Reservations are recommended for this top rated Pacific Ocean experience. Step away from the coastline a little bit to get one of the most iconic landmarks in California, the Hollywood sign. If youre taking a California Pacific Coast Highway road trip to San Diego, a stop to do someMalibu wine tastingshould be on your list. This is another spot you wont want to miss on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. If you have an Electric Vehicle, there are also plenty of places to charge near the downtown. Recommended by Jolayne of Simply Jolayne follow on Instagram. San Francisco. Built in 1937, this absolutely must be a stop on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! If you're a fan of the outdoors, then you might want to make a stop at Joshua Tree National Park. 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. Gah!! I travelled with Amtrak from SD to SF last year. Youll find upscale dining and shopping on Coronado, too. 10/24/2022. Santa Barbara is one of the places you'll want to spend time in when driving from San Diego to San Francisco. Posted on Published: May 16, 2022- Last updated: October 26, 2022. The last stop on this San Francisco to San Diego road trip takes you all the way to the tip of Southern California. Theres also a statue of a seal harbor the kids will like to see. Big Sur is a 90 mile stretch of highway that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean, with many beaches and parks to stop at for stunning views and relaxing walks along the beach. Having already spent time in LA, I'm looking for something a bit different. Afterward, visitors can walk around to go shopping at the souvenirs and boutique shops. Youll find lots of restaurants and shops as you walk toward the end. You can check out more info on Torrey Pines at their visitors center when you arrive. Yeah was planning on staying with a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. Recommended by Melissa of Navigation Junkie follow on Pinterest. We also recommend getting travel insurance for this trip. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Encinitas for more ideas! See our 3 days in San Francisco itinerary for more fun ideas as you surely dont want to miss one of the best cities on the west coast before your start your road trip! 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. San Francisco raced to a 10-0 . With a total length of 1942 feet, this wooden pier is the longest over-water pier on the West Coast. The city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the past 2 decades from seedy military town to beach town gem. Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. 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. The best way to do this trip is from north to south so you can be closer to the coast as you drive. When planning a California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area. In that case, youll have quite the walk! Find United Airlines cheap flights from San Diego to San Francisco. Watching the sunset over the ocean is a favorite local activity and the views are incredible! The road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of the most . (San Francisco) The Commuter Pain Index is comprised of 10 issues: 1) commuting time, 2) time stuck in traffic, agreement that: 3) price of gas is already too high, 4) traffic has gotten worse, 5) start-stop traffic is a problem, 6) driving causes stress, 7) driving causes anger, 8) traffic affects . Make sure while youre there to explore all the different vantage points of viewing the Golden Gate Bridge. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive: beach, entertainment, dining, shopping, possible celebrity sightings, overnight stay, ~ 409 miles from San Francisco & ~ 102 miles from San Diego. Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. For just a little effort, youll see one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. Hikers will love Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with mountain and ocean views. Unknown. Also, make sure you have a good Pacific Coast Highway map, whether it is on your phone, or on good ol' fashioned paper! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, dining, shopping, entertainment, spas, overnight stay, ~ 425 miles from San Francisco & ~ 84 miles from San Diego. Where should my family (of 5) stay? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46636308', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver for few days then to San Francisco. The city's classic Spanish architecture, agreeable climate, and hilly seaside location mimic many . The pier is also a lovely place to see the gorgeous sunset. There are several guided tours available, which we highly recommend looking into! San Diego International Airport (SAN) features two terminals lying side-by-side. Nothing like rolling the windows down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one. Its the famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis. Are tours available for SF, Muir Woods, etc.? If you're near the area on a Tuesday, don't miss Taco Tuesday. 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? Its the perfect spot to go for a walk, watch the surfers and pier fishermen and simply sit back and listen to the crashing of the waves. Southwest Airlines is a popular option, with no baggage or change fees. If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. 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. Well a fun area in San Diego is Ocean Beach. Monterey is a perfect stop for anyone traveling up the coast of California on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. This central coast is a magnificent escape for those travelers looking for a paradise. 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. Lands End trail is close to the city and not too difficult for most people. 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. Also, note that there are various entrances which will also dictate how many miles and how difficult your trail will be! What do the odds say about the game? There is no lack of delicious options in the downtown area! Anaheim is the most popular city on the route it's less than an hour from Los Angeles and 2 hours from San Diego. There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. This is such a great road trip! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15946836', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California beach town, while Cambria is a hamlet nestled in pine trees next to the sea. a very cute town on the coast. The latter comes from a variety of wine aviations. One stop not to be missed is definitely Coronado. Pismo Beach is a classic (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In addition to these nature adventures, SLO has much to offer when it comes to dining and wine tasting. 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. The trees are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are as small as a tomato seed! 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. Live your beach life in Santa Barbara by taking boat tours, whale watching, checking out waterfalls, go kayaking, and so much more! Now its a nostalgic pie shop. Much appreciated can't wait now Amtrak tomorrow Chicago to Denver then long journey Denver to San Francisco and make my way to San Diego to party with local dude I met in South Africa. It was restored in 1995 and offers tours! It's also a popular destination where Hollywood celebrities and socialites hang out. In downtown Lompoc, you can go on a mural walk as the area has over 40 murals. While visiting the city of San Diego don't miss two must-see spots; Balboa Park and La Jolla Beach. Make sure to check out some of the 200+ wineries during your visit! The highway technically starts in Washington state and ends in San Juan Capistrano (just south of the Laguna Beach stop on this itinerary). Spend a day or a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes, Santa Barbara will not disappoint. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach trip, sightseeing, wine tasting, and overnight stay, ~ 241 miles from San Francisco & ~ 304 miles from San Diego. Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. Admire the charming cottages on the residential sections of Main Street, their gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season. Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from San Francisco. You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. San Francisco is the most popular city on the route it's 12 hours from Seattle and 8 hours from San Diego. Now tell me a great place to stay approximately halfway between SD and SF. 3500 Mt. In addition to these two shops, there are many boutiques, souvenir shops, and more to check out! Most cottages are booked out a year in advance, and since its a state park they are VERY affordable. It is truly a trip to be remembered. 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. Have a fun trip! 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. From this bridge, you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys. The top cities between Los Angeles and San Diego are Anaheim, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Temecula, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Pasadena, Escondido, Riverside, and Dana Point. If you enjoy easy walks, stroll the boardwalk trail along the beach, or the Bluff Trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Recommended by Jackie & Justin of Life Of Doing follow on Facebookif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Not many people have heard of Lompoc, California, but it is a seriously underrated stop on a PCH road trip! But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. One of my favorite places in California is Monterey. Check out our guide to how to pick the best travel insurance for a few different options depending on what your needs are and type of coverage youre looking for. Solvang is the perfect spot to stretch your legs after being in the car on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Santa Barbara is one of the more famous beach towns in California and is an especially popular stop along the San Francisco to San Diego drive. With abundant kelp beds and plenty of sea life, Laguna Beach is a divers paradise. We realize it's about a. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: wine tasting, dining, shopping, sightseeing, desserts, ~ 325 miles from San Francisco & ~ 215 miles from San Diego. These unique ecosystems are filled with snails, slugs, barnacles, mussels, crustaceans, sea stars, anemone, urchins and more just waiting to be discovered. Nearby, you can find Montana de Pro State Park, one of Californias largest state parks that is a postcard perfect destination with gorgeous beaches and blooming flowers during spring. Huntington Beach also offers one of the beach farmers markets there is. The campground is not directly on the beach, its a short walk. Make sure to stop in and grab yourself a souvenir. Between wine tastings, art galleries, sunsets along the beach its a dreamy destination without the huge crowds! Amtrak Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. 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! If you want to add a bit of adventure, you can easily plan a multi-day camping trip on the islands as well. This iconic island is full of old Hollywood history, historic landmarks, and you cant help but love the gorgeous colorful island cottages as well as all the vintage signs, buildings, and memorabilia around town that make you feel like youve gone back in a time machine. 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. 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