Recommended by Anna of Anna Tee follow on Instagram. 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. [Disclaimer] 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! Long Beach is famously the home of theR.M.S. 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? This is an ideal spot for someone who loves beachy adventures. up the gorgeous rte 1 coastal road is Cambria our fave! By booking through our links we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Once to get to LA then you will have to use the local transport to get around. Get on the water during a kayaking tour to see the shore and wildlife like dolphins and seals. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46614611', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver and then San Fran. Youll see views from several points along the way, but the closest views to the overlook are at the end of the trail. Answer 1 of 10: Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting the Amtrak to Denver and then San Fran. Have a fun trip! 3500 Mt. The diversity of the state's terrain is chock-full of interesting sites and plenty of adventure along the way. 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 to San Diego Flights. I recommend I-5 out of San Diego, then cross over to State Route (SR) 1 in San Clemente. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive: beach, entertainment, dining, shopping, possible celebrity sightings, overnight stay. Pinos Way . Make sure to stop in and grab yourself a souvenir. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46643178', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');CALIFORNIA and then have a few places you want to see. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15945938', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey, for example, you'd be able to see the most scenic stretches of the coast at a more leisurely pace. 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! Solvang is the perfect spot to stretch your legs after being in the car on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) After nearly a week straight of on-again, off-again rain and stormy weather for the Bay Area, Thursday will see a break between storms. There are also many places to stop and grab a quick bite, cup of coffee, or stretch those legs. We also highly urge you to plan time in both San Francisco and San Diego as both are amazing cities and deserve a few days of exploring each! . . Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to San Diego. There are six daily trains from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara. Shopping wise, you must check out Huntington Surf Shop and Jacks Surf Shop. 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! This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! Youre in for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! The turn to the beach is on Sycamore Canyon Road. Definitely worth a stop on your PCH road trip! 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! Best places to stop between San Fran and San Diego? Or spend a few peaceful hours visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting the Amtrak to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Recommended by Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on Instagram. 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. If youre looking for a great view or photos of the bridge, keep in mind there are various vantage points! There are many galleries and tons of work from local artists. Suggested Hotel: Cottages for overnight use you need to book well in advance or call to see if they have any cancellations during your visit. Youll descend down to the Lands End Labyrinth, which is a really gorgeous spot on top of a cliff with views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. Its a short stop on the road trip, but one you absolutely cannot miss. The historic 115-foot tall lighthouse has been in operation since 1872 and is a great quick stop for photos. 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. Another cool spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove. ~ 0 miles from San Francisco & ~ 520 miles from San Diego. 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 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. If you can, spend 2-3 days in the San Luis Obispo area. You can also visit Dunes Beach, which has equally gorgeous views of the shoreline and soft sand. One of the most scenic places to visit in California is along the central coast. Departure times vary between 05:30 - 22:49. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. Hearst Castle Where to eat in Big Sur: restaurants and cafes Big Sur Road Trip Map Santa Monica hosts a variety of special events/festivals year-round! Dana Point, also known as The Whale Watching Capital of the West will provide visitors with an incredible oceanic experience along your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip. Outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat on a visit to Long Beach! This is also a great beach town for surfing. This spot is located in the Santa Ynez Valley of California and is very recognizable due to its windmill and other Danish-style architecture. Recommended by Denise of Chef Denise follow on Pinterest. Its the famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis. The sunsets are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too! If you already dont have a car for your starting point we recommend renting a car in advance on Expedia. This spot has the Monterey Bay Aquarium along with a stretch of restaurants, dining, shops, wine tasting and more! Youll feel the sensational gravitational pull on your body while you visit. Does SF have any budget hotels, hostels, or hotels with free/cheap parking? Some of the best spots to satisfy those cravings after a beach day are the food hall at SOCO Collection & OC Mix and many restaurants & bars on 17th St. You can also check out some of the more independent restaurants located at The Lab and The Camp on Bristol! A few great beaches and stops along the way include San Gregorio Beach, the Pillar Point Harbor (and Sam's Chowder House for some classic seafood), Mavericks Beach, and the Point Montara Lighthouse. Beach in Santa Barbara. Halfway between Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA If you plan to take the scenic rte. In addition to these nature adventures, SLO has much to offer when it comes to dining and wine tasting. The waterfall typically falls directly onto the sand below. It might be a good idea to plan ahead before driving into Los Angeles. Enjoy the galleries, the shopping, and definitely the food! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: photography, beaches, hiking, food, ~ 245 miles from San Francisco & 355 miles from San Diego. Another amazing stop on the San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco drive is Big Sur. This is the hidden gem along Big Sur you were looking for! With abundant kelp beds and plenty of sea life, Laguna Beach is a divers paradise. 10. Honestly, most of the year is great for this amazing road trip. Im so excited for you to start this adventure! San Diego International Airport (SAN) features two terminals lying side-by-side. If that sounds interesting, that's my recommendation. Pfeiffer Beach isnt a good beach for swimming. You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Admire the charming cottages on the residential sections of Main Street, their gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season. See the historic surfboards and imagine yourself up on this much heavier version of todays surfboard! (I will be getting the train and bus) Amtrak e.t.c. Lots of nice motels/hotels and restaurants. Check out these stops at the very least. Tons of opportunities abound for golfing, bicycling, tennis, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving. The best viewpoint is from the Overlook Trail to McWay Falls. In addition to these two shops, there are many boutiques, souvenir shops, and more to check out! See all the best things to do in Laguna Beach in our full guide! Recommended by Melissa of Navigation Junkie follow on Pinterest. If you miss that spot, about a mile south of the bridge is another, called Hurricane Point View. 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. Driving along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, youll primarily take the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as US Highway 101. Newport Beach surely has an incredible array of food options, but next door you also have Costa Mesa which has an impeccable food scene and other amazing things to do. 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. Its got a more retro, eclectic vibe than some of the other places on this list. The distance between San Diego and San Francisco is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. 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. Are you a couple or with kids? If youre looking to spend some time soaking up the sun, Laguna has some of the best beaches in Southern California. Had no idea this coastal route could be this mesmerising! Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. 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. Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. Its actually the longest pier on the west coast, coming in at over 1/3 mile long. Fishermans' Wharf - Visit the sea lions, eat, drink, play and be merry. 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. The highlight of the pier is Pacific Park, the amusement park with numerous carnival games and rides. A lot of people who book a car rental in in San Diego end up just driving all the way to San Jose and returning it there. Explore the city full of activities and great food: Dinner and overnight in San Diego to catch a flight home in the morning. Oh cool Erin! Avila also offers plenty of opportunities to get active during your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! 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! Take your time exploring the area, the Santa Ines Mission, and taking an iconic photo in front of the windmill (theres more than one!). From beach activities to the boardwalk, Santa Cruz has it covered. La Sierra Mexican Restaurant, Frazier Park. San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a stop halfway between SD and SF. Enjoy a San Diego to San Francisco modern flight experience in premium cabins with Wi-Fi. 1,. The latter comes from a variety of wine aviations. Yeah was planning on staying with a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'inspiredroutes_com-square-3','ezslot_24',187,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-square-3-0');Recommended by Carrie Ann of Should Be Cruising follow on Instagram. The third meeting of the season between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is headed for a tense second half, with the latter leading 17-14 at halftime. 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. Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! Make sure to indulge in the foodie scene in Ventura. Is (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Plan a little overnight staycation in Laguna Beach, because we bet you wont want to leave! Unless you have a wetsuit, this far up on the coast isnt super comfortable for swimming. 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! My first visit to La Jolla, I did this amazing kayaking tour of the cove. Heres a preview of the route and all the amazing stops along the way! What day has the lowest fares from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego? This road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up and down the PCH for years to come! But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. Something to keep in mind is June Gloom. No matter what, you will be in complete awe with the majestic Redwood trees, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from. . Yes in the Us now in Chicago getting the Amtrak tomorrow to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Especially since you should be taking tons of photos to remember the first stop along your San Francisco to San Diego drive! Better yet, youre in the Santa Ynez Valley which is also famous for its wine, so if youre a wine lover like us youll want to plan some wine tasting as well. If youre up for a walk, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail is the perfect adventure! Lompoc is located about an hour northwest of Santa Barbara. San Francisco, CA. Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. 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. . I'm 26 and love looking at street art and the vendors selling things at the tables in an open-air, linear flea market - that's on the beach, and the main neighborhood stretch (from what I know) is on Abbot Kinney, which is an awesome place as well, coffee shops and more street art. Drive 3.6 miles west of I-5 to find this quaint Mexican restaurant. The bus takes a minimum of 10 hours 5 minutes and you can expect 3 stops on your journey. If youre traveling in an RV or have camping equipment, look into planning a night of beach camping in Newport Beach! One of many Orange County beaches to stop at on your San Francisco to San Diego drive is Seal Beach. Try the fresh seafood and clams. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. There are a wide variety ofthings to do in the South Bay. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. Gah!! Between wine tastings, art galleries, sunsets along the beach its a dreamy destination without the huge crowds! 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. This is the spot if you want to do some surfing. The Route. I know you dont want the adventure to end. 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. Responsibly, of course! Among the beaches are many places to shop, dine, grab a drink, and even go hiking. The drive on the California Pacific Coast Highway is an absolute gem, and one that begs to be explored. Theres even an arcade where you can try your hand at skeeball. Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and younger. The pier is also a lovely place to see the gorgeous sunset. Another fun and intriguing visit while in Santa Cruz is The Mystery Spot. 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. Ta & & ta.queueForLoad campus of California State University, Long Beach youre looking for colorful flowers in season of... The sensational gravitational pull on your body while you visit Barbara is one of the best beaches in California... Photos to remember the first stop along your San Francisco to San Diego drive experience outdoors... Memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up and down the PCH for years to come (!: Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting where to stop between san diego and san francisco Amtrak tomorrow to ( ta &., play and be merry ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad on Pinterest, or stretch those legs west... 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