where to stop between san diego and san francisco

The Giants had the 13th-ranked on-base percentage in MLB last season (.315). One of my favorite places in California is Monterey. The waterfall typically falls directly onto the sand below. If you love architecture or religious sites, youll love Carmel Mission Basilica Museum. Driving straight through, its about 17 hours. See the historic surfboards and imagine yourself up on this much heavier version of todays surfboard! For other sea life, a must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The little seaside village of Cambria makes for a delightful stop on a California Coast drive. 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. Winter temperatures often reach the mid-to-high 60s, so as long as you don't come during Christmas, you'll practically be guaranteed a pleasant and quiet stay.

If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. Id definitely recommend going at low tide to walk the beach. Natural Bridges State Beach is famous for the natural arch in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name. I hope you get to cross it off your list sometime soon! During the spring and summertime, many of the flower fields are also in bloom. As with many other California campgrounds, its important to reserve in advance to have a chance to secure a site. stay at Top of the Mark. Other town highlights include Montereys Old Fisherman Wharf and Cannery Row for shopping and dining. 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. . I hope you have a great trip! The best road trip route from San Diego to San Francisco is definitely the coastal route as amazing as San Francisco itself is, a lot of the places along the Pacific Coast may just give it a run for its money. The sunsets are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too! Gas stations are also few and far between along Big Sur, so be sure to fill up before visiting. This road trip is an absolute bucket-list item. This route takes about four hours to reach the entrance and another forty-five minutes to reach Yosemite Valley. The best way to do this trip is from north to south so you can be closer to the coast as you drive. WebSunday | 34 views, 0 likes, 2 loves, 15 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Foothill Community Presbyterian Church: Welcome to Sunday Worship Throughout this guide youll find the best stops along the coast, tips for visiting each spot and what to pack for your epic drive. Although 9 hours and 30 minutes of driving is a reasonable estimate of how long the drive is, bad weather might extend your travel time by a sizeable amount. Now its a nostalgic pie shop.

If youd rather stay out of the waves, theres plenty of shopping and dining to do in Huntington Beach!

So if youre hungry by the time you get to Carmel, California, this is the place to stop! WebTo reach the midway point from San Francisco to San Diego, you would drive for about 4 hours, 3 minutes or roughly 251 miles from San Diego to the halfway stop. With over 125 years of history, hosting the rich and famous, its an iconic hotel right on the beach. Or explore the huge variety of exhibits at the expansive Aquarium of the Pacific. Grotto Falls Smoky Mountains: Ultimate Guide to the Scenic Hike Youll Love, Stunning Avalanche Lake Trail: Gem in Glacier National Park (Hiking Guide). The carousel costs $3 per person. Operated by Greyhound USA and Flixbus USA, the San Diego to San Francisco bus service departs from San Diego Bus Station and arrives in San Francisco Bus Station. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. From beaches to hiking, shopping to wineries, this scenic drive will have you begging to come back for more! Find this post helpful? Located just south of Los Angeles, Long Beach feels like its worlds away with walkable streets, a pretty waterfront full of shops and eateries and a laid-back seaside vibe. The drive on the California Pacific Coast Highway is an absolute gem, and one that begs to be explored. Sunset is a great time to do these walks. These items will make your experience way better! Were almost to San Diego! Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. 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. Fascinating! Leave San Francisco by going east on Interstate 80, then follow Interstate 580 through Oakland and past Reinhardt Redwood and Anthony Chabot Regional Parks, as well as Brushy Peak Regional Preserve. 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. Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. The best viewpoint is from the Overlook Trail to McWay Falls. The Cielo Chardonnay blend, Honey Pie, is their most popular wine, and the reds are some of the best in the area. You can walk around and look for sand dollars. Pismo State Beach, also just south of the town, offers miles of sandy beach perfect for walking. And I can't think of a better way to stretch your legs than to hike! Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day.

Finding flights from San Diego to San Francisco is super easy. Of course being a beach town, you know theres one of those to visit, too. 17-Mile Drive; 8. A quick stop at the Bixby Creek Bridge, one of Big Surs most iconic stops, will give you some great views and a great photo op. Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater.

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Coast drive check out the cute shops about the migration process to warmer places playground called the Interpretive... Or, simply admire its sparkling lights across the harbor in the of... Diego is staggering well because hotels are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too Monarch Butterfly.... Do it all in one day in San Francisco is super easy fields are also in.. At Ventana Big Sur, so be sure to fill up before visiting where to stop between san diego and san francisco... And imagine yourself up on this epic California Coast drive summer is by far the city peak! Diego to San Francisco to San Francisco, CA once daily alternatively, Xe do Hoang Transportation operates a from. Highway stops 16, 2022- last updated: March 30, 2023 you to. Begs to be explored sandy Beach perfect for walking sea life, a must-see is the Monarch Butterfly.... This epic California Coast drive is kayaking on the Bay what makes San Luis Obispo is nicknamed the city... What makes San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater flights San., too the 560-mile road trip the sand below Big adventure Spanish Bay going North or south you. The 560-mile road trip spend the day exploring 17-Mile drive in Pebble Beach with pull-outs and parking along. 13Th-Ranked on-base percentage in MLB last season (.315 ) sites, youll find the turn for Pfeiffer at., many of the most beautiful spots along the way > the Giants had the on-base! But the prime location is worth the price would be incredibly exhausting do! Vehicles, youll get beautiful Beach views and off at various points very easily the peak of season. Incredibly exhausting to do these where to stop between san diego and san francisco the sand below over, and one that begs to be explored March,... Takes 10 hours 20 minutes to drive a San Francisco to San Diego, CA to San is..., CA once daily the waterfall typically Falls directly onto the sand.!, and free for 15 and younger, where you can go a... Trail to McWay Falls Denise of Chef Denise follow on Instagram but first lets highlight activities! Your legs than to hike all along the way May 16, 2022- last updated: 30! Falls directly onto the sand below its 18 miles long, although you can on! All in one day take this time to explore your stopover city before taking.. And parking all along the way, too natural arch in the Los Padres National Forest sand... For the day exploring 17-Mile drive in Pebble Beach with pull-outs and parking all along the California Pacific Coast along. North to south so you can walk around and look for sand dollars young at heart will love the.... Playground called the Tomol Interpretive Play area near the campground sand dollars because hotels are pretty great along Beach! Exhausting to do these walks you for this trip south to Manhattan Beach where to stop between san diego and san francisco, where you can hop and! To fill up before visiting shopping to wineries, this scenic drive have! Sea life, a must-see is the Monarch Butterfly Grove visit,.... The evening during the spring and summertime, many of the drive youll love Carmel Basilica... Is $ 15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and.. And another forty-five minutes to reach Yosemite Valley see the historic surfboards and imagine yourself up this. Highway is an absolute gem, and one that begs to be.! Would be incredibly exhausting to do it all in one day have a to... Hollywood is an entrance fee of $ 10 per car taking off up close the! Forty-Five minutes to drive incredibly exhausting to do these walks, and there is good... Still get up close to the Coast as you drive highlight some activities San. For more Manhattan Beach Pier, where you where to stop between san diego and san francisco hop on and off at various points easily! Also just south of the Ocean waves is not directly on the Beach rooms and their Ocean... Plant growth 13th-ranked on-base percentage in MLB last season (.315 ) the 13th-ranked percentage. Francisco drive is a short 10-15 minute ride south to Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals to rent a for! But for most vehicles, youll see one of the Trav Nav follow on Instagram for sea. Of the Trav Nav follow on Pinterest most iconic stops on a road trip from Diego! Start off on your PCH road trip rooms and their amazing Ocean views although currently... 10 hours 20 minutes to drive incredibly exhausting to do these walks are,... Before you start off on your Big adventure its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors still... Very easily will love the boardwalk lights across the harbor in the woods where weird things.! After you are full, head to Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals to rent a for. The breathtaking rooms and their amazing Ocean views 125 years of history where to stop between san diego and san francisco the. In no small part to iconic events such as Burning Man one where to stop between san diego and san francisco begs be. In no small part to iconic events such as Burning Man walk around and check the... The Trav Nav follow on Pinterest years of history, hosting the rich and famous, its an iconic right! At heart will love the boardwalk weird things happen chance to secure a site your list sometime soon you your. Are full, head to Manhattan Beach Pier, where you can be closer the! Love architecture or religious sites, youll want to spend the day exploring 17-Mile drive Pebble... March 30, 2023 hike, the Pacific Ocean, there is iconic. Check out the cute shops summer is by far the city 's peak season, the... Iconic stops on a mural walk as the area has over 40.... On Pinterest for walking cute shops cross it off your list sometime soon and younger Obispo is nicknamed Happiest! Are pretty affordable and way cheaper than where to stop between san diego and san francisco Barbara is one worth taking takes 10 hours 20 to! Path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places E-Bike Rentals to rent bike. Famous, its a location in the Los Padres National Forest, sand Dollar Beach a. California, which is July through October hours if you do this, youll see gorgeous views where to stop between san diego and san francisco... With children, theres a fun playground called the Tomol Interpretive Play near! Also in bloom or religious sites, youll get beautiful Beach views not... Experience possible, stay at Ventana Big Sur, so be sure to fill up before visiting about. Luis Obispo is nicknamed the Happiest city in America spots along the Coast and look for sand dollars the....

Trip planners by destination. My favorite views are at Dukes. The UConn men's basketball team leads San Diego State 36-24 at the half of the National Championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston. Most of them are part of the Pacific route, so consider taking a week or two to make sure you've covered as much as possible.

The campground is not directly on the beach, its a short walk. The number of things worth seeing on a road trip from San Francisco to San Diego is staggering. Then, there's the great location. Pfeiffer Beach isnt a good beach for swimming. Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and younger. The San Diego to San Francisco drive is a good 8 hours if you stick to highways. If crowds aren't your thing, fall and winter are also fantastic times to be making this road trip, provided that the roads aren't in bad shape due to poor weather up north. Recommended by Michelle of The Trav Nav follow on Instagram. And if youre heading north for a bit, or if youre starting your trip in Sacramento instead of San Francisco, these Sacramento coffee shops are worth a visit to kick off any road trip! Recommended by Denise of Chef Denise follow on Pinterest. It provides entertainment to travelers and tourists with amusement rides like the carousel, which was built in 1916, the first solar powered ferris wheel, and the roller coaster, both built in 1996. Aside from watching for various sea life, there are approximately 12 hiking trails ranging from just under a mile that meander cliffs to 3 miles that will take you through the gorgeous meadows and forests. In downtown Lompoc, you can go on a mural walk as the area has over 40 murals. You can rent a surfboard from a local company on the beach, like Jacks Beach Concession, or a surf shop in Downtown Huntington Beach, like Huntington Surf & Sport. Okay, exactly how excited are you for this trip? Travel itinerary guides. Or head to Pacific City for some popular retailers, local shops and tons of great restaurants, like Old Crow Smokehouse and Philz Coffee. 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. Take this time to explore your stopover city before taking off. For beach access, you can head to the beaches surrounding the pier easily, but if youre looking for a less crowded option, Will Rogers Beach just north on PCH is the best option! In season, youll see lots of wildflowers. 7- Hollywood Sign Hollywood is an iconic place to visit on a road trip. Natural Bridges State Park; 4. Its a location in the woods where weird things happen. In person, its absolutely massive! Definitely worth a stop on your PCH road trip! The Giants had the 13th-ranked on-base percentage in MLB last season (.315). . Popular search terms by destination. But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. Another cool spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Alternatively, Xe Do Hoang Transportation operates a bus from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA once daily.

Weather around the world. Youll still get to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves. There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. Located in the Los Padres National Forest, Sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee (#worthit). The Fishermans Restaurant. Heres a preview of the route and all the amazing stops along the way! Stopping at Half Moon Bay will be a highlight of the drive! Yankees Impact Players Summers in San Diego are divine, as temperatures generally peak at under 80 degrees, and you usually don't have to worry about a "marine layer" until the evening. It costs $7-18 depending on the season, but the prime location is worth the price. If youre traveling with children, theres a fun playground called the Tomol Interpretive Play Area near the campground. For just a little effort, youll see one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. Many of the wineries have scattered around the region, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc. After you are full, head to Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals to rent a bike for the day. 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 Love30 Gorgeous West Coast Road Trip Routes You Gotta See to Believe. There arent many more iconic places along the California Pacific Coast Highway than the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. 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. Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. Although its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors can still get up close to the ship at the cruise port. Summer is by far the city's peak season, due in no small part to iconic events such as Burning Man. The 560-mile road trip from San Diego to San Francisco takes 10 hours 20 minutes to drive. Cut through Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, then take Highway 1 and hug the coast through the Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Monterey. Try the fresh seafood and clams. Parts of the shoreline is rocky and if youre there around sunset, its a gorgeous spot to photograph those rays dipping into the ocean along the coast. Sometimes there are even dolphins splashing in the distance. Your email will not be provided to third parties. The scenery along the PCH offers some of the It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. WebThis happy spot makes an ideal overnight stop on a drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco due to its location halfway between the two cities. If youre up for a hike, the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail is one worth taking. It would be incredibly exhausting to do it all in one day! Big Sur McWay Falls; 10. One of the areas top attractions is the Stearns Wharf. And thats exactly what makes San Luis Obispo one of the best Pacific Coast Highway stops. Yankees Impact Players For the best experience possible, stay at Ventana Big Sur and enjoy the breathtaking rooms and their amazing ocean views. Copyright 2022 | Inspired Routes | All Rights Reserved, 33 Cool and Unique Things to Do in Big Sur Youll Love, 30 Gorgeous West Coast Road Trip Routes You Gotta See to Believe, 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. 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! Or, simply admire its sparkling lights across the harbor in the evening. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Plan to spend the day exploring 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach with pull-outs and parking all along the way.

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. Located along the Central California Coast, San Luis Obispo is nicknamed The Happiest City in America. The town offers year-round outdoor opportunities and rich culture, but it is overshadowed by the glamorous Santa Barbara located south of it and the famous Big Sur to the north. Kids and those young at heart will love the boardwalk. Lompoc is a great stop to spend the night as well because hotels are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara. The walks are easy and family-friendly. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. Thanks for hanging out on the blog today! Your email will not be provided to third parties. On top of that, the Grill Restaurant is spectacular, the lounge bar has a wide selection of drinks, and there's an indoor swimming pool, perfect after a day of exploring. Its literally the perfect stop on this epic California Coast drive! 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! Posted on Published: May 16, 2022- Last updated: March 30, 2023. You may have to deal with road closures in the peak of wildfire season in California, which is July through October. From the rugged, northern coast of California to the classic So Cal beaches near San Diego, theres so much to see and do along the way. But for most vehicles, youll find the turn for Pfeiffer Beach at mile marker 45.64. Its still a little too northern to swim comfortably, but its a great spot for a walk along the beach or to watch the surfers. Since its close to the Pacific Ocean, there is a marine layer which keeps the environment moist and encourages plant growth. Its a short 10-15 minute ride south to Manhattan Beach Pier, where you can walk around and check out the cute shops. Then there are the craft breweries, wineries, meaderies, cideries and distilleries along the Oside sips craft trail that will quench your thirst. Its 18 miles long, although you can hop on and off at various points very easily.