The following is my 10-day California road trip itinerary I did from San Diego to San Francisco. It includes approximate driving times (always be weary of traffic), attractions to visit, and recommended stops along the way. It’s a pretty packed schedule, so make sure to keep your eye on the time because it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the California coast!
San Diego – 3 Days
If you dream of endless sunny days than San Diego is the perfect city to visit. I spent one full day visiting the expansive Balboa Park and I recommend seeing the animals at the San Diego Zoo. The next day I took a stroll along the River walk and got to check out all the local shops. Make sure you take a moment to check out the impressive statue called Embracing Peace in the Port of San Diego. This statue is over 25 feet tall and can be spotted from far way. My final day was cut short, as I left early for Los Angeles to avoid some of the traffic.
Estimated driving time San Diego to Los Angeles: 3 hours
Los Angeles – 1 Day
Leaving San Diego bright and early helped me to get the most out of my day in Los Angeles. Dedicate at least half a day to visit a major attraction like Universal Studios, the Getty, Griffiths Observatory, or any one of the many museums in the area. Being a Harry Potter fan, I spent my afternoon at Universal Studios. The second day I dedicated my time to visiting downtown LA including all the usual toursity spots like Beverly Hills, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Rodeo Drive. If you can add an additional day, you can definitely use it to see a few different museums in the area. I also have a guide to visiting LA in 24 hours, that brings you to see the main highlights the city has to offer. As the day winds down, stop at Santa Monica to see the sunset and then continue onward to Santa Barbara.
Estimated driving time Los Angeles to Santa Barbara: 2.5 hours
Santa Barbara – 2 Days
To experience some of the amazing wines produced in California, I recommend booking a wine tasting tour so you can drink without worrying about driving and benefit from the guides expertise. After a late arrival to Santa Barbara, dedicate the entire next day to drinking your way through the different wineries. On your last day, leave early to have the time to make a number of stops on your way. Some of the places I recommend checking out include the adorable Danish-inspired town Solvang, Hearst Castle, and the Elephant Seal Rookery.
Estimated driving time Santa Barbara to Monterey: 4.5 hours*
Monterey via Highway 1 – 1 Day
This is the most scenic part of the entire road trip so make sure you build in time to make a few photo stops. I really enjoyed stopping in Carmel by the Sea for a lunchtime break. Carmel is such a quaint town with beautiful homes. Another recommended stop is Garrapata State Park for lovely views of the blue ocean and rocky hillside. Of course, the iconic Bixby bridge is worthy of another stop as you wind down to Monterey. Once arrived at the seaside town, head to the pier for some amazing seafood and local artisan shops.
Estimated driving time Monterey to San Francisco: 2.5 hours
San Francisco – 3 Days
There is a lot to pack in during a three day visit to San Francisco. Make sure you allocate at least half a day to visiting Alcatraz Island. It is very touristy but the I think well worth the visit. Ride the streetcars, visit the pier, head to the crookedest street, and of course no visit would be complete without viewing the Golden Gate bridge. For a complete list of things to do check out my other post here.
