Sometimes the best trips don’t go exactly as planned.

When we landed in Oakland, our original plan was to drive straight to Yosemite National Park — but a record-breaking snowstorm had other ideas. Roads were closed, the park had no electricity, and all we could do was pivot.

So we pointed the car toward the coast instead and started our adventure in San Francisco.

And honestly? It ended up being one of our favorite travel detours ever.

Where We Stayed: Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf

We used Hyatt points to book the Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco, perfectly located near Pier 39 and the waterfront.

It cost 18,000 Hyatt points per night, transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and felt like the ideal base for exploring the city without needing to drive everywhere.

What we loved:

• Walkable to Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and the Alcatraz Ferry
• Spacious rooms and modern lobby with cozy seating
• Heated outdoor pool (a rare find in the city!)
• On-site restaurant and easy street access for ride shares

We parked the rental car in the garage and didn’t touch it for two full days — a luxury in San Francisco.

What We Did

Alcatraz Island

This was a highlight for both adults and kids. We booked our tickets through the Alcatraz City Cruises website, which is the official operator — make sure to do this early because tours sell out fast, especially in summer and holidays.

The ferry ride across the bay offers great skyline views, and the self-guided audio tour is incredibly well done — filled with stories from real guards and former inmates. It was educational, eerie, and fascinating all at once.

Pro Tip: Bring a jacket. Even in summer, the bay winds are cold.

Exploring the City

After Alcatraz, we spent our time walking Fisherman’s Wharf and sampling the classic sourdough at Boudin Bakery, watching sea lions at the pier, and stopping for dinner in Little Italy (North Beach) — a neighborhood full of family-run restaurants and old-school charm.

Our favorite meal was at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, where we split a classic margherita and a truffle pizza that still gets talked about in our house.

We also walked up to Lombard Street, the famously crooked road, and ended the night watching the sunset from Crissy Field with the Golden Gate Bridge glowing in the distance.

Muir Woods National Monument: Walking Among Giants

On our last day in the Bay Area, we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods, just 40 minutes from downtown San Francisco.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love any place that gets kids outdoors — and Muir Woods was the perfect reminder that nature can quiet even the busiest travel day.

The moment you step onto the trails, the air changes. It smells like redwood and rain. The light filters through trees that are hundreds of feet tall and hundreds of years old.

We booked advance parking through GoMuirWoods.com (required — you can’t just show up). There’s limited cell service, so screenshot your reservation before you go.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Reservations are required for both parking and the shuttle. Don’t skip this step.
• Go early. The park opens at 8:00 AM, and parking fills quickly.
• Dress in layers. Even on sunny days, it stays cool and damp under the canopy.
• Trail options:
  • Main Trail Loop – Easy, stroller-friendly, perfect for families (1.5–2 miles roundtrip).
  • Fern Creek to Camp Alice Eastwood Trail – Slightly more elevation, great for older kids.
  • Canopy View Trail – Moderate climb with stunning views of the forest from above.

We spent about three hours walking slowly, taking photos, and just standing still to look up. My kids loved spotting banana slugs and listening for woodpeckers echoing through the trees.

Afterward, we drove into Sausalito, just 15 minutes away, for lunch by the water and ice cream at Lappert’s before heading south toward Monterey.

If you’re looking for an easy, peaceful day trip from San Francisco — this is it. It’s calm, quiet, and feels worlds away from the city.

Using Points & Miles

Our Bay Area stay — flights, hotel, and rental car — was almost entirely covered by points:

• Flights: Southwest Rapid Rewards® points + Companion Pass
• Hotel: Hyatt points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Rental Car: Booked through the Chase Travel Portal using points

Having the “big three” covered meant we could splurge a little on experiences — like Alcatraz tickets and fresh pasta in North Beach — without worrying about the budget.

If you want to start learning how to do the same or follow our full California itinerary, check out these posts:

• Monterey & Carmel: The Heart of California’s Coastline
• LA, Disneyland & Newport Beach: Our California Finale
• How to Book Rental Cars Using Points
• Guide to Hyatt Hotel Stays with Points
• Earn the Southwest Companion Pass on Repeat

Final Thoughts

Our San Francisco stop wasn’t part of the plan — but it ended up being the perfect beginning.

From exploring the history of Alcatraz to walking beneath redwoods older than the United States, this unexpected detour gave us everything we love about travel: flexibility, discovery, and a little bit of magic we never could have planned.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that start with a change of plans.