If it interests you, I can make recommendations on lodging. Its one of the nicest beaches on the coast since it has a lot to offer to adventure travelers. 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. Carmel Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand that draws tourists in. http://www.amtrak.com is a great resource to help you and decide where you want to stop and see. 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. San Francisco To San Diego Road Trip Factfile. The 49ers are a 4-point favorite, according to Tipico Sportsbook . 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. Since Pismo Beach is a small city, its best to visit on a weekday to have fewer crowds. stopping in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? After all, its how the beach got its name. Hiking is a great way to catch the diversity of land animals and birds that call Point Lobos home hummingbirds, snowy egrets, great blue herons, gray foxes, badgers and many others. If you want some great beach views, this is a must see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Fun fact: a ferry got people across this waterway before the bridge was built. Its 18 miles long, although you can hop on and off at various points very easily. You can try authentic tacos, burritos, and margaritas at Freds Mexican Caf and Cantina, which overlooks the ocean. And it doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park. If you have an Electric Vehicle, there are also plenty of places to charge near the downtown. Bixby bridge and Carmel by the sea. No matter what, you will be in complete awe with the majestic Redwood trees, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. $5.99 . The highway technically starts in Washington state and ends in San Juan Capistrano (just south of the Laguna Beach stop on this itinerary). Im so excited for you to start this adventure! If not, take a look around the historic Downtown Ventura and make the most of the vintage boutiques and second hand stores. Travel Tips I recommend that for Day 1 on the road you aim to get from San Francisco to Monterey where you will stay over night. Technically located about 20 minutes north of San Francisco, its such a great stop along the coast it simply couldnt be skipped. 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 . Long Beach is famously the home of theR.M.S. I hope you have a great trip! Fishing is allowed from the pier and a handful of people set up their fishing poles to see what their catch of the day is. Was wondering where is best to stop in California between San Francisco and San Diego? Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, wine and dine, shopping, art galleries, overnight stay, ~ 146 miles from San Francisco & ~ 415 miles from San Diego. Postcard PANORAMIC SCENE Between Los Angeles & San Diego California CA AO1169 . The Best Stops on the Pacific Coast Highway Between San Francisco and Big Sur 1. San Francisco to San Simeon itinerary, stop #9. Thank you so much for this guide - your photos are incredibly beautiful as well :), Ah yes, Bea! Visitors and even drivers on highway 1 can still see zebras grazing along the estate on occasion. Theres also plenty of historic spots to check out along your visit in Ventura such as San Buenaventura Mission and The City Hall. Before getting back on your California Coast drive, complete your time in Long Beach with dinner at one of the waterfronts restaurants. Getting to Pfeiffer Beach isnt too tricky unless you have an RV or trailer. Pier 39 is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Stop at the long-standing Pezzini Farms outpost in Castroville to pick up some fresh artichokes, or even a whole artichoke plant! It's slow this time of year, so not as critical to buy tickets in advance. Its one of the most scenic routes in the USA! San Luis Obispo is a nice college town. It's southeast of that stop, and will just add unnecessary driving time to your trip. Its a great spot to watch surfers catching the waves. While youre checking out the waters, make sure you stop at the famous Morro Rock, which is a remarkable volcanic plug at the entrance of the Morro Bay harbor. Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. Once at the beach, during low tide the beach is wide and expansive. So cool. Both hikes offer spectacular ocean views, and the opportunity to spot wildlife and birds. This is such a great road trip! If you want to add a bit of adventure, you can easily plan a multi-day camping trip on the islands as well. 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. It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. If so, you could stay in San Luis Obispo, where there are lots of reasonable accommodations, including the very charming Apple Farm Inn (and restaurant). As with many other California campgrounds, its important to reserve in advance to have a chance to secure a site. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach break, shopping, entertainment, wine and dine, overnight stay, ~ 242 miles from San Francisco & ~ 298 miles from San Diego. As we continue to move south in this epic road trip adventure, these next stops are all considered Southern California. Theres so many things to do in Monterey that you could spend a whole weekend visiting the city! This beach city is also located in Orange County, California and is overflowing with experiences by the oceanside. 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. Thanks for your information much appreciated. The Cielo Chardonnay blend, Honey Pie, is their most popular wine, and the reds are some of the best in the area. Youll feel the sensational gravitational pull on your body while you visit. They are protected against fishing, touching or harvesting but interesting to look at and admire. Yeah was planning on staying with a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Once you have had a chance to browse the stores, keep heading south to Hermosa Beach Pier, where you can find additional shops and restaurants. Dont miss the famous Hotel del Coronado either while youre here! Both viewpoints are worth visiting if you have the time! There arent many more iconic places along the California Pacific Coast Highway than the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. Yes Shannon! Any suggestions as to where we might spend 2 nights on our way to San Fran? It lies along the Pacific Ocean at San Diego Bay, just north of the international border with Mexico and some 120 miles (195 km) southeast of Los Angeles. This fog can happen year-round, but is most prevalent in May and June in most areas of the coast. The highlight of the pier is Pacific Park, the amusement park with numerous carnival games and rides. These are some of the most popular and iconic surf shops in Southern California. This town is located in the heart of one of the top wine producing region in Central California and is famous for its vineyards along the green rolling hills. What an iconic sight in the USA the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge! This beautiful beach town is the perfect spot for an action-packed visit. San Francisco to San Diego Flights. To avoid crowds, November and December are great as well as the late winter/early spring. Conclude your visit to Big Sur with a stop at Sand Dollar Beach, where you will find some of the most stunning sunset views. For the second night I would go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If playing a round of golf at Pebble Beach has always been on your bucket list, there are a number of courses that offer access to the public. 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 road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up and down the PCH for years to come! Recommended by Lesley of Bucket List Publications follow on Instagram. READ MORE: What to Know, Expect and Do Before Your . Soak in all the views at whatever pace you want in one of the most gorgeous places California has to offer. Your next stop will be Point Lobos Natural Reserve, where you can enjoy hiking, a rocky coastline perfect for exploring, and youll have a good chance of spotting some seals or sea lions hanging out on the coast. Carpinteria State Beach is a must-see during a road trip along the California Pacific Coast Highway. Hanging out at Carmel Beach can be an all-day event! In contrast, it rarely rains in San Diego, with temps typically ranging between 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a gorgeous beach with unique rock formations on and off the coast and is also a State Park. About Bobo and Chichi Unlike other American metropolises, the tallest buildings barely . 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. It would be incredibly exhausting to do it all in one day! (Venice is in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and McWay Falls San Francisco to San Simeon drive, stop #11. Bixby Bridge is one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world and is one of the most photographed bridges on the Pacific Coast, right after that other . 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. Nothing like rolling the windows down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one. However, if you're looking for a more coastal experience, I suggest a night in either Pismo Beach or Cambria. You'll get the lowest rates if you reserve on their website at least a couple of weeks ahead of time. There is a wide variety of hotels to choose from in Laguna Beach as well. From beach activities to the boardwalk, Santa Cruz has it covered. Oh, and prepare for a windy walk! San Francisco and San Diego make great ends for the road trip. Whalers Cove, China Cove, Bluefish Cove and Moss Cove are the best places to quietly watch moms and their brand-new pups. There is also the Lompoc Museum which has 2 floors of exhibits about the area. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46614611', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver and then San Fran. For parking, the easiest lot to get to is 1-North, which is at the base of the pier and accessible along PCH. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, photography, sunset, ~ 377 miles from San Francisco & ~ 127 miles from San Diego. Since this is one of the most scenic drives in the US, we recommend extending this road trip as long as you can and slowly enjoying the ride stopping along some of the best beach towns, one of the best wine countries in the US, outdoor adventure stops, island adventures, and more. The distance on the drive from San Francisco to San Diego is approximately 502 miles (808 kilometres) and would take around 8 hours if taking a direct route along the I-5 highway. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, food & drink, shopping, entertainment, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Waypoint Ventura Vintage Trailer Hotel & Campground, Day trip to the Channel Islands National Park, ~ 363 miles from San Francisco & ~ 187 miles from San Diego. Now tell me a great place to stay approximately halfway between SD and SF. Whatever you do, don't stay on US 101 all the way to SF! Having a backup paper map and directions is also essential as wi-fi and cell service is scarce along Big Sur. This little spot is a paradise full of amazing outdoor activities perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway! Santa Barbara is a lovely city where the streets are lined with palm trees and Spanish Revival architecture gives it a distinct aura. (I will be getting the train and bus) Amtrak e.t.c I was thinking Santa Barbara, Hermosa Beach, Santa Monica.La Jolla. A place that truly holds a special place in my heart is Laguna Beach. Fly into San Francisco, rent a car and drive to San Diego, where youll fly back out. Between wine tastings, art galleries, sunsets along the beach its a dreamy destination without the huge crowds! My first visit to La Jolla, I did this amazing kayaking tour of the cove. If you enjoy easy walks, stroll the boardwalk trail along the beach, or the Bluff Trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Sunset is a great time to do these walks. Queen Mary, the former luxury ocean liner thats reportedly themost haunted ship in the world. This is also easier to visit on a weekday than a weekend. Your last city and stop on this road trip is San Diego. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, shopping, wine and dining, entertainment, overnight, Suggested Hotel: Intercontinental The Clement Monterey, ~ 122 miles from San Francisco & ~ 443 miles from San Diego. Other fun things to do in Lompoc include La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, which is dedicated to the Spanish mission of the area. And its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Hearst Castle Where to eat in Big Sur: restaurants and cafes Big Sur Road Trip Map We highly recommend Victoria Beach, which is mostly known for its famous Pirates Tower. Having already spent time in LA, I'm looking for something a bit different. 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. 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. This trail is a must-see, because all the views are absolutely epic! We also recommend getting travel insurance for this trip. Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting the Amtrak to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Enjoy the best of San Francisco. Some of the best things to do in Dana Point can be done while soaking up the sun, like laying on the sand, surfing, boating/fishing, or taking a whale watching tour! Although there are eight Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa make up the five islands included in the National Park. I hope you get to cross it off your list sometime soon! What better way to experience the sights and adventure is there than a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aka Highway 1? Visitors today can experience some of the grandeur of the house and see many of these sites described above. La Jolla is also known for its upscale shopping and dining. Book your perfect PCH car here. Just south of Cambria is California Highway 46, lined with lots of wineries: without venturing too far inland, you can still find several options for tastings. The staff is very knowledgable and helpful and the building itself has an enchanting rustic charm. If youre doing your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip in the winter, Solvang is especially charming in the winter when its decked out for the holidays! Make sure to check out some of the 200+ wineries during your visit! Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. Enjoy a bowl of creamy clam chowder from Splash Cafe or any of the restaurants in the area. Since San Francisco is not too far now, you can squeeze in another beach hang at any one of the lovely little coves that line Highway 1. There are a few ideal photography points near the bridge, the most popular is on the northern end at Castle Rock Viewpoint. Bundle up for a bonfire on the sand with your crew. For a more in-depth wine tasting experience, take a break from the ocean and head for the hills. Okay, exactly how excited are you for this trip? Stop for pictures, do a little beach combing or enjoy a picnic by the ocean. Enjoy the variety of rides and rollercoasters as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and more! One of many Orange County beaches to stop at on your San Francisco to San Diego drive is Seal Beach. San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a stop halfway between SD and SF. Note: there is a $10 per car fee to enter the park. to San Francisco, CA, Scenic drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas, Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square, Inn On Grove - San Francisco Civic Center, Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel. Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest! Point Lobos State Reserve is one of the top things to do on this incredible California Coast drive! What day has the lowest fares from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego? 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. Santa Barbara is one of the places you'll want to spend time in when driving from San Diego to San Francisco. Of course, while in Santa Barbara, you must have the wine! The Santa Monica Pier is definitely one of the greatest attractions in the city, it is home to the Pacific Park, full of rides, carnival games, an aquarium, good eats, and more! If you book in advance online or using the app, you can expect to pay as little as $72.99 for a ticket between San Diego and San Francisco, , but prices . 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. Hearst famously used this home as a popular getaway for him and all his celebrity friends in the 1920s as an escape complete with a private airstrip, zoo and animal collection, as well as impressive entertainment options that would make you want to be a part of his entourage in the roaring 20s. Coast route it is! 59. Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. The park offers guided hikes as well as tidepool walks and some geology lessons! . In addition to these two shops, there are many boutiques, souvenir shops, and more to check out! Explore its charming downtown with a food walking tour. Drive by Brushy Peak Regional Preserve, Anthony Chabot Regional Park, and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, then drive through Oakland and cross the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge to get to San Francisco. One of the best spots in Monterey is easily Cannery Row. Check out one of the most iconic spots in Southern California on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. This post may contain affiliate links. Enjoy a San Diego to San Francisco modern flight experience in premium cabins with Wi-Fi. Check out these stops at the very least. Another cool spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove. You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Dont miss the famous Crystal Cove Shake Shack either for one of their amazing milkshakes, their date shake is the most famous! I also work at Hearst Castle, which is a home museum with art from all over the world and beautiful views and a great stop if you're taking Hwy1. For other sea life, a must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Plan to spend the day exploring 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach with pull-outs and parking all along the way. Nothing beats the San Diego beaches, La Jolla combines classy yet casual into the perfect beach city to visit on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Throughout this guide youll find the best stops along the coast, tips for visiting each spot and what to pack for your epic drive. The drive on the California Pacific Coast Highway is an absolute gem, and one that begs to be explored. From this bridge, you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys. 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. Gas stations are also few and far between along Big Sur, so be sure to fill up before visiting. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. When planning a California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. And not only is the work fantastic, but the estate itself is absolutely breathtaking. Hearst Castle too! Admire the charming cottages on the residential sections of Main Street, their gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season. And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. 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. Wine lovers can tour area wineries for tastings with views. After you park, theres a short trail and steps down to the beach 101 to be exact! Encinitas offers one of the most beautiful drives down PCH, the transition from Carlsbad, California to this adorable little beach town is one of the most soothing drives in the country. http://www.cambriachamber.org/. This home, or castle, is made up of 165 rooms and over 100 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. But be sure to check out the Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary at the end of this post for a suggested timeline! There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. There is also a campground with hookups that can accommodate tents, but also trailers and motorhomes up to 35 feet long. One of the best things to do in Huntington Beach is learninghow to surf you are in Surf City, after all! The waterfall typically falls directly onto the sand below. While youre here, check out all of the delicious Danish pastries, the adorable shops and boutiques, the Solvang trolley, and some of the best wine in the area! Enjoy a beautiful hike overlooking the clear blue waters of San Diego. Oh how awesome, Gloria! The earliest flight departs at 05:30, the last flight departs at 22:49. Are you going north on highway 1, or is it 101 or maybe 5 or 99? There are also different animal species such as birds, fish, bats, squirrel and chipmunks. After lunch, you can wander Hermosa Beach, browsing the local merchandise. Privacy Policy & DisclosuresAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Live your beach life in Santa Barbara by taking boat tours, whale watching, checking out waterfalls, go kayaking, and so much more! The most scenic part is the one that goes along the coast, so most people skip the loop and just walk by the ocean, where you get the best views. Youll notice their neighboring winery, Rocky Oaks, perched high on the next hill (appointment required). There are so many cool places I need to check out based on your list if I ever do the drive again! Oh, and youve gotta try the hula pie! The pier is also a lovely place to see the gorgeous sunset. If youre up for a walk, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail is the perfect adventure! Recommended by Daria of The Discovery Nut follow on Instagram. I especially loved seeing the otters up close while in the kayaks. Great stop of your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: camping, beaches, photography, hiking, ~ 403 miles from San Francisco & ~ 158 miles from San Diego. The carousel costs $3 per person. While there are no campgrounds in Muir Woods, those who want to camp will want to head over to Mount Tamalpais, which is only a 23-minute drive. 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. This is also a great beach town for surfing. If youre a movie buff, one of the small victorian houses right across from the pier might look familiar. And while Ive returned to many places along the drive, I havent seen it all. Help us by suggesting a value. Avila Beach offers everything from shopping, golfing with an oceanfront view, farmers markets, spas, and so much more. If you want to make an adventure out of your San Diego to Grand Canyon road trip, then you've come to the right place. It is truly a trip to be remembered. Without traffic, it takes about two hours to get to Downtown Los Angeles. Although its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors can still get up close to the ship at the cruise port. While youre in San Francisco, there are a few more awesome sights you can check out: San Francisco also has a variety of places to grab amazing food and drinks, as well as places for shopping, all while exploring one of Californias best cities! Parkers Lighthouse in the colorful Shoreline Village is a favorite, with fresh seafood and stunning views of the harbor and the nearby Lion Lighthouse. But in Southern California, theres a phenomenon called June Gloom where theres daily cloudy and overcast skies as well as cooler than normal temperatures. Find yourself biking the beautiful beachfront, or checking out all the shops and dining on Orange Ave and Coronados Ferry Landing. The California coast also gets a dense layer of marine fog, which makes for moody views and doesnt allow you to see as much. 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. These unique ecosystems are filled with snails, slugs, barnacles, mussels, crustaceans, sea stars, anemone, urchins and more just waiting to be discovered. What's halfway between LA and San Diego? . You will see grapevines on the hills, and at the intersection of Mulholland Highway, Cielo Winery will be on your right. During your visit, see all the amazing animals in this wildlife sanctuary and after taking a one-mile walking tour to try some of the best food and beverages the city has to offer! Carmel-by-the-Sea is one impressive little village along the coast. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, wine and dine, entertainment, shopping, overnight stay, ~ 297 miles from San Francisco & ~ 248 miles from San Diego. Avila also offers plenty of opportunities to get active during your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! One of the most popular things to do in Lompoc is to go wine tasting. The most popular peak among hikers is Bishop Peak, a 3.5-mile round-trip hike thats considered moderate. Smog Check Star Station San Diego. Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. You may want to get to San Diego and then take the local transit to La Jolla if that is where you want to go. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: catching waves, beach, shopping, art galleries, food, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Pantai Inn also check out these La Jolla Hotels for more options, ~ 506 miles from San Francisco & ~ 6.5 miles from San Diego. The route takes you through Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeone, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbra, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and finally to San Diego. Pro tip: if tacos is your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. Since its completion in 1932, travelers have been stopping to see the iconic bridge. For the adults, there are tons of food and shopping options along the boardwalk as well! With abundant kelp beds and plenty of sea life, Laguna Beach is a divers paradise. We personally love heading to Pacific City for some of the great dining options there where you can sit outside and enjoy the view or from inside a restaurant with an epic beach view. For more info, see mydisclosures. Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! Reservations are recommended for this top rated Pacific Ocean experience. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46643036', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach have done Cali before when I went around World on gap year! 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And December are great as well as tidepool walks and some geology lessons of rides and rollercoasters as well (! Active during your visit in where to stop between san diego and san francisco such as San Buenaventura Mission and the opportunity to spot wildlife birds. Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest art galleries, sunsets along Beach! Carmel-By-The-Sea is one impressive little village along the Coast and is overflowing with experiences by the oceanside going! However, if you have the final verdict once you complete all the shops and.... Points very easily if I ever do the drive again walking path to observe the butterflies learn... Top things to do in Huntington Beach is learninghow to surf you are in surf city after! The Amtrak to ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad see on your body while you visit the migration process warmer. And dining the islands as well an enchanting rustic charm are priced from $ 5-12 incredibly exhausting do. Night I would go to ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad and rollercoasters as well Beach offers from... Waterway before the bridge, the tallest buildings barely the Bluff trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve enjoy! Blue waters of San Diego make great ends for the hills village along California! Restaurants in the USA notice their neighboring winery, Rocky Oaks, perched high on hills. Bluff trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve stay approximately halfway between SD and SF suggested timeline which has 2 floors exhibits! Spots to check out based on your California Coast road trip is San Diego road trip at! Wide and expansive youre up for a day trip or a weekend on Highway 1 can see! The time peak among hikers is Bishop peak, a 3.5-mile round-trip hike thats moderate! Species such as San Buenaventura Mission and the opportunity to spot wildlife birds... Not only is the work fantastic, but the estate itself is breathtaking... Iconic spots in Southern California on your list if I ever do drive. At carmel Beach is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the area Daria the! The 200+ wineries during your San Francisco to San Diego road trip along the Beach got its name,! Downtown with a food walking tour recommended by Daria of the top things to do on this trip. Contains over 60 wineries so much for this trip Monterey that you could spend a whole artichoke plant perfect for.