If you've been looking for some cool day trip ideas around the Bay Area to break up your routine and make a Wednesday something to look forward to for a change, we've compiled a list of some obvious and not-so-obvious day trip ideas for your perusal. As long as you're going to splurge a little on an excursion away from the everyday, why not rent a Bay Area limousine and leave the driving to a professional?

Bay Area limos are a lot more affordable than you might think and renting one for your day trip allows you to relax and get away from it all for a while and isn't that the point of a day trip anyway? Use these Bay Area day trip ideas to spark your imagination and perhaps they'll inspire some day trip ideas of your own!

Monterey Bay Aquarium - This extraordinary and innovative facility is a delight for everyone whether you love to observe and learn about sea life or not. Located on Monterey's famed Cannery Row in an old canning factory, this world-class aquarium features interactive exhibits, a huge kelp forest complete with sharks and other aquatic life, and a generous open deck where you can look out on Monterey Bay and watch seals, otters, and other creatures bask and frolic in the sun and waves.

The aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day but Christmas and even in the summer, temperatures can call for an extra layer of clothing so throw an extra sweater in the limo. The least crowded hours are between 2 and 6 in the afternoon and in the peak summer months, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are recommended. For tickets, call 800.756.3737.

Napa Valley wine tour - To residents of the Bay Area, a wine tour through Napa Valley may sound too touristy but when was the last time you treated yourself to a day of tasting the Valley's great wines and legendary cuisine? It's close, inexpensive, and a marvelous reason to rent a Bay Area limo and get away from it all. Plus, you'll know which wineries to avoid and maybe even discover a new winery that you've overlooked!

Carmel-By-The-Sea - With world-class shopping, day spas, restaurants, and festivals all year round, Carmel's natural beauty is the perfect destination for a Bay Area day trip. Arrive in time for lunch and have your chauffeur drop you off at any of the award-winning dining establishments. You can spend the afternoon strolling through the community's eclectic shops and perhaps even stay for dinner as well.

Culinary Institute of America Greystone Campus - Even if you're not a foodie, the CIA's Greystone Campus in St. Helena is a great day trip and a Bay Area limo is the perfect way to glide through picturesque Napa Valley to the facility. Plan on having lunch or dinner at the Wine Spectator Greystone restaurant where you can enjoy cutting-edge cuisine and watch the chefs at work from any table. The campus also features a book store where visitors can purchase course textbooks, cookbooks from a wide range of cuisines, and merchandise with the CIA logo. Bon Appetit!

Sonoma Valley wine tour - Although less famous than that other valley known for winemaking, Sonoma has gems of its own to discover and is usually far less crowded. The countryside in Sonoma Valley is lovely, the restaurants and cafes are less trendy, and a limo ride through the region on a sunny afternoon while enjoying a bottle of wine is a fine way to unwind. Perhaps a ride over the region in a hot air balloon before dinner or sampling some of the region's artisan cheeses? These are just two of the many interesting things to see and do in Sonoma Valley.

Hop on Highway 1 and be spontaneous - Sometimes, serendipity is the most inspired tour guide of all. Simply tell your limo driver to 'Follow Highway 1" and then say north or south when you hit the coast and see where the day takes you. Either way you choose, a drive along the coast will provide beautiful vistas and plenty of cool things to discover along the way.

By renting a Bay Area limousine for your day trip, you not only add an element of luxury and sophistication to your travels, you also give yourself the opportunity to truly relax and enjoy the day. Use these day trip ideas to fire your imagination and come up with a day trip of your own that includes the stuff from which daydreams are woven!