Trade San Francisco fog for California sun

April 28, 11:40 AMSF Budget Travel ExaminerErin Schneider

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 Summer fog in San Francisco hides the Golden Gate Bridge

Eager tourists flock to San Francisco in the summer, sporting shorts and flip-flops, primed for the beach. As a local, you know that summer in San Francisco can chill to the bone, since blankets of fog hang low enough to touch the highest hills. Why not get out of town for some actual summer sun while the tourists are left behind buying Alcatraz hoodies from Pier 39's booths?

Get the wheels turning by considering a road trip to Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Park. Just five hours from San Francisco, hiking trails, camp grounds and caves are surrounded by the glorious Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Pack a wine and cheese picnic and lounge by any roaring river until the dry heat primes you for a dip in the crisp waters. Hike the network of dusty trails that feature wildflowers and native creatures before depositing you onto lookout points where ancient canyons and mountains can be revered. For more information on planning your trip, see the National Park Service’s website.
 

 Above: King's Canyon National Park. Photo by Adinda Sukardi   Below: Catalina Island

If you are pining for an adventure a bit further from home, hop onto a budget airline’s flight to San Diego or Los Angeles and head straight for the shore, where you’ll depart for the final destination: Catalina Island. Accessible by ferry, private boat or helicopter, the scenery on the way to the island is awe-inspiring. After arriving, pedal a rental bicycle around the island, snorkel and scuba dive, and explore marine life through a glass bottom boat or by means of a submarine tour. Click here for more Catalina Island ideas.

Just because you live in San Francisco doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer the way the rest of California does. Go explore in the sunshine and leave the clam chowder behind to warm up the unsuspecting tourists.