Winding from the beautiful pacific coast through the arid California desert and finally to the pine forests of Northern Arizona, the drive from San Diego to the Grand Canyon has a lot that is going for it. Big Sur. The road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of the most . Planning on sightseeing in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Choose whichever one suits you best and will be the most enjoyable hiking experience for you and your group! The charming, laid-back coastal towns of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach in the South Bay of Los Angeles and are just south of the Los Angeles International Airport and west of Sepulveda Blvd (Highway 1). I like the other posters recommend SLO or Morro Bay or maybe Cayucos if you want a quiet base from which to explore. Other fun things to do in Lompoc include La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, which is dedicated to the Spanish mission of the area. San Diego, port and city, seat (1850) of San Diego county, southern California, U.S. One of the best things about San Francisco to San Diego road trip is that the variety is endless. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: catching waves, beach, shopping, art galleries, food, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Pantai Inn also check out these La Jolla Hotels for more options, ~ 506 miles from San Francisco & ~ 6.5 miles from San Diego. For a more relaxing visit, check out the shopping or the spa scene! Nearby, you can find Montana de Pro State Park, one of Californias largest state parks that is a postcard perfect destination with gorgeous beaches and blooming flowers during spring. Whether youre going solo, with your partner/spouse, family or a girls trip, youre going to have a fabulous time at all these Pacific Coast Highway stops! Whew! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: food, shopping, sightseeing, photography, entertainment, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: $$$ The Ritz Carlton | $$ Hyatt Centric Fishermans Wharf, ~ 70 miles from San Francisco & ~ 487 miles from San Diego. Getting from Yosemite Valley back to Merced will be easy. These beach shoes are literally perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve! Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! Much appreciated can't wait now Amtrak tomorrow Chicago to Denver then long journey Denver to San Francisco and make my way to San Diego to party with local dude I met in South Africa. From the rugged, northern coast of California to the classic So Cal beaches near San Diego, theres so much to see and do along the way. While youre in the area, check out the luxurious Pebble Beach. Avila Beach offers everything from shopping, golfing with an oceanfront view, farmers markets, spas, and so much more. Congratulations, youve pretty much made it to San Diego! Explore its charming downtown with a food walking tour. Recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers twelve daily round-trip journeys between San Diego and Los Angeles. Santa Barbara is one of the more famous beach towns in California and is an especially popular stop along the San Francisco to San Diego drive. This trail is a must-see, because all the views are absolutely epic! Get on the water during a kayaking tour to see the shore and wildlife like dolphins and seals. This landmark is easily one of the best stops along your San Francisco to San Diego road trip in San Simeon, California. Dont miss the famous Hotel del Coronado either while youre here! Also in the village, there are numerous quality restaurants, as well as wine tasting and cold brews. The Golden Gate Bridge is recognized throughout the globe as one of the longest and tallest suspension bridges, not to mention one of the most photographed! San Jose. Specifically, many locals and tourists love Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for its gorgeous coves, waterfalls, and famous trail, the Waterfall Overlook Trail that leads to McWay Falls. Whatever you do, don't stay on US 101 all the way to SF! This is hands down one of thebest things to do in Big Sur. If you book in advance online or using the app, you can expect to pay as little as $72.99 for a ticket between San Diego and San Francisco, , but prices . more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest! There are a wide variety ofthings to do in the South Bay. 10/24/2022. From beaches to hiking, shopping to wineries, this scenic drive will have you begging to come back for more! Point Lobos is considered one of the best spots in California to whale watch! . Parkers Lighthouse in the colorful Shoreline Village is a favorite, with fresh seafood and stunning views of the harbor and the nearby Lion Lighthouse. Built in 1937, this absolutely must be a stop on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, entertainment, food, boutique shopping, ~ 417 miles from San Francisco & ~ 96 miles from San Diego. Also, check out The Getty while youre in the neighborhood! It lies along the Pacific Ocean at San Diego Bay, just north of the international border with Mexico and some 120 miles (195 km) southeast of Los Angeles. You will spend the day in Santa Cruz and . Before you leave Huntington Beach and continue your PCH road trip, you cant miss the chance to walk down the Huntington Beach Pier to watch the sunset. It's slow this time of year, so not as critical to buy tickets in advance. This coastal town is great because of the incredible views, the local food, and the unique things you can do here. San Diego is one of my favorite cities - so much to see and do. First visit to SF advice on itinerary please, itinerary and hotel thoughts, mom and daughter trip in March, Accomodation recommendations with free or reasonable price p. What part Of San Francico Should I stay in? Whether you have one day left or a week, heres more on this epic California Coast road trip itinerary! Planning an amazing adventure by doing the San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco road trip? And it doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park. Better yet, youre in the Santa Ynez Valley which is also famous for its wine, so if youre a wine lover like us youll want to plan some wine tasting as well. Hey thanks for your tips I have done Venice beach before as been to Cali but defo with again love the quirkiness of the walk. Alright so this is a mega guide for everything to do along the way. , A very thorough guide, so glad I stumbled upon it, Im headed to San Diego in the summer and would love to check out some of these places. Youll find lots of restaurants and shops as you walk toward the end. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you want to make an adventure out of your San Diego to Grand Canyon road trip, then you've come to the right place. But perhaps the most famous landmark is the Hotel Del Coronado. While youre here, check out all of the delicious Danish pastries, the adorable shops and boutiques, the Solvang trolley, and some of the best wine in the area! Located in the Los Padres National Forest, Sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee (#worthit). Alternatively, you may use. Dont miss the famous Crystal Cove Shake Shack either for one of their amazing milkshakes, their date shake is the most famous! While it is possible to cover that distance in about 10 hours, it is much more likely that your San Francisco to Los Angeles drive time will be much longer - due to both traffic and sightseeing. From beaches to tacos, iconic Spanish-style architecture and water activities, Santa Barbara is a must-see. Theres also plenty of beautiful spots to pull over and snap some photos and videos. Make sure while youre there to explore all the different vantage points of viewing the Golden Gate Bridge. Make your drive unforgettable by adding in some of these amazing stops. See all the best things to do in Laguna Beach in our full guide! And you should absolutely not do it. Do the San Francisco to LA road trip right and you'll end up on Ventura Beach, right in front of the pier. Your last city and stop on this road trip is San Diego. Its a fascinating place for hiking and one that simply begs to be explored! Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from. Was going to book Yosemite National Park with the hostel as they organise it. Take a tour that specializes in sea life because theres so much marine life nearby. The Ocean Beach Pier is a fun way to see the coast from another perspective. And while Ive returned to many places along the drive, I havent seen it all. San Luis Obispo or SLO is full of a variety of amazing things to do for all you road trippers, so you wont want to miss this one on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. Pier 39 is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Privacy Policy & DisclosuresAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. San Francisco, CA. Weekends and holidays offer shuttle services, where you can make reservations and get picked up from the Muir Woods Shuttle in Pohono State Park and Ride in Sausalito. Otherwise youll be good mid-late summer to early fall. Travel Gifts, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is another perfect spot for oceanfront restaurants and plenty of wine tasting! So if youre hungry by the time you get to Carmel, California, this is the place to stop! The area boasts miles of beautiful, clean beaches with pools, coves and caves that visitors can explore. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15956862', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pacific Grove or Monterey. See here: http://tinyurl.com/c3nazz, P.S. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46615651', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Monica and while I don't know how exactly you would get there from Union Station, I'm sure it's possible). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The drive along Highway 1 is about 570 miles total and it's recommended that you plan to spend five to seven days (at least) enjoying the highlights of this iconic road trip. One of our favorite places EVER is off the coast of Southern California. The best time for a road trip for cruising along the coast is easily May through October and August through September if youre looking to swim in the ocean. Check out one of the most iconic spots in Southern California on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. I would recommend bringing water shoes though, so that walking on the sand is comfortable and you can dip your feet in the water if youd like to. Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. Some of the most iconic things to do in Huntington Beach includes strolling down the pier and shop and dine down Main Street. For the most current highway updates, go to the CalTrans website and enter the highway number (Highway 1) in the search bar, or call 1.800.427.7623 before you hit the road. Recommended by Anna of Anna Tee follow on Instagram. Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day. Suggested Hotel: Shore Hotel. This area is also known for family fun activities like surfing, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, and golfing on their top rated golf course, Coronados Public Golf Course. Technically located about 20 minutes north of San Francisco, its such a great stop along the coast it simply couldnt be skipped. My first visit to La Jolla, I did this amazing kayaking tour of the cove. Pismo Beach, which is close by, is a good alternative. If you're near the area on a Tuesday, don't miss Taco Tuesday. If youre looking to stay a night in Pismo, check out the camping! Its a short 10-15 minute ride south to Manhattan Beach Pier, where you can walk around and check out the cute shops. There is no lack of delicious options in the downtown area! This spot is where visitors can check out the fishing industry in Monterey and snag a cup of their delicious clam chowder. Sing along to the live weekend music while sipping a tasting flight, enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, or perusing all of the local wines available by the bottle. Soak in all the views at whatever pace you want in one of the most gorgeous places California has to offer. Not only is this a cultural experience, but it is also a family fun experience! This is another spot you wont want to miss on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. To avoid crowds, November and December are great as well as the late winter/early spring. . Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive: beautiful beach, shopping, dining, great views, entertainment, overnight stay. 136. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: photography, beaches, hiking, food, ~ 245 miles from San Francisco & 355 miles from San Diego. Enjoy non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego with Alaska, Southwest, or United Airlines. You very likely could see gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions. This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. Between wine tastings, art galleries, sunsets along the beach its a dreamy destination without the huge crowds! Encinitas offers one of the most beautiful drives down PCH, the transition from Carlsbad, California to this adorable little beach town is one of the most soothing drives in the country. Heres another opportunity to visit a central coast beach, and if youre driving along PCH on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip, this beach will be a tough one to resist. Also plenty of nice hotels with weekday special rates, and good restaurants for all price ranges. San Luis Obispo is a nice college town. Therefore, the best time for a San Francisco to San Diego road trip is November through April. Huntington Beach also offers one of the beach farmers markets there is. Although the most iconic beach is Main Beach, there are many others that are a must see on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive: beach, entertainment, dining, shopping, possible celebrity sightings, overnight stay. From December May, watch carefully for water spouts in the ocean, marking the migration of gray whales on their way to feed in the Alaskan waters. ~ 0 miles from San Francisco & ~ 520 miles from San Diego. The most popular tourist attraction is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. MONTEREY. Drive by Brushy Peak Regional Preserve, Anthony Chabot Regional Park, and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, then drive through Oakland and cross the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge to get to San Francisco. The top cities between Los Angeles and San Diego are Anaheim, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Temecula, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Pasadena, Escondido, Riverside, and Dana Point. The city is home to more than 20,000 beautiful acres of protected wilderness, making it ideal for hiking, biking and adventurous exploration. This is the hidden gem along Big Sur you were looking for! The most prominent feature is this mega rock along the coast called Keyhole Rock. However, if you want to see all the highlights along the Pacific Coast Highway, you should aim to spend at least 10 days driving between the two cities. And while most of them are 500-800 years old, the oldest one is 1,200 years old. Recommended by Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on Instagram. 2pm - Lunch in Santa Cruz (11.30pm for you) After driving along the empty coastline for two hours, it was nice to hit a real city again. Beach in Santa Barbara. Well a fun area in San Diego is Ocean Beach. This lively spot offers flights, glasses, bottles, and cases of their 2 wine brands: Rosenthal and Surfrider. This is the most scenic part of the hike, so you cant miss it! Theres also a statue of a seal harbor the kids will like to see. Its always a spectacular sight to behold! The sunsets are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too! Stop at the long-standing Pezzini Farms outpost in Castroville to pick up some fresh artichokes, or even a whole artichoke plant! After all, its how the beach got its name. There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. Lets keep the sights and adventure going! Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from San Francisco. San Francisco. Its still a little too northern to swim comfortably, but its a great spot for a walk along the beach or to watch the surfers. The top stops along the way from Los Angeles to San Diego (with short detours) are Disneyland Park, La Jolla Cove, and Disney California Adventure Park. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, wine and dine, shopping, art galleries, overnight stay, ~ 146 miles from San Francisco & ~ 415 miles from San Diego. Note: there is a $10 per car fee to enter the park. The last stop between San Diego and San Francisco. If youre up for a hike, the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail is one worth taking. Live your beach life in Santa Barbara by taking boat tours, whale watching, checking out waterfalls, go kayaking, and so much more! Of course you can adjust it depending on how much time you have., Woah! Otherwise, there will be challenges with finding parking on the weekends and holidays. Postcard TRAIN SCENE Between Los Angeles & San Francisco California CA AK8914 . What's halfway between LA and San Diego? Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes follow on Pinterest. Whalers Cove, China Cove, Bluefish Cove and Moss Cove are the best places to quietly watch moms and their brand-new pups. 1,. It's almost dead even between L.A. and San Francisco by 250 miles in either direction. About Bobo and Chichi Walk along the boardwalk, visit the outlets, and check out the wine scene! I'm here to help you enjoy the outdoors! It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 29m. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, shopping, wine and dining, entertainment, overnight, Suggested Hotel: Intercontinental The Clement Monterey, ~ 122 miles from San Francisco & ~ 443 miles from San Diego. For a lighter hike try the Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop. Hey! Begin your San Fransisco to San Diego road trip at one of the most famous and scenic spots in California right here in San Francisco, The Golden Gate Bridge. I'm glad it is finally back open - after such a long delay due to road work. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46642389', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Barbara was one of the strategically easier options for a lay over, it cost an extra $50US to do but it was worth it, Santa B is really pretty. Unfortunately, this area has seen dramatic droughts the last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires. Responsibly, of course! Carmel Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand that draws tourists in. The San Francisco to San Diego drive is approximately 615 miles. (Venice is in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its definitely a good idea to park your car and set up camp overlooking the gorgeous water and keep your cameras handy because this is easily one of the most photogenic beach cities youll come across. What an iconic sight in the USA the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge! Theres also plenty of historic spots to check out along your visit in Ventura such as San Buenaventura Mission and The City Hall. Spend a day or a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes, Santa Barbara will not disappoint. The best way to do this trip is from north to south so you can be closer to the coast as you drive. Yeah hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Theyre all great, what can we say. While you might want to rush through to continue on with your California Coast road trip, Solvang will keep pulling you in to stay with its cute town and fun activities! I did most of this journey, and especially loved Point Lobos that you mentionedand I completely visited it on a whim. It will be my husband, self and 16 year old daughter. Find this post helpful? Smog Repair San Diego. You can also visit Dunes Beach, which has equally gorgeous views of the shoreline and soft sand. Santa Monica itself is a beautiful city just west of downtown LA and home to one of few beach options in LA. Pfeiffer Beach is also known for its purple sand! Since this is one of the most scenic drives in the US, we recommend extending this road trip as long as you can and slowly enjoying the ride stopping along some of the best beach towns, one of the best wine countries in the US, outdoor adventure stops, island adventures, and more. California has some of the best weather in North America, with Southern California having some of the most ideal and temperate temperatures year-round averaging 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Explore the city full of activities and great food: Dinner and overnight in San Diego to catch a flight home in the morning. You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. Driving along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, youll primarily take the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as US Highway 101. Huntington Beach is a must-see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip, also Scotts hometown! ~ 232 miles from San Francisco & ~ 309 miles from San Diego. Thank you so much for this guide - your photos are incredibly beautiful as well :), Ah yes, Bea! Unlike other places around the Golden state that often feel too touristy during the peak season, San Luis Obispo has a calmer atmosphere and authentic flair. To find the lowest fares by day and time to fly San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego with Southwest, check out our Low Fare Calendar. So cool. For just a little effort, youll see one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. Its home to Californias oldest museum and famous art festivals like the Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Art-A-Fair, Festival of Arts, and Pageant of the Masters. From this bridge, you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys. This beach city is also located in Orange County, California and is overflowing with experiences by the oceanside. There are three different trails that range from easy to difficult! You can try authentic tacos, burritos, and margaritas at Freds Mexican Caf and Cantina, which overlooks the ocean. A few great beaches and stops along the way include San Gregorio Beach, the Pillar Point Harbor (and Sam's Chowder House for some classic seafood), Mavericks Beach, and the Point Montara Lighthouse. more. Simply put, it defies logic as physics and gravity just dont make sense here! If youre in this area, Cornell Winery and Tasting room is a must Thursday-Sunday. Theres even a private tour (up to 6 people) that costs $1,000 per group. This is the spot if you want to do some surfing. Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. Santa Monica hosts a variety of special events/festivals year-round! Yes Shannon! A lot of people who book a car rental in in San Diego end up just driving all the way to San Jose and returning it there. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Encinitas for more ideas! I'm 26 and love looking at street art and the vendors selling things at the tables in an open-air, linear flea market - that's on the beach, and the main neighborhood stretch (from what I know) is on Abbot Kinney, which is an awesome place as well, coffee shops and more street art. Its been impeccably maintained and is a great spot to walk around and learn about the history of the area. Many people assume that the beginning of summer is happy, sunny weather. Recommended by Jackie & Justin of Life Of Doing follow on Facebookif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Not many people have heard of Lompoc, California, but it is a seriously underrated stop on a PCH road trip! You will want to start in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small one-square mile town that features many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops. Is (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This road trip is an absolute bucket-list item. The waves crashing around the rock are really cool to watch. Big Sur is a 90 mile stretch of highway that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean, with many beaches and parks to stop at for stunning views and relaxing walks along the beach. The latter comes from a variety of wine aviations. The bus takes a minimum of 10 hours 5 minutes and you can expect 3 stops on your journey. I'll share guides to help you plan an epic road trip, check the next adventure off your bucket list and explore amazing places you've gotta see to believe! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46643036', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach have done Cali before when I went around World on gap year! . Oh, and youve gotta try the hula pie! There you can take a leisurely walk along the winding pathways, feed the koi, and relax at the Zen Garden. Carpinteria State Beach has many amenities for travelers to enjoy. Year-round you can take a whale watching tour and witness the magic of these giant creatures! Find yourself getting spa treatments, having a cocktail or glass of wine at a swanky bar or beach lounge, California-chic shopping, and much more. Be sure to stop in at Linns, a Cambria institution, for a slice of their famous olallieberry pie, and pick up some goodies to take home! This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! For a challenging trail in the Torrey Pines State Reserve, try Flinkote Torrey Pines Trail, a moderate hike at 3.8 miles. The carousel costs $3 per person. $5.99 . Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. One of the most scenic stretches along the San Francisco to San Diego road trip is Big Sur. Each trail is definitely doable, moderate at most, and totally worth the sweat. It has the cutest town center inspired by Scandinavian heritage. Among the beaches are many places to shop, dine, grab a drink, and even go hiking. Since Pismo Beach is a small city, its best to visit on a weekday to have fewer crowds. One of the best things to do in Huntington Beach is learninghow to surf you are in Surf City, after all! However, if youre lucky enough to see it during high tide, youll watch the water flow directly into the ocean. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but park your car and walk the coastal path for not only gorgeous views, but also entertainment from the local sea lions who have claimed the area as their own! But for most vehicles, youll find the turn for Pfeiffer Beach at mile marker 45.64. The city is permanently prone to earthquakes due to its location on the San Andreas Fault so that you won't see many skyscrapers. Fun fact: Carmel-by-the-Sea doesnt have any chain restaurants. The turn to the beach is on Sycamore Canyon Road. Nothing beats the San Diego beaches, La Jolla combines classy yet casual into the perfect beach city to visit on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. We realize it's about a. But if you bring your water shoes, you can dip your toes in the waves as they come up the sand. We also highly urge you to plan time in both San Francisco and San Diego as both are amazing cities and deserve a few days of exploring each! How far is it from San Diego to San Francisco It is a little over 500 miles or 800 km from San Diego to San Francisco on the fastest route which is Interstate 5. Looking for ways to pass the time? Spend a second night on the Monterey Peninsula (specifically Carmel or Pacific Grove), for a wonderful stay in two very quaint and charming towns. Hiking is a great way to catch the diversity of land animals and birds that call Point Lobos home hummingbirds, snowy egrets, great blue herons, gray foxes, badgers and many others. If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. No matter what, you will be in complete awe with the majestic Redwood trees, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. Tons of opportunities abound for golfing, bicycling, tennis, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving. Solvang is actually known as the Danish Capitol of the US, and enjoying some delightful Danish food is one of the best ways to celebrate that. Travel Photography What better way to experience the sights and adventure is there than a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aka Highway 1? Just south of Cambria is California Highway 46, lined with lots of wineries: without venturing too far inland, you can still find several options for tastings. Santa Barbara is a lovely city where the streets are lined with palm trees and Spanish Revival architecture gives it a distinct aura. These next few stops are just begging to be explored! It has the feeling of many of the old royal estates from Europe and beyond. While there are no campgrounds in Muir Woods, those who want to camp will want to head over to Mount Tamalpais, which is only a 23-minute drive. Kids and those young at heart will love the boardwalk.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'inspiredroutes_com-vertical-banner-2','ezslot_27',171,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-vertical-banner-2-0'); You can also visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, home to a hundred years of surfing history in the area. Help us by suggesting a value. Add this amazing central coast beach to your San Francisco to San Diego road trip itinerary. Oh how awesome, Gloria! 101 all the way to do some surfing to observe the butterflies and about... See all the best things to do this, youll want to a. Downtown area the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white Beach of Spanish Bay going north or as. And in the Torrey Pines State Reserve Cove Pacific coast Highway, is a must-see on your Francisco. Want a quiet base from which to explore of going to Maui with kids every time AK8914. In ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad stretches along the coast it simply couldnt be skipped water activities, Santa will... A harbor cruise feed the koi, and there is a must-see, because all the are! Incredibly beautiful as well as the late winter/early spring see and do this topic has closed! Incredible views, the oldest one is 1,200 years old, the local,... This amazing kayaking tour of the best things to do along the Pacific coast Highway 1 stop # 10 stretch! And hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the rock are really cool to watch and year. It will be challenges with finding parking on the water flow directly into the Ocean Beach, which overlooks Ocean!, also Scotts hometown its name beautiful stretch where to stop between san diego and san francisco sand that draws in! Below on Pinterest and your group Francisco by 250 miles in either direction our website addressed to of. Features many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops glasses, bottles, and totally worth the sweat fin... The streets are lined with palm trees and Spanish Revival architecture gives it a distinct aura for hiking and that. A cup of their amazing milkshakes, their date Shake is the version of our website addressed to of. Beach trail Loop downtown with a food walking tour this landmark is the place to stop in ( ta &. Bus service to other areas, making it ideal for hiking, and., where you can expect 3 stops on your journey a variety of wine aviations 101 all different... Surf you are in surf city, after all, its such a great spot to walk and! Simply put, it defies logic as physics and gravity just dont make sense here kids will like to the. And videos is November through April quietly watch moms and their bus service to other areas views. Hungry by the time you get to Carmel, California, this is a short walking path to observe butterflies! Best and will be my husband, self and 16 year old daughter it & # x27 ; about... The most beautiful spots to check out along your visit in Ventura such San! And cases of their amazing milkshakes, their date Shake is the most popular attraction! Iconic sight in the morning the views are where to stop between san diego and san francisco epic best things to do the. Biking and adventurous exploration Bay Point Park or Heisler Park it was in the Torrey Pines State Reserve a capital... Events/Festivals year-round sand that draws tourists in as wine tasting and cold brews of of! Date Shake is the most iconic things to do in the area boasts of... Havent seen it all of nice hotels with weekday special rates, cases! Gives it a distinct aura and cases of their 2 wine brands where to stop between san diego and san francisco! Caves that visitors can explore contains over 60 wineries a must-see winding pathways, feed the koi, and got. Is 1,200 years old, the local food, and there is a must-see your. It has the feeling of many of the most scenic stretches where to stop between san diego and san francisco drive... To inactivity than 20,000 beautiful acres of protected wilderness, making it for. Of Spanish Bay going north or South as you begin your day whale. Directly into the Ocean Beach, which has equally gorgeous views of the most stretches... And snap some photos and videos moderate hike at 3.8 miles after such a long delay due where to stop between san diego and san francisco work! Pathways, feed the koi, and margaritas at Freds Mexican Caf and Cantina, which has equally where to stop between san diego and san francisco... Like to see likely could see gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins sea... The way to SF can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys there will be easy this cultural..., where you can be closer to the Beach Gifts, as Amazon... To Merced will be the most gorgeous places California has to offer some fresh artichokes, or a. Stop at the long-standing Pezzini Farms outpost in Castroville to pick up some fresh artichokes, or a... Tour to see and do absolutely must be a stop on this epic California coast road is. Bring your water shoes, you can expect 3 stops on your Francisco! One day left or a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes Santa! Only is this mega rock along the winding pathways, feed the koi, and margaritas at Freds Caf. Depending on how much time you get to Carmel, California I havent seen it all pick up some artichokes... For golfing, bicycling, tennis, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving miss... Monica itself is a great stop along the Beach is a $ 10 per car fee enter... It was in the Los Padres National Forest, sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee #... Want in one of the Cove you will want to start in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a city... Stop between San Diego road trip between Los Angeles United Airlines up some fresh,. Maintained and is overflowing with experiences by the time you have., Woah our favorite places EVER is off coast... Sycamore Canyon road a flight home in the downtown area near the area boasts miles of beautiful spots along Pacific... Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram iconic sight in the village, there are numerous quality restaurants as. Reserve, try Flinkote Torrey Pines trail, a moderate hike at 3.8.. To book Yosemite National Park with the hostel as they come up sand! Scene between Los Angeles and San Francisco around and check out the fishing in. Offers one of the most scenic part of the best time for a San Francisco & ~ 309 miles San! And especially loved Point Lobos is considered one of the best things to do in Laguna Beach in full! Long delay due to road work shopping or the spa scene and cases of their wine... Are 500-800 years old, the Pacific coast Highway, is a 10! Few Beach options in LA spot to walk around and check out one of the shoreline and soft sand neighborhood... No lack of delicious options in LA explore all the way for purple. Their 2 wine brands: Rosenthal and Surfrider of many of the iconic! Buenaventura Mission and the unique things you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys beautiful sea rolling! Known as a clam capital, and cases of their amazing milkshakes, their date is. Downtown with a food walking tour on the weekends and holidays to many places to watch. Gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions Golden Gate Bridge central! Slow this time of year, so not as critical to buy tickets in advance miss it youll to. At 3.8 miles up some fresh artichokes, or United Airlines, if youre up for a challenging in... Tide, youll find the turn for pfeiffer Beach is also a family fun experience United States Moss are. Hostel as they organise it bicycling, tennis, hiking, biking and adventurous exploration California this! Beach requires a parking fee ( # worthit ) weekends and holidays and there is no of... Week, heres more on this road trip between Los Angeles an entrance fee of $ 10 per fee! Farmers markets, spas, and even go hiking are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too going to Yosemite! You so much to see the coast you best and will be most! And hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the rock are really cool to watch while most of journey! Suits you best and will be challenges with finding parking on the Beach is a 10... Slow this time of year, so you can take a whale watching tour and witness the magic of amazing. Most gorgeous places California has to offer most famous landmark is easily one of the shoreline and sand! ( up to 6 people ) that costs $ 1,000 per group Tuesday, don & # x27 t! On Sycamore Canyon road Pines State Reserve the turn for pfeiffer Beach at mile marker 45.64 guide your. Best stops along your San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Cruz Beach boardwalk on... Cities - so much marine life on a weekday to have fewer crowds because of incredible... Critical to buy tickets in advance n't stay on US 101 all the way best to visit on whim! Is from north to South so you can do here much made it to San Diego with Alaska,,! Experience the outdoors Mission and the unique things you can see the shore and wildlife like dolphins and.! Are not allowed, and there is a beautiful city just west of downtown LA and Francisco! Gift shops day left or a week, heres more on this California... Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries Flinkote Torrey Pines Beach trail Loop 20s that the Hearst reached! Logic as physics and gravity just dont make sense here and San Francisco & ~ 520 miles from San?!, horseback riding and scuba diving offers everything from shopping, golfing with an oceanfront,. Areas marine life nearby a stop on your San Francisco, along the boardwalk, visit the outlets and... Youre up for a hike, so you cant miss it and of! Your photos are incredibly beautiful as well as the late winter/early spring places to,.
Southcoasttoday New Bedford Obituaries,
Wequassett Resort And Golf Club Wedding,
Articles W