day trips san carlos ca

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in San Carlos

Things to do in san carlos, tours in and around san carlos.

Airplane - San Francisco Bay Airplane Tour

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour

Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz

Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)

Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge + Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

Top attractions in san carlos.

Other Top Attractions around San Carlos

What travellers are saying

Top Things to Do in San Carlos, CA

Places to visit in san carlos, tours in and around san carlos.

Airplane - San Francisco Bay Airplane Tour

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour

Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz

Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)

Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge + Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

Top attractions in san carlos.

Other Top Attractions around San Carlos

What travellers are saying

• Destinations

10 Best Things to Do in San Carlos, CA

Last Updated By VI on May 18, 2024

Hiller Aviation Museum

Fly bay area, the reading bug, san carlos, devil's canyon brewing company.

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601 Skyway Rd, San Carlos, CA 94070, Phone: 727-582-2100

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• 1. Hiller Aviation Museum
• 2. Fly Bay Area
• 3. The Reading Bug, San Carlos
• 4. Devil's Canyon Brewing Company
• 5. San Carlos Museum of History, San Carlos
• 6. Cuisinett
• 7. Domenico Winery, San Carlos
• 8. San Carlos Flight Center Day Tours
• 9. Town Restaurant
• 11. Flying Suitcase Wines

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Top Things to Do in San Carlos, CA - San Carlos Must-See Attractions

Things to do in san carlos, tours in and around san carlos.

Airplane - San Francisco Bay Airplane Tour

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour

Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz

Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)

Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge + Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

Top attractions in san carlos.

Other Top Attractions around San Carlos

What travellers are saying

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Discover the Hidden Gems of San Carlos, California: A Family-Friendly Paradise

Discover San Carlos, California's family-friendly paradise inside the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 28, 2023

Welcome to the picturesque city of San Carlos , California! Nestled in the heart of the San Francisco Peninsula, San Carlos is a hidden gem that offers a wealth of family-friendly activities, excellent eateries, beautiful parks, and unique attractions. With its small-town charm and big-city amenities, this is the perfect destination for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Read on to discover the top reasons why San Carlos is the ultimate family-friendly paradise.

Vibrant Dining Scene

San Carlos boasts a diverse range of restaurants and cafes , catering to every palate. For a scrumptious breakfast, look no further than Johnston's Saltbox, known for their mouth-watering ricotta pancakes and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Craving something sweet? Head over to SusieCakes for a heavenly slice of their signature celebration cake or a delicious assortment of cupcakes. For dinner, indulge in the authentic Neapolitan pizzas at Pazzo, or feast on the sushi creations at Ozuma Sushi, a local favorite.

Outdoor Adventures Abound

Nature enthusiasts will be thrilled to find an abundance of parks and open spaces in San Carlos. Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the scenic trails of Eaton Park, or explore the lush, tree-lined paths at the Don Eaton Park. If you're up for a challenge, hike the breathtaking trails of Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, where you can soak in panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. For a more relaxing experience, unwind with a family picnic at the beautiful Burton Park, which also features a playground, sports fields, and tennis courts.

Top-Notch Education

Families in San Carlos can take advantage of the city's outstanding public schools, which are known for their high academic standards and dedicated teachers. In particular, the San Carlos School District has received numerous accolades for its commitment to providing students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education. The district is home to a number of highly-rated schools, such as Brittan Acres Elementary, Central Middle School, and the acclaimed Arundel Elementary, known for its strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Fun for All Ages

San Carlos offers an array of activities and entertainment options that cater to all interests and age groups. For a family-friendly outing, head to the Hiller Aviation Museum , where you can explore a fascinating collection of aircraft, learn about aviation history, and even try your hand at piloting a flight simulator. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the local galleries, including the stunning Sanchez Art Center, which showcases the works of talented regional artists. If you're in the mood for some friendly competition, gather the family for a game of bowling at the classic Bel Mateo Bowl, or test your problem-solving skills at the Omescape escape room.

Community Spirit

One of the most endearing aspects of San Carlos is its strong sense of community. Throughout the year, the city hosts various events and festivals that bring residents together, such as the San Carlos Art and Wine Faire, the Hometown Days Parade, and the Summer Concert Series at Burton Park. These events offer the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors, make new friends, and experience the warm, welcoming atmosphere that defines San Carlos.

From its vibrant dining scene and beautiful outdoor spaces to its top-notch schools and community spirit, San Carlos, California, has something for everyone. With its family-friendly atmosphere, rich history, and diverse range of attractions, it's no wonder that so many people are proud to call San Carlos home. We invite you to visit this charming city and discover the hidden gems that make San Carlos a true family-friendly paradise.

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Top Things to Do in San Carlos - San Carlos Must-See Attractions

Things to do in san carlos, tours in and around san carlos.

Airplane - San Francisco Bay Airplane Tour

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour

Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz

Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)

Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge + Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

Top attractions in san carlos.

Other Top Attractions around San Carlos

What travelers are saying

• Kid-Friendly Activities

Things to Do with Kids in San Carlos, CA

• TripBuzz found 728 things to do with kids in or near San Carlos, California, including 708 fun activities for kids in nearby cities within 25 miles like San Francisco , Pacifica , Half Moon Bay and Los Altos .
• From My Gym to ROCKIN' JUMP, the San Carlos area offers 128 different types of family activities, including: Parks, Trampoline Parks, Theaters and Aviation Museums.
• San Carlos features many sights, tastes and experiences to those visiting the San Francisco Bay Peninsula. The city is home to the Hiller Aviation Museum, one of the areas most popular attractions. Downtown San Carlos features many one of a kind boutique shops, hotel, cafes, wine pubs and upscale eateries.

Up to 50% Off Modern American Cuisine at Piacere Restaurant

Rockin' jump, rockin' jump - the ultimate trampoline park, burton park, hiller aviation museum, legarza basketball camp, laurel street park, an evening with children's authors, laureola park, highlands park.

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San Carlos Attractions

Smaller cities have an appeal about them you won't find in their larger counterparts. Make a note of all the exciting things to do in San Carlos before you head away so you can see as much as possible during your break. You'll soon learn that bigger doesn't always mean better!

Learn what makes San Carlos tick with the most popular tours & day trips . Browse through our top {34 fun activities in San Carlos fun activities in San Carlos }, and book with ease knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.

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Most popular activities in San Carlos

Adventure & outdoor.

Fishing and Sightseeing Boat Charter

Half Moon Bay Guided E-Bike Tour

Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour

Private & custom tours.

Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle

Airplane - San Francisco Bay Airplane Tour

Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Stanford's Art and Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

From San Francisco to Half Moon Bay coastal Flight Tour

Flight over San Francisco Night Tour

San Francisco: U-Fly Plane Tour

San Francisco: Coastal U-Fly Tour to Half Moon Bay

Private Tour to Silicon Valley

Private Walking Tour in Stanford University

Food, drink & nightlife.

BEST Napa Valley & Sausalito Day Tour from San Francisco

Picnic Packages for 2 to 4 ppl

BEST Redwood&Crater Lake National Park&Oregon 3-Day Tour from San Francisco

Recommended things to do in san carlos, what to do in san carlos, free things to do in san carlos.

There's no need to give your credit card a workout in San Carlos. The following won't even cost a dollar.

Museum of San Carlos History - Roam around and study the thought-provoking displays and unique collections at this museum.

Things to Do in San Carlos with Kids

San Carlos is a great destination for a family vacation. Take the kids along and have a go at these family friendly experiences together:

• Mission District Street Art and Food Walking Tour
• Admission to the San Francisco Zoo
• Alcatraz Island Ticket and Guided Chinatown Walking Tour
• California Sunset Afternoon Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in San Carlos? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

Frequently asked questions

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Discover the most popular places to visit in San Carlos

Oracle park.

Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, this charming ballpark with outstanding views should be on your San Francisco sightseeing list.

This waterfront attraction offers thrilling rides, innovative street performers and colorful souvenir shops, but it’s the sea lions that win the day.

Golden Gate Park

This beloved park offers relaxation among trees, flowers and wildlife, right in San Francisco’s backyard.

Moscone Convention Center

During your trip, find out what's happening at Moscone Convention Center, a top convention center in San Francisco. Discover the acclaimed art scene and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Alcatraz Island

Escape to “The Rock,” home of the infamous and abandoned island prison, and discover how it earned a reputation as a cold and unforgiving place.

Presidio of San Francisco

Discover history, culture, open spaces, spectacular views and the Jedi Master Yoda at this former military base.

San Francisco Zoo

See the exotic and native animals who live at San Francisco Zoo during your travels in San Francisco. Discover the beautiful sunsets and shops in this vibrant area.

University of San Francisco

Enjoy the collegiate vibe at University of San Francisco during your visit to San Francisco. Discover the beautiful sunsets and shops in this vibrant area.

Ferry Building

Explore the waterfront in San Francisco with a trip to Ferry Building. Visit the notable monuments and shops in this vibrant area.

Popular day trips from San Carlos

Redwood City

San Francisco

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Day trips from San Carlos, CA

Fisherman's Wharf

Santa Rosa (California)

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South Lake Tahoe

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley (California)

Paso Robles

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Carmel By the Sea

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San Francisco

State park day trips from San Carlos, CA

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area

Annadel State Park

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

Mormon Island Wetlands State Park

Tahoe State Recreation Area

Emerald Bay

Eldorado National Forest

Columbia State Historic Park

Turlock Lake State Rec Area

Fremont Ford State Recreation Area

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

San Simeon State Beach

Andrew Molera State Park

Garrapata State Park

Point Lobos

Salt Point State Park

Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve

Navarro River Redwoods State Park

Russian Gulch State Park

Mailliard Redwoods State Natural Reserve

MacKerricher State Park

Armstrong Redwoods

Mendocino National Forest

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San Carlos, California is located at latitude/longitude coordinates 37° 30' 25" N  /  122° 15' 37" W

Hiller Aviation Museum

Imagination, takes flight here, explore airplanes and helicopters, flight simulators, exhibits and fun, open daily 10 am to 5 pm*, featured events.

Our featured events are fun and engaging for everyone.

Oceanica Ballet – Flying Colors

Oceánica Ballet is proud to present its inaugural production, Flying Colors.

Biggest Little Air Show

RC aircraft, drones, and flight demonstrations! This is one of the best little airshows in California.

Kids’ Carnival

Join the excitement with special activities just for kids!  Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airplane or helicopter, and more!

Open Cockpit Day

Join us for a unique opportunity to gain a pilot's eye perspective on many of the Hiller Aviation Museum's aircraft.

Eurowest Trains

Eurowest 2024 is one of the Bay Area's premiere model train expos.

ALL HILLER Events

See our upcoming events

Event Details

Flight Simulator Rally

The Flight Simulator Rally, held monthly in the Hiller Aviation Museum’s Flight Sim Zone, presents...

Happy Birds

Performing birds dazzle with their intelligence and skills and their singular ability to inspire dre...

RC aircraft, drones, and flight demonstrations! This is one of the best little airshows in Californi...

Join the excitement with special activities just for kids!  Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in...

Glider Discovery Day

Discover the world of flight in a special outdoor family event!

Bubble Bonanza

Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a hi...

Helicopter Adventure

Join us for a unique opportunity to gain a pilot's eye perspective on many of the Hiller Aviation Mu...

Water Rocket Rally

Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle, ...

Kids’ Air Fair

Aviation professionals bring their aircraft to the Museum for a special show-and-tell session.

Aviation CAMP

Kids explore the wonder of flight at the Hiller Aviation Museum’s Day Camps.

Explore your journey

From historic aircraft to interactive displays, we have something for everyone.

Hands-on inspiration

Get hands-on with our activities: flight Simulators, Drones, and Invention Lab.

Have your event here!

Let your private event soar by hosting it in our unique and exciting setting.

School Programs

Field trips in science, technology, math, and engineering for Grades Pre-K through 12

Museum Shop

Books, toys, clothing, posters, models, RC aircraft, drones, and more!

Museum Memberships

Hiller Aviation Museum Members receive special discounts and admission to select events.

Don't miss out on anything!

Get our weekly e-newsletter, "Hiller Happenings," delivered to your inbox with updates on our events and displays.

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OF THE SAN CARLOS

ADULT COMMUNITY CENTER

Upcoming Events

Boots, Blue Jeans & BBQ

  Save the date: Sept 21, 2024

Click for more info  

Lun ch Pickup

$5 lunch pick up Tues, Wed, Thurs, Friday

Click for more info

Monthly Theme Lunch

The special monthly lunch is back. 2nd Friday of the month. Ask for details at the front desk. 

2023/24  Annual Giving Campaign

Today we share an inspiring story about the San Carlos Adult Community Center (SCACC) and their curbside lunch program. As Helen Canevari said, "When your stomach is full, you feel good!" This observation inspired her to make a generous donation to FRIENDS of the SCACC to enhance the program ' s weekly menu offerings

Helen's background in healthcare has taught her the importance of seniors having access to a well-balanced, nutritious meal along with recreation and relationships. Her commitment to giving back has been truly inspiring. Today, she enjoys an active retirement by traveling, meeting with friends, taking day trips, and enjoying the classes of Tai Chi; Brains and Balance; Stretch, Strength and Balance, and using the Fitness Gym at the San Carlos ACC.

As we enter this season of giving, we urge you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the FRIENDS of SCACC. With your giving, we can continue to provide for the seniors in our community by enhancing lunch meals, offering additional new and engaging classes, and hosting entertaining special events and socials.

We are grateful for the community's giving of "time and donations.” Your contribution will make a significant impact on the lives of our seniors

Latest and Greatest

The San Carlos Adult Community Center is a free independent day use environment for adults 50 and older.  The center is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and hosts a wide variety of opportunities for recreational, social, educational activities. Our programs are designed around the six dimensions of wellness: physical, social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and vocational. Older adults gather to participate in classes, fitness activities, special events, volunteer services and a workout fitness room. They come together socially and share in nutritious meals. Our ACC is considered a valuable resource for seniors and older adults to establish new friendships and continued independence.

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Biden to travel to France to mark D-Day anniversary, meet with Macron

President Joe Biden will travel to France next week to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day before meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of an official state visit, the White House announced Thursday. 

What You Need To Know

President joe biden will travel to france next week to mark the 80th anniversary of d-day before meeting with french president emmanuel macron as part of an official state visit  the visit takes place against the backdrop of two wars currently raging in europe and the middle east and it comes as biden and macron have found themselves not completely aligned on recent developments in both biden will start the trip on june 6 in normandy, where he will deliver remarks and participate in events to commemorate d-day, on june 7 he will deliver remarks on democrarcy and on june 8 he will travel to paris for the official state visit .

Biden will start the trip on June 6 in Normandy, where he will deliver remarks to mark the anniversary of tens of thousands of troops from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and more arriving on the beaches in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. He and first lady Jill Biden will also participate in commemoration events, including meeting with American veterans and their families. 

The next day, the president is set to give a speech on freedom and democracy at Pointe du Hoc before making his way to Paris for the official state visit on June 8. 

“The State Visit will reflect the enduring and comprehensive relationship between the United States and France, our oldest ally, founded on shared democratic values, economic ties, and defense and security cooperation,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on Thursday. “President Biden and President Macron will have the opportunity to discuss a wide range of global challenges and bilateral issues.”

The visit takes place against the backdrop of two wars currently raging in Europe and the Middle East. And it comes as Biden and Macron have found themselves not completely aligned on recent developments in both: an Israeli strike in Rafah on Sunday that killed dozens of Palestinians as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request to hit military targets inside Russia with weapons supplied by Western partners. 

The White House has consistently said it does not “encourage” or “enable” attacks by Ukraine on Russian soil using U.S.-provided weapons. 

The U.S. and Western leaders have been cautious about sparking a wider war and Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened that direct involvement from the West could lead to nuclear conflict. 

With Ukraine recently struggling on the battlefield, Zelenskyy has been urging Western partners to allow Kyiv to use the weapons they provide to strike inside Russia. A number of those partners have come out and said they support Ukraine’s ability to do so, including Macron this week – although he added the condition that France believes Ukraine should be able to “neutralize” only the specific sites where Russia launches missiles. 

For its part, the White House on Wednesday said that there is “no change” in U.S. policy on the matter. However White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby and Secretary of State Antony Blinken both emphasized that U.S. support has “evolved” based on the situation on the battlefield. 

“And another hallmark of our support for Ukraine over these now more than two years has been to adapt,” Blinken said during a press conference in Europe on Wednesday. “As the conditions have changed, as the battlefield has changed, as what Russia does has changed in terms of how it’s pursuing its aggression, escalation, we’ve adapted and adjusted too, and I’m confident we’ll continue to do that.” 

Macron said this week that Zelenskyy is also set to be in France to commemorate D-Day. 

Meanwhile, Macron, who called for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza as early as about a month after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel that left about 1,200 dead and sparked the war, said he was “outraged” by recent Israeli strikes in Rafah. 

“These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians,” Macron wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I call for full respect for international law and an immediate ceasefire.” 

An Israeli strike on Sunday that killed dozens of civilians in a tent compound in Rafah – the southern Gaza city in which more than one million Palestinians have been taking shelter – drew swift rebuke from some on the world stage.

The White House this week said it had no policy changes as a result of the strike, despite Biden a few weeks ago warning that he would halt shipments of offensive weapons to Israel if it proceeded with a major ground operation in Rafah, something the U.S. opposes without a plan to protect civilians. 

“As a result of this strike on Sunday, I have no policy changes to speak to,” Kirby told reporters on Tuesday. “It just happened. The Israelis are going to investigate it. We’re going to be taking great interest in what they find in that investigation and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

The administration has maintained, even after Sunday’s strike, that it has yet to see Israel launch what it would call a major ground operation. 

Biden hosted Macron and his wife, Brigitte, for the first state visit with a formal state dinner of his presidency in 2022.

Splendid day trips you can take from Las Vegas — each less than a two-hour drive

Places shown: Valley of Fire State Park, Emerald Cave, Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area and Las Vegas Ballpark.

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I have a new system for beating the casinos in Las Vegas: I don’t spend a penny on the slots, the tables or the sports books. Instead, I bet heavily on red and green.

Red rocks and green waters, that is. Hiking and kayaking.

I tested the system on a series of day trips last month. Though I slept three nights in a hotel on the Strip, I headed out of town every day.

First: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Later, Valley of Fire State Park and the Colorado River’s Black Canyon, where the waters of Emerald Cave eerily glow. Then a night of minor league baseball.

None of these adventures took me more than 60 miles from the Strip (a.k.a. Las Vegas Boulevard). Yet the psychological distance seemed enormous. Maybe it’s no surprise that many climbers and other outdoorsy types have moved to Las Vegas for the access it gives them to rocks, mountains and such.

You know that semi-vacant look on so many slot machine players’ faces? You don’t see that so much on the trail or the river, even when the path is uphill or the paddling is against the wind. And it’s tough to find a poker face in the Las Vegas Ballpark when management is staging an Elvis karaoke competition between innings.

Here’s a rundown.

Red Rock Canyon

Driving distance from the Strip: About 30 minutes from the Stratosphere tower.

What makes it great : You’ll have no trouble finding the scenery at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area .

Solitude might take a little longer, because the canyon is immensely popular and only an 18- to 22-mile drive from the Strip, depending on your route. Once there, you can hike, bike or drive a 13-mile loop through a landscape of stacked and tumbled boulders, some fiery red, some chalky white, many so strangely striated that you may suspect they’ve been scrubbed with steel wool.

Many of the formations are Jurassic sand dunes that have been hardened to sandstone by time. You can drive between or hike on 16 trails threaded through the rocks, junipers and some Joshua trees too.

For drivers and cyclists, it’s a one-way route, with a speed limit of 35 mph, on a wonderfully smooth two-lane blacktop. For hikers, the trails range from 800 feet to 14 miles, easy to difficult, and there are more just beyond the loop.

If you go: Once you start driving the loop, you’ll almost immediately want to pull over because the scenery is so arresting. Don’t. It’s illegal. And the first parking lot, Calico Hills, comes up soon, followed by about 10 more in 13 miles. Most have restrooms.

I made my visit just before sunset. Early morning would be good too — you get dramatic light and avoid the worst of the heat.

In cooler months (Oct. 1 through May 31), you’ll need to book a timed reservation to drive through between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. In summer, you don’t need a timed reservation, but you’ll still need to pay $20 per car (unless you have a national parks pass).

Black Canyon and Emerald Cave

Driving distance from the Strip: About an hour and 15 minutes.

What makes it great: What if you flooded a red rock canyon and set multitudes of Nevadans and visitors loose on assorted watercraft? Lake Mead National Recreation Area , a 38-mile drive east of Vegas, is the lively answer to that question.

Most of the action is on the lake itself, which was created in 1936 by the construction of Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam) along the Colorado River. But about 15 miles downriver from the dam, you’ll find Willow Beach and the Black Canyon Water Trail , a great place to kayak.

After a 60-mile drive southeast from the Strip, I was floating with a tour group in gentle waters (no rapids here) at the foot of 1,500-foot cliffs.

“Let’s go to Arizona,” our guide said — which simply meant paddling from one side of the river to the other.

I had signed on with Blazin’ Paddles , one of several kayak tour companies that paddle out of Willow Beach Marina on the Arizona side. The marina is about 15 miles downriver from the dam. Because it’s part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, entrance is $25 per car.

There were dozens of kayakers in groups ahead of me, in part because paddling in a shady canyon is a pretty good way to spend a 95-degree day, in part because Instagram has made Emerald Cave a star.

The cave, a 2-mile paddle from Willow Beach, is only about the size of a two-bedroom apartment. But the way its waters glow green makes for great pictures. It’s the centerpiece of most half-day tours, and guides say they’ve fit as many as 23 kayaks in there at a time.

You can explore the Colorado River in an inflatable watercraft.

Kayak tours from Willow Beach explore the Colorado River. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

If your excursion is like mine, you’ll run into a traffic jam outside the cave and the wait will be about 45 minutes. Sometimes it’s over an hour, guides say.

But remember, you’ll be in a kayak beneath tall cliffs, keeping an eye out for desert bighorn sheep, possibly engaging in splash skirmishes with fellow paddlers. Life could be worse. And once you’re in the cave, the sight is memorable. If you’ve ever taken a rowboat into the Blue Grotto on the Italian isle of Capri, this cave’s interior will give you déja vù in another hue.

For the record, we wedged 17 kayaks and a canoe into the cave. And on the way back to the marina, we spotted a bald eagle.

Four miles of kayaking, with a cave in the middle and a stop to hop out for a view, is just about perfect for a three-hour excursion. I paid $110. (With shuttle bus service from the Strip, it’s $149.)

If you go : The best time for Emerald Cave photos is said to be midday, when I was there. But if you get there early or late, you’ll have less company.

There’s a store at Willow Beach Marina that sells snacks, sunblock, hats, water shoes, dry bags and boating and fishing supplies; open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in summer. There’s also a restaurant, Black Canyon Grill, open daily for lunch in summer; open Fridays to Sundays for most of March, April, May, September and October; and closed November to February.

You can also take a quick, free look at Hoover Dam (22 miles from Willow Beach) by parking in a free lot on the Arizona side of the river (parking is $10 on the Nevada side) and walking across the dam. Entry to the Visitor Center exhibits and observation deck is $10. There are also guided dam tours available, first come, first served. Boulder City , 6.5 miles from the dam, has several restaurants and antique shops.

Valley of Fire State Park

Driving distance from the Strip: About 55 minutes.

What makes it great: Even after I saw Red Rock Canyon, I didn’t fully understand how easily outback Nevada can pass for outback Utah. The Valley of Fire — about 55 miles northeast of the Strip — educated me further.

It also lured me into a few furnace-hot gullies and showed me miles of red sandstone, gray limestone, slot canyons and crazy-shaped boulders, all scattered on a desert floor that long ago was an ocean floor. Some boulders are decorated with petroglyphs older than all of our leading presidential candidates put together.

More specifically, because I read some signs, I can tell you that the petroglyphs are more than 2,000 years old, and also that a petroglyph is cut into stone; a pictograph is painted on stone.

Petroglyphs at Valley of Fire State Park.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Valley of Fire, Nevada’s first state park, has one through road, two campgrounds and several rock-climbing spots. But keep this place’s name in mind. It gets so hot (up to 120 degrees) that from May 15 to Sept. 30 this year, rangers have closed all trails longer than 1 mile.

Sticking within that limit, I wandered among the Beehives rock formations near the park’s western entrance and climbed the stairs to Atlatl Rock (where an ancient inscribed hand seems to be giving the finger to all who pass). I also walked the 0.7-mile Mouse’s Tank Trail and 1-mile Rainbow Vista trail, but it was close to 100 degrees, and the sandy path may give you that swimming-in-syrup sensation.

If you go: Park entrance is $10 per vehicle ($15 for out-of-state vehicles). The rangers’ 1-mile limit means that until October, nobody can hike the Fire Wave, Seven Wonders Loop or the White Domes Loop.

Still, it’s a thrill to follow White Domes Road north from the visitor center as it twists and squeezes between boulders.

The Moapa Valley town of Overton, 9 miles north of the park’s eastern entrance, is home to the Lost City Museum , created in the 1930s to showcase Native artifacts that long predate the creation of Lake Mead. On Overton’s Main Street, the Inside Scoop cafe has ice cream and makes a topnotch $8 tuna salad sandwich.

Aviators baseball in Las Vegas Ballpark

Driving distance from the Strip: About 25 minutes.

What makes it great: Strictly speaking, the Las Vegas Ballpark isn’t a full day trip, but this may be the most family-friendly of these excursions, so it needs to be here.

The ballpark, home to the AAA Aviators baseball team, stands in the Vegas suburb of Summerlin, about 15 miles from the Strip. You could spend all day in a casino and still make 7 p.m. game time. (Or you could head for the ballpark after exploring Red Rock Canyon, which is practically next door.)

Whenever you arrive, your blood pressure is likely to ease once you step in. It’s a gorgeous ballpark, completed in 2019 with a capacity of just 10,000, so it feels intimate. You can spread a blanket on the grassy berm overlooking right field, and there’s a good chance a local 15-year-old will be singing the national anthem.

But there’s also a bright, high-resolution scoreboard, a swimming pool beyond center field (yes, that costs extra) and food options that include tri-tip sandwiches and avocado chicken burritos.

You can count on silly games between innings (including a cardboard airplane-throwing contest), brand ambassadors handing out merch and kids scrambling for foul balls. Beers start at $10, hot dogs at $6.50. (And there are cocktails, because Las Vegas.)

On the night I came, attendance was 5,042 people and 99 dogs (because it was bring-your-dog night).

Unless you’re a devotee of the El Paso Chihuahuas, Salt Lake Bees or Reno Aces, you won’t recognize any of these hopeful young players. But that will hardly matter — especially if (as I witnessed) the center fielder makes a leaping grab to save a 9-7 win for the home team.

If you go: Tickets start at $14 (for a spot on the berm in right field), but if you buy online in advance, the middleman fees will push that to about $20.

Las Vegas, a Dodgers farm team from 2001-08, is now a farm team for the Oakland Athletics. It’s a tad awkward that the Athletics have announced that they’ll be moving to Las Vegas in a few years. But for now, the Aviators are here and you can be too.

There are no slot machines in the ballpark and no sports betting area. In fact, the only casino with a prominent ad posted is nearby Red Rock Resort.

You can check the schedule to see when the Aviators are playing at home. The season runs through Sept. 22, and the AAA national championship game will be in the ballpark on Sept. 28.

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Born and raised in California, Christopher Reynolds has written about travel, the outdoors, arts and culture for the Los Angeles Times since 1990.

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