Find the best things to do on a day trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's one of the cutest coastal towns in California with fairy-tale houses, incredible coastal views, and a quaint, Dutch-style town center.

There are tons of things to do in and around the Bay Area, and many of them are an easy day trip! These are the best places to take a day trip and things to do in each place.

Sausalito is a town on the bay just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. It’s charming, a bit upscale, and gorgeous.

One of my favorite hidden gems in Northern California is the town of Felton. It’s a small town tucked into the redwoods with an incredible railroad camp from the 1800s!

San Mateo is a lovely town with a Japanese Tea Garden, great restaurants, and a nice downtown. It’s a great spot for a day trip!