30% Off Saturday & Sunday Tickets

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Spend less and discover more with 30% off tickets every weekend! Gold Runner and its Thruway bus connections make it easy to reach California’s best destinations without worrying about gas, parking, or traffic—so you can make the most of your Saturday and Sundays off. To help you get started, here are some of our favorite weekend destinations.

Fresno

Oakland

Bakersfield

Hanford

Sacramento

Los Angeles

Napa

San Francisco

Why Take Gold Runner?

save money

Save money on tickets so you have more to spend on experiences

never get stuck in traffic

Never get stuck in traffic or worry about parking

sleep, read, or watch shows

Sleep, read, or watch shows while you ride

no middle seat and lots of legroom

No middle seat and lots of legroom

free wi-fi

Free Wi-Fi

complimentary snacks

Complimentary snacks

bathrooms on board

Bathrooms on board

bicycle racks

Bicycle racks

Your Weekend Getaway Guide

 

From luxury spas to the simple healing properties of California’s forests, hot springs, and ocean, Gold Runner has a route for many types of travelers looking for “travel therapy”—without the hassle. Here’s a shortlist of some of our favorite stops.

Northern California

Sacramento

  • Start your trip to the state capital by taking Gold Runner to Sacramento, then walk or rideshare to the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Grab a coffee at Terra Forte Coffee, then head to the Crocker Art Museum, which features international ceramics and the world's foremost display of California art. If you’re visiting on a weekend, check out Midtown’s farmers market for local produce, street food, and live music. Wrap up your day with golden hour in Capitol Park, surrounded by towering trees and historic landmarks.

 

San Jose

  • Arrive in San Jose and walk a mile to grab an amazing bánh mì downtown at local staple, Mommy’s Bánh Mì. Then, walk to the San José Museum of Art and spend hours exploring exhibits of modern and contemporary art. If you want something a little different, visit the famous Winchester Mystery House for a quirky, only-in-San-Jose experience.

Central California

Merced

  • Merced is one of California’s most underrated gateway towns—and it’s incredibly affordable. Walk through the historic downtown, where neon theater signs, vintage storefronts, and independent cafés give it an old-California feel. Grab a drink at Native Son, a rooftop bar at the popular El Capitan Hotel with panoramic valley views, or explore the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, which frequently hosts free exhibits. From here, if you’re feeling adventurous you can also connect to Yosemite via Thruway Bus route 15A, making Merced the perfect low-cost basecamp for a bigger adventure.

Hanford

  • Hanford feels frozen in time in the best possible way. Its historic downtown is filled with antique stores, retro diners, and the beautifully restored Fox Theatre, where you can catch classic movies, live shows, and performances. Grab a massive scoop of ice cream at Superior Dairy, a nostalgic, old fashioned ice cream shop. Everything is walkable and affordable—ideal for a relaxed weekend that feels completely different from big-city California.

 

Sierra Nevada Gateway

Yosemite Gateway via Merced (YARTS Connection)

  • You don’t need a car—or an expensive lodge—to experience Yosemite. From Merced, connect to the YARTS Thruway bus, which takes you straight into Yosemite Valley. Spend the day hiking to Lower Yosemite Fall, relaxing along the Merced River, or just sitting in a meadow surrounded by cliffs that look unreal in person. Pack your own food, bring a reusable water bottle, and you’ve got one of the most unforgettable (and affordable) weekends imaginable.

Southern California

Santa Barbara

  • Santa Barbara feels luxurious, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Take Thruway Bus route 10 from the Bakersfield station. Once you arrive, walk from the station to the Funk Zone, where colorful murals, boutique tasting rooms, cafes, shops, and art galleries line the streets. Then, head to East Beach for ocean views, palm-lined paths, and places to stop for a picnic. End your day watching the sunset from Stearns Wharf, where you can shop, grab dinner, and maybe see some street performers put on a show.

Santa Monica

  • Start the day walking or biking the Marvin Braude Beach Trail, which stretches for miles along the Pacific. Grab lunch on Main Street, where it’ll be hard to choose between local gems like The Library Alehouse, the French bistro Pasjoli, or La Vecchia, a Santa Monica favorite for over 30 years. And if you want to end your say with a classic Santa Monica experience, watch the sunset over the Santa Monica Pier.