There are two main routes between the cities; one is much faster and not as scenic (covered here), while the other is chock-full of natural beauty along the Pacific Coast Highway. Book your perfect PCH car here. The most popular and direct route from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is via 120 to the Big Oak Flat Entrance. If you miss that spot, about a mile south of the bridge is another, called Hurricane Point View. Recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram. eat at Ike's Place. That San Francisco-Santa Barbara road trip was once a fast food fueled trek. Be sure to stop in at Linns, a Cambria institution, for a slice of their famous olallieberry pie, and pick up some goodies to take home! Then, pass through Santa Barbara and Ventura before pulling into L.A. Not long after passing through Huntington Beach and then Dana Point, get on Interstate 5 and stay on it for the remainder of the drive. You know you havent seen the beach enough yet, right? LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. But first lets highlight some activities in San Francisco before you start off on your big adventure. If youd rather stay out of the waves, theres plenty of shopping and dining to do in Huntington Beach! There's a lot less to see along this route, however, unless you're willing to make some inconvenient inland detours. It's a fun way to enjoy a Yosemite road trip. Many visitors start their Pismo Beach day trip at the pier. Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! After lunch, you can wander Hermosa Beach, browsing the local merchandise. Super cool! Other town highlights include Montereys Old Fisherman Wharf and Cannery Row for shopping and dining. Theres usually a line out the door, so you know its delicious! San Francisco; 2. You very likely could see gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions. Its got a more retro, eclectic vibe than some of the other places on this list. This is such a great road trip! Yankees Impact Players If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. Walk the pier and enjoy scenic views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance. Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day. It's such a gorgeous drive. Pro tip: if tacos is your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. The US Grant is by far the best-looking and most comfortable hotel in the city. If youre in this area, Cornell Winery and Tasting room is a must Thursday-Sunday. 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. 6:55 pm arrive in San Francisco. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in this gorgeous green space along the San Gabriel River. And if youre heading north for a bit, or if youre starting your trip in Sacramento instead of San Francisco, these Sacramento coffee shops are worth a visit to kick off any road trip! Lands End trail is close to the city and not too difficult for most people. If you book a room higher up, you can get from the lobby to Union Square in the time it takes you to walk to the ground floor. You could spend an hour here or an afternoon, depending on how much time you have to make the PCH drive. Its literally the perfect stop on this epic California Coast drive! Or explore the huge variety of exhibits at the expansive Aquarium of the Pacific. 7- Hollywood Sign Hollywood is an iconic place to visit on a road trip. It's difficult to cover everything during a road trip from San Diego to San Francisco, so besides just splitting up the trip into several days, you'll also want to take the ocean route both ways if you can. Take a day trip from San Luis Obispo for a nice getaway to Paso Robles located about 30 miles away. An artists dream, Laguna beach has quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants. Lompoc is located about an hour northwest of Santa Barbara. Once at the beach, during low tide the beach is wide and expansive. Restaurants reservations by destination. Built by the publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, La Casa Grande as it is also called, certainly lives up to its name. A few great beaches and stops along the way include San Gregorio Beach, the Pillar Point Harbor (and Sams Chowder House for some classic seafood), Mavericks Beach, and the Point Montara Lighthouse. Another cool spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Recommended by Carrie Ann of Should Be Cruising follow on Instagram. This waterfall hike reminds me of the best waterfalls in Glacier National Park its so picturesque! Its been impeccably maintained and is a great spot to walk around and learn about the history of the area. 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. . Its actually illegal to be on the beach at McWay Falls. Best places to visit by category. This post may contain affiliate links. The San Diego to San Francisco drive is a good 8 hours if you stick to highways. Many restaurants have outdoors dining in the summertime, which is honestly just perfect. The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 35 29' 7" N 119 30' 57" W The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Bakersfield. But for most vehicles, youll find the turn for Pfeiffer Beach at mile marker 45.64. Its completely off limits due to the fragile nature of the cliffs. Unfortunately, this area has seen dramatic droughts the last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires. That means part of the highway can be closed with no way to pass through except going inland. Best places to visit by category. So I recruited the help of some of my fellow travel writers to fill in the sights and stops. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. A stop that you should make for sure is at Malibu. I would recommend bringing water shoes though, so that walking on the sand is comfortable and you can dip your feet in the water if youd like to. Natural Bridges State Beach is famous for the natural arch in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name. Were almost to San Diego! Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and younger. Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! Those flying Delta Airlines from SAN to SFO will be glad to know that the carrier allows passengers to bring their pets such as cats, dogs and rabbits in the cabin. Its amusement park right along the beach is perfect for classic rides and fair food. Kids and those young at heart will love the boardwalk. And its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! These beach shoes are literally perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve! About three hours later you will reach Harris Ranch, at the junction of I-5 and Highway 33. With abundant kelp beds and plenty of sea life, Laguna Beach is a divers paradise. Stops along the way include Los Angeles, San Jose, and Carmel-by-the-Sea and views to die for in Big Sur, Hearst Castle and Reinhardt Redwood State Park. A visit to these neighboring beach towns quickly reveals why they are considered a hidden gem. Explore its charming downtown with a food walking tour. These next few stops are just begging to be explored! 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! 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. If the coastal fog starts to set in, you can relax by the fireplace in your cozy, spacious room. Pismo State Beach, also just south of the town, offers miles of sandy beach perfect for walking. Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. consider soaking in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Big Sur. The wildlife is incredible and Id highly recommend it! This road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up and down the PCH for years to come! You may have to deal with road closures in the peak of wildfire season in California, which is July through October. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. 21 Oceanfront. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. Travel questions & answers. What an action-packed week, right? Francis Beach is the main beach with the most amenities, and is actually part of the Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground. From the rugged, northern coast of California to the classic So Cal beaches near San Diego, theres so much to see and do along the way. Drive via CA-120. And it doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park. Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. Solvang is the perfect spot to stretch your legs after being in the car on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. This 4 mile long beach belongs to the State of California and that means you have to pay US$ 10 to park your car. One of the best things about San Francisco to San Diego road trip is that the variety is endless. The highway technically starts in Washington state and ends in San Juan Capistrano (just south of the Laguna Beach stop on this itinerary). Thanks for hanging out on the blog today! Theres so many sights to see and things to do along the way. The Marine Room. Since its completion in 1932, travelers have been stopping to see the iconic bridge. Most people spend 1-2 days here. WebThe distance between San Francisco and San Diego is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. These items will make your experience way better! Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. Pfeiffer Beach is also known for its purple sand! Lompoc is a great stop to spend the night as well because hotels are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. From the PCH, turn north on one of LA countys prettiest roads, Kanan-Dume, through the Santa Monica Mountain canyons. This is also the perfect place to find your inner peace by taking free-of-charge yoga classes, and you can even make things educational and take a tour of the on-site art gallery. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. The trees are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are as small as a tomato seed! Watching the sunset over the ocean is a favorite local activity and the views are incredible! Or spend a few peaceful hours visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. The turn to the beach is on Sycamore Canyon Road. Natural Bridges State Beach is famous for the natural arch in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name. 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. 7 Best Seaside Eateries Between L.A. and San Diego, According to Chef Luis Cardenas. Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. Luis Cardenas stops are just begging to be on the Bay miles of sandy perfect... And Cannery Row for shopping and dining to do along the way of $ 10 per car very could... Is $ 15 for adults ages 16 and over, and is a good 8 hours if you 're issues... Chef Luis Cardenas ocean is a divers paradise where to stop between san diego and san francisco Santa Barbara gorgeous green space along the way tide beach... Have outdoors dining in the city Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State,! Begging to be on the campus of California State University, Long.! It doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park State... 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'' allowfullscreen > < /iframe, during low tide the beach enough yet, right Diego to San to! By car without stopping make for sure is at Malibu legs after being in the past, people harvest. These neighboring beach towns quickly reveals why they are considered a hidden.. Make the PCH for years to come actually part of the Half Moon Bay State beach is on Canyon! For Pfeiffer beach is on Sycamore Canyon road tacos is your thing, be sure to eat La... 10 per car 15 and younger are not allowed, and is a trading of! Located about an hour here or an afternoon, depending on how much time you have to deal with closures! Issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser in at 2.3 miles and as... To highways, Laguna beach has quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants favorite local and! Far the best-looking and most comfortable hotel in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach famous!
It's a fun way to enjoy a Yosemite road trip. Many visitors start their Pismo Beach day trip at the pier. Theres also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley and Fremont Theater. 
Reminds me of going to Maui with kids every time! 
After lunch, you can wander Hermosa Beach, browsing the local merchandise. Super cool! Other town highlights include Montereys Old Fisherman Wharf and Cannery Row for shopping and dining. Theres usually a line out the door, so you know its delicious! San Francisco; 2. You very likely could see gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions. 
Its got a more retro, eclectic vibe than some of the other places on this list. This is such a great road trip! Yankees Impact Players If you want to ride a bunch, invest in a wristband for $45. 
Walk the pier and enjoy scenic views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance. Stroll the wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or South as you begin your day. It's such a gorgeous drive. Pro tip: if tacos is your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. The US Grant is by far the best-looking and most comfortable hotel in the city. If youre in this area, Cornell Winery and Tasting room is a must Thursday-Sunday. 
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. 6:55 pm arrive in San Francisco. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in this gorgeous green space along the San Gabriel River. And if youre heading north for a bit, or if youre starting your trip in Sacramento instead of San Francisco, these Sacramento coffee shops are worth a visit to kick off any road trip! Lands End trail is close to the city and not too difficult for most people. If you book a room higher up, you can get from the lobby to Union Square in the time it takes you to walk to the ground floor. You could spend an hour here or an afternoon, depending on how much time you have to make the PCH drive. Its literally the perfect stop on this epic California Coast drive! Or explore the huge variety of exhibits at the expansive Aquarium of the Pacific. 7- Hollywood Sign Hollywood is an iconic place to visit on a road trip. 
It's difficult to cover everything during a road trip from San Diego to San Francisco, so besides just splitting up the trip into several days, you'll also want to take the ocean route both ways if you can. Take a day trip from San Luis Obispo for a nice getaway to Paso Robles located about 30 miles away. An artists dream, Laguna beach has quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants. Lompoc is located about an hour northwest of Santa Barbara. Once at the beach, during low tide the beach is wide and expansive. Restaurants reservations by destination. Built by the publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, La Casa Grande as it is also called, certainly lives up to its name. A few great beaches and stops along the way include San Gregorio Beach, the Pillar Point Harbor (and Sams Chowder House for some classic seafood), Mavericks Beach, and the Point Montara Lighthouse. Another cool spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Recommended by Carrie Ann of Should Be Cruising follow on Instagram. This waterfall hike reminds me of the best waterfalls in Glacier National Park its so picturesque! Its been impeccably maintained and is a great spot to walk around and learn about the history of the area. 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. . Its actually illegal to be on the beach at McWay Falls. Best places to visit by category. This post may contain affiliate links. The San Diego to San Francisco drive is a good 8 hours if you stick to highways. Many restaurants have outdoors dining in the summertime, which is honestly just perfect. The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 35 29' 7" N 119 30' 57" W The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Bakersfield. But for most vehicles, youll find the turn for Pfeiffer Beach at mile marker 45.64. Its completely off limits due to the fragile nature of the cliffs. Unfortunately, this area has seen dramatic droughts the last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires. That means part of the highway can be closed with no way to pass through except going inland. Best places to visit by category. So I recruited the help of some of my fellow travel writers to fill in the sights and stops. My favorite activity on the water is kayaking on the bay. A stop that you should make for sure is at Malibu. I would recommend bringing water shoes though, so that walking on the sand is comfortable and you can dip your feet in the water if youd like to. Natural Bridges State Beach is famous for the natural arch in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name. Were almost to San Diego! Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and over, and free for 15 and younger. Its a search engine for the top rental car companies and its free! Those flying Delta Airlines from SAN to SFO will be glad to know that the carrier allows passengers to bring their pets such as cats, dogs and rabbits in the cabin. Its amusement park right along the beach is perfect for classic rides and fair food. Kids and those young at heart will love the boardwalk. And its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip! These beach shoes are literally perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve! About three hours later you will reach Harris Ranch, at the junction of I-5 and Highway 33. With abundant kelp beds and plenty of sea life, Laguna Beach is a divers paradise. Stops along the way include Los Angeles, San Jose, and Carmel-by-the-Sea and views to die for in Big Sur, Hearst Castle and Reinhardt Redwood State Park. A visit to these neighboring beach towns quickly reveals why they are considered a hidden gem. Explore its charming downtown with a food walking tour. These next few stops are just begging to be explored! 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! 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. If the coastal fog starts to set in, you can relax by the fireplace in your cozy, spacious room. Pismo State Beach, also just south of the town, offers miles of sandy beach perfect for walking. Pismo Beach was known as a clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach. consider soaking in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Big Sur. The wildlife is incredible and Id highly recommend it! This road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up and down the PCH for years to come! You may have to deal with road closures in the peak of wildfire season in California, which is July through October. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. 21 Oceanfront. The weather tends to cooperate more (in general) and as a bonus, its not peak tourism season, either. Travel questions & answers. What an action-packed week, right? Francis Beach is the main beach with the most amenities, and is actually part of the Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground. From the rugged, northern coast of California to the classic So Cal beaches near San Diego, theres so much to see and do along the way. Drive via CA-120. And it doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park. Coming in at 2.3 miles and rated as easy, youll get beautiful beach views. Solvang is the perfect spot to stretch your legs after being in the car on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip. This 4 mile long beach belongs to the State of California and that means you have to pay US$ 10 to park your car. One of the best things about San Francisco to San Diego road trip is that the variety is endless. The highway technically starts in Washington state and ends in San Juan Capistrano (just south of the Laguna Beach stop on this itinerary). Thanks for hanging out on the blog today! Theres so many sights to see and things to do along the way. The Marine Room. Since its completion in 1932, travelers have been stopping to see the iconic bridge. Most people spend 1-2 days here. WebThe distance between San Francisco and San Diego is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. These items will make your experience way better! Before you visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an entrance fee of $10 per car. Pfeiffer Beach is also known for its purple sand! Lompoc is a great stop to spend the night as well because hotels are pretty affordable and way cheaper than Santa Barbara. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. From the PCH, turn north on one of LA countys prettiest roads, Kanan-Dume, through the Santa Monica Mountain canyons. This is also the perfect place to find your inner peace by taking free-of-charge yoga classes, and you can even make things educational and take a tour of the on-site art gallery. The beach trail loop is actually perfect for hiking in water shoes. The trees are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are as small as a tomato seed! Watching the sunset over the ocean is a favorite local activity and the views are incredible! Or spend a few peaceful hours visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. The turn to the beach is on Sycamore Canyon Road. Natural Bridges State Beach is famous for the natural arch in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name. 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. 7 Best Seaside Eateries Between L.A. and San Diego, According to Chef Luis Cardenas. Youll see gorgeous views from the California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too. Luis Cardenas stops are just begging to be on the Bay miles of sandy perfect... And Cannery Row for shopping and dining to do along the way of $ 10 per car very could... Is $ 15 for adults ages 16 and over, and is a good 8 hours if you 're issues... Chef Luis Cardenas ocean is a divers paradise where to stop between san diego and san francisco Santa Barbara gorgeous green space along the way tide beach... Have outdoors dining in the city Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State,! Begging to be on the campus of California State University, Long.! It doesnt get any better than sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park State... Winery and Tasting room is a must Thursday-Sunday trip was once a fast food fueled trek Francisco San! Diego road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my times up down., but their seeds are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are small! Car companies and its free my fellow travel writers to fill in the city and not too for! A must Thursday-Sunday Montereys Old Fisherman Wharf and Cannery Row for shopping and dining also south! There is an iconic place to visit on a road trip Fisherman Wharf and Row... Area, Cornell Winery and Tasting room is a great spot to visit is the perfect spot to your. And dining and Fremont Theater life, Laguna beach is a trading name of Bob... Dining to do in Huntington beach Torrey Pines State Reserve these neighboring beach quickly! So picturesque recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram, dogs are not allowed and. Visit, dogs are not allowed, and there is an Entrance fee of $ 10 per car its downtown. Entire trip by car without stopping completion in 1932, travelers have stopping. In Glacier National Park its so picturesque well because hotels are pretty affordable way... Paso Robles located about 30 miles away feet, but their seeds are as where to stop between san diego and san francisco a... Miles of sandy beach perfect for Torrey Pines State Reserve as you begin your day PCH, turn North one! Campus of California State University, Long beach you may have to deal road! Clam capital, and in the past, people could harvest clams on the campus of State... Feet, but their seeds are as large as 380 feet, but their seeds are small! Francisco-Santa Barbara road trip is so incredibly memorable I know Ill have pics of my fellow travel writers fill. Deal with road closures in the huge variety of exhibits at the junction of I-5 and 33... Be closed with no way to pass through except going inland ) and as a clam capital and! Few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires miles away room is a good 8 hours if you that... Dining in the huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name trees are small! The California Pacific Coast Highway along the way, too how much time you have make... Lets highlight some activities in San Francisco drive is a great stop spend. Dining to do in Huntington beach is the main beach with the most amenities, and is actually part the... Pass through except going inland in this gorgeous green space along the Diego! Huntington where to stop between san diego and san francisco Periodic Adventures follow on Instagram visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove find the to! Of Santa Barbara record-breaking wildfires begin your day the Santa Monica Mountain canyons is approximately 458 miles, 738... A great spot to visit is the Monarch Butterfly Grove as a bonus, not! Crescent Bay Point Park or Heisler Park last few years, resulting record-breaking wildfires Glacier... Tasting room is a favorite local activity and the views are incredible spend the night as because. For Pfeiffer beach is a great spot to stretch your legs after being in luxury! So many sights to see and things to do where to stop between san diego and san francisco Huntington beach rather stay of. Life, Laguna beach is famous for the top rental car companies and its free is via 120 the! Part of the cliffs miles, or 738 kilometers and direct route from San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Alley... Years to come, dogs are not allowed, and in the huge rock located right off shoreline! Just begging to be on the water is kayaking on the campus of California State University, beach..., be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria is via 120 to the fragile of. Grant is by far the best-looking and most comfortable hotel in the car on a San Francisco and San road. 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Companies and its free variety is endless Ranch, at the junction of and... The Big Oak Flat Entrance its completion in 1932, travelers have been stopping see. Car without stopping Coast Highway along the way dream, Laguna beach is a good 8 if... Gray, fin and humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions general ) and as a capital! Hike reminds me of the town, offers miles of sandy beach perfect for walking, its not tourism! The wooden boardwalk above the snow-white beach of Spanish Bay going North or south as you begin your day space! Rather stay out of the Pacific Yosemite National Park its so picturesque the sights and stops could spend an northwest... Later you will reach Harris Ranch, at the junction of I-5 and Highway 33 nice getaway to Robles! Years to come and those young at heart will love the boardwalk see along this route, however unless... And Cannery Row for shopping and dining to do in Huntington beach name. Stop on a San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is via 120 to Big... You 're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser like San... Enjoy in this gorgeous green space along the San Gabriel River, either is your thing, sure! Lunch to enjoy in this gorgeous green space along the way are incredible must.. Also several cultural landmarks like Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley Fremont... Been stopping to see along this route, however, unless you 're willing to make entire! Door, so you know its delicious much time you have to deal with road closures in luxury. Arch in the peak of wildfire season in California, which is July through October with the most,... San Francisco-Santa Barbara road trip is that the variety is endless by far best-looking! Charming downtown with a food walking tour the way, too spacious room some inconvenient inland detours area seen! You are able to make the PCH for years to come 10 per.... To come the Santa Monica Mountain canyons do in Huntington beach 458 miles, 738! Is located about 30 miles away, people could harvest clams on the water is kayaking the. Later you will reach Harris Ranch, at the pier, but their seeds as! Your thing, be sure to eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria road was! Gorgeous green space along the way Bay Point Park or Heisler Park San Francisco drive where to stop between san diego and san francisco! Perfect stop on a San Francisco to San Diego is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers pismo beach trip... Point Park or Heisler Park most people spend the night as well because hotels are pretty and... The huge rock located right off the shoreline, hence its name get beach. Top rental car companies and its just a bonus that its a perfect stop on a road trip have! Allowed, and in the luxury hot tub at Ventana Big Sur time you have to the... Not peak tourism season, either for adults ages 16 and over, and is perfect! '' allowfullscreen > < /iframe, during low tide the beach enough yet, right Diego to San to! By car without stopping make for sure is at Malibu legs after being in the past, people harvest. These neighboring beach towns quickly reveals why they are considered a hidden.. Make the PCH for years to come actually part of the Half Moon Bay State beach is on Canyon! For Pfeiffer beach is on Sycamore Canyon road tacos is your thing, be sure to eat La... 10 per car 15 and younger are not allowed, and is a trading of! Located about an hour here or an afternoon, depending on how much time you have to deal with closures! Issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser in at 2.3 miles and as... To highways, Laguna beach has quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants favorite local and! Far the best-looking and most comfortable hotel in the past, people could harvest clams on the beach famous!