse yourself in the academic atmosphere, and stroll through the picturesque grounds. Our final stop is Apple’s Visitor Center, featuring interactive exhibits, a café, and a well-stocked Apple Store. Use an iPad and virtual reality to tour the secretive Apple campus! At 4:00 PM, we’ll conclude our tech-filled day and return to San Francisco, enjoying a scenic drive past Crystal Springs Reservoir and San Andreas Lake.

Drive down one of the most scenic roads in California on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Cruise along the coast-hugging Highway 1, passing Pebble Beach on the iconic 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy free time to explore Monterey, where you can stroll down Steinbeck’s Cannery Row or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium (own expense). Then enjoy free time to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea before returning to San Francisco.

From the spectacular rocky ocean waves to the iconic towns, Highway 1 from San Francisco provides an experience you rarely find. This tour combines the best of California in one day. We begin in Monterey Bay, that has unparalleled sea life. You may even spot a whale! You will have time for coffee at Cannery Row. Next is the famous 17-Mile Scenic Drive (including a stop at golf resort Pebble Beach). There will be photo stops at the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Lovers Point or Point Pinos. We visit the beach town of Carmel, home to celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, where you can visit quaint shops, artisinal bakeries and coffee shops. Lastly, we will see the Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point, the iconic highlights of Big Sur. Depending on the time of the year, there may be a spectacular Northern California sunset over the ocean as we make our way back to San Francisco.

Skip the hassle of figuring out Silicon Valley’s spread-out landmarks and how to connect them. This private tour brings together key sites and stories behind the world’s biggest tech innovators into one seamless experience. With personalized guidance and easy transport, you can focus on the insights and history rather than the logistics.

Discover the heart of global technology on this exclusive private tour of Silicon Valley, traveling in a Tesla Model X, designed and built right here. Visit iconic tech campuses, learn the stories behind the world’s most powerful companies, and see where innovation happens. Stop at the Apple Visitor Center to see the latest products and experience their Augmented Reality Experience or demo their VR glasses. Stop to see the modest family home where Steve Jobs built one of the world's most highly valued companies. Explore Google HQ’s campus, and snap a photo at Facebook (Meta) HQ. Enjoy lunch at a popular Silicon Valley café, where entrepreneurs and students fuel their ideas. Explore Stanford University and stop to pick up swag at the campus store. See the Tesla Factory Delivery Center where cutting-edge vehicles are born. Throughout the tour, enjoy a luxurious, high-tech experience in a Tesla Model X, offering a unique and intimate look at the world’s most innovative region.

Avoid the confusion of navigating sprawling tech campuses on your own with a private day trip from San Francisco to Silicon Valley. Instead of piecing together routes between spread-out hubs, your driver-guide takes you directly to major campuses like Google, Apple, and Meta, along with key innovation landmarks. It’s an easy, efficient way to explore the birthplace of modern tech without logistical hassle.

This tour offers an unparalleled blend of San Francisco's iconic landmarks and Silicon Valley's premier destinations. Start your journey with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and explore the vibrant atmosphere of Fisherman’s Wharf. Wind through the famous Lombard Street and immerse yourself in the architectural beauty of the Palace of Fine Arts. But what truly sets this tour apart is the exclusive access to the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit the world-renowned Stanford University, where innovation meets tradition, and experience the cutting-edge design at Apple Park Visitor Center, the global hub of technology. Finally, indulge in a luxurious shopping spree at Stanford Shopping Center, where upscale boutiques and world-class brands await. This unique itinerary combines the best of sightseeing with a taste of the luxury lifestyle, making it a must for those who want to experience the essence of both San Francisco and Silicon Valley in one unforgettable day.

This experience begins with a single, approachable surf stop in Pacifica, then opens into a thoughtfully paced journey along the Northern California coast. Rather than following a rigid checklist, the day unfolds based on conditions, timing, and the natural rhythm of the coastline. Guests experience dramatic headlands, coastal wetlands, historic landmarks, and relaxed food and drink pauses along the way. Select stops are optional and curated. These may include a visit to a working goat farm in Pescadero, where guests can meet the animals and purchase locally made goat cheese and honey. The emphasis is not on covering as much ground as possible, but on experiencing the coast as locals do—unhurried, immersive, and grounded in place.

Learn about how Google, Apple, and more got started with this silicon Valley tour by luxury vehicle. You’ll learn how Hewlett and Packared started Silicon Valley, and grew to be where Facebook calls home. You’ll see the campus of Stanford and be guided around by a student, and you’ll visit the Emerald City, the Oracle campus, and more, also learning about the history of San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Ideal for travelers short on time, this day trip covers the best of the Monterey and Carmel region in one day of sightseeing from San Francisco. Highlights include spending two hours in both Monterey and Carmel, driving the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, and stopping at a garlic shop in Gilroy, known as the “Garlic Capital of the world.”

Visit the top sites of Silicon Valley with this private tour for groups of up to 6 people from San Francisco. Visit the Oracle, Facebook, and Google campuses, along with the garage where Hewlett Packard started, Steve Job’s home, and the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino. Includes a 2-hour tour of Stanford University Campus featuring Hoover Tower, Church of All Religions, Rodin Museum, and more.