Visitors could stay in well-appointed rooms, swim in the indoor and outdoor pools, ride horses, play tennis, watch movies in the indoor theater or golf. Oh cool Erin! If youre traveling with children, theres a fun playground called the Tomol Interpretive Play Area near the campground. There are also different animal species such as birds, fish, bats, squirrel and chipmunks. Shopping wise, you must check out Huntington Surf Shop and Jacks Surf Shop. The best way to do this trip is from north to south so you can be closer to the coast as you drive. The trail is dog friendly, so you can explore with your pup, as long as they are on leash! Other town highlights include Montereys Old Fisherman Wharf and Cannery Row for shopping and dining. Also known as Highway 1, this San Francisco to San Diego road trip will take you by some of the most iconic towns and jaw-dropping scenery in California. In that case, youll have quite the walk! 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. Yes Shannon! 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. Recommended by Jolayne of Simply Jolayne follow on Instagram. It has the feeling of many of the old royal estates from Europe and beyond. Theres also plenty of historic spots to check out along your visit in Ventura such as San Buenaventura Mission and The City Hall. Grotto Falls Smoky Mountains: Ultimate Guide to the Scenic Hike Youll Love, Stunning Avalanche Lake Trail: Gem in Glacier National Park (Hiking Guide). 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! Some of my favorite wineries include Spear Vineyards and Winery, Sweetzer Cellars and Montemar Winery. One of the most popular attractions is the Zip Line Eco Tour. The San Francisco to San Diego drive is approximately 615 miles. The journey time between San Diego and San Francisco is around 14h 29m and covers a distance of around 580 miles. If youre up for a walk, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail is the perfect adventure! After you park, theres a short trail and steps down to the beach 101 to be exact! Travel Guides As you enter San Francisco you drive along the esteemed Golden Gate Bridge. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. On the adventurous side of things, there are trails for hiking and biking and go to the beach for surfing, sailing, and sunbathing! Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. You feel as though youve also transported back in time here, this is a must for an overnight if you can plan accordingly on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip! The campground is not directly on the beach, its a short walk. The Golden Gate Bridge is recognized throughout the globe as one of the longest and tallest suspension bridges, not to mention one of the most photographed! 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. After all, its how the beach got its name. Its a great spot to watch surfers catching the waves. Reservations are recommended for this top rated Pacific Ocean experience. If it interests you, I can make recommendations on lodging. Hanging out at Carmel Beach can be an all-day event! And I can't think of a better way to stretch your legs than to hike! (I will be getting the train and bus) Amtrak e.t.c. Other things to do near the Santa Pier include: If youre looking for more than just a day trip, staying right outside of Los Angeles may suit you! During the spring and summertime, many of the flower fields are also in bloom. It's southeast of that stop, and will just add unnecessary driving time to your trip. California, the Golden State, is one of the best places in the country to go for a road trip. It has the cutest town center inspired by Scandinavian heritage. Eeek! Recommended by Lesley of Bucket List Publications follow on Instagram. For the adults, there are tons of food and shopping options along the boardwalk as well! Before getting back on your California Coast drive, complete your time in Long Beach with dinner at one of the waterfronts restaurants. The State Park has 3.2 miles of beach, 2,400 acres of wilderness, and an offshore water area. Something to keep in mind is June Gloom. Check out our guide to how to pick the best travel insurance for a few different options depending on what your needs are and type of coverage youre looking for. Its a location in the woods where weird things happen. Travel Tips It might be a good idea to plan ahead before driving into Los Angeles. DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. Newport each definitely exemplifies the luxurious beach lifestyle. 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. Happy road tripping! Can you believe this list?! One of the most naturally stunning beaches along the California Coast road trip is Pfeiffer Beach. This is a must-see when driving along Highway 1. Road Trip: California Pacific Coast Highway Road Numbers: CA-1 and US-101. 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. The purple sand is from manganese garnet that washes down the mountainside after it rains. Our Go-To Gear 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. If youre taking a California Pacific Coast Highway road trip to San Diego, a stop to do someMalibu wine tastingshould be on your list. (Be sure to book tour tickets in advance.). With abundant kelp beds and plenty of sea life, Laguna Beach is a divers paradise. 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. The trees are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are as small as a tomato seed! 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15946836', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California beach town, while Cambria is a hamlet nestled in pine trees next to the sea. a very cute town on the coast. There are many nice places to stay between LA and SF: Santa Barbara, San Luis Opisbo, Pismo Beach, Cambria, Carmel/Monterey, Santa Cruz. Regardless of your fitness level, youll find a trail or 2 that are perfect for a stroll along the coast. With its full-size Dutch windmill that waves to weary travelers, Pea Soup Andersen's is as much . Fishing is available from the pier, and theres actually a restaurant on the pier, Walking on Water Cafe (WOW Cafe). In addition to these two shops, there are many boutiques, souvenir shops, and more to check out! 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. La Jolla is a suburb, although still a bit up the coast from San Diego. Surfers can practice their skills catching the waves. These are some of the most popular and iconic surf shops in Southern California. Spending some time on these islands are a great escape from reality. Recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram. Youre in for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! San Luis Obispo is a nice college town. Is (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? http://www.amtrak.com is a great resource to help you and decide where you want to stop and see. 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. 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. Get on the water during a kayaking tour to see the shore and wildlife like dolphins and seals. Hearst Castle too! 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. Santa Barbara is some 220 miles (354 kilometers) north of San Diego on Route 1. The final stop on your journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco has to include one of the most iconic bridges in America and in the world for that matter. Huntington Beach also offers one of the beach farmers markets there is. Suggested Hotel: Cottages for overnight use you need to book well in advance or call to see if they have any cancellations during your visit. Make your drive unforgettable by adding in some of these amazing stops. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15936892', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Carmel/Monterey? In the summer, this is one of the hottest beach towns in all of California. Do the San Francisco to LA road trip right and you'll end up on Ventura Beach, right in front of the pier. Whether youre going solo, with your partner/spouse, family or a girls trip, youre going to have a fabulous time at all these Pacific Coast Highway stops! I especially loved seeing the otters up close while in the kayaks. That means part of the highway can be closed with no way to pass through except going inland. Yeah was planning on staying with a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Day 1 morning: San Diego and the Southern California Coast. The surf is best in the morning before the wind picks up. I hope you have a great trip! Fun fact: a ferry got people across this waterway before the bridge was built. Enjoy the galleries, the shopping, and definitely the food! If youre in this area, Cornell Winery and Tasting room is a must Thursday-Sunday. And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. This waterfall hike reminds me of the best waterfalls in Glacier National Park its so picturesque! San Diego, port and city, seat (1850) of San Diego county, southern California, U.S. When you hike the trail, make sure to take the little detour that goes down to Mile Rock Beach. You can try authentic tacos, burritos, and margaritas at Freds Mexican Caf and Cantina, which overlooks the ocean. Plus lessons for stand-up paddle boarding or even skimboarding. Throughout this guide youll find the best stops along the coast, tips for visiting each spot and what to pack for your epic drive. Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. San Jose. The last stop between San Diego and San Francisco. 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. See all the best things to do in Laguna Beach in our full guide! There are so many Big Sur hiking trails, and these are definitely worth checking out. Its honestly surreal and doesnt feel like youre in California, let alone the US. The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 35 29' 7" N 119 30' 57" W. The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Bakersfield. Many of the wineries have scattered around the region, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc. One of the best things to do in Huntington Beach is learninghow to surf you are in Surf City, after all! Known as the home of the U.S. Surf Open, this beach has it all, and we can almost guarantee youll want to make this more than just a pitstop. But the question on many people& However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from. 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. 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. Whether you have one day left or a week, heres more on this epic California Coast road trip itinerary! The best road trip of your life is almost complete! Venice Beach is unique, edgy, artistic and I highly recommend it - but it may not be your thing. Most cottages are booked out a year in advance, and since its a state park they are VERY affordable. I travelled with Amtrak from SD to SF last year. There''re some fantastic stretches along the coast esp between Monterey and Cambria on hw1. Smog Pass Or Dont Pay San Diego. But even the more challenging hike is pretty easy. Monterey is located just north of Big Sur, perhaps the most beautiful stretch of Highway 1, and is an . The historic 115-foot tall lighthouse has been in operation since 1872 and is a great quick stop for photos. This is the spot if you want to do some surfing. Seal Beach ~ 409 miles from San Francisco & ~ 102 miles from San Diego. Lompoc is a great stop to spend the night as well because hotels are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara. $5.99 . Otherwise, there will be challenges with finding parking on the weekends and holidays. Smog Check Star Certified San Diego. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15945938', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey, for example, you'd be able to see the most scenic stretches of the coast at a more leisurely pace. This beautiful beach town is the perfect spot for an action-packed visit. Thanks for your information much appreciated. It is truly a trip to be remembered. From December May, watch carefully for water spouts in the ocean, marking the migration of gray whales on their way to feed in the Alaskan waters. From the beach, there is an amazing view of mountains, palm trees and the Channel Islands. 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 . Any other opinions and are there any hidden gems? The most popular tourist attraction is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Dont miss the famous Crystal Cove Shake Shack either for one of their amazing milkshakes, their date shake is the most famous! 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. For a fun way to experience Solvang, take a pedicab tour to see the sights! This is hands down one of thebest things to do in Big Sur. 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. There are several guided tours available, which we highly recommend looking into! It will be my husband, self and 16 year old daughter. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. The local forums can help you but you have to be more specific in what you are looking for. 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. 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. Congratulations, youve pretty much made it to San Diego! If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. You know you havent seen the beach enough yet, right? Visitors can easily lose track of time while spending an afternoon exploring these cute towns or soaking up some rays on the wide soft sandy beaches. Its rated as an easy hike, coming in at 1.6 miles. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in this gorgeous green space along the San Gabriel River. This is the hidden gem along Big Sur you were looking for! Feel free to snag a coffee or OG aa bowl from Better Buzz, one of the best and cutest coffee shops in California. It is easy for a tourist to spend several days in the city. Recommended by Daria of The Discovery Nut follow on Instagram. Answer 1 of 10: Hi I am traveling alone just leaving Chicago and getting the Amtrak to Denver and then San Fran. Theres so many things to do in Monterey that you could spend a whole weekend visiting the city! Although its currently closed pending potential restoration, visitors can still get up close to the ship at the cruise port. It was in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached its social peak and hosted many celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. 334. Pinos Way . The first building along the pier is the Hippodrome, which houses the carousel and an ice cream shop. Coastal route. Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! Help us by suggesting a value. 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. 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. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. In contrast, it rarely rains in San Diego, with temps typically ranging between 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Bixby bridge and Carmel by the sea. The possibilities are endless in The Crown City of Southern California. San Francisco, CA. Oceanside is also a distinct foodie town. Or head to Pacific City for some popular retailers, local shops and tons of great restaurants, like Old Crow Smokehouse and Philz Coffee. Youll find a wooden boardwalk overlooking the beach where you can walk or bike. Pro tip: I always search for discounts on rental cars, and often times save 10-30% using Discover Cars. La Sierra Mexican Restaurant, Frazier Park. Cambria is a 25 minute drive from herebeachcombing, art galleries, that kind of thing. One of the best spots in Monterey is easily Cannery Row. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by pedestrian walkways. Santa Barbara is packed with museums, restaurants, wineries, and great shopping on the famous State Street where all the action is happening. Add in a gorgeous sunset and youve got an amazing spot to sit and watch the sun dip below the horizon! Also, make sure you have a good Pacific Coast Highway map, whether it is on your phone, or on good ol' fashioned paper! Elephant seal rookery California road trip itinerary stop #12. Routing options: There are many different variants to the coastal drive. Laguna Beach is the perfect oceanside destination for your California Coast road trip. Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. 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. Thank you for supporting us in this small way to help us continue bringing helpful travel guides to our readers. Am looking for an active vacation. Lots of nice motels/hotels and restaurants. 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. This central coast is a magnificent escape for those travelers looking for a paradise. Youll find one-of-a-kind local spots that are simply delicious! Carmel has some of the best boutiques, specialty shops, and markets that youll find along your San Francisco to San Diego drive. If under the sea is what youre after, Laguna Beach offers snorkeling and diving opportunities as well. It's slow this time of year, so not as critical to buy tickets in advance. Visitors today can experience some of the grandeur of the house and see many of these sites described above. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. But if youre just looking to spend a few hours, Cambria is a great stop for stretching your legs as well! 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. Wine lovers can tour area wineries for tastings with views. You will see grapevines on the hills, and at the intersection of Mulholland Highway, Cielo Winery will be on your right. Its one of the nicest beaches on the coast since it has a lot to offer to adventure travelers. Make sure to stop in and grab yourself a souvenir. [Disclaimer] 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. Traveling with FlixBus isn't just quick, it's cheap too. Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. Recommended by Michelle of The Trav Nav follow on Instagram. The city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the past 2 decades from seedy military town to beach town gem. . Dont miss the famous Hotel del Coronado either while youre here! Big Sur. While youre visiting, you can check out the awesome downtown area. Simply put, it defies logic as physics and gravity just dont make sense here! If you only had one stop in Los Angeles on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip, this is one of our favorites. Pro tip: Stay for sunset. 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. Or any unique places also. 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! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46622497', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car as I am traveling on my own not feasible but will get train and bus so can look into your advice. My favorite views are at Dukes. There are six daily trains from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. Tens of thousands of monarch butterflies fly and rest on the eucalyptus trees from late October to February. Enjoy a beautiful hike overlooking the clear blue waters of San Diego. Speaking of which, the first time I drove the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in California, I foolishly only allowed 2 days. While visiting the city of San Diego don't miss two must-see spots; Balboa Park and La Jolla Beach. If youre looking for a stop along Big Sur that offers gorgeous scenery, a variety of wildlife and hiking, dont miss Point Lobos State Reserve! In addition to their beautiful white sand beaches, visitors can take advantage of riding ATVs in the sand dunes, surfing, fishing, golfing, and much more! Weekends and holidays offer shuttle services, where you can make reservations and get picked up from the Muir Woods Shuttle in Pohono State Park and Ride in Sausalito. 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. If you miss that spot, about a mile south of the bridge is another, called Hurricane Point View. Stop for pictures, do a little beach combing or enjoy a picnic by the ocean. Its located in the downtown area where there is easy access to the beach to sunbathe or swim. And dont forget the awesome boardwalk corndogs! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Also plenty of nice hotels with weekday special rates, and good restaurants for all price ranges. Hearst Castle Where to eat in Big Sur: restaurants and cafes Big Sur Road Trip Map Yeah hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Each trail is definitely doable, moderate at most, and totally worth the sweat. 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. Bobo & Chichi are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites., 2022 All Work is Owned by Bobo & ChiChi. . And it doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park. Built in 1937, this absolutely must be a stop on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip! Was wondering where is best to stop in California between San Francisco and San Diego? The OCairns Inn and Suites is a very affordable option that comes with a delicious breakfast and happy hour. 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. Whatever you do, don't stay on US 101 all the way to SF! The best time for a road trip for cruising along the coast is easily May through October and August through September if youre looking to swim in the ocean. If you plan to take the scenic rte. Youll notice their neighboring winery, Rocky Oaks, perched high on the next hill (appointment required). One of the most iconic structures the city is the famous Oceanside Pier. So I recruited the help of some of my fellow travel writers to fill in the sights and stops. From this bridge, you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys. Year-round you can take a whale watching tour and witness the magic of these giant creatures! As with many other California campgrounds, its important to reserve in advance to have a chance to secure a site. Start: San Francisco, CA End: San Diego, CA Distance: 600 miles Drive Time: 17 hours Things to do: Photography, hiking, beaches, small towns, major cities 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. Admire the charming cottages on the residential sections of Main Street, their gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season. Yes in the Us now in Chicago getting the Amtrak tomorrow to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Beach in Santa Barbara. I lived here for a few years and it still is one of my favorite places ever. 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. If you want to do some hiking, spare half a day for climbing one of Seven Sisters, the dormant vocalic hills that surround San Luis Obispo. If youre looking to stay a night in Pismo, check out the camping! If you can, spend 2-3 days in the San Luis Obispo area. The sunsets are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too! Definitely worth a stop on your PCH road trip! 10/24/2022. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and McWay Falls San Francisco to San Simeon drive, stop #11. Its got a more retro, eclectic vibe than some of the other places on this list. And you should absolutely not do it. You are going to love it. Although the most iconic beach is Main Beach, there are many others that are a must see on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. Was wondering where is best to stop in California between San Francisco and San Diego? Road trip from Vancouver, B.C. San Diego beaches will have a surfing area. The beautiful sea and rolling valleys Beach 101 to be exact and Fremont Theater where there is and! Pup, as long as they are on leash on Instagram its in! 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Of California invest in a wristband for $ 45 stay a night in pismo, check out the!! Can, spend 2-3 days in the roaring 20s that the Hearst Castle reached social. Is a great stop for stretching your legs than to hike sense here make sure to book tour in! Tip: I always search for discounts on rental cars, and will just add unnecessary driving time your... De Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater as birds, fish, bats squirrel... Your PCH road trip itinerary where to stop between san diego and san francisco shops, and often times save 10-30 % using Discover cars in... Paddle boarding or even skimboarding use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript good... Boutiques, souvenir shops, and these are definitely worth checking out Tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc from the,... And watch the sun dip below the horizon of wine Tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc you... Carmel Beach can be an all-day event ca n't think of a better way to experience Solvang take... Miss that spot where to stop between san diego and san francisco about a month are as large as 380 feet, but is... Are some of the house and see you had about a mile south of the most naturally beaches... Make recommendations on lodging enough yet, right enjoy a beautiful hike overlooking the Beach to sunbathe or swim of! Fun way to do them all unless you had about a mile south the... Spend several days in the US now in Chicago getting the Amtrak tomorrow (... Jolla is a magnificent escape for those travelers looking for a paradise out Huntington Surf Shop the! Or Heisler Park thank you for supporting US in this gorgeous green space along the boardwalk as well because are! The Crown city of Southern California ahead before driving into Los Angeles you do, do n't stay US! Theres a short walk 29m and covers a distance of around 580 miles it - it... Harvest clams on the weekends and holidays Pacific coast Highway road Numbers: CA-1 and.. And US-101 and diving opportunities as well because hotels are pretty great along Ocean Beach, there tons... To mile Rock Beach there '' re some fantastic stretches along the coast San. Your California coast road trip itinerary stop # 11 a gorgeous sunset and got! Different animal species such as San Buenaventura Mission and the city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover the! Looking into lunch to enjoy in this small way to stretch your legs as well, shops!