San Francisco doesn’t lack natural beauty. With gorgeous views, beaches, and hikes, it is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with one caveat — there’s never any snow. Lucky for us, California is home to dozens of different climates, and snowy mountains are just a drive away. Here are some essential places to go and enjoy a snow day near the Bay Area this winter. Just remember to check the weather and snow conditions before hitting the road.
1. Pinecrest
Pinecrest Lake is a picturesque lake and town located in Stanislaus National Forest. The lake is three hours east of San Francisco and is perfect for taking in the winter views. There is a moderate 4-mile hiking trail around the lake, and the area is famous for skiing in the winter months. Be sure to check out the Sonora Pass hiking trails or nearby Dodge Ridge.
🌐 Learn more: US Forest Service
2. Dodge Ridge
Dodge Ridge is a family-owned ski resort in the Stanislaus National Forest, boasting 862 skiable acres and 1600 vertical feet. Not far from the Bay Area, Dodge Ridge provides an accessible and fun getaway from the city. A little Dodge Ridge powder day secret: You can find untracked powder stashes for numerous days following new snowfall. Plus, the resort’s ticket prices are affordable compared to other skiing destinations.
🌐 Learn more: Dodge Ridge
3. Arnold
Arnold is famous for housing the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. With various winter recreation activities and the massive redwoods, Arnold offers a picturesque and fun winter getaway. The town includes fine dining and boutique shopping for those looking for a more luxe getaway.
🌐 Learn more: Calaveras Visitors Bureau
4. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is world famous for its summertime activities, but it’s equally enchanting during the fall and winter months when snow blankets the mountains and valleys of this dramatic park. The Valley Loop Trail and Yosemite Falls Trail are favorites during the winter season, as well as the park’s snow play areas and ice skating rink. Tire chains may be required during winter, but frequent snow plows keep most of the main roads open all season. Plus, the Ahwahnee Hotel’s epic dining room is perfect for a cozy winter dinner after a day of activities.
🌐 Learn more: National Park Service
5. Bear Valley
Bear Valley is home to the famous Bear Valley Ski Resort. Find fantastic skiing and snowboarding opportunities on their manicured runs, or pop down to nearby Spicer Sno-Park for family-friendly snow play options.
🌐 Learn more: Bear Valley Ski Resort
6. Leland Snowplay
Leland High Sierra Snowplay claims to be the “biggest and best snow play facility in the Sierra,” and for good reason. They have 12 acres of snow play areas at an elevation of 6,300 feet. Unfortunately, the area isn’t free, but tickets are generally affordable and perfect for families. Activities include snowmobiling and tubing, and the lodge has a full kitchen, snack bar, and a cozy place to warm up.
🌐 Learn more: Leland Snowplay
7. North Lake Tahoe
There’s no shortage of activities and beautiful views in North Lake Tahoe, which is the more accessible side of the lake when coming from the Bay Area. The Palisades Tahoe ski resort was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics, and the entire region remains a renowned winter holiday destination. Enjoy amazing spas, hotels, resorts, and restaurants. We recommend checking traffic on weekends going to and from Tahoe; it’s a popular destination, and getting stuck in traffic can put a damper on a great day.
🌐 Learn more: North Lake Tahoe
8. South Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a popular winter destination for a reason. In bustling South Lake Tahoe, you’ll find a winter wonderland in places like Heavenly Mountain Resort, which offers extraordinary skiing and snowboarding with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area. The region also provides ample opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and other opportunities to get out and play.
🌐 Learn more: Visit Lake Tahoe
9. Echo Lakes
Find Echo Lake in a serene, secluded mountain area just a few miles from South Lake Tahoe. Popular wintertime activities include cross-country skiing and dog sledding. You can also enjoy all the amenities that come in the Tahoe area, plus you can stay at the rustic and charming Echo Chalet if you want to extend your trip.
🌐 Learn more: Echo Lakes
10. Lake Alpine
This well-groomed snowy landscape for snowmobiles, cross-country skiing, and sledding is an ideal snow-day destination. Snow play is allowed anywhere, but you can also head to nearby Spicer and Round Valley Sno-Parks. While the drive o the snow is several hours from San Francisco, it’s well worth it.
🌐 Learn more: US Forest Service
11. Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Sno-Park is an abandoned ski resort turned snow play area. It’s ideal for snowmobiling, sledding, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. This is one of the 18 SNO-Parks, so be sure to bring your parking permit when you drive up.
🌐 Learn more: Sierra Nevada Geotourism
12. Mammoth Lakes
If you’re willing to take a slightly longer drive, Mammoth Lakes is worth the trip. The storybook scenery itself is spectacular. But you’ll also find amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities at Mammoth Mountain and a great family-friendly ski resort at June Mountain. Mammoth Mountain is known for its scenery, so be sure to bring your camera. The drive from San Francisco is approximately 6 hours, but you can stop in scenic Yosemite along the way.
🌐 Learn more: Visit Mammoth
13. Huntington Lake
This scenic high Sierra lake is popular for outdoor activities in both the warm months and the winter. Near the lake you can shred it up with sledding and tubing slopes. For all the history buffs out there, you can check out the Billy Creek Guard Station Museum, which details the history of the area.
🌐 Learn more: US Forest Service
14. Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass is located several hours northeast of San Francisco, offering plenty of snowy scenery to enjoy. The pass is ideal for recreational activities, offering snowmobile trails on the north side of the highway. Plus, you can dog sled and cross-country ski in the scenic pass. Yuba Pass is one of the many SNO-Parks, so make sure you get a permit online to use the parking areas.
🌐 Learn more: CA State Parks
15. Sequoia & Kings Canyon
National parks offer unreal scenery during the winter, and Sequoia National Park is no exception. The park has plenty of beautiful viewpoints if you want to soak it in, or you can also seek out winter activities such as snowshoeing. Plus, you can see the breathtaking giant sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world measured by volume. The Park is roughly a 4-hour drive from San Francisco.
🌐 Learn more: National Park Service
16. Donner Summit Sno-Park
If you’re planning a trip out to Tahoe this year, Donner Summit is a nice option for snow play just west of Truckee. You’ll need a day permit to use the park, but you’ll find it’s worth the 5 bucks to have plowed snow and restrooms available.
🌐 Learn more: Around Donner Summit
17. Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is known as a destination for climbers to summit, and while climbing the mountain might be too intense for many, there’s still plenty to do during the winter. You can ski and tube on the mountain at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park to get your fill of winter fun.
🌐 Learn more: Visit Mt. Shasta
18. Highway 108 SNO-Park
Another one of California’s 18 SNO-Parks, this park on Highway 108 is located just past Pinecrest at the winter closure gate. People visit for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. Remember to get a permit, and you can park in either of the lots on both sides of the freeway.
🌐 Learn more: California State Parks OHV
We’re certainly not expecting snow around these parts anytime soon, but believe it or not, snow has reached SF before. On Feb. 5, 1976, the city experienced several inches of snowfall for the last time, transforming parts of Golden Gate Park and city streets into a winter wonderland. Prior to that date, SF had experienced snowfall about once a decade.
Believe it or not, you could actually see snow less than half an hour from SF if the conditions are right. San Bruno Mountain, Mt. Hamilton, Twin Peaks, Mt. Sutro, and Mt. Davidson have all seen snow stick in recent years. Don’t expect to go sledding, but keep your eyes open for a dusting this winter.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn