A Dreamy Drive from San Francisco to San Diego [9 Must-See Stops]

Trying to knock California off your bucket listing? Have you ever all the time dreamed of driving a convertible alongside California’s Pacific Coast Freeway (PCH) and don’t know the place to begin? Look no additional. California has considered one of America’s greatest highway journeys. Learn on to study in regards to the 9 “must-see” stops on the drive from San Francisco to San Diego together with what every vacation spot has to supply.

Editor’s Observe: We up to date this text in October, 2022 to maintain it recent.

CONTENTS: On this article, you’ll study one of the best locations to cease on a scenic drive from San Francisco to San Diego, together with one of the best issues to do and see.

The way to Plan a California Street Journey

The Pacific Coast Freeway properties a few of California’s most opulent gems.

Driving Freeway 1–often known as the Pacific Coast Freeway or PCH–permits you to cross a number of locations off your bucket listing, together with a few of California’s greatest cities like San Francisco and San Diego.

Between peaceable nature, pleasant meals, and hip nightlife, there’s something for everybody to like.

The very best half about driving is that you just’re capable of resolve how little or how a lot time you need to spend at every cease. You’re the driving force!

To get essentially the most out of the journey, you’ll need to head south once you drive from San Francisco to San Diego

Heading south ensures you’ll cruise proper beside the coast which suggests you’ll get one of the best views of the glowing Pacific Ocean and steep cliffs.

Associated: Be sure to know the pros and cons of car travel earlier than you start.

Cease 1: San Francisco

Beginning in San Francisco is extraordinarily handy as a result of you may fly into the San Francisco Worldwide Airport and get a one-way automotive rental.

San Francisco has an abundance of sights to see so staying two or three nights could be possible if you wish to match all the pieces in earlier than hitting the highway.

Listed below are some San Francisco highlights you’ll need to see:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Alcatraz Island
• Angel Island
• Pier 39
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Ferry Constructing Market

One solution to maximize your time is to charter or rent a boat in San Fransisco whilst you’re there.

You would sail San Fransisco Bay, cruise the islands, and even simply putter round in a dinghy.

Not solely is that this an environment friendly solution to expertise San Fransisco sights, however so memorable!

Or, if you wish to path inland from the freeway, Yosemite Nationwide Park is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from San Francisco.

Yosemite has a plethora of waterfalls, animals, and mountaineering that nature lovers will take pleasure in. It’s well worth the detour you probably have the time to spare.

Cease 2: Half Moon Bay

After wrapping up the primary few days in San Francisco, it’s time to move forty minutes south to Half Moon Bay.

Although quaint, this city could be very energetic and is an ideal vacation spot to probe for a number of hours once you drive from San Francisco to San Diego.

For those who want to splurge and keep in luxurious, Ritz Carlton has a resort and golf-course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Try these Half Moon Bay Highlights:

• Pigeon Level Lighthouse
• Golf
• Año Nuevo State Reserve
• California Coastal Path

Cease 3: Santa Cruz

Subsequent cease on the freeway, about an hour from Half Moon Bay, is Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz has a lot to supply.

Other than the attractive seashores, the city is stuffed with classic shops, cafes, and galleries.

That is considered one of my favourite stops on a drive from San Francisco to San Diego!

Santa Cruz highlights embrace:

• Pure Bridges State Park
• Santa Cruz Seashore Boardwalk
• Santa Cruz Seashore
• Santa Cruz Wharf
• Middle Road Antiques

Cease 4: Massive Sur

You’ll be able to’t drive the Pacific Coast Freeway with out dedicating time to cease at Massive Sur.

Massive Sur is about an hour and thirty minutes south of Santa Cruz.

It’s residence to one of the crucial iconic bridges photographed in California: Bigsby Canyon Bridge.

After driving throughout the bridge, you may cease within the park for hikes by means of towering redwood bushes or look to the coast for majestic coves.

You would possibly even take into account a number of luxurious days of glamping in Big Sur you probably have the time in your drive from San Francisco to San Diego.

You should definitely go to some these Massive Sur highlights:

• Bigsby Canyon Bridge
• Pfeiffer Massive Sur State Park

Massive Sur has numerous Instagram worthy images spots. Try a few of the Top 10 Adventure Photographers on your Instagram photograph inspiration. 

Cease 5: Hearst Citadel (San Simeon)

Ever seen the best film of all time?

No matter whether or not you’ve, or haven’t, you may journey an hour and forty minutes south of Massive Sur to see Citizen Kane’s Xanadu inspiration, the Hearst Citadel.

With 46 rooms, artifacts, two swimming swimming pools that maintain a complete of 550,000 gallons of water, a personal zoo, and a personal runway, there’s loads of historical past and splendor to seize your consideration. 

Cease 6: Malibu

After exploring the Hearst Citadel, you’ll end up again on Freeway 1 touring three and a half hours south to Malibu.

Other than being often known as residence to Hollywood film stars, Malibu gives unimaginable seashores and views.

Don’t fret both, you don’t have to be a Hollywood film star to have the ability to keep and benefit from the luxuries Malibu has to supply.

A number of Malibu highlights you would possibly take pleasure in are:

• Malibu Celeb Properties Tour
• Wine Hikes
• Enjoyable on the seashores

Cease 7: Santa Monica

When you’ve indulged and splurged in Malibu, it’s time to move to Santa Monica.

It’s simply an hour and thirty minutes from Malibu.

Santa Monica properties a few of the iconic locations alongside the California coast.

Don’t miss these Santa Monica highlights:

• Santa Monica Pier
• Venice Seashore Boardwalk
• Venice Canals

If you wish to path inland from the freeway once more, the bustling City of Los Angeles is just forty-five minutes away from Santa Monica.

In Los Angeles, you may spend time purchasing, visiting movie star Beverly Hills properties, or mountaineering as much as the Hollywood signal to see magnificent views of Los Angeles. 

Stopping to remain for a day or two would help you sightsee in each Santa Monica and Los Angeles.

Cease 8: Laguna Seashore

Able to get out of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and Santa Monica?

Then head an hour and ten minutes south to Laguna Seashore.

That’s the place you’ll end up enjoyable on a few of California’s best seashores.

Listed below are some highlights you’ll love at Laguna Seashore:

• Major Seashore
• Crystal Cove Park
• Laguna Artwork Museum

Cease 9: San Diego

After Laguna Seashore, you’ll be heading to your final cease in your drive from San Francisco to San Diego.

San Diego is an hour and quarter-hour from Laguna Seashore and has many actions so that you can take pleasure in.

It’s is the proper place to spend the final days of your journey exploring extra stunning seashores, studying about United States historical past, and reflecting on the fantastic journey you’ve had.

Go to these San Diego highlights whilst you’re there:

• Seal Watching at La Jolla Cove
• San Diego Zoo
• USS Halfway Visits
• Coronado Seashore

San Diego can also be the proper final cease since you’re capable of flip in your one-way automotive rental and fly residence out of the San Diego Worldwide Airport.

Remaining Ideas on the Drive from San Francisco to San Diego

California is looking your identify, so what are you ready for?

You’re certain to have a good time on this San Francisco to San Diogo drive.

With so many locations and actions alongside Freeway 1, you could not even know the place to begin with packing.

You’ll be able to take a look at the Top 15 Best Fashion Blogs on Instagram for one of the best outfit inspiration so you feel and look your greatest on considered one of America’s greatest highway journeys.

And in case you’re new to road-tripping altogether, we’ve put collectively this beginners guide to road trips for you!