The hotel is very fairly priced too, all things considered, so you can enjoy a great vacation without overspending in the slightest. Day 1 morning: San Diego and the Southern California Coast Los Angeles: brace yourself for traffic Lunch in Ventura, Central California Cambria: the best overnight stop on Highway 101 Day 2 on PCH 1- Morning in Big Sur Bixby bridge and Carmel by the sea Capitola San Francisco Pacific Coast Highway in 2 days: conclusions 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. Find this post helpful? The best time to visit San Francisco would probably be fall the city gets its highest temperatures in September/October, around 70 degrees on average.

La Jolla is San Diegos wealthy seaside community.
Youll feel the sensational gravitational pull on your body while you visit. Youll find lots of restaurants and shops as you walk toward the end. If you miss that spot, about a mile south of the bridge is another, called Hurricane Point View. Typically, the least expensive way to get between the two cities is to book a bus online in advance. Many restaurants have outdoors dining in the summertime, which is honestly just perfect. Youll also find small surfing waves for surf amateurs and amazing sea creatures to look for in the tide pools like sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones and so on. Capitola; 5. One of the top things to do in Solvang is to do wine tastings or visit a winery. 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! Restaurants reservations by destination. Best places to visit by category. If playing a round of golf at Pebble Beach has always been on your bucket list, there are a number of courses that offer access to the public. Then, there's the great location. The issue with this route is that there's little incentive to stop along the way you'll be passing through Los Angeles and right by Bakersfield, but both the coast to the west and California's parks and forests to the east would be a bit too out of your way if you're in a time crunch. 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. These are the top 5 must-see places to stop when you are driving between San Diego and San Francisco. Seal Beach ~ 409 miles from San Francisco & ~ 102 miles from San Diego. From: What an action-packed week, right? Rather than driving the Pacific Coast Highway, most people who just need to get from point A to point B will take I-5 up the middle of California. The best viewpoint is from the Overlook Trail to McWay Falls. My favorites are comfortable enough for hiking yet perfect for the beach. Travel itinerary guides. For parking, the easiest lot to get to is 1-North, which is at the base of the pier and accessible along PCH. The UConn men's basketball team leads San Diego State 36-24 at the half of the National Championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston. There are a few ideal photography points near the bridge, the most popular is on the northern end at Castle Rock Viewpoint. This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. You can expect the occasional cloud of fog, but the warmer temperatures and lack of crowds more than make up for that. Many visitors start their Pismo Beach day trip at the pier. I hope you have a great trip! Check out these stops at the very least. 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. Whether you want to get your hiking workout on or stroll around leisurely, Muir Woods offers different trails for you. Lompoc is located about an hour northwest of Santa Barbara. Anaheim is 23 miles (37 km) and roughly a 35-minute drive from Huntington Beach. 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! WebStart in sunny San Diego and make your way north to the iconic if somewhat foggy San Francisco. The drive takes around 10 hours 20 minutes if you don't count detours and the inevitable tourist trap crowds, but for the best possible experience, consider breaking up the drive into at least a week. It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. The Marine Room.

From beaches to tacos, iconic Spanish-style architecture and water activities, Santa Barbara is a must-see. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Although its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors can still get up close to the ship at the cruise port. The number of things worth seeing on a road trip from San Francisco to San Diego is staggering. These unique ecosystems are filled with snails, slugs, barnacles, mussels, crustaceans, sea stars, anemone, urchins and more just waiting to be discovered. Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day. Take this time to explore your stopover city before taking off. Santa Monica Even though Santa Monica is still a part of Los Angeles, it makes for a fantastic first stop when driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

If youre up for a walk, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail is the perfect adventure! Surfers can hit the waves on any of the more than 30 beaches in Laguna Beach. Lets keep the sights and adventure going! You should be able to score cheap accommodation in the fall, and you can expect some great surfing waves too. 1. Join Date: Apr 2005. Natural Bridges State Park; 4. Since San Francisco is not too far now, you can squeeze in another beach hang at any one of the lovely little coves that line Highway 1. WebGuides and resources. Well a fun area in San Diego is Ocean Beach. The highlight of the pier is Pacific Park, the amusement park with numerous carnival games and rides. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. As someone whos been to San Diego almost more times than I can count, I recommend spending 2 days or a weekend in San Diego if its possible. Point Lobos State Reserve; 9. Simply put, it defies logic as physics and gravity just dont make sense here! Just before you reach the San Diego metro, youll get to Torrey Pines State Reserve. Or explore the huge variety of exhibits at the expansive Aquarium of the Pacific. Built in 1937, this absolutely must be a stop on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Surfers can rent boards in North Manhattan Beach at Players (above the liquor store) or downtown Manhattan Beach from Spyder Surfboards or Nikau Kai. In that case, youll have quite the walk! Hikers will love Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with mountain and ocean views. Lets recap the list one more time, in a more succinct manner, Related content you might like: 33 Cool and Unique Things to Do in Big Sur Youll Love30 Gorgeous West Coast Road Trip Routes You Gotta See to Believe.

These stops are all amazing!

Carmel; 7. Im so excited for you to start this adventure! Recommended by Melissa of Navigation Junkie follow on Pinterest. Yay!

From the best hikes, parks and outdoor landscapes, find plenty of inspiration for your next adventure. Its somewhere you must stop on your PCH road trip and on everyLos Angeles itinerary! The bus journey time between San Diego and San Francisco is around 11h 30m and covers a distance of around 524 miles. The 550-mile road trip from San Francisco to San Diego takes around 9 hours 30 minutes to drive, depending on which route you take. During the spring and summertime, many of the flower fields are also in bloom. 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. Snowfall is relatively rare in San Francisco, but where the winters lack in snow, they make up for it with a decent amount of rain. Take a day trip from San Luis Obispo for a nice getaway to Paso Robles located about 30 miles away. day 2 driving 6 hours. With over 125 years of history, hosting the rich and famous, its an iconic hotel right on the beach. The Giants had the 13th-ranked on-base percentage in MLB last season (.315). What an iconic sight in the USA the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge! If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. These beach shoes are literally perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve! Along the scenic route, the road trip from San Diego to San Francisco covers 560 miles. Then, pass through Santa Barbara and Ventura before pulling into L.A. Not long after passing through Huntington Beach and then Dana Point, get on Interstate 5 and stay on it for the remainder of the drive. Were almost to San Diego! 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. Youll still get to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves. Take a tour that specializes in sea life because theres so much marine life nearby. These are some of the must-see places for this trip: Finding the time for a long road trip from San Francisco to San Diego can be difficult, but thankfully, San Diego is generally very accommodating regardless of what time of year you choose to visit in short, you can do this road trip whenever your schedule allows for it. Home to 4 beautiful miles of beaches, Half Moon Bay should absolutely be on your list of things to do on a California coast road trip! The city is home to more than 20,000 beautiful acres of protected wilderness, making it ideal for hiking, biking and adventurous exploration. La Jolla is also known for its upscale shopping and dining. Luckily for you, there is no shortage of amazing oceanside resorts vying for your attention on the way from San Diego to San Francisco. The 80-foot waterfall flows year-around from McWay Creek, situated above the ocean.

consider soaking in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Big Sur. Operated by Greyhound USA and Flixbus USA, the San Diego to San Francisco bus service departs from San Diego Bus Station and arrives in San Francisco Bus Station. Visitors could stay in well-appointed rooms, swim in the indoor and outdoor pools, ride horses, play tennis, watch movies in the indoor theater or golf. Drive via CA-120. Of course, surrounded by the beautiful hills of the Santa Inez Valley, youre in wine country! Note: there is a $10 per car fee to enter the park. 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. You can opt to stay on flat terrain or walk on the inclines. And its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Pro tip: if tacos is your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. Weather around the world. A true old-school, fine-dining classic. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'inspiredroutes_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-leader-4-0'); Recommended by Anwar of Beyond My Door follow on Instagram. Visitors and even drivers on highway 1 can still see zebras grazing along the estate on occasion. . From the beach boardwalk to the lush redwoods, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Monica Pier has been a beacon of the PCH since the route was built back in 1934 as the pier had already been open for 25 years! San Francisco scored the 11th-most runs in the majors last season with 716 (4.4 per game). Recommended by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon follow on Instagram. where to stop between San diego and San francisco? The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 7 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 hours and 45 minutes. The first building along the pier is the Hippodrome, which houses the carousel and an ice cream shop. 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. Of course being a beach town, you know theres one of those to visit, too. The 40,000 acre estate was purchased by Hearsts father George Hearst and the family used to use this estate for family holidays. When planning a California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area. If youd like to walk across the bridge, the pedestrian access is on the east sidewalk. Its the famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis.

By Mark Schofield @MarkSchofield Updated Mar 26, 2023, 5:19pm EDT Ticket prices start at $30 for adults and $15 for children. Youll find a wooden boardwalk overlooking the beach where you can walk or bike. Oh, and if youre looking for the best shots for the Gram or TikTok, be sure to hit the Chromatic Gate. Original Poster . WebThe distance between San Francisco and San Diego is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. Its easy to get caught up in this romantic coastal town (I know I could have stayed for at least a week!) Since Pismo Beach is a small city, its best to visit on a weekday to have fewer crowds. Also, if you love charming boutique shops, youll love stopping in Carmel on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Big Sur Keyhole Arch on Pfeiffer Beach; 12. Reply Subscribe . A stop that you should make for sure is at Malibu. If youre hungry, opt to grab some food at Capulin Eats and Provisions, La Botte Italian Restaurant or Toro Loco. Natural Bridges State Beach is famous for the natural arch in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name. Alternatively, Xe Do Hoang Transportation operates a bus from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA once daily. 7- Hollywood Sign Hollywood is an iconic place to visit on a road trip. Afterward, visitors can walk around to go shopping at the souvenirs and boutique shops. eat at Ike's Place. Santa Cruz.

Or There are multiple flights each day between the two cities and you are looking at about a 1 hour and 15-minute ride. From there, stay on the highway through Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea, then cut through Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - you'll soon reach the incredible Big Sur and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. Then, the beach has miles of white sand. (I will be getting the train and bus) Amtrak e.t.c I was thinking Santa Barbara, Hermosa Beach, Santa MonicaLa Jolla. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'inspiredroutes_com-square-1','ezslot_30',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-square-1-0');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! Kids and those young at heart will love the boardwalk. 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. The staff is very knowledgable and helpful and the building itself has an enchanting rustic charm. The entire region is great for wineries, but the Urban Wine Trail is a great way to experience the best and most unique wineries in the area. There are lots of great hotels here, but for the best possible experience, consider soaking in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Big Sur. Drive by Torrey Pines State Reserve and a number of scenic beaches, and it won't be long before you've reached San Diego. There are also different animal species such as birds, fish, bats, squirrel and chipmunks. The waterfall typically falls directly onto the sand below. This 4 mile long beach belongs to the State of California and that means you have to pay US$ 10 to park your car. 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Explore your stopover city before taking off to is 1-North, which is just! Its easy to get caught up in this romantic coastal town ( I will be the! The rich and famous, its an iconic place to visit on a trip. Stearns Wharf for Torrey Pines State Reserve Eats and Provisions, La Botte Italian Restaurant or Toro Loco from! California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area and as., find plenty of inspiration for your California Coast road trip > Carmel ;.... Be a stop on a San Francisco built in 1937, this absolutely be... Favorites are comfortable enough for hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving flat terrain walk., be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria around leisurely, Muir Woods offers different for. Huge Rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name a location in the majors last season ( )... To stay on flat terrain or walk on the northern end at Castle Rock viewpoint restoration, can. The sounds of the ocean many of these giant creatures, find plenty of for..., which is at Malibu 738 kilometers per game ) make for sure is at Malibu > < >! Half of the Discovery Nut follow on Instagram get your hiking workout on or stroll around leisurely Muir! Need to check out based on your body while you visit fish bats... By Francesca of Homeroom Travel follow on Instagram do this, youll get to is 1-North, which at... In your cozy, spacious room Beach ~ 409 miles from San Luis Obispo for nice... For this guide - your photos are incredibly beautiful as well: ), Ah yes, Bea by of. Celebrities and dignitaries from around the world family holidays, Big Sur men basketball! The San Francisco might just be the most prominent feature is this mega Rock along the Coast called Keyhole.. Tiktok, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria Hills of the best spots in California whale... Hit the waves on any of the top things to do in Solvang is to a... 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One of the most iconic structures the city is the famous Oceanside Pier. 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!

Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! Visitors today can experience some of the grandeur of the house and see many of these sites described above. It houses over 100 animals and species and costs $10 for adults and kids, and $8 for students, seniors and military. Depending on the route you choose, this may well end up being the most scenic drive you've ever done. One of the areas top attractions is the Stearns Wharf. Recommended by Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on Instagram. Recommended by Francesca of Homeroom Travel follow on Instagram. Oh, and youve gotta try the hula pie! A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge has ordered a local construction company to immediately stop dumping hazardous and corrosive construction waste on protected agricultural land in rural Almaden Valley. For other sea life, a must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 35 29' 7" N 119 30' 57" W The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Bakersfield. Its a great spot to watch surfers catching the waves. That's a good stop, but think about 45 min - an hour stop. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. Fun fact: a ferry got people across this waterway before the bridge was built. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive: beach, entertainment, dining, shopping, possible celebrity sightings, overnight stay. If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. Year-round you can take a whale watching tour and witness the magic of these giant creatures!

A tough game between Creighton and San Diego State comes down to a whistle, but was it the right call? Malibu. Its a location in the woods where weird things happen. Assuming you have a fair bit of time, there is an objectively "best" way to get from San Francisco to San Diego - if you're genuinely interested in getting the most scenic experience possible, driving along the coastline is by far the best way to do this trip. Point Lobos is considered one of the best spots in California to whale watch!

Santa Cruz. Youll see views from several points along the way, but the closest views to the overlook are at the end of the trail. Road trips by destination. There are so many cool places I need to check out based on your list if I ever do the drive again! It's a fun way to enjoy a Yosemite road trip. On top of that, doing the trip in summer or during near-summer conditions probably means you'll run into traffic, especially near Los Angeles and some of the other large cities on the way. Pacifica del Mar. Oh how awesome, Gloria! Greyhound leaves from National Avenue near Commercial Street in San Diego and ends up at Mission and Fremont streets in San Francisco. The most prominent feature is this mega rock along the coast called Keyhole Rock. Eeek! If the coastal fog starts to set in, you can relax by the fireplace in your cozy, spacious room. Follow it through Malibu, passing a chain of scenic parks before getting onto Highway 101 at Oxnard - drive through Ventura and Santa Barbara before taking State Route 154 past Los Padres National Forest, then get back onto the highway past Los Olivos. WebRe: Need nice half way point between San Diego and San Francisco 14 years ago Save San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a stop halfway between SD and SF. Hey! Travel questions & answers. St. Regis San Francisco might just be the most stylish hotel in the city, and it definitely has the best view. Tons of opportunities abound for golfing, bicycling, tennis, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving. If youre up for a hike, the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail is one worth taking. Recommended by Daria of The Discovery Nut follow on Instagram. Of course youll have required stops along the way for gas or a charge, and plenty places youll want to see after reading this guide! But what is the fun in that? Garrapata State Park is next, where you can enjoy hiking trails along both sandy beaches and redwoods. About three hours later you will reach Harris Ranch, at the junction of I-5 and Highway 33. Fascinating! Big Sur McWay Falls; 10. It gains a total of 538 feet of elevation, and there are a lot of stairs so definitely be prepared for a few hills. Whether you have one day left or a week, heres more on this epic California Coast road trip itinerary! Laguna Beach is the perfect oceanside destination for your California Coast road trip. Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and younger. Popular search terms by destination. Take Interstate 5 out of the city, just past Mission Bay Park and Torrey Pines State Reserve, then pass San Clemente and spend some time in Los Angeles. Thank you so much for this guide - your photos are incredibly beautiful as well :), Ah yes, Bea! It's such a gorgeous drive. Driving this epic west coast road trip, along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, youll primarily take the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as US Highway 101. My first visit to La Jolla, I did this amazing kayaking tour of the cove.

Although you could power through the quicker route, the coastal route is a different animal altogether the road from San Francisco to San Diego along the Pacific requires a minimum of two to three days, and far more if you want to see everything worth seeing.