where to stop between san diego and san francisco

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. Looking for ways to pass the time? My first visit to La Jolla, I did this amazing kayaking tour of the cove. Take a tour that specializes in sea life because theres so much marine life nearby. Yay! 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. $5.99 . Find this post helpful? A couple of things to add to your Seal Beach checklist are the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and Seal Beach food tours! 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. Sometimes there are even dolphins splashing in the distance. One of many Orange County beaches to stop at on your San Francisco to San Diego drive is Seal Beach. From beaches to tacos, iconic Spanish-style architecture and water activities, Santa Barbara is a must-see. Make sure to stop in and grab yourself a souvenir. Visit this historic California State Park and museum to the art displayed from all over the world. California has some of the best weather in North America, with Southern California having some of the most ideal and temperate temperatures year-round averaging 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 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! 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. 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. Whether you have 2 days or 2 weeks to make the trip, youll love this California Coast road trip! Big Sur. Had no idea this coastal route could be this mesmerising! Outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat on a visit to Long Beach! It's southeast of that stop, and will just add unnecessary driving time to your trip. Continue to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a short half mile hike will take you to the unique McWay Falls flowing onto the beach. 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! There are also alternate routes you could take for this trip, but we recommend the beautiful and scenic Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 1 for this road trip of a lifetime! See the historic surfboards and imagine yourself up on this much heavier version of todays surfboard! Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. Before venturing out for a visit to Californias Big Sur, be prepared. They are protected against fishing, touching or harvesting but interesting to look at and admire. One thing we love besides the beaches is that Laguna has always been an artsy town. Theres also a world-famous golf course here if youre into golfing! Its one of the nicest beaches on the coast since it has a lot to offer to adventure travelers. So if youd like to visit it by getting out of your car, park elsewhere and take public transportation or a ride share to the bridge. In downtown Lompoc, you can go on a mural walk as the area has over 40 murals. You say you have been to CA or CALIFORNIA and then have a few places you want to see. Theres also plenty of beautiful spots to pull over and snap some photos and videos. Its amusement park right along the beach is perfect for classic rides and fair food. We love hiking, biking, sightseeing, etc. 13. Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. 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. Recommended by Brittany of Travel by Brit follow on Pinterest. However, this depends on the date you are flying so please check with the full flight schedule above . Since San Francisco is not too far now, you can squeeze in another beach hang at any one of the lovely little coves that line Highway 1. In contrast, it rarely rains in San Diego, with temps typically ranging between 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Its rated as an easy hike, coming in at 1.6 miles. But be sure to check out the Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary at the end of this post for a suggested timeline! If you do this, youll want to spend a bit more than an afternoon in Santa Barbara. If youre planning a road trip along the gorgeous California Pacific Coast Highway you really need to plan to make Pebble Beach one of your road trips stops. The 49ers are a 4-point favorite, according to Tipico Sportsbook . Its got a more retro, eclectic vibe than some of the other places on this list. Transform your photos with just one click. This coastal town is great because of the incredible views, the local food, and the unique things you can do here. Avila Beach offers everything from shopping, golfing with an oceanfront view, farmers markets, spas, and so much more. Both Point Lobos and Hearst Castle are awesome stops on this road trip, along with so many others. And there's so many stops, it would be hard to do them all unless you had about a month.. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-15936892', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Carmel/Monterey? Ticket prices start at $30 for adults and $15 for children. Travel Tips Transportation, dining, activities, and accommodations in San Francisco can be pricier than in San Diego, according to travel guide and news site Champion Traveler with the average cost of a week-long trip to the former around $2,200 . Any other opinions and are there any hidden gems? Recommended by Michelle of The Trav Nav follow on Instagram. Cambria is a 25 minute drive from herebeachcombing, art galleries, that kind of thing. Smog Check Star Certified San Diego. Venice Beach is unique, edgy, artistic and I highly recommend it - but it may not be your thing. You can walk around and look for sand dollars. Afterward, visitors can walk around to go shopping at the souvenirs and boutique shops. 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. This is also a great beach town for surfing. If you are looking for a faster road, then consider the I-5. SF to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Since Pismo Beach is a small city, its best to visit on a weekday to have fewer crowds. Unless you have a wetsuit, this far up on the coast isnt super comfortable for swimming. Many of the wineries have scattered around the region, but there is also a block of wine tasting rooms in downtown Lompoc. During your visit make sure to check out the Point San Luis Lighthouse, which was established in 1890 and operated for nearly a century. This trail is a must-see, because all the views are absolutely epic! It has the feeling of many of the old royal estates from Europe and beyond. Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes follow on Pinterest. This beautiful beach town is the perfect spot for an action-packed visit. The beach is located 57 miles north of Malibu and only 12 miles south of Santa Barbara. 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. Thanks for hanging out on the blog today! Stopping at Half Moon Bay will be a highlight of the drive! This area is loved by hikers, swimmers, surfers, scuba divers, mountain bikers, and lovers of nature! The Big Basin Redwoods is Californias oldest state park, which was established in 1902. Make sure to check out the Seal Beach Pier, it is the second-longest pier in California and offers free fishing! The city is home to more than 20,000 beautiful acres of protected wilderness, making it ideal for hiking, biking and adventurous exploration. Drive by Brushy Peak Regional Preserve, Anthony Chabot Regional Park, and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, then drive through Oakland and cross the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge to get to San Francisco. I hope you get to cross it off your list sometime soon! San Francisco is full of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries and coffeehouses. A road trip of this magnitude definitely requires a stop or five along the way. Monterey is a perfect stop for anyone traveling up the coast of California on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Youll find upscale dining and shopping on Coronado, too. What day has the lowest fares from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego? Honestly, most of the year is great for this amazing road trip. And thats exactly what makes San Luis Obispo one of the best Pacific Coast Highway stops. One of the most scenic places to visit in California is along the central coast. This waterfall hike reminds me of the best waterfalls in Glacier National Park its so picturesque! For a lighter hike try the Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop. Its definitely a good idea to park your car and set up camp overlooking the gorgeous water and keep your cameras handy because this is easily one of the most photogenic beach cities youll come across. stopping in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway is roughly 500 miles. The city of Oceansidehas gone through a extreme makeover in the past 2 decades from seedy military town to beach town gem. Youve made it! 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. San Francisco. Check the hours before you go as its not open 24/7. Yeah hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Well a fun area in San Diego is Ocean Beach. Thanks, Re: Best places to stop between San Fran and San Diego? Hearst famously used this home as a popular getaway for him and all his celebrity friends in the 1920s as an escape complete with a private airstrip, zoo and animal collection, as well as impressive entertainment options that would make you want to be a part of his entourage in the roaring 20s. The drive on the California Pacific Coast Highway is an absolute gem, and one that begs to be explored. Get on the water during a kayaking tour to see the shore and wildlife like dolphins and seals. Whew! Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: hiking, exercise, photography, and the best viewpoints in Los Angeles, ~ 381 miles from San Francisco & ~ 135 miles from San Diego. Take your time exploring the area, the Santa Ines Mission, and taking an iconic photo in front of the windmill (theres more than one!). If you have time, we recommend hanging out in Malibu a bit and see why this is one of the most highly coveted areas to live in for Los Angeles. This post may contain affiliate links. 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. 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. Therefore, the best time for a San Francisco to San Diego road trip is November through April. ABC Smog. 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. 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. One of my favorite places in California is Monterey. It took nearly 3 decades to bring the Heart Castle to completion and you can learn all about that on your visit. (Venice is in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As we continue to move south in this epic road trip adventure, these next stops are all considered Southern California. 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. Unfortunately, this area has seen dramatic droughts the last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires. From this bridge, you can overlook the beautiful sea and rolling valleys. Of course, while in Santa Barbara, you must have the wine! Recommended by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon follow on Instagram. Spend a day or a few exploring the nearby wineries and beautiful landscapes, Santa Barbara will not disappoint. After all, its how the beach got its name. Youll find lots of restaurants and shops as you walk toward the end. The El Dorado Park and Nature Center features almost 100 acres of activities, including walking and bike trails, golf and fishing. Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! 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. 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. Find United Airlines cheap flights from San Diego to San Francisco. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from. This out-and-back hike is 1.2 miles round trip on easy terrain and walkable for most still levels, including children. And within Big Sur, the Bixby Creek Bridge is the spot for coastal views and scenic photographs. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. This is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with your family! Before getting back on your California Coast drive, complete your time in Long Beach with dinner at one of the waterfronts restaurants. 1. You will not want to miss this incredible Danish town on your San Francisco to San Diego road trip. Zig-zag through Los Angeles and pick up SR 1 again in Santa Monica. Other great places to visit from San Diego include the Salton Sea, Palm Springs, and Temecula! Visitors today can experience some of the grandeur of the house and see many of these sites described above. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. San Luis Obispo is a nice college town. As you enter San Francisco you drive along the esteemed Golden Gate Bridge. Pismo Beach is a small coastal city located south of San Luis Obispo. Happy road tripping! If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. If you can, spend 2-3 days in the San Luis Obispo area. From beach activities to the boardwalk, Santa Cruz has it covered. 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. This landmark is easily one of the best stops along your San Francisco to San Diego road trip in San Simeon, California. Does SF have any budget hotels, hostels, or hotels with free/cheap parking? Theres even an arcade where you can try your hand at skeeball. Youll see gorgeous views of the ocean, the rugged coastline, and youll get a chance to explore a secluded beach all without leaving the city! Obviously you can check out the coast for some awesome beaches and some surf opportunities. Just south of Cambria is California Highway 46, lined with lots of wineries: without venturing too far inland, you can still find several options for tastings. 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