Stop at the long-standing Pezzini Farms outpost in Castroville to pick up some fresh artichokes, or even a whole artichoke plant! 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. Save it for later or share it on social media! The staff is very knowledgable and helpful and the building itself has an enchanting rustic charm. Cambria is a 25 minute drive from herebeachcombing, art galleries, that kind of thing. Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from San Francisco. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. Halfway between Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA There were even an incredible amount of domestic and foreign animals that roamed the estate as well. . 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! What an iconic sight in the USA the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge! Now tell me a great place to stay approximately halfway between SD and SF. Spend your day trip hiking, snorkeling the gorgeous waters, taking photos, and soaking in the beautiful views. 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. Tens of thousands of monarch butterflies fly and rest on the eucalyptus trees from late October to February. One of our favorite places EVER is off the coast of Southern California. Oceanside is also a distinct foodie town. Often hosting music events, street performers and festivals, Ocean Beach a fun place to go for an afternoon at the beach. Planning an amazing adventure by doing the San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco road trip? This is the most scenic part of the hike, so you cant miss it! 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. [Privacy] What better way to experience the sights and adventure is there than a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aka Highway 1? But if youre just looking to spend a few hours, Cambria is a great stop for stretching your legs as well! From beach activities to the boardwalk, Santa Cruz has it covered. This is a must-see when driving along Highway 1. The Pacific Ocean is much cooler than the Atlantic and even in spring youll need a wet suit if you dare to go into the water. With its full-size Dutch windmill that waves to weary travelers, Pea Soup Andersen's is as much . Routing options: There are many different variants to the coastal drive. La Sierra Mexican Restaurant, Frazier Park. 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. 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. Of course you can adjust it depending on how much time you have., Woah! The most popular tourist attraction is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. 59. One of the most iconic structures the city is the famous Oceanside Pier. Of course youll have required stops along the way for gas or a charge, and plenty places youll want to see after reading this guide! These next few stops are just begging to be explored! Huntington Beach is a quintessential stop on a California Coast drive! Parkers Lighthouse in the colorful Shoreline Village is a favorite, with fresh seafood and stunning views of the harbor and the nearby Lion Lighthouse. One of the most scenic stretches along the San Francisco to San Diego road trip is Big Sur. 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. So cool. Take your time exploring the area, the Santa Ines Mission, and taking an iconic photo in front of the windmill (theres more than one!). The Cielo Chardonnay blend, Honey Pie, is their most popular wine, and the reds are some of the best in the area. I was thinking Santa Barbara, Hermosa Beach, Santa MonicaLa Jolla. These unique ecosystems are filled with snails, slugs, barnacles, mussels, crustaceans, sea stars, anemone, urchins and more just waiting to be discovered. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 1,. For a more artsy vibe, be sure to check out the Funk Zone for murals, art galleries, boutique shops and restaurants. Whether you have one day left or a week, heres more on this epic California Coast road trip itinerary! However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from. Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. So make sure to check out the calendar before planning your trip down south! Stop for pictures, do a little beach combing or enjoy a picnic by the ocean. I like the other posters recommend SLO or Morro Bay or maybe Cayucos if you want a quiet base from which to explore. If it interests you, I can make recommendations on lodging. Some of my favorite wineries include Spear Vineyards and Winery, Sweetzer Cellars and Montemar Winery. Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day. It was restored in 1995 and offers tours! Plan to spend the day exploring 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach with pull-outs and parking all along the way. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I've done this trip once before, I loved stopping in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Santa Barbara! You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. This fog can happen year-round, but is most prevalent in May and June in most areas of the coast. Obviously the greatest attraction in the park are the giant redwoods, that can grow taller than 50 feet and some are also 1,000-1,800 years old. 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. I'd love to hear more suggestions. It has so much to offer all the California road trippers. The distance between San Diego and San Francisco is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. Youll find one-of-a-kind local spots that are simply delicious! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach bumming, dining, drinks, shopping, entertainment, overnight stay, ~ 429 miles from San Francisco & ~ 86 miles from San Diego. And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. Encinitas has a variety of calm and quiet beaches along with cute coffee spots, restaurants, and tons of surf/antique shops. Located right along California Highway 1, Cambria offers nice places to stay if you want to spend the night here, as well as excellent dining options. Its somewhere you must stop on your PCH road trip and on everyLos Angeles itinerary! This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. My favorites are comfortable enough for hiking yet perfect for the beach. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, entertainment, food, boutique shopping, ~ 417 miles from San Francisco & ~ 96 miles from San Diego. There are a number of fun things to do along the Santa Monica Pier starting with Heal the Bay Aquarium at the base of the pier. If you plan to take the scenic rte. San Francisco raced to a 10-0 . The waves crashing around the rock are really cool to watch. 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! Recommended by Maria of San Diego Explorer follow on Instagram. It is easy for a tourist to spend several days in the city. Grotto Falls Smoky Mountains: Ultimate Guide to the Scenic Hike Youll Love, Stunning Avalanche Lake Trail: Gem in Glacier National Park (Hiking Guide). This out-and-back hike is 1.2 miles round trip on easy terrain and walkable for most still levels, including children. Or spend a few peaceful hours visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Long Beach is famously the home of theR.M.S. There are many nice places to stay between LA and SF: Santa Barbara, San Luis Opisbo, Pismo Beach, Cambria, Carmel/Monterey, Santa Cruz. Laguna Beach is the perfect oceanside destination for your California Coast road trip. These items will make your experience way better! San Diego is one of my favorite cities - so much to see and do. Start your day with breakfast in North Manhattan Beach at North End Caffe, Fishbar, or Local Yolk. There is no lack of delicious options in the downtown area! For a calmer, more relaxed ocean experience at Laguna Beach, there are protected tide pools. Operated by San Diego Metro Transit, Tufesa, Santa Clara VTA and others, the San Diego to San Francisco service departs from . Planning on sightseeing in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As we continue to move south in this epic road trip adventure, these next stops are all considered Southern California. This spot is where visitors can check out the fishing industry in Monterey and snag a cup of their delicious clam chowder. 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. The former being all estate wines, ie: grown on the Rosenthal property in Malibu. Traveling with FlixBus isn't just quick, it's cheap too. Thank you for supporting us in this small way to help us continue bringing helpful travel guides to our readers. Then spend the first night of your road trip at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a historic oceanfront resort where Hollywood stars and presidents have stayed. The previous estate of William Randolph Hearst has since been turned into one of the greatest museums on the west coast. If you miss that spot, about a mile south of the bridge is another, called Hurricane Point View. Built in 1937, this absolutely must be a stop on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! The campground is not directly on the beach, its a short walk. DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. 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. There are many beautiful hotels in San Luis Obispo like the famous Madonna Inn or the gorgeous Lomita Ranch in the rustic setting where you can spend a few nights before continuing your trip. There are three different trails that range from easy to difficult! You will depart from San Francisco International Airport and will land at San Diego International Airport. 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. 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. Big Sur has been claimed to be one of the most, if not the most beautiful state parks in all of California. Lets keep the sights and adventure going! As someone whos been to San Diego almost more times than I can count, I recommend spending 2 days or a weekend in San Diego if its possible. 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. Have a fun trip! If youre looking for great shopping, stop by the Fashion Island mall or head to downtown Newport Beach or Balboa Island. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach views, golf, hiking, photos, ~ 492 miles from San Francisco & ~ 13 miles from San Diego. The quickest way from San Diego is flying to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which takes about 1.5 hours at a cost of $93 and up. Its been impeccably maintained and is a great spot to walk around and learn about the history of the area. I especially loved seeing the otters up close while in the kayaks. Although its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors can still get up close to the ship at the cruise port. 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. http://www.amtrak.com is a great resource to help you and decide where you want to stop and see. Speaking of which, the first time I drove the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in California, I foolishly only allowed 2 days. San Francisco To San Diego Road Trip Factfile. It houses over 100 animals and species and costs $10 for adults and kids, and $8 for students, seniors and military. The highlight of the pier is Pacific Park, the amusement park with numerous carnival games and rides. Or, simply admire its sparkling lights across the harbor in the evening. Congratulations, youve pretty much made it to San Diego! If you enjoy easy walks, stroll the boardwalk trail along the beach, or the Bluff Trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. 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. Los Angeles: brace yourself for traffic. 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. This Chevron gas station is located in the town of Santa Nella, about halfway between San Diego and . Coastal route. Having a backup paper map and directions is also essential as wi-fi and cell service is scarce along Big Sur. Theres also plenty of historic spots to check out along your visit in Ventura such as San Buenaventura Mission and The City Hall. Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. Many travel insurance plans also coverCollision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage up to $35,000. The carousel costs $3 per person. San Luis Obispo has often been our halfway stop BUT about 30min. You will not want to miss this incredible Danish town on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Although there are many gorgeous beaches in Malibu, you just cant miss this one on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. Since the first stop is just south of San Francisco, you won't want to fly into San Jose International Airport (SJC). So I recruited the help of some of my fellow travel writers to fill in the sights and stops. While visiting the city of San Diego don't miss two must-see spots; Balboa Park and La Jolla Beach. Had no idea this coastal route could be this mesmerising! Another amazing stop on the San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco drive is Big Sur. San Diego to San Francisco by tram, bus and subway. Pinos Way . One of many Orange County beaches to stop at on your San Francisco to San Diego drive is Seal Beach. Yay! Both hikes offer spectacular ocean views, and the opportunity to spot wildlife and birds. I'm Nikki. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46620870', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');renting a car between SF and SD out of the question? There are great surf spots up and down Manhattan Beach. Recommended by Daria of The Discovery Nut follow on Instagram. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach have several terrific lunch spots such as Tacolicous, Sugarfish, Marthas, Gum Tree, Rockefeller, Source Caf, Palmilla and even more places to enjoy a drink while admiring the beach views. Down south a backup paper map and directions is also essential where to stop between san diego and san francisco wi-fi and service., snorkeling the gorgeous waters, taking photos, and soaking in the town of Nella... Continue bringing helpful travel guides to our readers while in the beautiful.... 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