Its easy to get caught up in this romantic coastal town (I know I could have stayed for at least a week!) Theres so many things to do in Monterey that you could spend a whole weekend visiting the city! Not only is this a cultural experience, but it is also a family fun experience! La Jolla is a suburb, although still a bit up the coast from San Diego. 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. Spend a second night on the Monterey Peninsula (specifically Carmel or Pacific Grove), for a wonderful stay in two very quaint and charming towns. This spot has the Monterey Bay Aquarium along with a stretch of restaurants, dining, shops, wine tasting and more! The quickest way from San Diego is flying to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which takes about 1.5 hours at a cost of $93 and up. The turn to the beach is on Sycamore Canyon Road. See all the best things to do in Laguna Beach in our full guide! My favorites are comfortable enough for hiking yet perfect for the beach. This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. 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. Another one of our favorite places in Southern California to add to your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip is Crystal Cove State Park. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'inspiredroutes_com-square-3','ezslot_24',187,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-square-3-0');Recommended by Carrie Ann of Should Be Cruising follow on Instagram. The El Dorado Park and Nature Center features almost 100 acres of activities, including walking and bike trails, golf and fishing. Pro tip: Stay for sunset. Recommended by Dhara of Roadtripping California follow on Facebook. 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. Hanging out at Carmel Beach can be an all-day event! If youre doing your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip in the winter, Solvang is especially charming in the winter when its decked out for the holidays! Many travel insurance plans also coverCollision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage up to $35,000. It is an operating church with services, so be sure to check their schedule for visitations here. Its a fantastic stopover on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip, known for the endless beaches, outdoor activities, delicious seafood and warm weather. The best way to do this trip is from north to south so you can be closer to the coast as you drive. You may have to deal with road closures in the peak of wildfire season in California, which is July through October. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15949022', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco by 250 miles in either direction. San Francisco. Cheers man for the info was planning on stopping there and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Also, note that there are various entrances which will also dictate how many miles and how difficult your trail will be! Great stop of your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: camping, beaches, photography, hiking, ~ 403 miles from San Francisco & ~ 158 miles from San Diego. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15945938', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey, for example, you'd be able to see the most scenic stretches of the coast at a more leisurely pace. The closest you can get is actually on top of the mountain behind the sign, and its quite easy to get to if you follow our guide on how to get to the Hollywood Sign. Another cool spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Many visitors start their Pismo Beach day trip at the pier. Enjoy these few things then gas up and hit the road! Our Go-To Gear The second stop-off point along the Pacific Coast Highway, Pismo Beach offers a day or two of outdoor and adventure activities. If youre looking to stay a night in Pismo, check out the camping! Technically located about 20 minutes north of San Francisco, its such a great stop along the coast it simply couldnt be skipped. If you love architecture or religious sites, youll love Carmel Mission Basilica Museum. Known as the home of the U.S. Surf Open, this beach has it all, and we can almost guarantee youll want to make this more than just a pitstop. Or explore the huge variety of exhibits at the expansive Aquarium of the Pacific. Its one of the nicest beaches on the coast since it has a lot to offer to adventure travelers. Its the perfect spot to go for a walk, watch the surfers and pier fishermen and simply sit back and listen to the crashing of the waves. #3 Santa Cruz A fun California beach town known for its beautiful university campus and surfing culture, Santa Cruz is also enviably close to forests of towering redwoods and the Santa Cruz Mountains. If youre looking for a stop along Big Sur that offers gorgeous scenery, a variety of wildlife and hiking, dont miss Point Lobos State Reserve! Don't forget to visit Hearst Castle when you pass through San Simeon! Pfeiffer Beach isnt a good beach for swimming. Youve made it to San Diego, just like in San Francisco we recommend spending some time to see what makes this amazing Southern California city one of the best! Enjoy a bowl of creamy clam chowder from Splash Cafe or any of the restaurants in the area. From 26 boutique hotels to luxury resorts like The Ranch Laguna Beach and Montage Laguna Beach, its easy to find the perfect fit regardless of your needs. Do the San Francisco to LA road trip right and you'll end up on Ventura Beach, right in front of the pier. Home to one of the most popular aquariums in the country, Monterey is an old cannery (a facility where . There arent many more iconic places along the California Pacific Coast Highway than the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. Or, simply admire its sparkling lights across the harbor in the evening. Find yourself kicking back in an adorable coffee shop, dressed up for a night out on the town, or lathered in sunscreen for a day out in the waves. Huntington Beach is a must-see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip, also Scotts hometown! For parking, the easiest lot to get to is 1-North, which is at the base of the pier and accessible along PCH. Postcard TRAIN SCENE Between San Francisco & Los Angeles California CA AQ8188 . If you want some great beach views, this is a must see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Santa Monica hosts a variety of special events/festivals year-round! You can try authentic tacos, burritos, and margaritas at Freds Mexican Caf and Cantina, which overlooks the ocean. Looking for ways to pass the time? 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. 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. This spot is located in the Santa Ynez Valley of California and is very recognizable due to its windmill and other Danish-style architecture. Your last city and stop on this road trip is San Diego. San Francisco raced to a 10-0 . One of the most popular attractions is the Zip Line Eco Tour. The carousel costs $3 per person. I haven't really even considered a driving route yet. Its one of the most scenic routes in the USA! Following his inheritance and wealth from publishing, William Hearst began construction in 1919. There are a number of fun things to do along the Santa Monica Pier starting with Heal the Bay Aquarium at the base of the pier. See here: http://tinyurl.com/c3nazz, P.S. If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. If you're a fan of the outdoors, then you might want to make a stop at Joshua Tree National Park. Spend your day trip hiking, snorkeling the gorgeous waters, taking photos, and soaking in the beautiful views. Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from San Francisco. Live your beach life in Santa Barbara by taking boat tours, whale watching, checking out waterfalls, go kayaking, and so much more! Soak in all the views at whatever pace you want in one of the most gorgeous places California has to offer. There''re some fantastic stretches along the coast esp between Monterey and Cambria on hw1. If you plan to take the scenic rte. Definitely worth a stop on your PCH road trip! The entire beach isnt purple, but youll find some around the tide pools and edges of the coast. 136. Suggested Hotel: Shore Hotel. Enjoy a beautiful hike overlooking the clear blue waters of San Diego. Check off everything that Santa Barbara has to offer or just kick your feet up and relax on the gorgeous beaches! Unfortunately, this area has seen dramatic droughts the last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires. Congratulations, youve pretty much made it to San Diego! The total distance from San Francisco to San Diego is 501.6 miles and although the drive could be completed in a single day, your San Francisco to San Diego road trip should take you 1-2 weeks depending on the type of Pacific Coast Highway itinerary you build. Fishing is available from the pier, and theres actually a restaurant on the pier, Walking on Water Cafe (WOW Cafe). For a more artsy vibe, be sure to check out the Funk Zone for murals, art galleries, boutique shops and restaurants. The surf is best in the morning before the wind picks up. Okay, exactly how excited are you for this trip? These are some of the most popular and iconic surf shops in Southern California. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach break, food & drink, shopping, entertainment, nearby wine tasting, overnight stay, ~ 352 miles from San Francisco & ~ 188 miles from San Diego. ~ 0 miles from San Francisco & ~ 520 miles from San Diego. 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. The road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of the most . $5.99 . Youll notice their neighboring winery, Rocky Oaks, perched high on the next hill (appointment required). On the adventurous side of things, there are trails for hiking and biking and go to the beach for surfing, sailing, and sunbathing! If youre up for a hike, the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail is one worth taking. This is such a great road trip! . This is another spot you wont want to miss on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Point Lobos is teeming with activity throughout the year in April and May, visitors may catch a glimpse of Harbor Seal pups as these 2 months are affectionately known as pupping season. These are the best stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Its a short stop on the road trip, but one you absolutely cannot miss. See our full guide to best things to do in Costa Mesa and things to do in Newport Beach for more options! Am looking for an active vacation. Point Lobos State Reserve is one of the top things to do on this incredible California Coast drive! The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers play on Sunday in a divisional NFL playoff game. 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