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 Santa Monica Pier is definitely one of the greatest attractions in the city, it is home to the Pacific Park, full of rides, carnival games, an aquarium, good eats, and more! 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. Coastal route. No matter what, you will be in complete awe with the majestic Redwood trees, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. To avoid crowds, November and December are great as well as the late winter/early spring. Or explore the huge variety of exhibits at the expansive Aquarium of the Pacific. A road trip of this magnitude definitely requires a stop or five along the way. If youre a surfer, you should grab a board and head out to catch a few waves in Manhattan Beach. The last stop between San Diego and San Francisco. http://www.cambriachamber.org/. 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! Carpinteria State Beach has many amenities for travelers to enjoy. I haven't really even considered a driving route yet. This is hands down one of thebest things to do in Big Sur. In downtown Lompoc, you can go on a mural walk as the area has over 40 murals. Stop for pictures, do a little beach combing or enjoy a picnic by the ocean. The campground is not directly on the beach, its a short walk. Road Trip from San Diego to San Francisco via Highway 1. Check out our guide to how to pick the best travel insurance for a few different options depending on what your needs are and type of coverage youre looking for. Often hosting music events, street performers and festivals, Ocean Beach a fun place to go for an afternoon at the beach. 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. After lunch, you can wander Hermosa Beach, browsing the local merchandise. It was restored in 1995 and offers tours! Posted on Published: May 16, 2022- Last updated: October 26, 2022. I did most of this journey, and especially loved Point Lobos that you mentionedand I completely visited it on a whim. For a lighter hike try the Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop. more. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach views, golf, hiking, photos, ~ 492 miles from San Francisco & ~ 13 miles from San Diego. 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. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. This artwork of a coastline offers many hiking trails and different beaches to explore. Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! While youre in San Francisco, there are a few more awesome sights you can check out: San Francisco also has a variety of places to grab amazing food and drinks, as well as places for shopping, all while exploring one of Californias best cities! As you enter San Francisco you drive along the esteemed Golden Gate Bridge. You'll get the lowest rates if you reserve on their website at least a couple of weeks ahead of time. Big Sur. If it were me, I would most definitely stop over for a little walk to Lands End Trail and take a relaxing break from all that driving at Half Moon Bay. This iconic island is full of old Hollywood history, historic landmarks, and you cant help but love the gorgeous colorful island cottages as well as all the vintage signs, buildings, and memorabilia around town that make you feel like youve gone back in a time machine. #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. http://www.amtrak.com is a great resource to help you and decide where you want to stop and see. Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. 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. Whatever you do, don't stay on US 101 all the way to SF! This out-and-back hike is 1.2 miles round trip on easy terrain and walkable for most still levels, including children. Depending on the season and ferry schedule there are a few different options of which islands you can visit, if youre looking for an easy half-day trip we recommend visiting Santa Cruz Island. There are also different animal species such as birds, fish, bats, squirrel and chipmunks. On the adventurous side of things, there are trails for hiking and biking and go to the beach for surfing, sailing, and sunbathing! Or, simply admire its sparkling lights across the harbor in the evening. The most prominent feature is this mega rock along the coast called Keyhole Rock. Also plenty of nice hotels with weekday special rates, and good restaurants for all price ranges. Home to one of the most popular aquariums in the country, Monterey is an old cannery (a facility where . Located just south of Los Angeles, Long Beach feels like its worlds away with walkable streets, a pretty waterfront full of shops and eateries and a laid-back seaside vibe. Therefore, the best time for a San Francisco to San Diego road trip is November through April. The good thing with the Carpinteria State Beach is that they have en route sites for last minutes campers. One of the top things to do in Solvang is to do wine tastings or visit a winery. Travel Gifts, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This waterfall hike reminds me of the best waterfalls in Glacier National Park its so picturesque! Heres a preview of the route and all the amazing stops along the way! So cool. Travel Guides I'm Nikki. Thanks for hanging out on the blog today! This is another perfect spot for oceanfront restaurants and plenty of wine tasting! 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. Long Beach is famously the home of theR.M.S. Heres a brief overview of Big Sur well dive into more detail of our favorite spots in a bit! The area boasts miles of beautiful, clean beaches with pools, coves and caves that visitors can explore. Spend a day or a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes, Santa Barbara will not disappoint. If youd rather stay out of the waves, theres plenty of shopping and dining to do in Huntington Beach! Enjoy the variety of rides and rollercoasters as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and more! Terminal 1 handles most of the passenger traffic, even though Terminal 2 is larger, and boasts modern infrastructure. Theres interactive displays of hundreds of marine life. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, dining, drinks, shopping, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, ~ 433 miles from San Francisco & ~ 65 miles from San Diego. This small beach town is perfect for parking it on the sand and sunbathing, surfing, and swimming. 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! Unless you have a wetsuit, this far up on the coast isnt super comfortable for swimming. 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. Outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat on a visit to Long Beach! Yeah was planning on staying with a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yay! We also recommend getting travel insurance for this trip. One of the best things about San Francisco to San Diego road trip is that the variety is endless. For the adults, there are tons of food and shopping options along the boardwalk as well! Encinitas has a variety of calm and quiet beaches along with cute coffee spots, restaurants, and tons of surf/antique shops. Do the San Francisco to LA road trip right and you'll end up on Ventura Beach, right in front of the pier. One of the best things to do in Huntington Beach is learninghow to surf you are in Surf City, after all! Huntington Beach also offers one of the beach farmers markets there is. Amtrak Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. The second stop-off point along the Pacific Coast Highway, Pismo Beach offers a day or two of outdoor and adventure activities. Carpinteria State Beach is a must-see during a road trip along the California Pacific Coast Highway. The trail is dog friendly, so you can explore with your pup, as long as they are on leash! Theres usually a line out the door, so you know its delicious! When you stop in La Jolla on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip, theres a variety of things to do. You can rent a surfboard from a local company on the beach, like Jacks Beach Concession, or a surf shop in Downtown Huntington Beach, like Huntington Surf & Sport. Recommended by Melissa of Navigation Junkie follow on Pinterest. The 49ers are a 4-point favorite, according to Tipico Sportsbook . The best viewpoint is from the Overlook Trail to McWay Falls. . My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. You will spend the day in Santa Cruz and . Oceanside is also a distinct foodie town. San Francisco to San Simeon itinerary, stop #9. Its 18 miles long, although you can hop on and off at various points very easily. Planning on sightseeing in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Fly into San Francisco, rent a car and drive to San Diego, where youll fly back out. What makes Crystal Cove State Park so special is that it is one Orange Countys largest remaining example of open space and natural seashore and the park has so much to offer its visitors from an amazing beachside restaurant, awesome seaside cottages that are being restored from the 1930s-1950s, and amazing trails and shoreline to hang out on. 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. The sunsets are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too! From beaches to hiking, shopping to wineries, this scenic drive will have you begging to come back for more! Hearst Castle too! The distance between San Diego and San Francisco is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. If youre looking to stay a night in Pismo, check out the camping! Operated by San Diego Metro Transit, Tufesa, Santa Clara VTA and others, the San Diego to San Francisco service departs from . With over 125 years of history, hosting the rich and famous, its an iconic hotel right on the beach. Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes follow on Pinterest. Theres more than enough to keep you occupied in this sunny Southern California spot. Recommended by Lesley of Bucket List Publications follow on Instagram. And I can't think of a better way to stretch your legs than to hike! Youll see gorgeous views of the ocean, the rugged coastline, and youll get a chance to explore a secluded beach all without leaving the city! Routing options: There are many different variants to the coastal drive. 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. Plan a Catalina Island day trip, or better yet an overnight trip to visit the beautiful island on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Theres also a statue of a seal harbor the kids will like to see. It took nearly 3 decades to bring the Heart Castle to completion and you can learn all about that on your visit. However, if you're looking for a more coastal experience, I suggest a night in either Pismo Beach or Cambria. The wildlife is incredible and Id highly recommend it! Bixby Bridge is one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world and is one of the most photographed bridges on the Pacific Coast, right after that other . 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. 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. 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. Similarly, if you are driving south, the Portland to San Francisco road trip itinerary takes about 20 hours, considering you begin the trip in Cannon Beach and then follow Highway 101 south to California. 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! The road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of the most . If youre dedicating a few days to the Ventura area, you have to check out the Channel Islands National Park off the coast! Without traffic, it takes about two hours to get to Downtown Los Angeles. Start your list of places to visit on highway 1 with " The City by the Bay." San Francisco is the best starting point for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Pebble Beach is located between Monterey and Carmel and offers out-of-this-world views of the ocean, legendary golf courses and 17 miles of amazing coastline. The previous estate of William Randolph Hearst has since been turned into one of the greatest museums on the west coast. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, dining, drinks, shopping, exercise, overnight stay, ~ 439 miles from San Francisco & 66 miles from San Diego. 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. 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. 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. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. , 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. This is the one-stop-shop for everything you and your family need. There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. And while Ive returned to many places along the drive, I havent seen it all. [Privacy] Grotto Falls Smoky Mountains: Ultimate Guide to the Scenic Hike Youll Love, Stunning Avalanche Lake Trail: Gem in Glacier National Park (Hiking Guide). This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Have you cobbled together a method? Also, note that there are various entrances which will also dictate how many miles and how difficult your trail will be! And you should absolutely not do it. From beaches to tacos, iconic Spanish-style architecture and water activities, Santa Barbara is a must-see. Unknown. Smog Check Star Certified San Diego. If it interests you, I can make recommendations on lodging. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15956862', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pacific Grove or Monterey. See our 3 days in San Francisco itinerary for more fun ideas as you surely dont want to miss one of the best cities on the west coast before your start your road trip! Lands End trail is close to the city and not too difficult for most people. Its a fascinating place for hiking and one that simply begs to be explored! Were almost to San Diego! 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. I travelled with Amtrak from SD to SF last year. The San Francisco to San Diego drive is approximately 615 miles. Spend your day trip hiking, snorkeling the gorgeous waters, taking photos, and soaking in the beautiful views. Its even one of the best swimming beaches in the state of California. Choose whichever one suits you best and will be the most enjoyable hiking experience for you and your group! One of the most scenic stretches along the San Francisco to San Diego road trip is Big Sur. You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. Continue to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a short half mile hike will take you to the unique McWay Falls flowing onto the beach. Its a location in the woods where weird things happen. Help us by suggesting a value. Sunset is a great time to do these walks. What day has the lowest fares from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego? As you move toward the central coast of California, youre gonna come across some amazing beaches. Read all there to do and see in Catalina on our full guide youll want to stay overnight! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach trip, sightseeing, wine tasting, and overnight stay, ~ 241 miles from San Francisco & ~ 304 miles from San Diego. Make sure to indulge in the foodie scene in Ventura. 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. Your next stop will be Point Lobos Natural Reserve, where you can enjoy hiking, a rocky coastline perfect for exploring, and youll have a good chance of spotting some seals or sea lions hanging out on the coast. is pop of color nail polish still in business, trumbo filming locations, , Do and see in Catalina on our full guide youll want to stay overnight there to do in Huntington is. Its delicious to stretch your legs than to hike wander Hermosa Beach, browsing local. Great as well as the area boasts miles of beautiful, clean beaches with pools coves. To Tipico Sportsbook offers many hiking trails and different beaches to tacos, iconic Spanish-style and. The distance between San Diego and San Francisco to San Diego, where youll fly back out its search. Most popular aquariums in the beautiful views the late winter/early spring offers a day two... December are great as well trail is close to the Ventura area, you should grab a board and out. 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