Bundle up for a bonfire on the sand with your crew. This is one of the best stops on your San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco drive if you have a love for nature and history! The waves crashing around the rock are really cool to watch. This is an easy option too if you had started by flying to Mexico and drove across the border first to get to San Diego. There''re some fantastic stretches along the coast esp between Monterey and Cambria on hw1. 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. Cheers man for the info was planning on stopping there and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One of the most scenic stretches along the San Francisco to San Diego road trip is Big Sur. During your visit check out one of the eight championship golf courses or some of the other amazing places to beach, hike, bike, shop, exercise, and more. See the historic surfboards and imagine yourself up on this much heavier version of todays surfboard! 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! 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. Monterey is located just north of Big Sur, perhaps the most beautiful stretch of Highway 1, and is an . Bixby Creek Bridge. The State Park has 3.2 miles of beach, 2,400 acres of wilderness, and an offshore water area. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. Visit the art galleries, golfing, shopping, relaxing spas and more! Bixby bridge and Carmel by the sea. 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! The latter comes from a variety of wine aviations. Lets head south from San Francisco to San Diego! In downtown Lompoc, you can go on a mural walk as the area has over 40 murals. Youll find great cliff views and fewer crowds on this hike. I am not pushed for time as have a couple of months before I fly out of Chicago. Its always a spectacular sight to behold! The staff is very knowledgable and helpful and the building itself has an enchanting rustic charm. 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. And its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! 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. Often hosting music events, street performers and festivals, Ocean Beach a fun place to go for an afternoon at the beach. By booking through our links we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Explore the city full of activities and great food: Dinner and overnight in San Diego to catch a flight home in the morning. One of the best spots in Monterey is easily Cannery Row. And while most of them are 500-800 years old, the oldest one is 1,200 years old. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. There is an entrance fee of $11.25 charged per vehicle if you wish to enter the private community of Pebble Beach and discover 17-Mile Drive. In addition to the famous redwoods, the park offers gorgeous waterfalls, views of the Pacific Ocean, over 80 miles of trails, a variety of animals roaming the park, and much more. There are also plenty of restaurant and cafe options. 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. This spot is perfect for day trip or a weekend getaway, read more about all the best things to do in Ventura and nearby in our guide. From beach activities to the boardwalk, Santa Cruz has it covered. Walk the pier and enjoy scenic views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance. It's almost dead even between L.A. and San Francisco by 250 miles in either direction. San Diego beaches will have a surfing area. See here: http://tinyurl.com/c3nazz, P.S. This spot is located in the Santa Ynez Valley of California and is very recognizable due to its windmill and other Danish-style architecture. And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. Fishermans' Wharf - Visit the sea lions, eat, drink, play and be merry. For more info, see mydisclosures. ~ 232 miles from San Francisco & ~ 309 miles from San Diego. Dont skimp out on Muir Woods National Monument! Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and younger. . Laguna Beach is known for being one of the most beautiful California coastal towns with much to do and so much to see. Its completely off limits due to the fragile nature of the cliffs. Can you believe this list?! 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. Best places to stop between San Diego and San Francisco A road trip of this magnitude definitely requires a stop or five along the way. If youre up for a walk, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail is the perfect adventure! 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. See our full guide to best things to do in Costa Mesa and things to do in Newport Beach for more options! So cool. Fun fact: a ferry got people across this waterway before the bridge was built. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. Santa Barbara is one of the places you'll want to spend time in when driving from San Diego to San Francisco. Or, simply admire its sparkling lights across the harbor in the evening. One of my favorite places in California is Monterey. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 29m. You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. This post may contain affiliate links. Whether you have 2 days or 2 weeks to make the trip, youll love this California Coast road trip! The purple sand Pfeiffer Beach is next, and you wont want to miss checking out the keyhole rock. You can bike as well! Beach in Santa Barbara. Visitors can easily lose track of time while spending an afternoon exploring these cute towns or soaking up some rays on the wide soft sandy beaches. There are plenty of great places to stop between San Diego and San Francisco, so take your time and plan your route based on your interests. Another iconic spot to see in Big Sur is the Bixby Bridge! . Youve made it! The best road trip of your life is almost complete! Carpinteria State Beach is a must-see during a road trip along the California Pacific Coast Highway. You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. A quick stop at the Bixby Creek Bridge, one of Big Surs most iconic stops, will give you some great views and a great photo op. Honestly, most of the year is great for this amazing road trip. Big Sur has been claimed to be one of the most, if not the most beautiful state parks in all of California. Big Sur. 10. This sandy spot is located right across the bridge from Downtown San Diego, which is full of everything you could possibly imagine on your tourist adventure. It will be my husband, self and 16 year old daughter. I was thinking Santa Barbara, Hermosa Beach, Santa MonicaLa Jolla. The historic 115-foot tall lighthouse has been in operation since 1872 and is a great quick stop for photos. Santa Barbara is a lovely city where the streets are lined with palm trees and Spanish Revival architecture gives it a distinct aura. Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from San Francisco. Recommended by Brittany of Travel by Brit follow on Pinterest. What are good day trips? Visit the gorgeous city of Laguna Beach located in Orange County, California along your San Francisco to San Diego drive. About Bobo and Chichi Sometimes there are even dolphins splashing in the distance. Also consider going to Tablerock Beach or Thousand Steps Beach, which are also two of the best spots in Laguna Beach located in the southern part of town. This road trip is an absolute bucket-list item. Make sure to indulge in the foodie scene in Ventura. 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. 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. A place that truly holds a special place in my heart is Laguna Beach. Best places to stop between San Diego and San Francisco. If you want to add a bit of adventure, you can easily plan a multi-day camping trip on the islands as well. 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. Enjoy a beautiful hike overlooking the clear blue waters of San Diego. There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. It's such a gorgeous drive. Any other opinions and are there any hidden gems? This is also easier to visit on a weekday than a weekend. The wildlife is incredible and Id highly recommend it! Take a tour that specializes in sea life because theres so much marine life nearby. While youre visiting, you can check out the awesome downtown area. Anaheim is the most popular city on the route it's less than an hour from Los Angeles and 2 hours from San Diego. Some of the best things to do in Dana Point can be done while soaking up the sun, like laying on the sand, surfing, boating/fishing, or taking a whale watching tour! stopping in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yay! Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. Other things to do near the Santa Pier include: If youre looking for more than just a day trip, staying right outside of Los Angeles may suit you! On the adventurous side of things, there are trails for hiking and biking and go to the beach for surfing, sailing, and sunbathing! There's ground transportation service from each terminal to take you to your plane. Have you cobbled together a method? With a total length of 1942 feet, this wooden pier is the longest over-water pier on the West Coast. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Pismo Beach is a classic (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? San Francisco To San Diego Road Trip Factfile. This small beach town is perfect for parking it on the sand and sunbathing, surfing, and swimming. The distance on the drive from San Francisco to San Diego is approximately 502 miles (808 kilometres) and would take around 8 hours if taking a direct route along the I-5 highway. With overnights in Pismo Beach and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are many nice places to stay between LA and SF: Santa Barbara, San Luis Opisbo, Pismo Beach, Cambria, Carmel/Monterey, Santa Cruz. Not only is this a cultural experience, but it is also a family fun experience! As you plan for this amazing journey, lets talk about must-haves for this trip. Happy road tripping! Are tours available for SF, Muir Woods, etc.? Recommended by Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on Instagram. Shopping wise, you must check out Huntington Surf Shop and Jacks Surf Shop. Recent post: What City In Arizona Is Closest To San Diego? I also work at Hearst Castle, which is a home museum with art from all over the world and beautiful views and a great stop if you're taking Hwy1. Especially since you should be taking tons of photos to remember the first stop along your San Francisco to San Diego drive! Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest! These next few stops are just begging to be explored! The windmill outside Pea Soup Andersen's, a classic stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you want some great beach views, this is a must see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Travel Tips The best time of year for a San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip is pretty much year-round. Theres also plenty of beautiful spots to pull over and snap some photos and videos. Auto Repair, Smog Check Stations, Transmission Repair. Youll still get to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves. Newport Beach is an amazing beach spot with an endless supply of amazing things to do which will nicely complement your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Aside from watching for various sea life, there are approximately 12 hiking trails ranging from just under a mile that meander cliffs to 3 miles that will take you through the gorgeous meadows and forests. I live in the coastal town of Morro Bay (15 miles north of SLO) where you can get smoked oysters fresh cooked at the Embarcadero , rent kayaks to paddle around in the protected inner harbor, go out whale watching, hike Montana de Oro state park or watch the surfers and walk on the beach. There are several guided tours available, which we highly recommend looking into! It was restored in 1995 and offers tours! If so, you could stay in San Luis Obispo, where there are lots of reasonable accommodations, including the very charming Apple Farm Inn (and restaurant). 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. 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! Spend a second night on the Monterey Peninsula (specifically Carmel or Pacific Grove), for a wonderful stay in two very quaint and charming towns. Its somewhere you must stop on your PCH road trip and on everyLos Angeles itinerary! Then you can go further down to the beach, where you can see the sea stacks, climb the rocks and enjoy amazing views of San Franciscos coast line! EXTRA 20% OFF 3+ ITEMS See all eligible items and terms . 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. The previous estate of William Randolph Hearst has since been turned into one of the greatest museums on the west coast. It might be a good idea to plan ahead before driving into Los Angeles. San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a stop halfway between SD and SF. After you are full, head to Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals to rent a bike for the day. 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