San Francisco to San Diego - Trip Plan and Map

This route combines a visit to the three largest and most famous cities in California, a trip to special towns and a drive on a spectacular scenic road, considered one of the most beautiful in the USA.

Route Map: California Coastal Highway (1)

♦ Link to Google map with the route destinations

Recommended days of stay:

Place		Rec. Days of stay
San Francisco		2-3
Monterey + Carmel		1
Road No. 1		1
Solvang + Santa Barbara		1
Los Angeles		3-4
San Diego		3-4

 

Total travel days: 11-14 days.

Route length: 560 miles. Total travel time without stops: about 11 hours.

 

Places to visit  and stay along the route:

San Francisco

 

 

San Francisco is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is very different in appearance and character from the other large cities in the USA. It is the third largest city in California. It is a very diverse and colorful city. In the center are modern skyscrapers and next to them is a completely Chinese city with a low construction style. Its houses are painted in many colors and its quarters are very different from each other. The city has several Many ethnic groups: Chinese, Japanese, Hispanic, Italian, Russian, etc. Thanks to this diversity, San Francisco is a very cosmopolitan city, known as the "Paris of the West".

♥ Article: Guided tours in San Francisco

 Recommended hotels in San Francisco:

The most recommended place to stay in San Francisco is the "Fishermen's Wharf". It is of course also one of the more expensive areas.

The most recommended hotels in this area:

Argonaut, a Kimpton Hotel
The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
Cheaper but still good hotels in this area:
Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf
Best Western PLUS The Tuscan
Courtyard by Marriott Fishermans Wharf

It is more convenient and cheaper to stay near the San Francisco airport.
Recommended 3-star suite hotels suitable for families of up to 6 people:

♦ Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport – Waterfront
♦ Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport - South San Francisco
Good motels near the airport:
♦ Holiday Inn Express San Francisco Airport South
♦ Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco-Burlingame-Airport South

Please note that in the city center, especially in the "Civic Center" area, but also in other areas, there are a lot of homeless people, so it is recommended to choose your place of residence carefully, especially if you arrive at the hotel after dark.

Guided Tours in San Francisco

♦ San Francisco Deluxe Half-Day City Tour
Guided tour of several main attractions and beautiful viewpoints (including pickup from several hotels, lasts about 3.5 hours).

♦ San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Bike Tour
Guided bicycle trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito (for an additional fee you can get an electric bicycle, lasts about three hours).

♦ San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Food tour of the farmers market and the ferry building.
♦ Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour
 Wine tasting tour in wineries in Sonoma and Napa Valley (including the cost of wine tasting and pickup from selected hotels in the city):

Road no. 1

 

Highway no. 1 in California is one of the most popular scenic roads to travel in the USA and combines, in addition to impressive sea views, hiking trails, animal viewing, charming towns and many options for active recreation. Destinations along the route: Monterey, Carmel, San Simeon, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbara

♥ Recommended hotels in destinations along road no. 1:

Monterey

♦ Best Western Plus Victorian Inn

♦ Monterey Bay Inn

Good Family apartment hotel:

♦ RResidence Inn by Marriott Salinas

Carmel

♦ The Vendange Carmel Inn & Suites

♦ La Playa Carmel

San Simeon

♦ Best Western Plus Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

♦ The Morgan Hotel San Simeon

Pismo Beach

♦ Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa

♦ Pismo Lighthouse Suites

Los Angeles

 

Tourism is the largest source of income in Los Angeles. All members of a traveling family have a lot to do and see there. Besides Orlando, it is the city with the largest number of amusement and entertainment sites in the USA. In addition, it has interesting museums, beautiful beaches and nearby snowy mountains (in winter). Los Angeles is also an excellent starting point for trips to many National Parks in California.

♥ Article: Amusement parks in the Los Angeles area

♥ Recommended hotels in a central location in Los Angeles:

♦ Best Western PLUS Hollywood Hills
A 3-star hotel located 4 minutes' drive from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hotel has 86 spacious and well-equipped rooms that include a microwave and a refrigerator. The hotel has a diner restaurant and a swimming pool. Free internet. Private parking for an additional fee.

♦ Holiday Inn Express Hollywood Walk of Fame
A 3-star hotel located 8 minutes' walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hotel has 94 spacious rooms with a small refrigerator in each room. The hotel has a swimming pool and a gym. Free internet and free breakfast. Private parking for an additional fee.

♦ Residence Inn by Marriott Beverly Hills
A suite hotel in Beverly Hills less than a mile from Rodeo Drive. The hotel has 186 suites ranging from double studio apartments to suites with two bedrooms and a living room designed for 5 people. Each suite has a well-equipped kitchen. Free internet and free breakfast. The hotel has a jacuzzi and a gym. Private parking for an additional fee.

♦ Hilton Los Angeles-Universal City
A quality 4-star hotel located 2 minutes' walk from Universal Studios. The hotel has 495 rooms. The hotel has a restaurant, business center, gym, swimming pool and jacuzzi. A small fridge in each room. The hotel rooms have a view of the amusement park or the city. Internet and parking for an additional fee.

 

♥ Hotels in the Universal or Anaheim area (near Disney)

AApartment hotels:

♦ Springhill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate
♦ Clementine Hotel & Suites Anaheim

or the following hotels that are also suitable for families:

♦ Staybridge Suites Anaheim At The Park
♦ Best Western Plus Pavilions

Guided Tours in Los Angeles:

San Diego

 

San Diego is a charming city whose residents claim that it is the most successful place to live in USA. It is the second largest city in California and has a successful blend between a large, modern city and a popular year-round resort. It is excellent for a fun family trip.

San Diego Attractions includes: zoo, safari, sea world, spacious parks, many museums, pleasant shopping centers and lovely beaches.

 Recommended hotels in San Diego:

Hotels in the excellent neighborhood La Jolla:

♦  Residence Inn San Diego La Jolla

♦  Inn by the Sea, at La Jolla

♦ Holiday Inn Express and Suites La Jolla

♦ Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego - La Jolla

♦  More expensive and highly recommended: Pantai Inn

In the Mission Valley area:

♦  Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley/Zoo

Guided Tours in San Diego:

 

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