The best, breathtaking weekend getaways from San Francisco are listed below, they include the location of the final scene of “Mad Men” and the stunning ocean scenery featured in “Murder, She Wrote”.
Big Sur
Also know as the “American Riviera” Big Sur is a rugged stretch of California’s central coast a couple hours south of San Francisco. Bordered to the east by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the west by the Pacific Ocean, the picturesque 2-lane State Route 1, twists and winds around tall cliffs and offers vistas of the often-misty coastline. The dramatic coastline offers wild, beautiful beaches, and the occasional waterfall plunging into the sea below.
Stay at the cliff-side yurts at Treebones Resort, or pay homage to Don Draper’s coastal retreat getaway in the Mad Men series finale at Big Sur’s famed Esalen Institute. Here you can stay and take workshops to the same magical backdrop of that last scene.
Mendocino
156 miles north of the Golden Gate City, is where Jessica Fletcher lived in the TV series “Murder, She Wrote”. This gorgeous little town is famous for its pretty Victorian buildings and cutsey cottages. The whole town was used in the series along with the breathtaking ocean views in the surrounding area. Nearby, you can try some superb local wine from one of the surrounding vineyards and trek under the enormous redwood trees.
Stay at the Elk Cove Inn & Spa a lovely bed and breakfast with one of the most beautiful views on the Mendocino Coast where you can often see migrating whales.
Lake Tahoe
3 hours from San Francisco is Lake Tahoe. This popular vacation spot is America’s second-deepest lake. Driving around the lake’s shimmering shoreline s magical. The north shore is quiet and upscale, the west shore, rugged and olde worldy; and the south shore is chavy and flash with with dated motels and casinos.
With sunshine three out of four days in the year, this is an ideal spot for a getaway and you can swim, boat, windsurf and do a bunch of other water sports on the lake. This is also a great place to beach on the shores, hike through the forest and camp. In the winter you can hit the slopes at Tahoe’s ski and snowboard resorts.
Monterey
Under 2 hours from San Francisco, Monterey is home to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, which features exhibits including native species like jellyfish, sting rays and sea otters as well as touch tanks where you can feel the rough surface of a starfish or the skin of a sea cucumber. Beyond the aquarium are beautiful beaches like Lovers Point or Pebble Beach or hop on a whale watching excursion.
Stay at the Tickle Pink Inn just because it has a fun name or because it offers luxurious rooms perched high atop rugged cliffs, overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean.
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