The Perfect Coastal California Road Trip: From San Diego to San Francisco

Start your road trip in sunny San Diego, a city that perfectly captures California’s laid-back charm. How can you not start this journey off at the beach?

Spend the first part of your day exploring Coronado Beach (especially convenient if you’re staying at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado). Expect gorgeous golden beaches that are quintessentially Southern California.

Next, head into Old Town San Diego for some lunch. Yes, it’s a little touristy, but if it’s your first time in SD, I highly recommend it. It also has some of the best Mexican food in the city, which obviously is a must-eat while you’re here.

After lunch, head up to La Jolla Cove for gorgeous views of rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean. This is where the sea lions love to hang out! (Be prepared for the bad smell.) Make sure to check out the Cave Store and buy tickets ($6–10) to climb down to the Sea Cave. If you have time, stroll along the Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla before heading back to downtown San Diego. Chef’s kiss if you can time this walk with the sunset.

For dinner, I recommend exploring the Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy, with tons of amazing restaurants in both neighborhoods. The Gaslamp Quarter is also a great place to get a nightcap before heading back to your hotel.

Kick off your second day in San Diego at Balboa Park, one of my favorite spots in all of California. This massive urban park is home to beautiful gardens, Spanish-style architecture, tons of museums, and the famous San Diego Zoo. You could spend days here and not see it all. But a few hours wandering the gardens and walking the tree-lined paths is the perfect way to start your day.

For lunch, head up towards Pacific Beach and grab a bite at Nico’s Fish Market. I personally love their poke bowl, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. They catch all their fish fresh daily, just steps away from the restaurant.

Spend the afternoon exploring Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. If you’re feeling active, rent bikes or scooters and take a ride along the boardwalk. If not, just relax on the sand and have a peaceful beach day.

There’s one more beach to see before dinner, and that’s at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, for you guessed it, the sunset. It is the premier sunset spot in all of Southern California.

Point Loma has a ton of great restaurants for dinner, many with a more casual vibe after a long day at the beach. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, I recommend Juniper and Ivy.

Say goodnight to San Diego and get ready to start driving in the morning!

Grab some breakfast (complimentary at your hotel if you book with me) and let’s hit the road!

This is a road trip after all, so we’re not going straight to Los Angeles. There are so many cute and charming coastal towns on the drive north from SD to LA. The first stop: Laguna Beach.

This is one of my favorite places in all of SoCal, a charming, artsy seaside town full of galleries, boutiques, and ocean-view cafes. Take a walk, do some shopping, grab a bite, and check-out the iconic Laguna Beach lighthouse. I recommend lunch at The Cliff Restaurant for the best views (but save room for dessert!).

Head north up the road just a little further to Balboa Island in Newport Beach, a nostalgic California detour. To me, this almost feels like a seaside town in New England, but with some added California charm. For dessert, you have to get the famous chocolate-covered frozen bananas at Sugar ‘n Spice.

If you’re not in a rush to get to LA, rent a small electric boat to cruise around Newport Bay. You get to see so many gorgeous houses out on the water, and will likely see a flying fish or two. If you don’t want to drive your own boat, there are harbor tours as well. It is such a peaceful way to spend the afternoon.

Now it is time to make your way up to Los Angeles. I recommend staying somewhere by the beach in Santa Monica or Venice. Grab some dinner on Main Street in Santa Monica or Rose Ave. in Venice, both lined with all types of restaurants for any cuisine or vibe you’re in the mood for. I recommend Cobi’s (a short walk from Casa del Mar) or Wabi on Rose.

Los Angeles is a massive, spread-out city. The mistake I see a lot of tourists make is wanting to hit all the big sites in one day, not realizing how far apart they are, and not taking into account traffic. 10 miles in LA can be a 10 minute drive with no traffic or a 2 hour drive in rush hour. So, taking all of that into consideration, this is how I’d recommend spending your day in LA.

Start your day in East LA: Driving from west to east in the morning is typically going opposite traffic. Head over to Griffith Park. Follow directions for Franklin’s Cafe for a place to park and grab a snack, and then head off on your hike. I usually like taking the Boy Scout Trail up the mountain for a short, but steep hike, but there are numerous trails around the park. Griffith Observatory is free to enter and explore most of their exhibits, but the main reason to go is to see the gorgeous panoramic views of all of Los Angeles. You can see the ocean, downtown, the Hollywood sign, and more. Hike back down the mountain and head back to your car for the next stop.

I know everybody always wants to see Hollywood and the Walk of Fame if it is their first time in LA, but I personally don’t think it is worth it. There are so many nicer neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and Hollywood is often disappointing.

Instead, head into the trendy neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silverlake, both buzzing with local coffee shops, vintage stores, and that unmistakable LA creative energy. Stop by Maru Coffee for a caffeine boost. I recommend their matcha. This is LA after all, you can’t not try the matcha. Walk around, shop, and explore LA’s vibrant cafes.

Head south towards Downtown to explore some of the amazing museums and LA landmarks. For modern art, check out The Broad. If you love music, check out the Grammy Museum. Or, check out the DTLA Art Walk, with some more local galleries and food trucks. If you love to read, check out The Last Bookstore.

For dinner, head into the Arts District. Girl & the Goat is a staple LA restaurant, but there are tons of amazing food options around here.

After a long day in East LA, head back towards the beach! If you’re up for it, grab a drink at MARELLE Santa Monica before going to sleep.

Spend your last morning in Los Angeles exploring more of Santa Monica. There is a lovely walking path along Ocean Avenue overlooking the ocean. Or you can head to the Santa Monica Pier. If you’re looking for some shopping, spend your morning at the 3rd Street Promenade.

Hit the road and head up to Santa Barbara for a relaxing afternoon. Follow directions for Stearns Wharf. Grab some lunch on State Street, walk along the waterfront, and maybe even hop on a boat ride from the pier.

Continue your journey north towards San Luis Obispo. I recommend stopping by the Madonna Inn. It is an iconic and quirky California hotel that feels like a time capsule. If you’re hungry, grab dinner at the hotel restaurant and make sure to visit the gift shop.

Finally, end your day in Cambria, a quiet coastal town. I recommend staying in one of their seaside inns, so you can wake up the next morning right on the beach.

Start your morning with a coastal walk in Cambria. I love the boardwalk by Moonstone Beach. To me, Cambria is one of the most peaceful and serene towns in all of California, a great place to relax and recharge.

When you hit the road, head up to Hearst Castle, a hilltop estate built by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is part museum, part fantasy palace. Make sure to book your tour in advance as this tends to sell out.

After Heart Castle, keep heading North on Highway 1. Make sure to stop at the Elephant Seal Vista Point in San Simeon to see hundreds of these fascinating giants nap and spar along the sand.

Keep heading up Highway 1 to Big Sur. This is my favorite part of this road trip, with stunning views of the California Coast at every turn. Take your time and pull over to take pictures.

End your day in Big Sur. Depending on what time you get there, you may have time for an evening hike before the sun sets. If not, cozy up in your hotel room or cabin, take a soak in the hot tub, and get ready for another amazing day tomorrow.

Spend your morning hiking and exploring the majestic nature of Big Sur. Head over to the Big Sur Station and they will give you a map and recommend hikes or areas to visit based on your preference and how much time you have. I love the Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View trails, but you can even just take a leisurely walk along the river after leaving the Station.

Grab a bite at Fernwood Tavern after your outdoor adventure before hitting the road once again. Drive north towards Monterey. There are once again going to be many gorgeous vistas and stopping points along Highway 1, so enjoy the ride.

I recommend stopping at the Calla Lily Valley and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve on the way.

Stop for dinner in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a fairytale town of cottages, art galleries, and cozy wine-tasting rooms. Then, head to the beach to watch the sunset before making your way to your hotel.

Today, part of the sightseeing is once again driving. This time, the iconic 17 Mile Drive around Monterey, featuring some of the most beautiful sites in California. I recommend following the route counterclockwise, so you’re driving closer to the coast.

For lunch, head to Old Fisherman’s Wharf, eat some delicious seafood, and walk around the harbor.

Hit the road (for the last time) and start heading north towards San Francisco. You could go straight there, as there is so much to see and do in the city, but if you do want to make a couple more stops, I’d recommend Capitola for a colorful beach town, or Half Moon Bay for more stunning ocean views.

Make it to San Francisco by dinnertime and enjoy the city at night. The area around Union Square has a lot of delicious food options, but one of my personal favorites in the whole city is Dumpling Home. They give Din Tai Fung a run for their money.

San Francisco has such a special place in my heart. There is just something I love so much about the Bay Area.

If you’ve never been to San Francisco, start your morning at Fisherman’s Wharf. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also fun. Grab some delicious, freshly made sourdough bread at Boudin and some chocolates at Ghirardelli.

Next, head to Golden Gate Park (which is larger than Central Park in New York City) and rent some e-bikes to ride around. It is home to lakes, gardens, and world-class museums, as well as some surprising finds like bison and hidden waterfalls. My favorite is the Japanese Garden. You can end your ride by going through the Panhandle and Alamo Square to see the famous Painted Ladies.

Spend your afternoon in the Mission District. Grab some pastries at Tartine and head to Dolores Park for a picnic. This is my favorite place in the city! If you can, climb to the top of the park before turning around to see the stunning view.

End your day with dinner and drinks at Kaiyo Rooftop, serving up Japanese-Peruvian fusion food.