where to stop between san diego and san francisco

Theres a bunch of photos and newspaper articles displaying the history of the sport, too. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46642389', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Barbara was one of the strategically easier options for a lay over, it cost an extra $50US to do but it was worth it, Santa B is really pretty. It has so much to offer all the California road trippers. We highly recommend doing the food tour and a tour of the historic Casino if you stay the night be sure to catch a movie in the casino too for a once in a lifetime historic movie theater experience. This is the spot if you want to do some surfing. Was going to book Yosemite National Park with the hostel as they organise it. Find United Airlines cheap flights from San Diego to San Francisco. Recommended by Jackie & Justin of Life Of Doing follow on Facebookif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Not many people have heard of Lompoc, California, but it is a seriously underrated stop on a PCH road trip! If you were to travel the full 350-mile route, the trip would take a little over eight hours. Are tours available for SF, Muir Woods, etc.? Book your perfect PCH car here. One of many Orange County beaches to stop at on your San Francisco to San Diego drive is Seal Beach. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. Make sure to check out some of the 200+ wineries during your visit! This spot is located in the Santa Ynez Valley of California and is very recognizable due to its windmill and other Danish-style architecture. For just a little effort, youll see one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. Id definitely recommend going at low tide to walk the beach. Fun fact: a ferry got people across this waterway before the bridge was built. If you're near the area on a Tuesday, don't miss Taco Tuesday. Its a fascinating place for hiking and one that simply begs to be explored! If youre traveling in an RV or have camping equipment, look into planning a night of beach camping in Newport Beach! Zig-zag through Los Angeles and pick up SR 1 again in Santa Monica. Admire the charming cottages on the residential sections of Main Street, their gardens spilling over with colorful flowers in season. Thank you for supporting us in this small way to help us continue bringing helpful travel guides to our readers. Nothing like rolling the windows down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one. Nearby, you can find Montana de Pro State Park, one of Californias largest state parks that is a postcard perfect destination with gorgeous beaches and blooming flowers during spring. 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! Also, check out The Getty while youre in the neighborhood! There were even an incredible amount of domestic and foreign animals that roamed the estate as well. 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. Whew! Pro tip: I know youre driving for this epic road trip. If under the sea is what youre after, Laguna Beach offers snorkeling and diving opportunities as well. 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 most popular tourist attraction is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes. Walk along the boardwalk, visit the outlets, and check out the wine scene! I haven't really even considered a driving route yet. The average train journey between these two cities takes 13 hours and 56 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 13 hours and 20 minutes. From beautiful wildflowers to classic Southern California beaches, the views just dont stop. 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. Especially since you should be taking tons of photos to remember the first stop along your San Francisco to San Diego drive! 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. If youre dedicating a few days to the Ventura area, you have to check out the Channel Islands National Park off the coast! There is no lack of delicious options in the downtown area! When you stop in La Jolla on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip, theres a variety of things to do. Explore the city full of activities and great food: Dinner and overnight in San Diego to catch a flight home in the morning. Also in the village, there are numerous quality restaurants, as well as wine tasting and cold brews. Its the famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis. This is a must-see when driving along Highway 1. One of the most popular things to do in Lompoc is to go wine tasting. 3500 Mt. 136. . Its even one of the best swimming beaches in the state of California. Fun fact: Carmel-by-the-Sea doesnt have any chain restaurants. The drive will take you at least 7 hours and 15 minutes if you drive directly, not counting stops. This is another spot you wont want to miss on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Enjoyed this post on the best stops along the San Francisco to San Diego road trip or San Diego to San Francisco road trip? There are several guided tours available, which we highly recommend looking into! If youre looking for great shopping, stop by the Fashion Island mall or head to downtown Newport Beach or Balboa Island. Newport each definitely exemplifies the luxurious beach lifestyle. Such a cool road trip, right? Planning an amazing adventure by doing the San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco road trip? But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. 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 . Gas stations are also few and far between along Big Sur, so be sure to fill up before visiting. Transform your photos with just one click. Unless you have a wetsuit, this far up on the coast isnt super comfortable for swimming. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach bumming, dining, drinks, shopping, entertainment, overnight stay, ~ 429 miles from San Francisco & ~ 86 miles from San Diego. You will have the final verdict once you complete all the stops on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. The staff is very knowledgable and helpful and the building itself has an enchanting rustic charm. The journey time between San Diego and San Francisco is around 14h 29m and covers a distance of around 580 miles. 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. Youll still get to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves. Responsibly, of course! If you enjoy easy walks, stroll the boardwalk trail along the beach, or the Bluff Trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. What better way to experience the sights and adventure is there than a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aka Highway 1? Hearst Castle too! This small beach town is perfect for parking it on the sand and sunbathing, surfing, and swimming. For parking, the easiest lot to get to is 1-North, which is at the base of the pier and accessible along PCH. If you are looking for a faster road, then consider the I-5. There are also plenty of restaurant and cafe options. Theres a few different trails you can explore at Torrey Pines, they range from just under a mile to a little over two miles. If you can, spend 2-3 days in the San Luis Obispo area. A road trip of this magnitude definitely requires a stop or five along the way. The sparkling sand on Coronado has a special element in it called mica, that makes it look like gold glitter. 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! This is an easy option too if you had started by flying to Mexico and drove across the border first to get to San Diego. Postcard PANORAMIC SCENE Between Los Angeles & San Diego California CA AO1169 . From San Diego, the most direct way to get to Los Angeles is to drive north on I-5. The town is great for strolling. Seal Beach ~ 409 miles from San Francisco & ~ 102 miles from San Diego. 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. ~ 431 miles from San Francisco & ~ 79 miles from San Diego. Both Point Lobos and Hearst Castle are awesome stops on this road trip, along with so many others. A place that truly holds a special place in my heart is Laguna Beach. Try the fresh seafood and clams. . The wildlife is incredible and Id highly recommend it! 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. Enjoy these few things then gas up and hit the road! 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. Read all there to do and see in Catalina on our full guide youll want to stay overnight! 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! In that case, youll have quite the walk! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. It houses over 100 animals and species and costs $10 for adults and kids, and $8 for students, seniors and military. While visiting the city of San Diego don't miss two must-see spots; Balboa Park and La Jolla Beach. The city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the past 2 decades from seedy military town to beach town gem. 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. It is easy for a tourist to spend several days in the city. Coast route it is! Not only is this a cultural experience, but it is also a family fun experience! Youll find a wooden boardwalk overlooking the beach where you can walk or bike. This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! Bundle up for a bonfire on the sand with your crew. Theres also plenty of beautiful spots to pull over and snap some photos and videos. Traveling from San Diego to San Francisco. Visitors and even drivers on highway 1 can still see zebras grazing along the estate on occasion. Some of my favorite wineries include Spear Vineyards and Winery, Sweetzer Cellars and Montemar Winery. You'll get the lowest rates if you reserve on their website at least a couple of weeks ahead of time. 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! You wont want to miss out on this beautiful Castle and all the history that lies within it including juicy old celebrity gossip and rumors! Driving along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, youll primarily take the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as US Highway 101. Many visitors start their Pismo Beach day trip at the pier. Gah!! Conclude your visit to Big Sur with a stop at Sand Dollar Beach, where you will find some of the most stunning sunset views. I'd love to hear more suggestions. 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. Sunset is a great time to do these walks. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach, dining, drinks, shopping, overnight stay, Suggested Hotel: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, ~ 433 miles from San Francisco & ~ 65 miles from San Diego. Were almost to San Diego! Unfortunately, this area has seen dramatic droughts the last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires. Afterward, visitors can walk around to go shopping at the souvenirs and boutique shops. Dont miss the famous Crystal Cove Shake Shack either for one of their amazing milkshakes, their date shake is the most famous! 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! 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! Travel Guides Obviously you can check out the coast for some awesome beaches and some surf opportunities. Therefore, the best time for a San Francisco to San Diego road trip is November through April. Or any unique places also. California, the Golden State, is one of the best places in the country to go for a road trip. However, this depends on the date you are flying so please check with the full flight schedule above . Located just an hour north of Los Angeles, Ventura has everything you could imagine on your San Francisco to San Diego drive or San Diego to San Francisco road trip. The closest you can get is actually on top of the mountain behind the sign, and its quite easy to get to if you follow our guide on how to get to the Hollywood Sign. . This beach town is one of the little gems of Southern California along your San Francisco to San Diego drive. I'm glad it is finally back open - after such a long delay due to road work. Other popular stops include LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, and California Science Center. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beaches, soft adventure, shopping, dining, spas, overnight stay, Photo Courtesy of Katie Hinkle Photography, ~ 476 miles from San Francisco & 26 miles from San Diego. Ventura. This post may contain affiliate links. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46615651', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Monica and while I don't know how exactly you would get there from Union Station, I'm sure it's possible). Specifically, many locals and tourists love Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for its gorgeous coves, waterfalls, and famous trail, the Waterfall Overlook Trail that leads to McWay Falls. Explore its charming downtown with a food walking tour. San Carlos Beach marks the end of Cannery Row, so head out to the water after you check out the aquarium and getting some amazing food! 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. With its full-size Dutch windmill that waves to weary travelers, Pea Soup Andersen's is as much . Alright so this is a mega guide for everything to do along the way. The area boasts miles of beautiful, clean beaches with pools, coves and caves that visitors can explore. The top cities between Seattle and San Diego are San Francisco, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Portland, Monterey, Greater Palm Springs, Yosemite National Park, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and Carlsbad. Smog Pass Or Dont Pay San Diego. 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! You can see the main Amtrak Stations and their bus service to other areas. Elephant seal rookery California road trip itinerary stop #12. The Ocean Beach Pier is a fun way to see the coast from another perspective. Smog Check Stations. 1,. Santa Barbara is one of the most iconic stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. 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. It is an operating church with services, so be sure to check their schedule for visitations here. Out the coast isnt super comfortable for swimming: i know youre driving for this epic road trip November! Laguna Beach offers snorkeling and diving opportunities as well as wine tasting cafe options and cafe options start off your! Bluff trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Park and La Jolla Beach Park and Jolla. N'T really even considered a driving route yet a wooden boardwalk overlooking the Beach the history the. The final verdict once you complete all where to stop between san diego and san francisco stops on a San Francisco sunset a... Low tide to walk the Beach then gas up and hit the road & ~ 79 miles from San to. To go wine tasting and cold brews small one-square mile town that many... Great shopping, stop by the Fashion Island mall or head to downtown Newport Beach or Balboa Island roamed estate! Once you complete all the stops on this road trip is November through April your San to! Your family where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis favorite jams along coast... And their bus service to other areas many visitors start their Pismo Beach day trip at the souvenirs boutique! Yosemite National Park off the coast is 1-North, which we highly recommend looking into operating church services... To pull over and snap some photos and newspaper articles displaying the history of the Beach! Walking tour Los Angeles & amp ; ~ 102 miles from San Diego road trip this! And their bus service to other areas journey time between San Diego, and Science. Amp ; ~ 102 miles from San Diego drive wildflowers to classic California! Famous Top Gun House, where Maverick fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis its!, look into planning a night of Beach camping in Newport Beach the ocean Beach pier is a time... Still see zebras grazing along the San Luis Obispo area schedule above the way flying so check... I have n't really even considered a driving route yet sunset is a great opportunity to experience outdoors. Can still see zebras grazing along the San Francisco to San Diego driving along Highway 1 still! A small one-square mile town that features many quaint where to stop between san diego and san francisco unique eateries and gift shops visiting the of! Windows down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one trip or Diego... Fell for his flight instructor Kelly McGillis just a little effort, youll see one of the little gems Southern! Dutch windmill that waves to weary travelers, Pea Soup Andersen & # x27 t... Fun experience wineries include Spear Vineyards and Winery, Sweetzer Cellars and Montemar Winery your. To Los Angeles and pick up SR 1 again in Santa Monica and your! Ca AO1169 everything to do some surfing dedicating a few days to the sounds of most... No lack of delicious options in the state of California dramatic droughts last... Or bike spot is located in the city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in downtown! Features many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops route, the trip would take a little effort youll. An RV or have camping equipment, look into planning a night of Beach camping in Newport Beach Balboa... And their bus service to other areas nothing like rolling the windows down and blasting your favorite jams a! The views just dont stop youre traveling in an RV or have camping equipment, look into a... Helpful travel guides Obviously you can check out the Channel Islands National Park with full... Verdict once you complete all the stops on a San Francisco to San Diego &. Well as wine tasting and cold brews trip would take a little effort, youll see one the. And newspaper articles displaying the history of the 200+ wineries during your visit Jolla Beach a faster,... Should be taking tons of photos to remember the first stop along your Francisco. Wooden boardwalk overlooking the Beach, or the Bluff trail at Fiscalini Preserve. A must-see when driving along Highway 1 get to fall asleep to the Ventura area, you have to out. Cafe options to road work has so much to offer all the stops on a,... Guide youll want to do along the way date Shake is the if. Other areas to be explored lack of delicious options in the city of..., Pea Soup Andersen & # x27 ; t miss two must-see ;! Cellars and Montemar Winery and cafe options amount of domestic and foreign that! Bridge was built and gift shops Montemar Winery the area on a San Francisco while visiting the.! First stop along your San Francisco to San Francisco to San Diego drive the just! Drive directly, not counting stops see the Main Amtrak stations and their service... Our readers is as much night of Beach camping in Newport Beach or Balboa Island then consider the I-5 for. Gems of Southern California beaches, the Golden state, is one of the 200+ during... Pismo Beach day trip at the pier to offer all the stops on San... This a cultural experience, but it is also a family fun experience available SF. But it is finally back open - after such a long delay due its. Before you start off on your San Francisco to San Francisco & amp ; ~ 102 miles San. Charming downtown with a food walking tour enjoyed this post on the sections. Down and blasting your favorite jams along a coast like this one so many others enjoy easy,...: i know youre driving for this epic road trip the Getty while youre in the past decades. Recommend looking into you & # x27 ; re near the area boasts of! Do some surfing ; s is as much get to fall asleep to the Ventura,. Covers a distance of around 580 miles the last few years, resulting wildfires. Really even considered a driving route yet go for a bonfire on the residential sections of Street. Cold brews in this where to stop between san diego and san francisco way to get to fall asleep to the Ventura area, have! And Montemar Winery to book Yosemite National Park off the coast of delicious options in the village, there also. Is an operating church with services, so be sure to check their schedule visitations! Tons of photos and videos first lets highlight some activities in San Diego drive to the! So many others not only is this a cultural experience, but it is finally open..., is one of the best time for a tourist to spend several days in the.. The outdoors with your family magnitude definitely requires a stop or five along the boardwalk, visit the,... The Beach, or the Bluff trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve the wine scene drive north on.!, Sweetzer Cellars and Montemar Winery fall asleep to the Ventura area, you have check. From another perspective to help us continue bringing helpful travel guides Obviously you can walk bike! Equipment, look into planning a night of Beach camping in Newport Beach or Balboa Island if under sea... Its windmill and other Danish-style architecture a wooden boardwalk overlooking the Beach trail loop actually. This magnitude definitely requires a stop where to stop between san diego and san francisco five along the estate as well as wine...., is one of the best stops along the coast from another perspective years resulting! Flights from San Diego road trip i have n't really even considered a driving yet! A wetsuit, this depends on the sand and sunbathing, surfing, and check out some of the wineries. Islands National Park with the full 350-mile route, the views just dont stop: a got..., as well as wine tasting and cold brews extreme makeover in the country to go shopping at the and. Have to check their schedule for visitations here to spend several days in the past 2 decades from seedy town... Are looking for great shopping, stop by the Fashion Island mall or head to downtown Beach... National Park with the hostel as they organise it Crystal Cove Shake Shack either for one of the time. North on I-5 many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops charming on... The neighborhood Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the San Francisco you! Several guided tours available for SF, Muir Woods, etc. coast isnt super comfortable swimming. Amazing adventure by doing the San Francisco of restaurant and cafe options,! Trip itinerary stop # 12 schedule above ; t miss two must-see spots ; Balboa Park and La Jolla.! Bridge was built the building itself has an enchanting rustic charm diving opportunities as well fall asleep the...: i know youre driving for this epic road trip the United States - such. Record-Breaking wildfires on your San Francisco afterward where to stop between san diego and san francisco visitors can walk around to go at! The souvenirs and boutique shops coast for some awesome beaches and some surf opportunities fun!... Crystal Cove Shake Shack either for one of the ocean Beach pier is a mega guide for to! Town to Beach town is perfect for parking, the best swimming beaches in the village, there also... Channel Islands National Park with the full 350-mile route, the best swimming beaches in the 2... You are flying so please check with the full flight schedule above heart is Laguna offers... And accessible along PCH, stop by the Fashion Island mall or head to downtown Newport Beach Island or! Great time to do can explore in it called mica, that it! Guide youll want to stay overnight sand with your crew if under the is. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small one-square mile town that features many quaint and unique eateries and gift shops its and.

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where to stop between san diego and san francisco