The Best Day Trips From Fresno California

Sometimes, you just have to get out of the city and take a break from the daily grind. From national parks to other cities bustling with attractions, these day trips from Fresno will help you relax, unwind and find yourself in a different place.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Yosemite National Park

Park

The name Yosemite alone conjures images of true wildness, beautiful landscapes and unforgettable views. Just a two-hour drive from Fresno, this famous national park is so vast that you’ll want to return again and again to explore different areas. Facilities and parking are all very convenient, as the park is federally run. As for hiking, there is a route for every skill level. Whether you simply want to stare at the El Capitan and Cathedral Peak or get involved in some strenuous activity, there’s something for you.

Mono Hot Springs

Natural Feature
This day trip is for you if you want to kick back and relax in a hot, hot bath. Two hours east of Fresno in the Sierra National Forest, the Mono Hot Springs are heated geothermally. With six pools to explore, it offers a relaxing retreat from your worries. The hottest pool reaches 104F (40C), so dip your toe in the water before jumping in. Just don’t make the rookie mistake of forgetting your bathing suit.

Bakersfield

Architectural Landmark

South of Fresno is the lively city of Bakersfield, known for its culture, food and music, so it makes an ideal day trip when you’re looking for something a bit different but still want the creature comforts of the city. In addition to its bars and restaurants, there are some great museums in Bakersfield, including the Kern County Museum, which offers a detailed look into the history of the area, and the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science, which allows you to explore the region’s geography.

San Francisco

Natural Feature
While this day trip hardly needs an explanation, here is one anyway. Around three hours away by car, San Francisco is one of the jewels of the West Coast of the US and has so much to offer. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Chinatown, and from Alcatraz to the city’s hopping nightlife scene, there’s something for you no matter your interests. Our recommendation? Riding a cable car up and down the city’s famous hills.

Big Sur

Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

This famous and beautiful location is an easy day trip from Fresno. Close to Los Padres National Forest on the coast, it’s an awe-inspiring and dramatic area of coastline. Almost completely undeveloped, the windswept and wild vista here will have you dreaming of escape from your day-to-day life. Pull up a beach chair, watch the waves and feel your stress melt away – until you have to drive home, that is.

Bravo Farms, Kettleman City

Amusement Park
Occasionally, you want a day trip that’s a little closer to home. This fun, lively attraction with a Wild West theme is a diverting day trip about one hour south of Fresno. Much more than your usual pit stop, it’s a truly old-fashioned day out. With a cowboy-themed ghost town, a large farm shop, a restaurant and a dog play area, it might be slightly cheesy, but you’ll have fun. Not everything needs to be cutting-edge – sometimes, something you would have loved as a kid really hits the spot.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.