Drive Out to a National or State Park Near San Francisco

Looking for national and state parks within driving distance of San Francisco? Then it's time for a road trip! A rental car from a neighborhood Enterprise location in San Francisco might be the best option for your travel. Enterprise offers quick, convenient travel options so you can get on the road faster. With so many styles and options available, you’re sure to find the perfect rental car for your travels.

It may even be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car for your road trip instead of using your personal vehicle. With so many styles and options available, you’re sure to find the perfect rental car for your travels. Not sure which car to choose for your road trip? We can help! We've compiled a list of the best road trip cars for families, adventure-seekers and more.

There are a lot of national and state parks near San Francisco to choose from, so we narrowed it down to the top ones that would make a perfect adventure or a quick weekend getaway. Be sure to check out the parks' websites to get their latest info before you hit the road.

National Parks Near San Francisco

Joshua Tree National Park

Located in southern California, it's named for the twisted Joshua trees in the area.

Drive timeapprox. 8 hours (Driving Directions)

Distanceapprox. 512 miles

Open daily

Entranced fees required

Camping allowed

Death Vally National Park

Located in both California and Nevada, the park is known for its extreme weather yet very much alive dessert. 

Drive timeapprox. 7.3 hours (Driving Directions)

Distanceapprox. 458 miles

Open daily

Entranced fees required

Camping allowed

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is known for its giant, ancient sequoia trees.

Drive timeapprox. 3 hours (Driving Directions)

Distanceapprox. 167 miles

Open seasonally

Entranced fees required

Camping allowed

State Parks Near San Francisco

Mount Tamalpais State Park

Just North of the Bay Area, this park offers superlative hiking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

Drive timeapprox. 0.5 hours (Driving Directions)

Distanceapprox. 15 miles

Open daily

Entranced fees not required

Camping allowed

Tomales Bay State Park

The park features multiple gently sloping, surf-free beaches, protected from winds by Inverness Ridge. 

Drive timeapprox. 1.3 hours (Driving Directions)

Distanceapprox. 47 miles

Open daily

Entranced fees required

Camping not allowed

Mount Diablo State Park

The park offers a summit visitor center & observation deck, plus trails, campsites & picnic areas.

Drive timeapprox. 1.3 hours (Driving Directions)

Distanceapprox. 43 miles

Open daily

Entranced fees required

Camping allowed

Benefits of Renting a Car

  • Reduce wear-and-tear and/or mileage on your own vehicle
  • Choose from a variety of rental cars – like compacts, minivans or luxury SUVs – to fit your group’s needs
  • Select a style with extra cargo space – perfect for camping gear, hiking equipment or that last-minute RSVP
  • Enjoy add-ons such as car seats, GPS/navigational systems, ski racks and more

Popular Road Trip Cars

Take your pick from one of these classic road trip car options.

SUVs

Our SUVs offer flexibility with seating capacity, power, and luggage room. Find the ideal SUV for your next weekend family trip or exploring the countryside.

Trucks

Looking to haul large items for DIY projects or going on a weekend retreat? A pickup truck has space, power and durability ideal for your project or trip.

Vans

Need extra room for people, luggage, or cargo or both? Our minivans and passenger vans can seat up to 7 and 15 people and are great for family vacations or large groups.

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