Solo traveling is an underrated endeavor. Yes, the camaraderie shared between members of a group is a wonderful thing, but the joy in having moments of awe all by your lonesome is equally fantastic! If you embark on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip, you’ll have numerous moments of peace and wonder to yourself as you make your way between the two cities, especially if you take the Pacific Coast Highway, which is the route that we’re covering for this trip!
To fully appreciate California’s coastal treasures, from its scenic natural wonders and quaint towns to bustling cities, we recommend that you take your own car or rent one, take your time, and embark on an exciting San Francisco road trip that will take you to the bustling metropolis of San Diego.
If you've never driven abroad before, we have a short guide on how to book a car rental on Klook, which also contains information about getting International Driver's Permits and what to be mindful of when you're in a country where driving on the left side of the road is the norm.
In order to help you plan your journey, we’ve prepared a list of places you can visit along the way!
San Francisco to San Diego Itinerary:
- Driving route: Pacific Coast Highway
- Driving time: approximately 10 hours and 38 minutes in total
- Duration: 5-10 days (depending on your preferred length of stay per stop!)
- Route maps: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo to San Diego (map divided into two because only 10 stops are allowed per route map)
- What to bring: comfortable clothing, camping tent (if you choose to camp at certain places), sunscreen, swimming gear (if you’re visiting any of the beaches along the route), hat or sun visor, hiking shoes/boots for any hiking or trekking you might participate in
- Stops:
1) Half Moon Bay
- Distance from San Francisco: 29.1 miles from San Francisco
- Duration: 39 minutes
Photo credit: Noah Boyer on Unsplash
One of the first places you can visit along the way to San Diego is Half Moon Bay, which is about 29.1 miles from San Francisco.
This coastal town is one of the many scenic stops you’ll make along the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s recommended that you make your way there early in the morning or at dusk because its beach is one of the area’s best sunrise/sunset-viewing spots. There’s a parking space near the beach and it costs USD10.
Klook Tip: The spaces are also limited, so it’s recommended that you arrive early so you can spend some time relaxing on soft sands, enjoy coastal strolls, sunbathe, or even swim!
If you’re looking to spend the night in town, you can stay at the 5-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel for a luxurious one-night stay, or at the Beach House where you can marvel at the scenery from its balconies (or while having a meal at the dining area)! Staying here for a day or two also means you’ll have the time to visit this town’s attractions, like Sea Horse Ranch where you can go horseback riding, go surfing at Maverick Beach, and participate in a Segway tour along the Coastal Trail!
2) Pigeon Point Lighthouse
- Distance from Half Moon Bay: 21.3 miles
- Duration: 26 minutes
Photo credit: Stephen Bedase (@stephenkbedase) on Unsplash
Just 21 miles from Half Moon Bay is one of the West Coast’s most important landmarks, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero! Not only is it one of the most important attractions, it is also one of the two tallest lighthouses on the West Coast (the other one being Point Arena Light). It’s also an active lighthouse and continues to aid with navigating coast guards.
It sits atop an elevated area along the coastline and serves as a good subject for picturesque and panoramic photos. Make sure to have a camera with you so you can snap scenic photos and selfies of you with the 1871 lighthouse in the background. It’ll make for a good postcard photo, too!
Klook Tip: During low tide, there will be tide pools near the lighthouse. You can walk around those pools if they’re present. Just watch out for octopuses!
3) Santa Cruz
- Distance from Pigeon Point Lighthouse: 27.6 miles
- Duration: 33 minutes
Photo credit: Brady Frieden (@bradyfrieden) on Unsplash
The city of Santa Cruz is a good place to spend a night or two after leaving San Francisco. It’s famous not just for being a college town, but also for being a seaside resort, making it an ideal destination for the laid-back traveler.
There are plenty of things to do here, from sunbathing and strolls along the beach, surfing and sailing, joy rides and rollercoasters, as well as dining and shopping at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! It’s also a great place to stock up on essentials for your trip, such as snacks, beverages, and more!
Klook Tip: If you’re looking to spend the night or two here, we recommend staying at the Ocean Gate Inn. Not only will you be able to book a room there for cheap, but it’s also located near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Wharf! It also has free parking and Wi-Fi!
4) Monterey
- Distance from Santa Cruz: 42.9 miles
- Duration: 45 minutes
Photo credit: Mick Haupt (@rocinante_11) on Unsplash
Next stop is the town of Monterey! One of its most famous sections is Cannery Row. For those in touch with pop culture from the past, Cannery Row was the setting for the film Cannery Row, released in 1982 and starred Nick Nolte and Debra Winger. John Steinbeck used it as the setting for two of his novels, Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday.
The area was once the site of canning factories. These factories are no longer around, and the buildings they used to be in have been repurposed to accommodate restaurants and hotels. At the end of the northern end of Cannery Row, you’ll find the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is a great place to learn about the wonders of the big blue sea!
Klook Tip: Every year, Monterey plays host to the California Roots Music and Arts Festival, which usually takes place late May and lasts for three to four days. If you love reggae, folk, and hip-hop music, you shouldn’t pass up on this event. This year of 2022, the festival will take place from 26-29 May.
5) 17-Mile Drive
- Distance from Monterey: 4.3 miles
- Duration: 12 minutes
Photo credit: Ryan Parker (@dryanparker) on Unsplash
The 17-Mile Drive is one of the most famous coastal highlights of California. It’s a privately-owned road and costs USD10.50 for people to drive there. But is paying that much just to drive along that road worth it? Definitely.
As you steer your way along this scenic wonder, you’ll spot numerous landmarks from beaches to massive mansions. The most popular of these landmarks is The Lone Cypress, a small tree standing on a cliffside overlooking the sea. Makes for a panoramic photo, so make sure to take a shot of it to commemorate the drive!
Klook Tip: Aside from enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of this coastal road and admiring the scenery, you can actually play golf here. The road is home to Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is considered the best public golf course in the country. If you can spare at least USD650, you’ll be able to enjoy America’s favorite solitary sport on a top-notch golf course.
6) Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Distance from 17-Mile Drive: 5 miles
- Duration: 13 minutes
Photo credit: @mana5280 on Unsplash
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small idyllic town with a population of a little over 3,000 people! If you’re looking to visit a place that’s not crowded during your trip, this is the place to be!
One of its most important qualities is that it is a haven for artists, so if you have a fascination for art and aesthetics, you’ll have a wonderful time exploring this town’s quaint streets. Downtown Carmel’s main street, Ocean Avenue, is filled to the brim with small boutiques, art galleries, and cafes, making it the best area to indulge in your love for all things creative in a laid-back atmosphere.
7) Big Sur
- Distance from Carmel-by-the-Sea: 25.8 miles
- Duration: 39 minutes
Photo credit: Spencer Davis on Unsplash
Just 26 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea is the state park known as Big Sur and is popular among outdoorsy locals. This park offers some of the best views you’ll ever get during this trip and has plenty of areas where you can take gorgeous snapshots of the land, one of them being the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge.
If you’re looking to exercise, you’d be happy to know that Big Sur is also a great place to go for hikes, especially at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park area. Exploring this place will eventually take you to McWay Cove where you’ll find McWay Falls, one of the natural treasures of Big Sur.
Klook Tip: Big Sur has numerous camping grounds, both public and private. If you wish to spend the night in the arms of nature, then don’t pass up on camping! We recommend staying at Kirk Creek because you’ll be able to marvel at the Pacific Ocean’s expanse during sunset, and you can even go trekking around Los Padres National Forest!
8) Hearst Castle
- Distance from Big Sur: 65.5 miles
- Duration: 1 hour and 34 minutes
Photo credit: @bryanhanson1956 on Pixabay
Hearst Castle is one of California’s most iconic structures. It was a home that was built for the publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearts and his family. If you think that European castles and their interiors are the peaks of royalty, Hearst Castle will surprise you with an extravagance that rivals its European counterparts.
The castle offers tours of its different sections, each priced differently and covers a particular section of the abode. You can choose to explore the castle without a guide, but if you do pay for the tours, you’ll be treated to riveting stories and information about the Hearst family and the history of the castle. You’ll learn about celebrity gossip, too.
9) San Luis Obispo
- Distance from Hearst Castle: 42.3 miles
- Duration: 47 minutes
Photo credit: Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
San Luis Obispo is a town founded by the Spanish. What’s striking about it is that it has kept the Spanish influence in its architecture and many of its buildings are well-preserved. There’s a visitor center on Monterey Street where you can get a guidebook, which is a must-have if you plan on touring the city on your own.
This is also another great place to spend a night or two because it has several attractions near it, such as Pismo Beach where you can enjoy strolls along golden sand, wineries where you can learn about the local wine trade and sample signature products, a street covered in bubblegum. It even has its own art museum!
Klook Tip: If you’re looking to delight in the culinary offerings of the city, then Higuera Street’s got you covered! The street has numerous restaurants, cafes, and even shops that you’ll be spoiled for choice.
10) Solvang
- Distance from San Luis Obispo: 72.6 miles
- Duration: 1 hour and 21 minutes
Photo credit: Anthony Fomin on Unsplash
Visiting Solvang might make you feel like you just got transported to Europe. Now, you’re probably asking “But weren’t the places I visited mostly Spanish-influenced?” While that is true, the places you’ve visited so far are all Spanish-influenced. This town is Danish.
You can’t miss this town while driving along the Pacific Highway Coast because its iconic windmills will immediately grab your attention. Don’t hesitate to spend a few hours exploring it, trying out Danish pastries at Mortensen’s Danish Bakery and Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, browsing around boutique shops, and even attending a festival depending on the time of year you visit it!
Klook Tip: During the month of September, the town hosts the Solvang Danish Days, which takes place over a few days, usually in the middle of the month. Visiting during this period is a great way to immerse yourself in Danish culture because the town will be celebrating its roots through food, entertainment, and more.
11) Santa Barbara
- Distance from Solvang: 33.3 miles
- Duration: 41 minutes
Photo credit: James Coleman (@jhc) on Unsplash
Santa Barbara is called the “American Riviera” because of its Mediterranean climate and architecture. A lot of its attractions cater to beachgoers. Aside from simply hanging out at the beach and swimming, you can go kayaking, surfing, sailing, whale watching, and even fishing!
The city is more than its coastal gems, though. It also has its fair share of museums, like the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for the art lovers as well as the Museum of Natural History Sea Center where you can learn about marine life in the Santa Barbara Channel.
The city has just so much to offer visitors that you might want to consider spending a few days in the city to get a comprehensive taste of everything!
Klook Tip: If you love wine, then you might want to consider visiting this city mid-July to attend the California Wine Festival (16 July 2022), which takes place beside the beach! There, you can sample wine produced by different vineyards, pair wine with delicious food, and try out some local craft brews!
12) Los Angeles
- Distance from Santa Barbara: 95.3 miles
- Duration: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Ah, the world-famous City of Angels. This might as well be your last stop before reaching San Diego, so make it count by spending a day or two here!
One of the top things to do in Los Angeles is to go on a tour that will take you to key areas of the American Film Industry, such as the Walk of Fame, the TLC Chinese Theatre, Paramount Pictures Studio, and last but not the least, the Hollywood Sign. If you love cinema and are enamored by celebrity culture, you can’t pass up on visiting these attractions.
Photo credit: @laralouise92 on Instagram
We also recommend dropping by Santa Monica Pier to experience how lively the locals are, try out some snacks, ride the Ferris wheel and enjoy the view of the sea from high above the ground!
Klook Tip: Before you make your way to San Diego, cap off your stay by visiting Venice Beach or Santa Monica Beach to watch the sunrise or sunset. Either beach will make for one of the best sunrise/sunset viewing spots during this trip.
Touchdown San Diego!
- Distance from Los Angeles: 120 miles
- Duration: 1 hour and 57 minutes
Photo credit: Mullowney on Unsplash
San Diego is California’s second-largest city, and like its coastal counterparts, has a laid-back atmosphere and has numerous beaches where you can simply relax. After a long trip all the way from San Francisco, give yourself some time to rest and chill around before making your way back.
Though, if you’re planning on spending a couple of days here before returning, here’s a couple of things that you can do:
- Visit and stroll around Balboa Park
- Purchase a USS Midway ticket and learn about its wartime history while wandering around its museum
- Marvel at majestic animals at San Diego Zoo
- Buy a SeaWorld San Diego ticket to enter a massive aquarium housing a wide variety of aquatic creatures
- Go museum hopping and enter the likes of the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego
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