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 Love. 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! The diversity of the state's terrain is chock-full of interesting sites and plenty of adventure along the way. But parking at the bridge is extremely limited. Operated by San Diego Metro Transit, Tufesa, Santa Clara VTA and others, the San Diego to San Francisco service departs from . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46622497', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car as I am traveling on my own not feasible but will get train and bus so can look into your advice. This is the spot if you want to do some surfing. San Carlos Beach marks the end of Cannery Row, so head out to the water after you check out the aquarium and getting some amazing food! 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. If youre planning a road trip along the gorgeous California Pacific Coast Highway you really need to plan to make Pebble Beach one of your road trips stops. 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! During your visit make sure to check out the Point San Luis Lighthouse, which was established in 1890 and operated for nearly a century. 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! 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. The best road trip of your life is almost complete! This area has attracted all kinds of people but it especially caters to those art lovers, beachgoers, and fine diners. Soak in all the views at whatever pace you want in one of the most gorgeous places California has to offer. Having already spent time in LA, I'm looking for something a bit different. This post may contain affiliate links. Whatever you do, don't stay on US 101 all the way to SF! The road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of the most . 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. If youre looking for a great view or photos of the bridge, keep in mind there are various vantage points! The possibilities are endless in The Crown City of Southern California. Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest! Wandering the village is among the bestthings to do in Cambria. Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. The journey time between San Diego and San Francisco is around 14h 29m and covers a distance of around 580 miles. Lunch in Ventura, Central California. Having a backup paper map and directions is also essential as wi-fi and cell service is scarce along Big Sur. That means part of the highway can be closed with no way to pass through except going inland. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. This Chevron gas station is located in the town of Santa Nella, about halfway between San Diego and . DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. Watching the sunset over the ocean is a favorite local activity and the views are incredible! So cool. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, coffee, dining, shopping, overnight stay, ~ 485 miles from San Francisco & ~ 17 miles from San Diego. Theres more than enough to keep you occupied in this sunny Southern California spot. After all, its how the beach got its name. This central coast is a magnificent escape for those travelers looking for a paradise. This is the one-stop-shop for everything you and your family need. 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. Fishing is available from the pier, and theres actually a restaurant on the pier, Walking on Water Cafe (WOW Cafe). Add in a gorgeous sunset and youve got an amazing spot to sit and watch the sun dip below the horizon! Ventura. It passes along the coast with brief glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, through Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and north through Orange County. . Something to keep in mind is June Gloom. This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! 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 26 boutique hotels to luxury resorts like The Ranch Laguna Beach and Montage Laguna Beach, its easy to find the perfect fit regardless of your needs. Halfway Point Between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA If you want to meet halfway between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are 35.561790 and -119.600899, or 35 33' 42.444" N, 119 36' 3.2364" W. It houses over 100 animals and species and costs $10 for adults and kids, and $8 for students, seniors and military. Carmel-by-the-Sea is one impressive little village along the coast. Theres a long walking trail right along the beach, great for exercising or renting bikes for a scenic ride. Start your day with breakfast in North Manhattan Beach at North End Caffe, Fishbar, or Local Yolk. If you were to travel the full 350-mile route, the trip would take a little over eight hours. 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. This road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up and down the PCH for years to come! Customize this itinerary based on what youd love to do most and how much time you have. It's also a popular destination where Hollywood celebrities and socialites hang out. Are you a couple or with kids? Yes Shannon! Lands End trail is close to the city and not too difficult for most people. 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. Free shipping . Since its close to the Pacific Ocean, there is a marine layer which keeps the environment moist and encourages plant growth. Pismo Beach has much to offer, like many of the other central beach towns weve covered. Just before you reach the San Diego metro, youll get to Torrey Pines State Reserve. San Diego, port and city, seat (1850) of San Diego county, southern California, U.S. When planning a California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area. Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. I travelled with Amtrak from SD to SF last year. In addition to their beautiful white sand beaches, visitors can take advantage of riding ATVs in the sand dunes, surfing, fishing, golfing, and much more! There were even an incredible amount of domestic and foreign animals that roamed the estate as well. 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. For the adults, there are tons of food and shopping options along the boardwalk as well! San Jose. Its somewhere you must stop on your PCH road trip and on everyLos Angeles itinerary! Looking for ways to pass the time? Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, dining, drinks, shopping, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, ~ 433 miles from San Francisco & ~ 65 miles from San Diego. My favorites are comfortable enough for hiking yet perfect for the beach. If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. You will depart from San Francisco International Airport and will land at San Diego International Airport. But the question on many people& Stop by the harbor for Fish and Chips in Oceanside (where I live), visit LEGOLAND, go to SeaWorld, stop by the zoo, experience the tide pools . One of the must-see attractions in the town is the windmills. Monterey. It is illegal to harass, touch or feed the seals, so please be respectful. It might be a good idea to plan ahead before driving into Los Angeles. READ MORE: What to Know, Expect and Do Before Your . These beach shoes are literally perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve! Hearst Castle too! 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! Also, if you love charming boutique shops, youll love stopping in Carmel on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. If youre dedicating a few days to the Ventura area, you have to check out the Channel Islands National Park off the coast! One of the most scenic stretches along the San Francisco to San Diego road trip is Big Sur. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, dining, drinks, shopping, exercise, overnight stay, ~ 439 miles from San Francisco & 66 miles from San Diego. In season, youll see lots of wildflowers. While youre in the area, check out the luxurious Pebble Beach. Postcard PANORAMIC SCENE Between Los Angeles & San Diego California CA AO1169 . EXTRA 20% OFF 3+ ITEMS See all eligible items and terms . California, the Golden State, is one of the best places in the country to go for a road trip. If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. From this bridge, you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys. You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. Be sure to check out the Pacific Coast Highway itinerary 7 days if youve got a week in the area. Bundle up for a bonfire on the sand with your crew. It has so much to offer all the California road trippers. This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. Best places to stop between San Fran and San Diego? 334. For a more in-depth wine tasting experience, take a break from the ocean and head for the hills. Surfers can rent boards in North Manhattan Beach at Players (above the liquor store) or downtown Manhattan Beach from Spyder Surfboards or Nikau Kai. Regardless of your fitness level, youll find a trail or 2 that are perfect for a stroll along the coast. From beaches to hiking, shopping to wineries, this scenic drive will have you begging to come back for more! The windmill outside Pea Soup Andersen's, a classic stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Copyright 2022 | Inspired Routes | All Rights Reserved, 33 Cool and Unique Things to Do in Big Sur Youll Love, 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. Its always a spectacular sight to behold! 10/24/2022. Recommended by Rebecca of Veggies Abroad follow onInstagram. Sometimes there are even dolphins splashing in the distance. But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. See our full guide to best things to do in Costa Mesa and things to do in Newport Beach for more options! Dont miss the seals at the Childrens Pool or the awesome Sunny Jims Cave! Oh how awesome, Gloria! See here: http://tinyurl.com/bd4hqd, If you need to save time, stick to the freeway through LA, and after Monterey take SR 156 east to US 101 north to SR 85 north to I-280 north. 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. Its actually illegal to be on the beach at McWay Falls. 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