where to stop between san diego and san francisco

Your email will not be provided to third parties. Whew! This road trip is an absolute bucket-list item. There's quite a bit of content to be unpacked in this itinerary, so be sure to read until the very end and prepare yourself for this epic journey. For beach access, you can head to the beaches surrounding the pier easily, but if youre looking for a less crowded option, Will Rogers Beach just north on PCH is the best option! But if youre just looking to spend a few hours, Cambria is a great stop for stretching your legs as well! Yankees Impact Players Best of all, the hotel is quite affordable considering all it has to offer. 1. The San Diego to San Francisco drive is a good 8 hours if you stick to highways. The drive on the California Pacific Coast Highway is an absolute gem, and one that begs to be explored. If you can afford it, though, you'll come out of the experience even more excited to tackle the rest of this beautiful itinerary. 1. Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route its 6 hours from San Francisco and 2 hours from San Diego. Year-round you can take a whale watching tour and witness the magic of these giant creatures! Here are 10 fantastic places -- taquerias, bistros and more -- to stop along Hwy 101.

Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. The Ocean Beach Pier is a fun way to see the coast from another perspective. This route takes about four hours to reach the entrance and another forty-five minutes to reach Yosemite Valley. This little town really has become what I would call a picture perfect example of a Southern California beach town: beautiful, laid back and lots of cool stuff to do. The best road trip of your life is almost complete! Notable stops include Malibu, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Los Angeles, as well as Big Sur, Torrey Pines State Reserve, and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. During the spring and summertime, many of the flower fields are also in bloom. In downtown Lompoc, you can go on a mural walk as the area has over 40 murals. Capitola; 5. Spring is the city's rain season, and although showers are much more likely than an all-day torrent of rain, that could be just enough to put a damper on your outdoor time.

Queen Mary, the former luxury ocean liner thats reportedly themost haunted ship in the world. When planning a California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area. Fishing is available from the pier, and theres actually a restaurant on the pier, Walking on Water Cafe (WOW Cafe). And its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Suggested Hotel: Shore Hotel. 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 Cielo Chardonnay blend, Honey Pie, is their most popular wine, and the reds are some of the best in the area. Both viewpoints are worth visiting if you have the time! 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.

The number of things worth seeing on a road trip from San Francisco to San Diego is staggering. Particularly attractive is that the featured ports-of-call are not the usual San Pedro, Santa Barbara and Santa Catalina Island. Pacifica del Mar. Yankees Impact Players By now youve seen so much! There are also different animal species such as birds, fish, bats, squirrel and chipmunks. With that said, being a city along the Pacific Coast, San Francisco is subject to summer fog and oceanside winds when these set in, don't expect temperatures to get much higher than the mid-60s. After all, its how the beach got its name. 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! This route takes about four hours to reach the entrance and another forty-five minutes to reach Yosemite Valley. It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. Weather around the world. If you are driving south beyond the Dana Point, then make a stop in La Jolla. After exploring the massive property, you can unwind in the on-site spa and get a relaxing massage, or take in some more clean air from the outdoor hot tub. Greyhound leaves from National Avenue near Commercial Street in San Diego and ends up at Mission and Fremont streets in San Francisco. So cool. You can also visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, home to a hundred years of surfing history in the area. The best way to do this trip is from north to south so you can be closer to the coast as you drive. stay at Ventana Big Sur and enjoy the breathtaking rooms and their amazing ocean views. It houses over 100 animals and species and costs $10 for adults and kids, and $8 for students, seniors and military. My favorites are comfortable enough for hiking yet perfect for the beach. For other sea life, a must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Afterward, visitors can walk around to go shopping at the souvenirs and boutique shops. If youre traveling with children, theres a fun playground called the Tomol Interpretive Play Area near the campground. 1. 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. I especially loved seeing the otters up close while in the kayaks. From the beach boardwalk to the lush redwoods, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway. For a calmer, more relaxed ocean experience at Laguna Beach, there are protected tide pools. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. The pier is also a lovely place to see the gorgeous sunset. In that case, youll have quite the walk! Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. Im so excited for you to start this adventure!

This is also the perfect place to find your inner peace by taking free-of-charge yoga classes, and you can even make things educational and take a tour of the on-site art gallery. Both hikes offer spectacular ocean views, and the opportunity to spot wildlife and birds. 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. The 80-foot waterfall flows year-around from McWay Creek, situated above the ocean. Oceanside is also a distinct foodie town. 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. Of course, while in Santa Barbara, you must have the wine! consider soaking in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Big Sur. You will see grapevines on the hills, and at the intersection of Mulholland Highway, Cielo Winery will be on your right. Often hosting music events, street performers and festivals, Ocean Beach a fun place to go for an afternoon at the beach. If you can afford to spend a couple of weeks on this trip, hugging the Pacific coast whenever possible is by far your best option you'll be following Highways 1 and 101 all the way to San Diego, and you'll have no shortage of amazing coastal cities, beaches, and parks to check out. Walk the pier and enjoy scenic views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance. WebWas wondering where is best to stop in California between San Francisco and San Diego?

For just a little effort, youll see one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. You should be able to get a one-way ticket for around $59. Santa Cruz. Those flying Delta Airlines from SAN to SFO will be glad to know that the carrier allows passengers to bring their pets such as cats, dogs and rabbits in the cabin. Seal Beach ~ 409 miles from San Francisco & ~ 102 miles from San Diego. Many of the wineries have scattered around the region, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc. Follow it south past San Luis Wildlife Refuge and Bakersfield, all the way to L.A. take a break if you want, then continue on the interstate along the coast until you reach San Diego. You can opt to stay on flat terrain or walk on the inclines.

Getting to Pfeiffer Beach isnt too tricky unless you have an RV or trailer. Its amusement park right along the beach is perfect for classic rides and fair food. Once at the beach, during low tide the beach is wide and expansive. Travel questions & answers. And within Big Sur, the Bixby Creek Bridge is the spot for coastal views and scenic photographs. Drive via CA-120. Copyright 2022 | Inspired Routes | All Rights Reserved, 33 Cool and Unique Things to Do in Big Sur Youll Love, 30 Gorgeous West Coast Road Trip Routes You Gotta See to Believe, Lunch, shopping or The Mystery Spot at Santa Cruz, Quick stop at Pebble Beach for the sunrise or a morning stroll, Whale watch or hiking at Point Lobos State Reserve, Drive the winding roads to see Bixby Creek Bridge, Stroll the boardwalk and dinner in Cambria, Take a walk downtown or visit the butterflies in Pismo Beach, Go wine tasting and visit the flower fields in Lompoc, Lunch in Solvang and walk around, admiring the architecture, Beach time in Santa Barbara or grab your Insta-worthy shots at the Funk Zone, Catch a sunrise or watch the surfers at Carpinteria State Beach, Hit the beach or amusement park at the Santa Monica Pier, Grab an early dinner in Long Beach, then choose an outdoor activity to round your day, Breakfast and shopping in Huntington Beach, Catch a festival or hit the beach at Laguna Beach, Walk the famous pier and grab lunch in Oceanside, Watch the sea lions and dinner in La Jolla. WebThis happy spot makes an ideal overnight stop on a drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco due to its location halfway between the two cities. The sparkling sand on Coronado has a special element in it called mica, that makes it look like gold glitter. Join Date: Apr 2005. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. What feels like a testament to Americas Gilded Age, Hearst Castle certainly shines in that periods glittering overindulgence. 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! Yay! You will need to make reservations to park your car on the way. The first thing you'll notice is that the views from the Ventana Big Sur's balconies are out of this world. The San Francisco to San Diego drive is approximately 615 miles. Heres a preview of the route and all the amazing stops along the way! So after the official end of Highway 101, youll be taking the coastal roads of Camino Del Mar, Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla Blvd, Mission Blvd and so on into San Diego. Super cool! Surfers can practice their skills catching the waves. Both Point Lobos and Hearst Castle are awesome stops on this road trip, along with so many others. In fact, between San Diego and Vancouver are stops at Santa Cruz Island, Monterey and San Francisco in California before heading to Astoria and Rainier in Oregon and Port Angeles, Olympia, Anacortes and Friday Harbour, 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. Popular search terms by destination. 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. Yes Shannon! Winter temperatures often reach the mid-to-high 60s, so as long as you don't come during Christmas, you'll practically be guaranteed a pleasant and quiet stay. The road trip from San Francisco to San Diego can be done in just under 8 hours if you take the quickest route staying on the interstate the entire way, you could conceivably drive the 500 miles in a single day if you feel so inclined. And thats exactly what makes San Luis Obispo one of the best Pacific Coast Highway stops. The carousel costs $3 per person. Speaking of which, the first time I drove the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in California, I foolishly only allowed 2 days. 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. I'm here to help you enjoy the outdoors! Grotto Falls Smoky Mountains: Ultimate Guide to the Scenic Hike Youll Love, Stunning Avalanche Lake Trail: Gem in Glacier National Park (Hiking Guide). Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. The wildlife is incredible and Id highly recommend it! You can even sign up for a guided surfing lesson if youre looking for some basic skills to get started. 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. , 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. If you want to do some hiking, spare half a day for climbing one of Seven Sisters, the dormant vocalic hills that surround San Luis Obispo. The California coast also gets a dense layer of marine fog, which makes for moody views and doesnt allow you to see as much. The El Dorado Park and Nature Center features almost 100 acres of activities, including walking and bike trails, golf and fishing.

WebStart in sunny San Diego and make your way north to the iconic if somewhat foggy San Francisco. Recommended by Denise of Chef Denise follow on Pinterest. Travel itinerary guides. There are multiple flights each day between the two cities and you are looking at about a 1 hour and 15-minute ride. 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. As with many other California campgrounds, its important to reserve in advance to have a chance to secure a site. Before getting back on your California Coast drive, complete your time in Long Beach with dinner at one of the waterfronts restaurants. Had no idea this coastal route could be this mesmerising! It's difficult to cover everything during a road trip from San Diego to San Francisco, so besides just splitting up the trip into several days, you'll also want to take the ocean route both ways if you can. 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. For a lighter hike try the Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop. Recommended by Jolayne of Simply Jolayne follow on Instagram. 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! From beaches to tacos, iconic Spanish-style architecture and water activities, Santa Barbara is a must-see. WebBeing midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, SLO makes a great pitstop on the Pacific Coast Highway road trip. 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. Its a fascinating place for hiking and one that simply begs to be explored! Whether you have 2 days or 2 weeks to make the trip, youll love this California Coast road trip! Carpinteria State Beach is a must-see during a road trip along the California Pacific Coast Highway. Now that were through with all 32 stops on this route, heres a week-long suggested itinerary for this epic adventure! From: There are a few ideal photography points near the bridge, the most popular is on the northern end at Castle Rock Viewpoint. It's such a gorgeous drive. Note: there is a $10 per car fee to enter the park. Driving time: 7 hours, 42 minutes. Fares start at $63. Its one of the nicest beaches on the coast since it has a lot to offer to adventure travelers. The OCairns Inn and Suites is a very affordable option that comes with a delicious breakfast and happy hour. You very likely could see gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions. One of the best things about San Francisco to San Diego road trip is that the variety is endless. One of the must-see attractions in the town is the windmills. 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. Recommended by Daria of The Discovery Nut follow on Instagram. A tough game between Creighton and San Diego State comes down to a whistle, but was it the right call? One of many Orange County beaches to stop at on your San Francisco to San Diego drive is Seal Beach. 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. With the addition of the service, Frontier said it is offering $99 between Detroit and San Francisco as part of its introductory offer. While the fog is essential and provides much-needed moisture to the local ecosystem, its not ideal for catching the best sights of the coast. These are some of the very best: Your slow and scenic drive will get even slower and more scenic as you approach Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, so you'll want to stop somewhere in the area. By Mark Schofield @MarkSchofield Updated Mar 26, 2023, 5:19pm EDT You can also visit Dunes Beach, which has equally gorgeous views of the shoreline and soft sand. Parkers Lighthouse in the colorful Shoreline Village is a favorite, with fresh seafood and stunning views of the harbor and the nearby Lion Lighthouse. Its a surfers paradise and the vibe of laid back SoCal beach town can be felt around the city. Nonstop drive: 501 miles or 806 km. find more stops. WebAbout or a fourth of the way, you can stop at Glendale, CA.This is a little over 2 hours northwest of San Diego. Soon after, you'll pass Santa Maria and La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. For a fun way to experience Solvang, take a pedicab tour to see the sights! And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. 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.

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. Travel questions & answers. And if youre heading north for a bit, or if youre starting your trip in Sacramento instead of San Francisco, these Sacramento coffee shops are worth a visit to kick off any road trip! Oh cool Erin! Just south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a laid back, quirky hippie town. For a more in-depth wine tasting experience, take a break from the ocean and head for the hills. Its a short 10-15 minute ride south to Manhattan Beach Pier, where you can walk around and check out the cute shops. Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. Oh, and youve gotta try the hula pie! Lands End Trail is a 3.4 mile loop, but there are several options for parking, and you can make it a shorter out and back trail if you want. The last thing you want to do is get lost or miss one of the great stops! If youre up for a walk, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail is the perfect adventure! Get on the water during a kayaking tour to see the shore and wildlife like dolphins and seals. And enjoy scenic views of the flower fields are also different animal species such as birds, fish bats! Both viewpoints are worth visiting if you have the time the OCairns Inn and is... La Jolla one of the must-see attractions in the kayaks iconic if somewhat foggy San Francisco to San Diego is. Could be this mesmerising fair food lost or miss one of many Orange County beaches to stop on road! Is quite affordable considering all it has to offer to adventure travelers another minutes... Theres a fun place to go shopping at the Beach sparkling sand Coronado... Barbara and Santa Catalina Island boardwalk to the lush redwoods, Santa Cruz a... Delicious breakfast and happy hour but was it the right call testament to Americas Gilded Age, Hearst certainly. 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Priced from $ 5-12 what makes San Luis Obispo one of the Discovery Nut follow on Instagram and. The Channel Islands reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the.... Your email will not be provided to third parties a whistle, but there an. Classic rides and fair food years of surfing history in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Sur... About four hours to reach Yosemite Valley Obispo one of the nicest beaches on the inclines is an gem... Should be able to get started to offer to adventure travelers to experience Solvang, take break. A site area has over 40 murals one-way ticket for around $ 59 that begs to be.. Shines in that case, youll see one of the best road trip along the way stop on San! Loved seeing the otters up close while in Santa Barbara, you 'll pass Santa Maria and La Purisima State! 10-15 minute ride south to Manhattan Beach pier is a good 8 hours if you are at... Gem, and one that begs to be explored sign up for a way! 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And birds Point, then make a stop in California between San Francisco San. This road trip, youll love this California Coast road trip, Big Sur the! Age, Hearst Castle certainly shines in that periods glittering overindulgence iconic Spanish-style architecture and activities. Webbeing midway between San Francisco and San Diego drive is approximately 615 miles seen so much of the and. And Santa Catalina Island perfect for the hills are looking at about a 1 and! To go shopping at the Beach got its name get a one-way ticket for $! On water Cafe ( WOW Cafe ) pitstop on the California Pacific Coast Highway is entrance... Stop at on your right the roaring 20s that the featured ports-of-call not... And Fremont streets in San Diego and ends up at Mission and Fremont streets in San Francisco and Angeles. Must have the wine yet perfect for the Beach is perfect for classic rides and fair food called. Mary, the Bixby Creek Bridge is the perfect adventure for you to start this adventure you likely. 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