The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Driving down the coast of California is a once in a lifetime, bucket list experience.  As you take highway 1, out one window you’ll see the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, and out of the other window the rugged California coastline.  The biggest challenge?  Keeping your eyes on the road as you witness the beauty of the California coast.  While you can make the trip north to south or south to north, it doesn’t matter which you choose – the magic of the coast is the same either way.  This is the ultimate San Francisco to Santa Barbara road trip.

 

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• San Francisco
• Monterey + Carmel + Big Sur
• San Luis Obispo
• Solvang + Los Olivos
• Santa Barbara

 

Distance from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

The distance from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is 350+ miles and it would take you nearly 8 hours to drive between the two cities without stopping.  And while this road trip can be done in one day, I’ve broken this itinerary into 4 days with 5+ stops along the way!

If you’re debating on whether or not to fly from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, that is another option – but I truly believe some of the best parts of California can be found by doing this drive.  However, if you want to fly, the flight is only 1 hr 15 mins from SFO to SBA.  (I recommend using a search engine to compare flight prices; and if you’re based in the US sign up for Going to get cheap flight notifications).

 

The Best Time to Visit the California Coast

If you’re considering this road trip, the best time to visit the California Coast is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) when the weather is mild and the summer crowds have thinned out.  These shoulder seasons provide good temperatures and clear skies, ideal for scenic drives, coastal hikes, and exploring charming towns.  Summer (July to August) is peak tourist season with warmer weather and bustling beaches, while winter (December to February) brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain, but also fewer tourists and a more serene atmosphere.

I made the drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in December and it was perfect!  The weather was still incredible and there was much fewer crowds.  But keep in mind, it is too cold to swim or go to the beach at this time so if that’s what you’re interested in you might want to consider a different month.

 

Starting Point:  San Francisco

Begin your California road trip north, in San Francisco.  If you’re arriving in the city by plane, you can pick up a rental car from the airport and begin your drive south.  However, if you have the time, I recommend spending time in San Francisco first, before starting your road trip to Santa Barbara.

If you fly into San Francisco and plan to stay for a day or two, I don’t recommend renting a car right away.  This is because you don’t need a car to get around the city and there is a huge lack of safe and available parking.  Instead, pick up your rental car when you’re on your way out of San Francisco

If you plan to stay in San Francisco for a bit and want to book a private driver to be waiting for you at the airport upon arrival, you can do that here.

 

Highlights of San Francisco

• See the Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer
• Walk through Golden Gate Park
• Have a picnic at the Palace of Fine Arts
• Visit the Painted Ladies
• Stroll through Chinatown
• Visit the Ferry Building

 

If you’re visiting San Francisco, don’t miss…

• From San Francisco:  A Day Trip to Sausalito
• The Best Places to Go for Views of the Golden Gate Bridge
• 15+ of the Best Restaurants in San Francisco
• What to Do For Your First Time in San Francisco

 

What You Need to Know About Renting a Car from San Francisco

If you’re flying into San Francisco (SFO) and don’t plan on heading to the city, your best bet is to pick up a rental car from the airport.  I prefer to use Discover Cars to compare different rental companies and ensure I’m getting the best price.

If you’re exploring San Francisco for a few days before hitting the road, you can also use Discover Cars to filter through pick up options and pick up your car elsewhere in the city if you’d rather do that than go back to the airport to pick it up.

 

 

Days 1 & 2:  Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & San Luis Obispo

Start your San Francisco to Santa Barbara drive down the coast, making it a priority to stop in Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur.  While all three places are geographically similar, they all feel worlds different.  Monterey feels like a laidback, beach town.  While Carmel feels fancier, exuding European vibes. And vastly different from both Monterey and Carmel is Big Sur, a stretch of rugged, coastal land between Carmel and San Simeon.

 

Day 1:  Monterey + Carmel; Overnight in Carmel

From San Francisco take the 101 south to the 1 until you get to Monterey.  Expect the drive to take about two hours until you’re on the coast.   When you get to Monterey make sure to head to Lovers Point Park for views of the rugged coastline.  If you have time, don’t miss visiting the impressive Monterey Bay Aquarium and walk along the Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

From Monterey continue down south by taking the 17-mile drive to Carmel.  The 17-mile drive is a road that weaves through Pebble Beach from Monterey to Carmel (or vice-versa).  The truth is, to get to Carmel it’s only 8.5 miles, however the road loops around making it 17-miles total.  You’ll enter the drive at Pacific Grove, where you’ll be expected to pay $12.  The road is marked and easy to follow with different lookout points along the way.  Make it a priority to get out as often as possible, but if you’re limited on time definitely stop at Crocker Grove and The Lone Cypress.

Once you reach Carmel, get out and stretch your legs by walking down Ocean Avenue.  Here you’ll find many high-end retail shops, boutiques, restaurants, and wine bars.  For food, make your way to the cozy restaurant of La Bicyclette Restaurant for French-Italian fusion food and wood-fired pizzas.

Because the drive through Big Sur is long, I recommend staying the night in Carmel before continuing on the next morning.  I stayed at the Comfort Inn Carmel By The Sea and highly recommend it for a budget-friendly option.

More hotels I’d recommend in Carmel include…

• Candle Light Inn
• Carmel Country Inn
• L’Auberge Carmel
• Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave
• Le Petit Pali at Ocean Ave

 

Day 2:  Carmel + Big Sur + San Luis Obispo; Overnight in San Luis Obispo

As you head out of Carmel and continue your drive down the coast, first, make a pit stop at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.  Point Lobos is frequently considered to be the “crown jewel” of the 280 California state parks.  And it’s apparent when you visit!  For $10 you can access the park; hike, take in the views of the rugged coastline, have a picnic, and if you’re lucky maybe you’ll even see seals, dolphins, or whales!  If you’re limited on time head straight to Bird Island Trail to get out and have a look around.  And if you have more time than that also head to Whalers Cove.  If you have indefinite amounts of time, walk the entire 6-mile loop around the park.

Pro Tip:  Make sure to save your park pass!  The pass will be valid for a day and if you go to another state park, you’ll get in for free.

After you’ve wandered around Point Lobos, get in the car and go south down the 1 to Big Sur.  Big Sur is a beautiful, and expansive stretch of coastline that takes you from Carmel to San Simeon.  The drive is approximately 80-miles, all down a two-lane highway.  There are tons of stops along Big Sur, and opportunities to get out and stretch your legs along the way.

As you drive along Big Sur, make your first pitstop at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California.  Built in 1931, it soars 260-feet above a canyon and as you drive from north to south there will be an area to pull off to the side for views of the bridge and the dramatic coastline.  After viewing Bixby Bridge, continue down the 1 16-miles until you come to Pfeiffer Beach.  Known for its keyhole rocks and purple sand, Pfeiffer is a great place to get out of the car and just relax.  As you travel down a steep hill, towards the coast, the road opens up at a beautiful sandy beach.  To access Pfeifer Beach you will have to pay $12.50, and because it’s a federal park and not a state park, your pass from Point Lobos won’t work here.

Once you leave Pfeiffer Beach, continue your drive through Big Sur until you hit San Simeon.  Once you get to San Simeon, you will have completed the Big Sur drive and be closer to your end destination – Santa Barbara!

Before pulling into San Luis Obispo for the night, stop for lunch at Hidden Kitchen, an incredible cozy restaurant serving sweet and savory waffles amongst other things.  There are two locations, one in Cayucos and one in Cambria.  Both have different hours of operation so make sure to see which one will be open ahead of time!

I recommend staying overnight in San Luis Obispo.  Make sure to head downtown to walk the streets, and catch the sunset at Pismo Beach.  I stayed at the Apple Farm Inn and would recommend it.

Other hotels in San Luis Obispo that I recommend include…

• HOTEL CERRO
• Madonna Inn
• Petit Soleil
• Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo

 

If you have more time and want to discover a premier wine destination in California make sure to visit Paso Robles, about 30-miles north of San Luis Obispo.  This will add on another day to your San Francisco to Santa Barbara road trip itinerary.  You can read more about Paso Robles here.

 

Days 3 & 4:  Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Barbara

As you continue on your San Francisco to Santa Barbara road trip, the second half of your trip will take you further down the coast to Central California.  As you spend time in wine country, the American Riviera, and a quintessential Dutch town in the heart of California, it becomes more apparent how beautiful and diverse this state is.

 

Day 3:  Solvang + Los Olivos; Overnight in Solvang

From San Luis Obispo, head 90 miles south on the 101 to the Santa Ynez Valley.  The Santa Ynez Valley is the heart of Santa Barbara wine country (Los Olivos), and home to the Danish town of Solvang.

With Los Olivos and Solvang being so close together, these two towns are easy to visit in one day.  I recommend first stopping in downtown Los Olivos for lunch at the Wine Merchant Cafe, and to visit some of the vineyards in the area.  Los Olivos isn’t as well-known as wine country up north, so reservations aren’t typically required.

 

If you’re looking for wineries to visit in Los Olivos, check out…

• Wine Tasting in Los Olivos – The Best Vineyards to Visit

 

From Los Olivos make the short drive to Solvang, a quintessentially Danish town located in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Visiting Solvang is like visiting Europe… but without having to cross the Atlantic or bring your passport.  It’s a charming Danish town surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and adorned with classic Danish-style architecture.  For a hotel recommendation, I love New Haven Inn or The Landsby.

 

For more information and recommendations on Solvang, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Solvang, California

 

Day 4:  Santa Barbara; Overnight in Santa Barbara

On the last day of your road trip, head south from Solvang, to your ending destination – Santa Barbara.  Also known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is nestled between the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.  It’s perhaps one of California’s best-kept secrets, a town resembling that of a European village, bursting with charm and character.

When you arrive in town, walk along Cabrillo Boulevard, heading straight to Stearns Wharf.  Walk down the wharf for views of Santa Barbara from the ocean.  If you’re looking for things to do on Stearns Wharf I recommend visiting Deep Sea Tasting Room for a wine tasting on the patio overlooking the Pacific.

From Stearns Wharf walk a mile northeast to the Funk Zone.  The Funk Zone is a hip neighborhood in Santa Barbara where you can find different wineries, cafés, restaurants, shops, and breweries.  It’s best known for being home to incredible wine tasting rooms showing off Santa Barbara wines.  There are 15 tasting rooms total which make up a majority of Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail.

Before night falls, make sure to walk down State Street, the main street in town.  State Street is full of boutique stores, high-end retail, yoga studios, bars, and restaurants.

For hotels in Santa Barbara, I recommend…

• Bath Street Inn
• Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages
• La Playa Inn Santa Barbara
• Palihouse Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Inn

 

For more information and recommendations on visiting Santa Barbara, don’t miss…

• California’s Best Kept Secret – Santa Barbara, the American Riviera
• Places to Eat in Santa Barbara – 10 Restaurants You MUST Try
• Spending 2 Days in Santa Barbara; The Ultimate Santa Barbara Itinerary

 

Trip Additions

If you have additional time or are looking to discover more of California, there are more places along the way than previously mentioned, that are worth stopping at.

 

San Simeon

After leaving Big Sur, you’ll end up in San Simeon.  If you have time, stop at Hearst Castle.  Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark that was built between 1919 and 1947 by a publishing tycoon.  Tour the castle and grounds to get a feel of what life was like in the roaring ’20s.  Hearst Castle was a popular party spot at this time for the rich and famous.

 

Paso Robles

If you’re looking to check out more wine regions in Central California, don’t miss Paso Robles.  Paso Robles is located just north of San Luis Obispo, and it’s an easy drive to get between the two.  When visiting Paso Robles make sure to check out Daou Winery.

 

California Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting California

 

This road trip down the California coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is not only beautiful, but it’s fun!  If you have any questions about doing this road trip, let me know in a comment below!

 

Don’t miss:

• 10 Things to See and Do on the Coast of California

 

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For more on this road trip, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching #ppincalifornia or “CA Road Trip”

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