As Suzie said Yosemite is about 4hrs, Tahoe about the same, and Redwood about 5-6, none of them are very close. Its kind of a waste for a day trip, better as an over night, unless you want to rush up & back with a little time sightseeing. Also these times can change based on the time of year of your visit.

I believe they are coming this July with 2 seniors and a young child.

Something else to consider with seniors and a little one, staying along the coast will be more comfortable temperature-wise. If you did drive or tour to Yosemite though, you'd zip through the valley with AC cranked up.

To a national park - not really day trips. Do able for an overnight though, as others have mentioned. However, there are plenty of state parks within a couple hours of SF, which would make great day trips or overnights.

To see redwoods, Muir Woods is the closest to SF. Big Basin, Henry Cowell, and Armstrong Redwoods are all within pretty easy day-trip distance.

Definitely agree with Moon, plenty of beautiful sites at California State Parks within a hour or 2 from SF, Ill add the redwoods along skyline blvd between Highway 92 and Highway 84.

I took a day trip today to Point Reyes. We started at 9:30, got back about 4:00.

Our stops were at the Muir Beach Overlook. In Olema for lunch. The Visitor Center and EQ Walk at Point Reyes. We headed out to the Point for a bit and U-turned before the lighthouse because it's closed Tues-Wed.

Figured I was driving 4+ hours. It was gorgeous and I loved it. But it was a lot of driving as much of it was windy roads. (Look at the map and you'll be surprised at how close Point Reyes looks to SF.)

I don't think people from the East Coast appreciate the distances in California.

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