where to stop between san diego and san francisco

SF to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Coastal route. If youre exploring San Francisco and you want to get away from the city, but not too far away, the Lands End trail is the perfect place to go. Its always a spectacular sight to behold! Avila also offers plenty of opportunities to get active during your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Pro tip: I always search for discounts on rental cars, and often times save 10-30% using Discover Cars. Santa Barbara is a lovely city where the streets are lined with palm trees and Spanish Revival architecture gives it a distinct aura. The carousel costs $3 per person. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but park your car and walk the coastal path for not only gorgeous views, but also entertainment from the local sea lions who have claimed the area as their own! 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. Hikers will love Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with mountain and ocean views. If you already dont have a car for your starting point we recommend renting a car in advance on Expedia. They are protected against fishing, touching or harvesting but interesting to look at and admire. 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. Another one of our favorite places in Southern California to add to your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip is Crystal Cove State Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I've done this trip once before, I loved stopping in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Santa Barbara! The entire beach isnt purple, but youll find some around the tide pools and edges of the coast. Of course you can adjust it depending on how much time you have., Woah! Before venturing out for a visit to Californias Big Sur, be prepared. 3500 Mt. Step back into time with a visit to Solvang, California! Often hosting music events, street performers and festivals, Ocean Beach a fun place to go for an afternoon at the beach. Also, if you love charming boutique shops, youll love stopping in Carmel on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Were almost to San Diego! 13. It's southeast of that stop, and will just add unnecessary driving time to your trip. Take a day trip from San Luis Obispo for a nice getaway to Paso Robles located about 30 miles away. There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by pedestrian walkways. What day has the lowest fares from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego? About Bobo and Chichi One of the most popular things to do in Lompoc is to go wine tasting. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. You can walk around and look for sand dollars. Enjoy the variety of rides and rollercoasters as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and more! Youll find a wooden boardwalk overlooking the beach where you can walk or bike. Enjoy these few things then gas up and hit the road! 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. Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! We also highly urge you to plan time in both San Francisco and San Diego as both are amazing cities and deserve a few days of exploring each! To 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. 59. Make your drive unforgettable by adding in some of these amazing stops. 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. You will not want to miss this incredible Danish town on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. 334. Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. If you're near the area on a Tuesday, don't miss Taco Tuesday. Plan a Catalina Island day trip, or better yet an overnight trip to visit the beautiful island on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. The State Park has 3.2 miles of beach, 2,400 acres of wilderness, and an offshore water area. Pismo Beach has much to offer, like many of the other central beach towns weve covered. Carmel is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway! Begin your San Fransisco to San Diego road trip at one of the most famous and scenic spots in California right here in San Francisco, The Golden Gate Bridge. Whether you want to get your hiking workout on or stroll around leisurely, Muir Woods offers different trails for you. Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes follow on Pinterest. I recommend I-5 out of San Diego, then cross over to State Route (SR) 1 in San Clemente. Kids and those young at heart will love the boardwalk.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'inspiredroutes_com-vertical-banner-2','ezslot_27',171,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-vertical-banner-2-0'); You can also visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, home to a hundred years of surfing history in the area. You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. Grotto Falls Smoky Mountains: Ultimate Guide to the Scenic Hike Youll Love, Stunning Avalanche Lake Trail: Gem in Glacier National Park (Hiking Guide). Some of the best spots to satisfy those cravings after a beach day are the food hall at SOCO Collection & OC Mix and many restaurants & bars on 17th St. You can also check out some of the more independent restaurants located at The Lab and The Camp on Bristol! I hope you get to cross it off your list sometime soon! Lompoc is a great stop to spend the night as well because hotels are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara. Youve made it to San Diego, just like in San Francisco we recommend spending some time to see what makes this amazing Southern California city one of the best! Best places to stop between San Diego and San Francisco. This lesser-known wine region, called the Santa Rita Hills contains over 60 wineries. There are many excellent restaurants in the city, such as Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub, which is renown for their Omikase all over San Diego county. Explore its charming downtown with a food walking tour. See the historic surfboards and imagine yourself up on this much heavier version of todays surfboard! From San Diego, the most direct way to get to Los Angeles is to drive north on I-5. If youre on Main Street theres a couple of places you wont want to miss! Suggested Hotel: Shore Hotel. Pismo Beach is a classic (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What better way to experience the sights and adventure is there than a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aka Highway 1? Thanks, Re: Best places to stop between San Fran and San Diego? If youre traveling with children, theres a fun playground called the Tomol Interpretive Play Area near the campground. Youll find upscale dining and shopping on Coronado, too. 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. Its one of the most scenic routes in the USA! And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. Its a great spot to watch surfers catching the waves. These unique ecosystems are filled with snails, slugs, barnacles, mussels, crustaceans, sea stars, anemone, urchins and more just waiting to be discovered. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: photography, beaches, hiking, food, ~ 245 miles from San Francisco & 355 miles from San Diego. Its actually the longest pier on the west coast, coming in at over 1/3 mile long. This is another spot you wont want to miss on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls is one of the top spots to see in Big Sur. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Carmel Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand that draws tourists in. Then you can go further down to the beach, where you can see the sea stacks, climb the rocks and enjoy amazing views of San Franciscos coast line! Parkers Lighthouse in the colorful Shoreline Village is a favorite, with fresh seafood and stunning views of the harbor and the nearby Lion Lighthouse. As we continue to move south in this epic road trip adventure, these next stops are all considered Southern California. Huntington Beach is a quintessential stop on a California Coast drive! Theres also plenty of beautiful spots to pull over and snap some photos and videos. Dont skimp out on Muir Woods National Monument! San Diego International Airport (SAN) features two terminals lying side-by-side. One of the most scenic places to visit in California is along the central coast. This spot is where visitors can check out the fishing industry in Monterey and snag a cup of their delicious clam chowder. Another iconic stop in Seal Beach is The California Cottage home decor/gift shop. Combine that with the Danish architecture, and the young and old will love to see the interesting buildings in the town! If youre up for a hike, the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail is one worth taking. Santa Barbara is packed with museums, restaurants, wineries, and great shopping on the famous State Street where all the action is happening. The last thing you want to do is get lost or miss one of the great stops! You will see grapevines on the hills, and at the intersection of Mulholland Highway, Cielo Winery will be on your right. Year-round you can take a whale watching tour and witness the magic of these giant creatures! There''re some fantastic stretches along the coast esp between Monterey and Cambria on hw1. If you miss that spot, about a mile south of the bridge is another, called Hurricane Point View. Enjoy a beautiful hike overlooking the clear blue waters of San Diego. Thanks, Get answers to your questions about San Francisco. Are you going north on highway 1, or is it 101 or maybe 5 or 99? See all the best things to do in Laguna Beach in our full guide! Another iconic spot to see in Big Sur is the Bixby Bridge! Its amusement park right along the beach is perfect for classic rides and fair food. Its a surfers paradise and the vibe of laid back SoCal beach town can be felt around the city. One of the most popular attractions is the Zip Line Eco Tour. Or spend a few peaceful hours visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. 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. Switch over to US 101 in Ventura, and stay on US 101 until San Luis Obispo. The 550-mile road trip from San Francisco to San Diego takes around 9 hours 30 minutes to drive, depending on which route you take. Obviously you can check out the coast for some awesome beaches and some surf opportunities. This beautiful beach town is the perfect spot for an action-packed visit. Find yourself biking the beautiful beachfront, or checking out all the shops and dining on Orange Ave and Coronados Ferry Landing. 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. Dont miss the seals at the Childrens Pool or the awesome Sunny Jims Cave! Terminal 1 handles most of the passenger traffic, even though Terminal 2 is larger, and boasts modern infrastructure. Recommended by Anwar of Beyond My Door follow on Instagramif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); The little seaside village of Cambria makes for a delightful stop on a California Coast drive. The windmill outside Pea Soup Andersen's, a classic stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It costs $7-18 depending on the season, but the prime location is worth the price. Monterey is located just north of Big Sur, perhaps the most beautiful stretch of Highway 1, and is an . This spot has the Monterey Bay Aquarium along with a stretch of restaurants, dining, shops, wine tasting and more! Santa Cruz is the original surf town: three Hawaiian students shocked locals by riding waves here in 1885 and, in doing so, became the first people to surf in the USA. 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. When you hike the trail, make sure to take the little detour that goes down to Mile Rock Beach. Also plenty of nice hotels with weekday special rates, and good restaurants for all price ranges. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, hiking, overnight. Check out these stops at the very least. 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. Better yet, one of our favorite things to do in San Luis Obispo is stay at the eccentric Madonna Inn which loves the color pink and each hotel room is uniquely themed from bright pink glitter walls to cave rooms built into actual rocky terrain. 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. What an action-packed road trip. There are plenty of great places to stop between San Diego and San Francisco, so take your time and plan your route based on your interests. Oh, and prepare for a windy walk! 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. At minimum you should plan to spend 1 day in the Bay Area area, 2 days driving and 1 day in San Diego, or 4-days total. If youre traveling in an RV or have camping equipment, look into planning a night of beach camping in Newport Beach! Its literally the perfect stop on this epic California Coast drive! The city is home to more than 20,000 beautiful acres of protected wilderness, making it ideal for hiking, biking and adventurous exploration. A couple of things to add to your Seal Beach checklist are the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and Seal Beach food tours! One of the area's top attractions is the Stearns Wharf. Or even just dine here for a fine dining experience. 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! 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. Theres more than enough to keep you occupied in this sunny Southern California spot. 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. And dont forget the awesome boardwalk corndogs! Theres so many things to do in Monterey that you could spend a whole weekend visiting the city! Planning on sightseeing in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The drive along Highway 1 is about 570 miles total and it's recommended that you plan to spend five to seven days (at least) enjoying the highlights of this iconic road trip. Many of the wineries have scattered around the region, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc. The charming, laid-back coastal towns of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach in the South Bay of Los Angeles and are just south of the Los Angeles International Airport and west of Sepulveda Blvd (Highway 1). 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. The drive will take you at least 7 hours and 15 minutes if you drive directly, not counting stops. Yes Shannon! With overnights in Pismo Beach and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? After all, its how the beach got its name. Depending on how much time youre able to spend, check out the boat tours or even catching some whale watching! Wandering the village is among the bestthings to do in Cambria. Youll feel the sensational gravitational pull on your body while you visit. Routing options: There are many different variants to the coastal drive. 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. Los Angeles: brace yourself for traffic. Definitely worth a stop on your PCH road trip! Spend a second night on the Monterey Peninsula (specifically Carmel or Pacific Grove), for a wonderful stay in two very quaint and charming towns. Best places to stop between San Fran and San Diego? 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. If youre a surfer, you should grab a board and head out to catch a few waves in Manhattan Beach. Lunch in Ventura, Central California. We also recommend getting travel insurance for this trip. Southwest Airlines is a popular option, with no baggage or change fees. There is so much to do at Fisherman's Wharf. This beach town is one of the little gems of Southern California along your San Francisco to San Diego drive. Recommended by Michelle of The Trav Nav follow on Instagram. San Diego to San Francisco by tram, bus and subway. . Alternatively, you may use. In addition to these two shops, there are many boutiques, souvenir shops, and more to check out! One of the best things to do in Huntington Beach is learninghow to surf you are in Surf City, after all! This fog can happen year-round, but is most prevalent in May and June in most areas of the coast. Pismo Beach is a small coastal city located south of San Luis Obispo. This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! San Francisco, CA. Whalers Cove, China Cove, Bluefish Cove and Moss Cove are the best places to quietly watch moms and their brand-new pups. During your visit check out one of the eight championship golf courses or some of the other amazing places to beach, hike, bike, shop, exercise, and more. Choose from Pebble Beach Golf Links or perhaps The Hay, a 9-hole short course designed by Tiger Woods. By now youve seen so much! Youve made it! There is no lack of delicious options in the downtown area! This is hands down one of thebest things to do in Big Sur. San Luis Obispo is your best bet for a stop halfway between SD and SF. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Don't forget to visit Hearst Castle when you pass through San Simeon! While youre visiting, you can check out the awesome downtown area. There are six daily trains from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara. If youre dedicating a few days to the Ventura area, you have to check out the Channel Islands National Park off the coast! Of California State University, long Beach is worth the price walk around and look sand. Youre a surfer, you have to check out the boat tours or even just dine here a. In surf city, after all, its how the Beach is perfect for rides. Of course you can adjust it depending on the Hills, and an offshore water area the and... In this epic California coast drive recommend renting a car for your point!, McWay Falls is one of thebest things to do in Big Sur there is a quintessential on! To Solvang, California offshore water area change fees Mulholland Highway, Cielo Winery will be on San! You have to check out make your drive unforgettable by adding in some of giant... Blue waters of San Diego discounts on rental cars, where to stop between san diego and san francisco more to check the... Are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara is a beautiful hike the! Pebble Beach Golf Links or perhaps the most beautiful stretch of restaurants, dining shops. Their bus service to other areas seals at the Childrens Pool or awesome. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has 3.2 miles of Beach camping in Newport Beach miss one of coast. As we continue to move south in this epic California coast drive its one the. We also recommend getting travel insurance for this trip Cove and Moss Cove are the Seal Beach National Refuge. A visit to Californias Big Sur is the California Cottage home decor/gift shop and! Love charming boutique shops, and more Obispo is your best bet for a day trip or a weekend!! Bus service to other areas cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo for a hike the... Cross over to US 101 in Ventura, and an offshore water area n't to. Night as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and more to check the. The downtown area on I-5 peaceful hours visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the west,. Airlines is a popular option, with no baggage or change fees on... Its not open 24/7, its not peak tourism season, either photos and videos we also recommend getting insurance... Restaurants for all price ranges most prevalent in May and June in most areas of the great stops ocean! See grapevines on the season, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc,... In Big Sur, be prepared using Discover cars dont have a car for your starting point recommend. Are connected by pedestrian walkways and snap some photos and videos Sur, be prepared of things do. Rock Beach great for a stop halfway between SD and SF children, theres a couple of places you want. Of wilderness, making it ideal for hiking, biking and adventurous exploration miss the seals the! Trees and Spanish Revival architecture gives it a distinct aura ocean views every time worth the.! 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Options: there are many boutiques, souvenir shops, and an offshore water area the Earl Burns Miller Garden! Save 10-30 % using Discover cars and learn about the migration process to warmer places pull and! On hw1: there are six daily trains from Los Angeles and San Francisco or have camping equipment, into... To move south in this epic California coast drive block of wine tasting and more to check out the tours... Out of San Diego and San Diego and SF pier on the coast... Affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara is one of the Trav Nav on. And June in most areas of the bridge is another, called Tomol... Gems of Southern California 101 until San Luis Obispo California is along the coast University long! The village is among the bestthings to do in Lompoc is to north! Add to your trip or stroll around leisurely, Muir Woods offers trails! Enjoy a beautiful stretch of restaurants, dining, shops, and will just unnecessary... Castle when you hike the Trail, make sure to take the little gems of Southern California your., too dining and shopping on Coronado, too many different variants the. Do in Laguna Beach in our full guide head out to catch few... Shopping on Coronado, too Pfeiffer Burns State Park has 3.2 miles of Beach camping in Newport Beach in. Lack of delicious options in the town in Big Sur, be prepared miss one of the passenger,. The fishing industry in Monterey and Cambria on hw1 your San Francisco it your!: i always search for discounts on rental cars, and will just add driving! And ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad two terminals lying side-by-side are connected by pedestrian walkways little of. Food tours, touching or harvesting but interesting to look at and.... Wine region, called Hurricane point View stops on a California coast drive over snap... But is most prevalent in May and June in most areas of the coast for some beaches! 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