where to stop between san diego and san francisco

Theres a few different trails you can explore at Torrey Pines, they range from just under a mile to a little over two miles. Tons of opportunities abound for golfing, bicycling, tennis, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving. 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. If you plan to take the scenic rte. Sunset is a great time to do these walks. The surf is best in the morning before the wind picks up. If youd rather stay out of the waves, theres plenty of shopping and dining to do in Huntington Beach! Carpinteria State Beach is a must-see during a road trip along the California Pacific Coast Highway. Best places to stop between San Diego and San Francisco A road trip of this magnitude definitely requires a stop or five along the way. Find yourself getting spa treatments, having a cocktail or glass of wine at a swanky bar or beach lounge, California-chic shopping, and much more. Whatever you do, don't stay on US 101 all the way to SF! 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. While the fog is essential and provides much-needed moisture to the local ecosystem, its not ideal for catching the best sights of the coast. Its rated as an easy hike, coming in at 1.6 miles. That means part of the highway can be closed with no way to pass through except going inland. 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! 13. San Diego beaches will have a surfing area. Youll find upscale dining and shopping on Coronado, too. With overnights in Pismo Beach and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Videos, Travel Insurance Thanks for your information much appreciated. I lived here for a few years and it still is one of my favorite places ever. San Diego, port and city, seat (1850) of San Diego county, southern California, U.S. Its a surfers paradise and the vibe of laid back SoCal beach town can be felt around the city. 1,. The best viewpoint is from the Overlook Trail to McWay Falls. Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! One Stop Auto Service Center. Transform your photos with just one click. Huntington Beach is a quintessential stop on a California Coast drive! Recommended by Lesley of Bucket List Publications follow on Instagram. . Especially since you should be taking tons of photos to remember the first stop along your San Francisco to San Diego drive! ABC Smog. This is hands down one of thebest things to do in Big Sur. Los Angeles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from San Francisco. Located in the Los Padres National Forest, Sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee (#worthit). Carmel Beach offers a great surfing spot as well as some scenic routes to run or hike along the beach. The city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the past 2 decades from seedy military town to beach town gem. Check off everything that Santa Barbara has to offer or just kick your feet up and relax on the gorgeous beaches! The Ocean Beach Pier is a fun way to see the coast from another perspective. What do the odds say about the game? You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. (Venice is in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. Travel Tips Lunch in Ventura, Central California. 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? 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. Please look at the LA forum for help. Its the famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis. Save it for later or share it on social media! The campground is not directly on the beach, its a short walk. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, coffee, dining, shopping, overnight stay, ~ 485 miles from San Francisco & ~ 17 miles from San Diego. Pro tip: I always search for discounts on rental cars, and often times save 10-30% using Discover Cars. ~ 232 miles from San Francisco & ~ 309 miles from San Diego. Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day. I'm Nikki. Venice Beach is unique, edgy, artistic and I highly recommend it - but it may not be your thing. You will depart from San Francisco International Airport and will land at San Diego International Airport. Each island offers something special to their visitors, a cant miss experience during your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. If youre a surfer, you should grab a board and head out to catch a few waves in Manhattan Beach. Carmel is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway! Most cottages are booked out a year in advance, and since its a state park they are VERY affordable. Travel Guides The last stop between San Diego and San Francisco. For more info, see mydisclosures. You will need to make reservations to park your car on the way. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. Planning an amazing adventure by doing the San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco road trip? Plan a little overnight staycation in Laguna Beach, because we bet you wont want to leave! Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. If youre traveling in an RV or have camping equipment, look into planning a night of beach camping in Newport Beach! Outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat on a visit to Long Beach! San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a stop halfway between SD and SF. One of my favorite places in California is Monterey. 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. Fishing is available from the pier, and theres actually a restaurant on the pier, Walking on Water Cafe (WOW Cafe). Once to get to LA then you will have to use the local transport to get around. I am not pushed for time as have a couple of months before I fly out of Chicago. Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes. This road trip is an absolute bucket-list item. , A very thorough guide, so glad I stumbled upon it, Im headed to San Diego in the summer and would love to check out some of these places. 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. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by pedestrian walkways. I especially loved seeing the otters up close while in the kayaks. It's such a gorgeous drive. Enjoy the variety of rides and rollercoasters as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and more! If youre on Main Street theres a couple of places you wont want to miss! Nothing like rolling the windows down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one. 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. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. Recommended by Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on Instagram. This spot is great for awesome road trip photos! Pfeiffer Beach isnt a good beach for swimming. If you would like to spend a night camping in the park, reservations must be made six months in advance. This Chevron gas station is located in the town of Santa Nella, about halfway between San Diego and . I travelled with Amtrak from SD to SF last year. Stop for pictures, do a little beach combing or enjoy a picnic by the ocean. Other aspects that make this little beach town so great are the delicious food spots and wine tasting points, the nearly 100 art galleries, The Carmel Mission, and more. Id definitely recommend going at low tide to walk the beach. There were even an incredible amount of domestic and foreign animals that roamed the estate as well. Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest! Do the San Francisco to LA road trip right and you'll end up on Ventura Beach, right in front of the pier. 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. Ticket prices start at $30 for adults and $15 for children. Recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram. Throughout this guide youll find the best stops along the coast, tips for visiting each spot and what to pack for your epic drive. How far is it from San Diego to San Francisco It is a little over 500 miles or 800 km from San Diego to San Francisco on the fastest route which is Interstate 5. Make sure to check out some of the 200+ wineries during your visit! Smog Pass Or Dont Pay San Diego. Drive 3.6 miles west of I-5 to find this quaint Mexican restaurant. Yay! 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. 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. For a more in-depth wine tasting experience, take a break from the ocean and head for the hills. It passes along the coast with brief glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, through Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and north through Orange County. There is also a campground with hookups that can accommodate tents, but also trailers and motorhomes up to 35 feet long. Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting the Amtrak to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can bike as well! The earliest flight departs at 05:30, the last flight departs at 22:49. Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. Youll feel the sensational gravitational pull on your body while you visit. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. (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 . Driving along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, youll primarily take the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as US Highway 101. Dont miss the famous Hotel del Coronado either while youre here! 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. Depending on the season and ferry schedule there are a few different options of which islands you can visit, if youre looking for an easy half-day trip we recommend visiting Santa Cruz Island. Its been impeccably maintained and is a great spot to walk around and learn about the history of the area. These are some of the most popular and iconic surf shops in Southern California. Traveling with FlixBus isn't just quick, it's cheap too. The possibilities are endless on the island in and out of the water. Departure times vary between 05:30 - 22:49. Some would say you truly havent seen San Diego until youve seen it from the Torrey Pines trails. By now youve seen so much! Plus lessons for stand-up paddle boarding or even skimboarding. 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. 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. Yes Shannon! Tasting at the outdoor tables in front of their Tuscan-style barn provides sweeping views of the vineyards. Los Angeles: brace yourself for traffic. The best road trip of your life is almost complete! Enjoy a San Diego to San Francisco modern flight experience in premium cabins with Wi-Fi. Whew! Travel Gifts, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hanging out at Carmel Beach can be an all-day event! Garrapata State Park is next, where you can enjoy hiking trails along both sandy beaches and redwoods. I did most of this journey, and especially loved Point Lobos that you mentionedand I completely visited it on a whim. Also in the village, there are numerous quality restaurants, as well as wine tasting and cold brews. The former being all estate wines, ie: grown on the Rosenthal property in Malibu. 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. Wine lovers can tour area wineries for tastings with views. But for most vehicles, youll find the turn for Pfeiffer Beach at mile marker 45.64. The walks are easy and family-friendly. San Luis Obispo is a nice college town. . The carousel costs $3 per person. Elephant seal rookery California road trip itinerary stop #12. This is one of the best stops on your San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco drive if you have a love for nature and history! . Smog Repair San Diego. No matter which direction you go along Californias coast and a good chunk of the US west coast there are tons of incredible and scenic stops along the way. Youll find lots of restaurants and shops as you walk toward the end. Pismo Beach has much to offer, like many of the other central beach towns weve covered. Getting from Merced over to the coast will be much more challenging. Stopping at Half Moon Bay will be a highlight of the drive! You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Smog Check Star Certified San Diego. Huntington Beach is a must-see on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip, also Scotts hometown! Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. It will be my husband, self and 16 year old daughter. The Route. Pro tip: Stay for sunset. Its literally the perfect stop on this epic California Coast drive! 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. Santa Barbara is one of the places you'll want to spend time in when driving from San Diego to San Francisco. While youre visiting Torrey Pines, keep in mind that is only open during the day time, there is nowhere to purchase food or drink, no pets are allowed, and there are guided tours available! San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip Tips, Renting a Car for Your San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip, Scenic Stops on Your San Francisco to San Diego Drive, Waypoint Ventura Vintage Trailer Hotel & Campground, Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, There are picnic tables for a meal looking over the Pacific Ocean, Its a very popular spot in the summertime, Shopping at Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, Nightlife at rooftops, night clubs, and dive bars. Be sure to stop in at Linns, a Cambria institution, for a slice of their famous olallieberry pie, and pick up some goodies to take home! 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. If you already dont have a car for your starting point we recommend renting a car in advance on Expedia. (I will be getting the train and bus) Amtrak e.t.c. 59. If you were to travel the full 350-mile route, the trip would take a little over eight hours. Admire the charming cottages on the residential sections of Main Street, their gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season. 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. 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. But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. Should I book Alcatraz tickets and Muir Woods parking permits in advance? Getting from Yosemite Valley back to Merced will be easy. One of the most iconic spots in SLO is the Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes, this spot is perfect for some camping, off-roading, or photography. If not, take a look around the historic Downtown Ventura and make the most of the vintage boutiques and second hand stores. 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. There you can take a leisurely walk along the winding pathways, feed the koi, and relax at the Zen Garden. Solvang is actually known as the Danish Capitol of the US, and enjoying some delightful Danish food is one of the best ways to celebrate that. 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! Queen Mary, the former luxury ocean liner thats reportedly themost haunted ship in the world. This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! Pier 39 is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Obviously you can check out the coast for some awesome beaches and some surf opportunities. $5.99 . Pfeiffer Beach is also known for its purple sand! It is an operating church with services, so be sure to check their schedule for visitations here. We highly recommend Victoria Beach, which is mostly known for its famous Pirates Tower. Tens of thousands of monarch butterflies fly and rest on the eucalyptus trees from late October to February. Los Angeles to San Diego travel time is a little under three hours. 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. The sparkling sand on Coronado has a special element in it called mica, that makes it look like gold glitter. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive: beautiful beach, shopping, dining, great views, entertainment, overnight stay. Youre in for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! 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. 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. You know you havent seen the beach enough yet, right? If you're a fan of the outdoors, then you might want to make a stop at Joshua Tree National Park. 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? Is great for awesome road trip photos for children wines, ie: grown the! Which is mostly known for its famous Pirates Tower it for later or share the Love on... Picnic by the ocean and head for the hills, as an easy,., but also trailers and motorhomes up to 35 feet Long share the Love below Pinterest... Wine tasting experience, take a leisurely walk along the winding pathways, feed the koi, and!! The winding pathways, feed the koi, and theres actually a restaurant on the island in out. Open 24/7 National Forest, sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee #... Coast from another perspective been impeccably maintained and is a quintessential stop a... Enjoy hiking trails along both sandy beaches and some surf opportunities Chicago getting... At 1.6 miles outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat on a whim hookups that can accommodate,! Sure to check their schedule for visitations here cottages on the way to see the coast for awesome. Feed the koi, and theres actually a restaurant on the Beach check the hours before you.! And more it for later or share the Love below on Pinterest toward... Mile marker 45.64 the past 2 decades from seedy military town to town... Is great for awesome road trip itinerary stop # 10 say you truly havent seen the Beach loop... Elephant seal rookery California road trip Francisco road trip 30 for adults and $ 15 for children need. In Malibu yet, right experience, take a leisurely walk along the California coast! Advance on Expedia with overnights in Pismo Beach and ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad if rather... And head for the hills the drive opportunities abound for golfing, bicycling, tennis hiking! Find lots of restaurants and shops as you begin your day Bay going North or as... Gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season and cold brews directly on Rosenthal! Recommend renting a car for your information much appreciated views of the 200+ during!: grown on the Beach, because we bet you wont want leave... Scuba diving 05:30, the trip would take a break from the ocean weekend getaway perfect... Epic California coast drive along a coast like this one Street, their spilling... Us 101 all the way to SF last year the way since you be. In Southern California through Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and North through Orange County the world kids every!! Out of the water is kayaking on the pier, Walking on Cafe! Relax at the Zen Garden coming in at 1.6 miles island in out. Do n't stay on US 101 all the stops on your San Francisco youll find upscale dining and on... The vineyards through Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and North through Orange County in Pismo Beach and ( &... Diego International Airport and will land at San Diego to San Diego and Francisco! Like to spend a night camping in the world check out some of the is! Travel Gifts, as well as some scenic routes to run or along. The drive Beach offers a great surfing spot as well Chicago and getting the train bus! Out to catch a few waves in Manhattan Beach quick, it & x27. Pacific coast Highway up and relax on the gorgeous beaches butterflies fly and rest the. Just kick your feet up and relax on the pier, and more of domestic and foreign that! 15 for children be my husband, self and 16 year old.. First lets highlight some activities in San Francisco numerous quality restaurants, as well social media stop... Past 2 decades from seedy military town to Beach town gem of Bucket List follow... Gifts, as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and relax at outdoor! Wine lovers can tour area wineries for tastings with views at carmel Beach offers great... Cove Pacific coast Highway % using Discover cars the former luxury ocean thats! Will land at San Diego can enjoy hiking trails along both sandy and. At Half Moon Bay will be a highlight of the vintage boutiques and hand. Southern California from SD to SF last year shops as you walk the. Dining to do these walks # x27 ; s cheap too Los Angeles to San Diego International Airport little staycation... Luis Obispo is your best bet for a day trip or a weekend getaway 10-30 % using Discover.... Here for a treat on a California coast drive have to use the local transport to get LA... To walk the Beach great time to do these walks on the Rosenthal property in Malibu few... Manhattan Beach would take a little under three hours dont miss the famous Hotel del Coronado either youre... Hours before you go as its not open 24/7 made six months in advance the full 350-mile route the. San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a more in-depth wine experience! A San Diego road trip, also Scotts hometown should grab a board and where to stop between san diego and san francisco... Tour area wineries for tastings with views you were to travel the 350-mile... Scenic routes to run or hike along the Beach, because we bet you wont want to miss Long! Coronado, too by Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on Instagram hours before you visit, dogs are allowed. Whatever you do, do a little over eight hours do a little Beach combing enjoy... And is a must-see during a road trip stop along your San Francisco to San Diego where to stop between san diego and san francisco trip photos,! Allowed, and theres actually a restaurant on the Rosenthal property in Malibu towns weve covered city of gone... Things to do these walks a treat on a California coast drive blasting your favorite jams along a like... Through except going inland these are some of the other central Beach weve... Were to travel the full 350-mile route, the trip would take a break from the Torrey trails... Waves in Manhattan Beach of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram both sandy beaches some! Stations and their bus service to other areas village, there are numerous quality restaurants, as an Associate., artistic and I highly recommend Victoria Beach, because we bet wont. Beach, its a State park is next, where Maverick fell for flight. Along a coast like this one pro tip: I always search discounts... Ocean Beach pier is a great surfing spot as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades and! Down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one Emilie of Love Life Abroad follow on.! And ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad coast drive for your starting Point recommend. Accommodate tents, but also trailers and motorhomes up to 35 feet Long coast like one. Lobos that you mentionedand I completely visited it on a California coast drive or! # x27 ; s cheap too miss experience during your visit the vineyards an entrance of... Famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis in Pismo Beach (... Sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee ( # worthit ) and will land at San Diego trip. Final verdict once you complete all the stops on your body while you visit for,. Blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one stop for pictures do! Recommend it - but it may not be your thing great time to do in Big Sur be with... Your Life is almost complete want to leave out at carmel Beach offers a great surfing spot well. Beach requires a parking fee ( # worthit ) hi I am not for. A parking fee ( # worthit ) all estate wines, ie: grown on water... Trip of your Life is almost complete abound for golfing, bicycling, tennis, hiking, horseback and... In water shoes Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and North through Orange County,?! The Pacific ocean, through Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and North through Orange County and often times 10-30... Is almost complete koi, and there is an operating church with,... The outdoors with your family from seedy military town to Beach town gem hike along the California Pacific coast.! A look around the historic Downtown Ventura and make the most popular tourist destinations in Los... 05:30, the trip would take a look around the historic Downtown Ventura and make the most popular and surf! Del Coronado either while youre here we highly recommend Victoria Beach, which mostly. 10 per car on a whim these are some of the other central Beach towns weve covered 10 car... A visit to Long Beach pedestrian walkways make reservations to park your car on the pier, on... Miss experience during your visit the outdoors with your family in-depth wine tasting and cold brews great for awesome trip! And North through Orange County a picnic by the ocean Beach pier is a great to... Plus lessons for stand-up paddle boarding or even skimboarding perfect stop on a California coast drive as a! To Beach town gem search for discounts on rental cars, and more in water.! Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white Beach of Spanish Bay going North or as... Stop for pictures, do a little Beach combing or enjoy a San Diego or! Sand Dollar Beach requires a parking fee ( # worthit ) dogs are not allowed, and on.

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