AI-planned road trip

San Francisco→Los Angeles

“A 5-day coastal nature drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles via Monterey and Santa Barbara”

5days

716 miDistance

22stops

$2,560Est. cost

Copy to my trips Plan your own

Shared by a traveler · city-level only, no dates, private notes stay private

~18h 21m driving
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

San Francisco → Monterey

137 mi2h 39mDepart 08:30

Start

San Francisco

Drive 121 miles in ~2h 15min via US-101 S and CA-1 S from San Francisco 125 mi2h 8m

Attraction4.9Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

10:45–13:152h 30m here$10

Clifftop trails, coves, wildlife

Great first coastal hike and photo stop; arrive before noon for parking and bring layers for fog.

Drive 9.3 miles in ~19 min via CA-1 N from Point Lobos 9 mi19m

Food4.5Monterey, United States

Hula's Island Grill

13:30–14:301h here$35

Casual seafood and island plates

Fits local seafood cravings after hiking; order fish tacos and use nearby paid street parking.

Drive 1 mile in ~10min via Del Monte Avenue in Monterey 1 mi4m

Attraction4.5Monterey, United States

Old Fisherman's Wharf

14:40–16:101h 30m here

Historic wharf and bay views

Required Monterey anchor with sea-life photos; walk the wharf for harbor seals and clam chowder samples.

Drive 2 miles in ~10min via Pacific Street in Monterey 2 mi8m

Overnight4.3Monterey, United States

Stage Coach Lodge Monterey

16:20–17:201h here$250

Comfortable motel with parking

Moderate motel suits friends with an SUV; reserve parking and ask for a quiet courtyard room.

Day 2

Monterey → San Simeon

250 mi8h 8mDepart 08:30

Drive 23 miles in ~40min via CA-1 S from Monterey 19 mi27m

Attraction4.0Big Sur, United States

Bixby Creek Bridge

09:10–09:4030m here

Iconic coastal bridge viewpoint

Classic photography pullout for the group; stop early before tour traffic and keep valuables hidden.

Drive 87 miles in ~3h 9min via CA-1 S through Big Sur 87 mi3h 9m

Activity4.7Big Sur, United States

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

10:00–12:302h 30m here$10

Redwood trails and river walks

Best mix of hiking and shade in June; use the Valley View trail and carry water.

Drive 76 miles in ~2h 54min via CA-1 N in Big Sur 76 mi2h 54m

Food4.2Big Sur, United States

Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn

12:40–13:401h here$35

Rustic riverside lunch stop

Relaxed local stop after hiking; sit by the river if open and fuel up before the remote coast.

Drive 68 miles in ~1h 38min via CA-1 S past rugged Big Sur overlooks 68 mi1h 38m

Overnight4.3San Simeon, United States

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

16:10–17:101h here$285

Oceanfront highway hotel

Good coastal base with sunset access; book ahead for June and choose ocean-facing if budget allows.

Day 3

San Simeon → San Luis Obispo

73 mi1h 56mDepart 08:30

Drive 7.7 miles in ~11 min via CA-1 N from San Simeon 8 mi11m

Attraction4.8San Simeon, United States

Elephant Seal Vista Point

08:45–09:3045m here

Wild elephant seal rookery

Wildlife photography with minimal walking; June can show molting seals, stay behind railings.

Drive 43 miles in ~50min via CA-1 S from San Simeon 34 mi44m

Attraction4.8Morro Bay, United States

Morro Rock

10:20–11:501h 30m here

Volcanic landmark and bay views

Great birding and wide-angle coastal shots; park near Embarcadero and watch for sea otters.

Drive 1 mile in ~10min along Embarcadero in Morro Bay 1 mi6m

Food4.6Morro Bay, United States

The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar‎

12:00–13:001h here$45

Waterfront Central Coast seafood

Local cuisine with harbor views; reserve patio seats and try the catch of the day.

Drive 14 miles in ~25min via South Bay Boulevard and Pecho Valley Road 12 mi24m

Activity4.0Los Osos, United States

Bluff Trail

13:25–15:252h here

Easy ocean bluff hike

Scenic hike fits nature and photography; afternoon wind is common, keep hats secured.

Drive 16 miles in ~35min via Los Osos Valley Road to San Luis Obispo 17 mi31m

Overnight4.4San Luis Obispo, United States

Apple Farm Inn

16:00–17:001h here$265

Cozy inn near downtown SLO

Comfortable friend-friendly base with parking; easy evening access to downtown restaurants.

Day 4

San Luis Obispo → Santa Barbara

114 mi2h 9mDepart 08:30

Drive 15 miles in ~25min via US-101 S from San Luis Obispo 13 mi15m

Attraction4.7Pismo Beach, United States

Pismo Preserve

08:55–10:552h here

Coastal hills hiking preserve

Morning hike avoids June heat; take Discovery Trail for ocean panoramas and free parking.

Drive 57 miles in ~1h 05min via US-101 S through Santa Maria Valley 54 mi53m

Food4.5Buellton, United States

Industrial Eats

12:00–13:001h here$40

Creative local Central Coast food

Excellent local cuisine stop for friends; share wood-fired plates and expect a casual line.

Drive 43 miles in ~55min via US-101 S from Buellton 43 mi46m

Attraction4.8Santa Barbara, United States

Santa Barbara County Courthouse Gardens

13:55–15:251h 30m here

Spanish Revival landmark views

Required Santa Barbara anchor with top photo views; climb the tower before late-afternoon crowds.

Drive 3 miles in ~15min via Carrillo Street in Santa Barbara 3 mi10m

Activity4.8Santa Barbara, United States

Shoreline Park

15:40–16:551h 15m here

Ocean bluffs and sunset walk

Easy coastal walk for sunset scouting; use free street parking and bring a wind layer.

Drive 1.4 miles in ~4 min via Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara 1 mi4m

Overnight4.4Santa Barbara, United States

Franciscan Inn & Suites

17:05–18:051h here$320

Beach-area moderate hotel

Walkable beach location suits friends; book early for June weekends and confirm SUV parking.

Day 5

Santa Barbara → Los Angeles

142 mi3h 29mDepart 08:30

Drive 6 miles in ~20min via Mission Canyon Road from Santa Barbara 5 mi15m

Activity4.6Santa Barbara, United States

Inspiration Point Trailhead

08:50–11:202h 30m here

Foothill hike above the city

Final Santa Barbara adventure hike; start early for cooler temps and limited trailhead parking.

Drive 65 miles in ~1h 35min via US-101 S and CA-1 S through Ventura 79 mi1h 29m

Food4.6Malibu, United States

Malibu Seafood

12:55–13:551h here$35

Pacific Coast seafood shack

Local seafood lunch on the drive south; order grilled fish and avoid leaving bags visible in the SUV.

Drive 24 miles in ~40min via CA-1 S and I-10 E from Malibu 25 mi44m

Attraction4.8Los Angeles, United States

The Getty

14:35–17:052h 30m here$25

Architecture, gardens, LA views

Great finale for photography and city views; reserve timed entry and pay for parking only.

Drive 18 miles in ~1h via I-405 S and US-101 S across Los Angeles traffic 23 mi40m

Attraction4.7Los Angeles, United States

Griffith Observatory

18:05–19:351h 30m here

Iconic skyline and sunset viewpoint

Destination LA viewpoint with golden-hour photos; use paid parking or shuttle if lots are full.

Finish

Los Angeles

Before you go

Local tips

1Reserve Santa Barbara and Monterey lodging early; mid-June weekends fill fast and parking can be limited.
2Start Big Sur driving before 09:00 for easier pullouts at Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
3Fuel in Monterey or Carmel before Big Sur; gas along the remote coast is limited and expensive.
4Check Caltrans Highway 1 status the night before Day 2 because landslides or repairs can affect Big Sur segments.
5Use golden hour at Shoreline Park or Griffith Observatory for the best group photography.
6Keep lunch flexible in Morro Bay and Malibu; seafood counters get lines but move quickly outside peak noon.

Good to know

1US-101 and CA-1 have heavy summer weekend traffic near Monterey, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles.
2Big Sur Highway 1 is prone to landslide closures; be ready to detour inland via US-101 if Caltrans posts restrictions.
3Do not leave visible bags or camera gear in the SUV at coastal pullouts, Malibu beaches, or LA viewpoints.
4June coastal fog can reduce visibility on CA-1 mornings; use headlights and slow down on cliffside curves.
5State park lots at Point Lobos, Pfeiffer Big Sur, and Pismo Preserve can fill by late morning in summer.

More San Francisco → Los Angeles road trips →

Plan your own road trip in seconds

Tell the AI where you're headed — get a real day-by-day route with genuine stops, photos, costs and live guidance.

Plan a trip free

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Free · no account needed