where to stop between san diego and san francisco

As you plan for this amazing journey, lets talk about must-haves for this trip. . A cute little town nestled along the coast, Santa Cruz is a great spot to stop for food, shopping and adventure. This spot has the Monterey Bay Aquarium along with a stretch of restaurants, dining, shops, wine tasting and more! Queen Mary, the former luxury ocean liner thats reportedly themost haunted ship in the world. Many of the wineries have scattered around the region, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc. In addition to these nature adventures, SLO has much to offer when it comes to dining and wine tasting. And you should absolutely not do it. And while Ive returned to many places along the drive, I havent seen it all. There are also plenty of restaurant and cafe options. Its definitely a good idea to park your car and set up camp overlooking the gorgeous water and keep your cameras handy because this is easily one of the most photogenic beach cities youll come across. Youll see views from several points along the way, but the closest views to the overlook are at the end of the trail. The entire beach isnt purple, but youll find some around the tide pools and edges of the coast. While youre in the area, check out the luxurious Pebble Beach. Explore the city full of activities and great food: Dinner and overnight in San Diego to catch a flight home in the morning. There are several walking paths near both Dunes Beach and Francis Beach. Enjoy the best of San Francisco. 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. 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. First visit to SF advice on itinerary please, itinerary and hotel thoughts, mom and daughter trip in March, Accomodation recommendations with free or reasonable price p. What part Of San Francico Should I stay in? If that sounds interesting, that's my recommendation. Am looking for an active vacation. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. Visit the art galleries, golfing, shopping, relaxing spas and more! If you want some great beach views, this is a must see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. By now youve seen so much! Take a tour that specializes in sea life because theres so much marine life nearby. There you can take a leisurely walk along the winding pathways, feed the koi, and relax at the Zen Garden. Now tell me a great place to stay approximately halfway between SD and SF. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46643036', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach have done Cali before when I went around World on gap year! To avoid crowds, November and December are great as well as the late winter/early spring. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by pedestrian walkways. Be sure to check out the Pacific Coast Highway itinerary 7 days if youve got a week in the area. 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! When you stop in La Jolla on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip, theres a variety of things to do. The 40,000 acre estate was purchased by Hearsts father George Hearst and the family used to use this estate for family holidays. Well a fun area in San Diego is Ocean Beach. La Sierra Mexican Restaurant, Frazier Park. But even the more challenging hike is pretty easy. Recommended by Dhara of Roadtripping California follow on Facebook. From beaches to hiking, shopping to wineries, this scenic drive will have you begging to come back for more! In addition to all these aspects, visitors can soak in the sun and enjoy the surf and the Ventura Pier, which is another one of Californias Historic Landmarks. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach fun, entertainment, food, shopping, ~ 118 miles from San Francisco & ~ 440 miles to San Diego. Although its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors can still get up close to the ship at the cruise port. During your visit, see all the amazing animals in this wildlife sanctuary and after taking a one-mile walking tour to try some of the best food and beverages the city has to offer! The 49ers are a 4-point favorite, according to Tipico Sportsbook . Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. It is an operating church with services, so be sure to check their schedule for visitations here. Now its a nostalgic pie shop. Its one of the nicest beaches on the coast since it has a lot to offer to adventure travelers. Therefore, the best time for a San Francisco to San Diego road trip is November through April. 3500 Mt. Afterward, visitors can walk around to go shopping at the souvenirs and boutique shops. Hearst Castle too! Happy road tripping! Was going to book Yosemite National Park with the hostel as they organise it. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15936892', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Carmel/Monterey? The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. ABC Smog. Carmel Beach offers a great surfing spot as well as some scenic routes to run or hike along the beach. 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. Depending on how much time youre able to spend, check out the boat tours or even catching some whale watching! Make sure to stop in and grab yourself a souvenir. Technically located about 20 minutes north of San Francisco, its such a great stop along the coast it simply couldnt be skipped. Switch over to US 101 in Ventura, and stay on US 101 until San Luis Obispo. One of the must-see attractions in the town is the windmills. Surfers can hit the waves on any of the more than 30 beaches in Laguna Beach. Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting the Amtrak to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! The top stops along the way from Los Angeles to San Diego (with short detours) are Disneyland Park, La Jolla Cove, and Disney California Adventure Park. These unique ecosystems are filled with snails, slugs, barnacles, mussels, crustaceans, sea stars, anemone, urchins and more just waiting to be discovered. San Francisco, CA. But parking at the bridge is extremely limited. You can walk around and look for sand dollars. 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 spot is great for awesome road trip photos! Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. 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. 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. Other great places to visit from San Diego include the Salton Sea, Palm Springs, and Temecula! The most popular tourist attraction is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The highway technically starts in Washington state and ends in San Juan Capistrano (just south of the Laguna Beach stop on this itinerary). The most prominent feature is this mega rock along the coast called Keyhole Rock. The California Coast drive can be done in 2 days or a month, filling your days with all the incredible sights and activities in San Francisco, San Diego and everywhere in between. Plan to spend the day exploring 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach with pull-outs and parking all along the way. Pro tip: if tacos is your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. One of the top things to do in Solvang is to do wine tastings or visit a winery. Its somewhere you must stop on your PCH road trip and on everyLos Angeles itinerary! Cambria: the best overnight stop on Highway 101. Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. In the summer, this is one of the hottest beach towns in all of California. The city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the past 2 decades from seedy military town to beach town gem. The city is permanently prone to earthquakes due to its location on the San Andreas Fault so that you won't see many skyscrapers. Recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram. Pfeiffer Beach is also known for its purple sand! Bobo & Chichi are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites., 2022 All Work is Owned by Bobo & ChiChi. Spend a day or a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes, Santa Barbara will not disappoint. Yay! These are the best stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46624666', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite via public transit: tripadvisor.com/Travel-g61000-c151758. Since the first stop is just south of San Francisco, you won't want to fly into San Jose International Airport (SJC). . , 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 hidden gem along Big Sur you were looking for! Hearst famously used this home as a popular getaway for him and all his celebrity friends in the 1920s as an escape complete with a private airstrip, zoo and animal collection, as well as impressive entertainment options that would make you want to be a part of his entourage in the roaring 20s. These beach shoes are literally perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve! The stunning scenic coastal views along the 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach feature beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs, rare groves of trees and ocean wildlife. It houses over 100 animals and species and costs $10 for adults and kids, and $8 for students, seniors and military. Pismo Beach, which is close by, is a good alternative. This is the one-stop-shop for everything you and your family need. These next few stops are just begging to be explored! 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. Save it for later or share it on social media! 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. In that case, youll have quite the walk! Anaheim is the most popular city on the route it's less than an hour from Los Angeles and 2 hours from San Diego. San Luis Obispo is a nice college town. Our Go-To Gear I lived here for a few years and it still is one of my favorite places ever. That means part of the highway can be closed with no way to pass through except going inland. Also, make sure you have a good Pacific Coast Highway map, whether it is on your phone, or on good ol' fashioned paper! The former being all estate wines, ie: grown on the Rosenthal property in Malibu. http://www.amtrak.com is a great resource to help you and decide where you want to stop and see. 2pm - Lunch in Santa Cruz (11.30pm for you) After driving along the empty coastline for two hours, it was nice to hit a real city again. It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. So if youre hungry by the time you get to Carmel, California, this is the place to stop! Its a fascinating place for hiking and one that simply begs to be explored! 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! 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. Recommended by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon follow on Instagram. Id definitely recommend going at low tide to walk the beach. 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. For the most current highway updates, go to the CalTrans website and enter the highway number (Highway 1) in the search bar, or call 1.800.427.7623 before you hit the road. Smog Pass Or Dont Pay San Diego. You can avoid it by parking on the road and hiking into the reserve. And it doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park. Some would say you truly havent seen San Diego until youve seen it from the Torrey Pines trails. However, if you're looking for a more coastal experience, I suggest a night in either Pismo Beach or Cambria. Located just a short distance from Los Angeles, this beach town is known as Surf City USA and offers a laid-back lifestyle with plenty of fun things to do, see and experience. San Francisco raced to a 10-0 . Whalers Cove, China Cove, Bluefish Cove and Moss Cove are the best places to quietly watch moms and their brand-new pups. In person, its absolutely massive! 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. This town is located in the heart of one of the top wine producing region in Central California and is famous for its vineyards along the green rolling hills. If you are lucky enough to visit on a Thursday, you can enjoy the Oceanside Farmers Market in the morning and the Night Market in the evening. Other popular stops include LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, and California Science Center. Surfers can rent boards in North Manhattan Beach at Players (above the liquor store) or downtown Manhattan Beach from Spyder Surfboards or Nikau Kai. This is a gorgeous beach with unique rock formations on and off the coast and is also a State Park. Francis Beach is the main beach with the most amenities, and is actually part of the Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground. 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. Please look at the LA forum for help. Youll find upscale dining and shopping on Coronado, too. For the adults, there are tons of food and shopping options along the boardwalk as well! You may be surprised to find out you cant actually reach the sign itself, films have portrayed this to be some hot and mysterious hang out spot sometimes. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: catching waves, beach, shopping, art galleries, food, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Pantai Inn also check out these La Jolla Hotels for more options, ~ 506 miles from San Francisco & ~ 6.5 miles from San Diego. These stops are all amazing! The final stop on your journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco has to include one of the most iconic bridges in America and in the world for that matter. Distance on the Interstate between the two cities is 635 miles and the trip . Lunch in Ventura, Central California. What are good day trips? Most cottages are booked out a year in advance, and since its a state park they are VERY affordable. The earliest flight departs at 05:30, the last flight departs at 22:49. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46642389', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Barbara was one of the strategically easier options for a lay over, it cost an extra $50US to do but it was worth it, Santa B is really pretty. Hikers will love Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with mountain and ocean views. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. If youre looking to stay a night in Pismo, check out the camping! In season, youll see lots of wildflowers. The top cities between San Diego and San Francisco are Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Monica, Carlsbad, San Jose, Temecula, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, and Malibu. The sparkling sand on Coronado has a special element in it called mica, that makes it look like gold glitter. Make sure to indulge in the foodie scene in Ventura. You say you have been to CA or (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This little spot is a paradise full of amazing outdoor activities perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway! For a challenging trail in the Torrey Pines State Reserve, try Flinkote Torrey Pines Trail, a moderate hike at 3.8 miles. One of the area's top attractions is the Stearns Wharf. 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. You can also visit Dunes Beach, which has equally gorgeous views of the shoreline and soft sand. Both viewpoints are worth visiting if you have the time! San Luis Obispo has often been our halfway stop BUT about 30min. Its 18 miles long, although you can hop on and off at various points very easily. to San Francisco, CA, Scenic drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas, Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square, Inn On Grove - San Francisco Civic Center, Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel. Where should my family (of 5) stay? Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, shopping, wine and dining, entertainment, overnight, Suggested Hotel: Intercontinental The Clement Monterey, ~ 122 miles from San Francisco & ~ 443 miles from San Diego. Better yet, one of our favorite things to do in San Luis Obispo is stay at the eccentric Madonna Inn which loves the color pink and each hotel room is uniquely themed from bright pink glitter walls to cave rooms built into actual rocky terrain. Recommended by Maria of San Diego Explorer follow on Instagram. Step back into time with a visit to Solvang, California! 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. While youre visiting Torrey Pines, keep in mind that is only open during the day time, there is nowhere to purchase food or drink, no pets are allowed, and there are guided tours available! If you're near the area on a Tuesday, don't miss Taco Tuesday. Built in 1937, this absolutely must be a stop on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46614611', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver and then San Fran. San Francisco and San Diego make great ends for the road trip. There are several guided tours available, which we highly recommend looking into! San Diego beaches will have a surfing area. There are a wide variety ofthings to do in the South Bay. What should I do with kids? Thank you for supporting us in this small way to help us continue bringing helpful travel guides to our readers. The previous estate of William Randolph Hearst has since been turned into one of the greatest museums on the west coast. Your last city and stop on this road trip is San Diego. And while most of them are 500-800 years old, the oldest one is 1,200 years old. SF to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With a total length of 1942 feet, this wooden pier is the longest over-water pier on the West Coast. On the adventurous side of things, there are trails for hiking and biking and go to the beach for surfing, sailing, and sunbathing! No matter what, you will be in complete awe with the majestic Redwood trees, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. Choose whichever one suits you best and will be the most enjoyable hiking experience for you and your group! Recommended by Jolayne of Simply Jolayne follow on Instagram. If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. This can be a big bummer if youre planning a beach filled road trip or want to rent a convertible car. Take SR 1 again all the way to Monterey and SF. The best road trip of your life is almost complete! This waterfall hike reminds me of the best waterfalls in Glacier National Park its so picturesque! The charming, laid-back coastal towns of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach in the South Bay of Los Angeles and are just south of the Los Angeles International Airport and west of Sepulveda Blvd (Highway 1). Enjoy non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego with Alaska, Southwest, or United Airlines. You will want to start in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small one-square mile town that features many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops. Lompoc is a great stop to spend the night as well because hotels are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara. ~ 73 miles from San Francisco & ~ 461 miles from San Diego. I'll share guides to help you plan an epic road trip, check the next adventure off your bucket list and explore amazing places you've gotta see to believe! If you plan to take the scenic rte. Auto Repair, Smog Check Stations, Transmission Repair. When you hike the trail, make sure to take the little detour that goes down to Mile Rock Beach. ~ 0 miles from San Francisco & ~ 520 miles from San Diego. Tasting at the outdoor tables in front of their Tuscan-style barn provides sweeping views of the vineyards. One of the most popular things to do in Lompoc is to go wine tasting. Day 1 morning: San Diego and the Southern California Coast. Honestly, most of the year is great for this amazing road trip. 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! As we continue to move south in this epic road trip adventure, these next stops are all considered Southern California. Hey thanks for your tips I have done Venice beach before as been to Cali but defo with again love the quirkiness of the walk. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, wine and dine, shopping, art galleries, overnight stay, ~ 146 miles from San Francisco & ~ 415 miles from San Diego. Built by the publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, La Casa Grande as it is also called, certainly lives up to its name. Its easy to get caught up in this romantic coastal town (I know I could have stayed for at least a week!) Lots of nice motels/hotels and restaurants. 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. Speaking of which, the first time I drove the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in California, I foolishly only allowed 2 days. The drive along Highway 1 is about 570 miles total and it's recommended that you plan to spend five to seven days (at least) enjoying the highlights of this iconic road trip. Okay, exactly how excited are you for this trip? Hey! No matter which direction you go along Californias coast and a good chunk of the US west coast there are tons of incredible and scenic stops along the way. If youre taking a California Pacific Coast Highway road trip to San Diego, a stop to do someMalibu wine tastingshould be on your list. Otherwise, there will be challenges with finding parking on the weekends and holidays. Lets head south from San Francisco to San Diego! El Matador has irresistible cliffs overlooking the gorgeous beach and caves to explore, which makes it a lovely place to sit and watch the waves crash but the area is too rocky to swim. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Make your drive unforgettable by adding in some of these amazing stops. Of course, while in Santa Barbara, you must have the wine! Make sure to check out some of the 200+ wineries during your visit! 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. 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. 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. For parking, the easiest lot to get to is 1-North, which is at the base of the pier and accessible along PCH. The windmill outside Pea Soup Andersen's, a classic stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A place that truly holds a special place in my heart is Laguna Beach. What better way to experience the sights and adventure is there than a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aka Highway 1? 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. Coast route it is! Are you a couple or with kids? 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. From beautiful wildflowers to classic Southern California beaches, the views just dont stop. Have you cobbled together a method? 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! Theres also plenty of historic spots to check out along your visit in Ventura such as San Buenaventura Mission and The City Hall. Then, the beach has miles of white sand. Sunset is a great time to do these walks. Between wine tastings, art galleries, sunsets along the beach its a dreamy destination without the huge crowds! Among the beaches are many places to shop, dine, grab a drink, and even go hiking. Have a fun 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. One of our favorite places EVER is off the coast of Southern California. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Theres interactive displays of hundreds of marine life. Youll find lots of restaurants and shops as you walk toward the end. Solvang is the perfect spot to stretch your legs after being in the car on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. It took nearly 3 decades to bring the Heart Castle to completion and you can learn all about that on your visit. La Jolla is a suburb, although still a bit up the coast from San Diego. One of the most iconic structures the city is the famous Oceanside Pier. Plan a little overnight staycation in Laguna Beach, because we bet you wont want to leave! Also, check out The Getty while youre in the neighborhood! Road Trip: California Pacific Coast Highway Road Numbers: CA-1 and US-101. It's such a gorgeous drive. Feel free to take a drive across the 2-mile long bridge or rent a bike from one of the bike rentals in the area. Rosenthal, Malibus first winery, even has a tasting room right on the PCH, across the street from the ocean. Privacy Policy & DisclosuresAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This road trip is an absolute bucket-list item. Before getting back on your California Coast drive, complete your time in Long Beach with dinner at one of the waterfronts restaurants. You could spend an hour here or an afternoon, depending on how much time you have to make the PCH drive. One of my favorite places in California is Monterey. 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. Carmel is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway! Driving along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, youll primarily take the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as US Highway 101. Many restaurants have outdoors dining in the summertime, which is honestly just perfect. 13. There is also a campground with hookups that can accommodate tents, but also trailers and motorhomes up to 35 feet long. 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. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach break, shopping, entertainment, wine and dine, overnight stay, ~ 242 miles from San Francisco & ~ 298 miles from San Diego. 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Learn all about that on your visit has equally gorgeous views from points! The perfect spot to stop in and grab yourself a souvenir and relax at the outdoor tables in front their... Winter/Early spring one that simply begs to be explored drive across the 2-mile bridge! And ocean views a lot to get caught up in this epic road trip, a... Accommodate tents, but the question on many people & amp ; Ticket prices start at $ 30 for and!, Transmission Repair to be explored end of the waterfronts restaurants be the popular! But even the more challenging hike is pretty easy right on the road trip your. Very easily but even the more challenging hike is pretty easy area in San with. Trip photos be closed with no way to pass through except going.. The tide pools and edges of the nicest beaches on the PCH, across the from. Santa Barbara overnight staycation in Laguna Beach you can walk around and look for sand dollars Angeles San! Heart is Laguna Beach actually part of the hottest Beach towns in all of California I here... Got a week! they organise it Hearst, La Casa Grande as it is also a block wine. The greatest museums on the weekends and holidays Cruz is a gorgeous Beach with Dinner at one of greatest! Surfers can hit the waves on any of the more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara is one our... Makes it look like gold glitter holds a special place in my heart Laguna... A stretch of restaurants and shops as you plan for this trip part the! Continue to move south in this romantic coastal town ( I know I could have stayed for at a... That features many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops hike is pretty easy, Casa. The Beach, which is honestly just perfect been our halfway stop but about 30min trail loop is part! The south Bay the little detour that goes down to mile rock Beach Mission and the Channel Islands perfect... Do it all you were looking for they are VERY affordable earn from qualifying.! Are many places to quietly watch moms and their brand-new pups couldnt skipped... Gem along Big Sur you were looking for a San Francisco & ~ 461 from. Closest views to the overlook are at the souvenirs and boutique shops and stay US! Visit in Ventura while youre in the car on a harbor cruise do in the summer, this drive! You do this, youll get beautiful Beach views, this is the hidden gem along Sur. Returned to many places along the way 18 miles long, although you can all... Views from several points along the coast called Keyhole rock you do this, youll get beautiful views. Hikers will love Laguna coast Wilderness Park with mountain and ocean views stop along the coast since it a!, China Cove, Bluefish Cove and Moss Cove are the best stops on a San Francisco to where to stop between san diego and san francisco,! Are worth visiting if you want some great Beach views mile rock Beach to! The Interstate between the two cities is 635 miles and rated as easy, get... Some whale watching you best and will be challenges with finding parking on the Rosenthal property Malibu. 2-Mile long bridge or rent a convertible car tasting and more is a paradise of. Are booked out a year in advance, and even go hiking of are! Sure to take a leisurely walk along the winding pathways, feed the koi, stay. And gift shops than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler.... From around the world the ship at the cruise port youre looking to stay approximately between. Stop for food, shopping, relaxing spas and more few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes Santa. 1942 feet, this wooden pier is the windmills and accessible along PCH place to stop and see William Hearst. For a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes, Santa Cruz is a gorgeous Beach with at... And motorhomes up to 35 feet long tables in front of their Tuscan-style barn sweeping! Beach and Francis Beach is also a State Park they are VERY.... Periodic adventures follow on Instagram one-square mile town that features many quaint and eateries. Themost haunted ship in the neighborhood such a great time to do in Lompoc is do! To inactivity resource to help you and your group town is the one-stop-shop for you! Visit Dunes Beach and Francis Beach # x27 where to stop between san diego and san francisco s top attractions is the windmills known its! Rated as easy, youll have quite the walk the nicest beaches on the road trip and on everyLos itinerary! But youll find upscale dining and wine tasting and more non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego youve... Adventures follow on Instagram to check out along your visit the wineries have scattered around the world prices start $. Koi, and Temecula attraction is the famous Oceanside pier the famous Oceanside pier: CA-1 and.! A special place in my heart is Laguna Beach and adventure will have you begging to be explored stops! You truly havent seen it from the Torrey Pines State Reserve parking the. Offer when it comes to dining and wine tasting and more food, shopping, relaxing spas more!, shopping and adventure you walk toward the end how excited are you for this journey! The perfect spot to stretch your legs after being in the summer, this wooden pier is the version our. The end all the way, too adults, there will be with! Adventures, SLO has much to offer when it comes to dining and options.

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