California Coastal Road Trip: Best Places You Need To Stop At

The California coastal road trip is one the best routes for those who love the sea.

With so many spectacular viewpoints, where should you stop at on your California coastal road trip? You definitely need to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, explore rugged beaches, and camp at coastal campsites.

The famous route stretches from San Francisco to Los Angeles and even down to San Diego. There is so much to see and do, so here are the best places you need to stop at on your California coastal road trip.

Read more:

• California Car Rental: 7 Easy Tips You Need To Know For Road Trips
• How To Choose The Best Car Rental – Turo, Zipcar, Hertz

California road trip within 3 hours of San Francisco

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore is 1 hour north of San Francisco, and is an untouched peninsula teeming with wildlife. In the winter, you can drive to the Point Reyes Lighthouse and try to spot some migrating Gray Whales. You might even spot some elk, deers, or elephant seals on your hike.

If you are looking for a place to get away from the city crowds, Point Reyes is the place for you. You can also camp overnight at Coast Camp, which is only a 200m walk away from the beach. There you can watch the sunset and enjoy the secluded beach.

Here are more ideas for things to do in Point Reyes to help you plan your trip in this incredible destination.

San Francisco

There is so much to see and do in San Francisco – appealing to both the city lover and outdoor enthusiast. For best views of the famous Golden Gate Bridge, you can drop by the Marin Headlands or Battery Spencer observation viewpoint. You can also rent a bicycle and cycle across the bridge to the town of Sausalito. The Lands End Trail is perfect for a leisurely walk along the coast.

Don’t forget to check out the Painted Ladies, Lombard Street, Pier 39, and maybe even Alcatraz Island while you are there.

Read more: The Best Places To Stay In San Francisco For Safety

Monterey Bay

As you drive south from San Francisco, you will come to Monterey after passing by Santa Cruz. It is a coastal city that places great emphasis on marine conservation, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is worth a visit. In terms of wildlife, you can spot sea lions perched on top of rocks. You can even go on whale watching tours during the migration season.

You can also drive along the 17 Mile Drive that takes you along the perimeter of the Monterey peninsula, past golf courses and mansions. There are fantastic views along this route, including Pebble Beach and Lone Cyprus among other viewpoints. Check out some of the best things to do in Monterey here.

You might be able to spot some sea lions in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Hiking trails like the Cyprus Grove Trail can also take you to the edge of the coast. There are also tide pools, coves, and beaches to explore while you are there.

You should also stop by Carmel-By-The-Sea, a photogenic beach city that resembles a village. It is full of quaint buildings that make you feel like you are in another world. You can grab some coffee or ice cream here before continuing on your California coastal road trip. Check out more ideas on things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea in this article.

Big Sur

Big Sur is an iconic part of any California coastal road trip. This is a scenic stretch along the Pacific Coast Highway with many different state parks and beaches nearby. At sunset, you might see the sun peek through the Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach, making for a great photo opportunity.

There are campsites and cabins in the redwood forests where you can rest overnight before continuing your journey. You can choose from a range of campsites, from affordable to luxurious. Nepenthe is one of the famous restaurants that boasts a fantastic cliffside view, and you can enjoy a nice dinner here.

As you head south from Big Sur, be sure to check out the stunning McWay Falls and Bixby Bridge as you drive past along cliffs. Check out this Big Sur road trip itinerary for ideas on how to plan your visit. You could also plan a 3-day itinerary to explore Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey.

California road trip within 2 hours of Santa Barbara

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo is an area full of hills, cliffs, and beautiful seaside vacation homes in central California. In spring, you can see wildflower blooms on the roadsides.

You can enjoy great coastal views in Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Montana de Oro State Park. In Montana de Oro, hiking the bluff trail allows you to enjoy close-up views of the ocean, with some chance of spotting marine life in the rocky tide pools.

You can also check out Splash Cafe for famous clam chowder and seafood fast food, and Old West Cinnamon Rolls for dessert.

Santa Barbara

As you come to Santa Barbara, you will be greeted by wide sandy beaches against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

East Beach and Leadbetter Beach are great places to watch the sunset under the palm trees. Arroyo Burro Beach County Park is also another popular place for families and picnics on the grass patches. You can also check out the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, or visit the Santa Barbara zoo.

California road trip within 2 hours of Los Angeles

Malibu

Aside from being the home of celebrities, Malibu is also known for its stunning cliffs and beaches such as El Matador beach and Point Dume.

There are variety of hiking trails across its diverse landscape. For example, you can hike up to Sandstone Peak or to Escondido Falls. You can also go for walks at the Corral Canyon Park which overlooks the coast, and is a popular place for picnics.

Los Angeles

There are so many beaches in Los Angeles that you will be spoiled for choice. Santa Monica Pier is famous for its vibrant energy, with an amusement park and many shops along the pier.

Further down you have Venice Beach and you can see street performers basking as you walk down the beach. These stretch of beaches is one of the best places to watch the sunset.

You can also take a short drive to see the Venice canals in a picturesque neighbourhood. It is a great place to enjoy a walk along the water, especially when it is sunny.

Further south you have Huntington Beach, a famous surf beach, and Long Beach where you can take a ferry to Catalina Island for a day trip.

San Diego

The road to San Diego is full of more beaches, and one of the notable ones is the San Onofre State Beach. It is a good place to go hiking, biking and surfing on this laid back beach. LegoLand is also 45 minutes away from San Diego, and kids will definitely love coming here for the day.

Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier is one of the popular places you can go to for sunset photography under the pier. In fact, anywhere along La Jolla Shores Beach is beautiful at any time of the day, and it is also famous for swimming and surfing.

Planning your California road trip

Since there are so many places that are worth a visit, you should save them down in either a Notion planner or on Google Maps. Sharing photos with friends is a great way to brainstorm for trip ideas together. In fact, you can check out this post for tips on how to use Notion to plan a trip with friends.

If you are planning to include some camping trips, make sure to check the weather forecasts and bring appropriate clothing and camping equipment. You should also book the campsites in advance, as popular sites fill up quickly. They are affordable ways to enjoy a California road trip, and it also brings you closer to nature.

For those who love the mountains, you can consider adding the California Sierras into your itinerary. This would include Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe, which is about 4 hours away from San Francisco. Check out this itinerary where you can combine Highway 1, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe within the same 10-day road trip!

Besides that, you can also get to the dessert easily via Los Angeles, with Joshua Tree National Park about 2 hours away. Lastly, way up in Northern California you’ll find the stunning Redwood National Park.

Read More:

• The Perfect 7-Day Grand Circle Road Trip (USA)
• 5 Things To Do On The Mount Diablo Summit Drive
• How To See Lassen Volcanic National Park: Weekend Itinerary
• The Best Pescadero Weekend Itinerary for Hiking and Camping
• Places You Need To Hike In The Bay Area Now (Peninsula and South Bay)
• Perfect Christmas Cabin Rentals In California For The Best Getaway