There is a short walking path to observe the butterflies and learn about the migration process to warmer places. The waves crashing around the rock are really cool to watch. Santa Barbara is some 220 miles (354 kilometers) north of San Diego on Route 1. San Francisco raced to a 10-0 . This landmark is easily one of the best stops along your San Francisco to San Diego road trip in San Simeon, California. Unlike other places around the Golden state that often feel too touristy during the peak season, San Luis Obispo has a calmer atmosphere and authentic flair. This area has attracted all kinds of people but it especially caters to those art lovers, beachgoers, and fine diners. 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! Youll descend down to the Lands End Labyrinth, which is a really gorgeous spot on top of a cliff with views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy the variety of rides and rollercoasters as well as mini-golf, laser tag, bowling, arcades, and more! Operated by San Diego Metro Transit, Tufesa, Santa Clara VTA and others, the San Diego to San Francisco service departs from . 13. Its a short 10-15 minute ride south to Manhattan Beach Pier, where you can walk around and check out the cute shops. Recommended by me Nikki of Inspired Routes. This is the one-stop-shop for everything you and your family need. But if you bring your water shoes, you can dip your toes in the waves as they come up the sand. Find yourself biking the beautiful beachfront, or checking out all the shops and dining on Orange Ave and Coronados Ferry Landing. ABC Smog. 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. Great stop on your San Francisco to San Diego drive for: beach fun, entertainment, food, shopping, ~ 118 miles from San Francisco & ~ 440 miles to San Diego. San Francisco is the most popular city on the route it's 12 hours from Seattle and 8 hours from San Diego. I recommend I-5 out of San Diego, then cross over to State Route (SR) 1 in San Clemente. 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! . Youll find a wooden boardwalk overlooking the beach where you can walk or bike. 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. Pro tip: if tacos is your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. Surfers can hit the waves on any of the more than 30 beaches in Laguna Beach. And within Big Sur, the Bixby Creek Bridge is the spot for coastal views and scenic photographs. When you stop in La Jolla on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip, theres a variety of things to do. There are also different animal species such as birds, fish, bats, squirrel and chipmunks. 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. Located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls is one of the top spots to see in Big Sur. San Francisco to San Simeon itinerary, stop #9. The town is great for strolling. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and McWay Falls San Francisco to San Simeon drive, stop #11. Yeah was planning on staying with a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? San Diego is one of my favorite cities - so much to see and do. Thought would be nice in winter to see as I love nature anytime of the year. San Diego, port and city, seat (1850) of San Diego county, southern California, U.S. With overnights in Pismo Beach and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. ~ 431 miles from San Francisco & ~ 79 miles from San Diego. 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! Visit the gorgeous city of Laguna Beach located in Orange County, California along your San Francisco to San Diego drive. We are going to drive on a SATURDAY from San Francisco to Los Angeles on Highway 5 (our destination is really Carson - the Office Depot Center for an LA Galaxy game). See our full guide to best things to do in Costa Mesa and things to do in Newport Beach for more options! Partington cove Pacific coast Highway 1 stop #10. It's such a gorgeous drive. The San Francisco to San Diego drive is approximately 615 miles. 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. Dont miss the seals at the Childrens Pool or the awesome Sunny Jims Cave! From San Diego, the most direct way to get to Los Angeles is to drive north on I-5. An artists dream, Laguna beach has quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants. 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. Laguna Beach is known for being one of the most beautiful California coastal towns with much to do and so much to see. The windmill outside Pea Soup Andersen's, a classic stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Step back into time with a visit to Solvang, California! Enjoy non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego with Alaska, Southwest, or United Airlines. 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! From beautiful wildflowers to classic Southern California beaches, the views just dont stop. Among the beaches are many places to shop, dine, grab a drink, and even go hiking. Other great places to visit from San Diego include the Salton Sea, Palm Springs, and Temecula! 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. Youll find great cliff views and fewer crowds on this hike. For other sea life, a must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Stop by a few of the gorgeous beaches in this area like Swamis Beach or Moonlight Beach. Otherwise youll be good mid-late summer to early fall. 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! Other town highlights include Montereys Old Fisherman Wharf and Cannery Row for shopping and dining. This one square mile town is easy to get around by foot and by car! San Luis Obispo or SLO is full of a variety of amazing things to do for all you road trippers, so you wont want to miss this one on your San Francisco to San Diego drive. Its home to Californias oldest museum and famous art festivals like the Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Art-A-Fair, Festival of Arts, and Pageant of the Masters. Pinos Way . There are many beautiful hotels in San Luis Obispo like the famous Madonna Inn or the gorgeous Lomita Ranch in the rustic setting where you can spend a few nights before continuing your trip. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. 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. The trees are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are as small as a tomato seed! The surf is best in the morning before the wind picks up. Point Lobos is teeming with activity throughout the year in April and May, visitors may catch a glimpse of Harbor Seal pups as these 2 months are affectionately known as pupping season. When planning a California Coast road trip, Big Sur is an absolute must-see area. This little spot is a paradise full of amazing outdoor activities perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway! Try the fresh seafood and clams. Youll see views from several points along the way, but the closest views to the overlook are at the end of the trail. However, this depends on the date you are flying so please check with the full flight schedule above . If youre hungry, opt to grab some food at Capulin Eats and Provisions, La Botte Italian Restaurant or Toro Loco. Congratulations, youve pretty much made it to San Diego! This trail is a must-see, because all the views are absolutely epic! It costs $7-18 depending on the season, but the prime location is worth the price. You are going to love it. Most cottages are booked out a year in advance, and since its a state park they are VERY affordable. We love renting kayaks or stand up paddle boards in the harbor! Winding from the beautiful pacific coast through the arid California desert and finally to the pine forests of Northern Arizona, the drive from San Diego to the Grand Canyon has a lot that is going for it. Entry is free, but rides are priced from $5-12. There you can take a leisurely walk along the winding pathways, feed the koi, and relax at the Zen Garden. One of the best things about San Francisco to San Diego road trip is that the variety is endless. Hikers will love Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with mountain and ocean views. There are a number of fun things to do along the Santa Monica Pier starting with Heal the Bay Aquarium at the base of the pier. [Disclaimer] Carpinteria State Beach has many amenities for travelers to enjoy. It's southeast of that stop, and will just add unnecessary driving time to your trip. Anaheim is the most popular city on the route it's less than an hour from Los Angeles and 2 hours from San Diego. 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. The sunsets are pretty great along Ocean Beach, too! Make sure to check out some of the 200+ wineries during your visit! You can rent a surfboard from a local company on the beach, like Jacks Beach Concession, or a surf shop in Downtown Huntington Beach, like Huntington Surf & Sport. Similarly, if you are driving south, the Portland to San Francisco road trip itinerary takes about 20 hours, considering you begin the trip in Cannon Beach and then follow Highway 101 south to California. 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. 10/24/2022. It was restored in 1995 and offers tours! Get up close to the areas marine life on a harbor cruise. The city is home to more than 20,000 beautiful acres of protected wilderness, making it ideal for hiking, biking and adventurous exploration. 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