2026 - Summer Road Trip - California - 13 Days

Travel Journal

1st Epic California Coast Road Trip

San Diego → Los Angeles → San Francisco

13Days ~1,400Miles 12Nights 4Cities 1National Park

Will fly into San Diego and embark on a California road trip — really taking time to enjoy things. 13 days, a full loop from San Diego to LA and San Francisco, with stops in Yosemite, Napa Valley, Monterey, and the Pacific Coast Highway.

While I've been to California countless times, I never really attempted to take in many of the famous landmarks and destinations at a more leisurely pace — it was always a quick 5-minute snapshot and, in hindsight, not an efficient way to truly appreciate things.

Table of Contents

1. ①  The Route
2. ②  Los Angeles — 1 Night (Marina Del Rey)
3. ③  Yosemite — 2 Nights (Curry Village via Merced)
4. ④  San Francisco — 2 Nights (Nob Hill, The Marker Union)
5. ⑤  Napa Valley — 1 Night (Bergson)
6. ⑥  Monterey — 1 Night (Marriott)
7. ⑦  Pacific Coast Highway — The Drive South
8. ⑧  Los Angeles — 3 Nights (Kimpton)
9. ⑨  San Diego — 2 Nights
10. ⑩  The Drive Back

Section I

The Route

Stop	Nights	Anchor Experiences
Los Angeles (Marina Del Rey)	1	Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood Sign
Merced → Yosemite (Curry Village)	2	Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall
San Francisco (Nob Hill, The Marker Union)	2	Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Japantown, Golden Gate
Napa Valley (Bergson)	1	Castello di Amorosa, V. Sattui
Monterey (Marriott)	1	Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive
Pacific Coast Highway	—	Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Bixby Bridge
Los Angeles (Kimpton)	3	Universal Studios, city exploration
San Diego	2	SeaWorld, La Jolla, Gaslamp Quarter

Section II — Day 1

San Diego → Los Angeles (Marina Del Rey)

The trip kicks off heading north on I-5 — about 2.5 hours without traffic, though leaving early and budgeting for the slowdown around Oceanside is wise. Marina Del Rey is the right base for this first night: quieter than Hollywood, walkable to the water, and perfectly positioned for Santa Monica.

Afternoon / Evening

Santa Monica Pier is the natural first stop — the Pacific Wheel, the beach, the end-of-Route-66 marker. From there, Venice Beach is a 20-minute walk south: the boardwalk, the murals, the chaos. If the Hollywood Sign is on the list, Griffith Park's hiking trails are the move, or catch a clear view from the Griffith Observatory parking lot without the climb.

Dinner

Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice has no shortage of good options.

Traffic note: If you're arriving anywhere near 4–7 pm, the 405 interchange near Santa Monica will add time. Plan accordingly.

Section III — Days 2–3

Getty Museum → Merced → Yosemite (Curry Village)

Day 2 — Getty and the Drive to Merced

Start the morning at the Getty Center. Arrive at open — the architecture, the gardens, and the views over the LA basin are worth the visit alone before the galleries fill up. Plan two to three hours, then get on the road.

Merced is roughly four hours from LA and the logical overnight before Yosemite. It's a transit night, not a destination — but it puts you in position for an early start into the valley.

Day 3 — Into Yosemite via Highway 140

Highway 140 through the Merced River Canyon is the right approach — scenic, lower in elevation than alternatives (important in May if there's late snowpack), and it deposits you directly into Yosemite Valley. Leave Merced by 7 am. The valley gets crowded fast.

Curry Village (Half Dome Village) is central enough to walk or shuttle everywhere in the valley, and sleeping inside the park is the right call.

What to Prioritize

• →Tunnel View — the first look into the valley. Stop here before anything else.
• →Bridalveil Fall — short trail, enormous payoff. Peak snowmelt in May means the falls are at full volume.
• →Valley Loop Trail — do as much as time and legs allow.
• →Mirror Lake — easy, flat, and best in morning light.

Yosemite in May: Peak waterfall season. Timed entry permits may be required — check nps.gov well in advance.

Section IV — Days 4–5

San Francisco, Nob Hill (The Marker Union)

Yosemite to San Francisco is about three and a half hours via CA-120 West and I-580. Nob Hill puts you at the geographic center of everything — cable cars at the door, Chinatown a downhill walk away.

Day 4 — Arrival and the Neighborhoods

• →Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 — the sea lions are genuinely entertaining, and the clam chowder in a sourdough bowl is non-negotiable.
• →Chinatown — the largest in North America. Grant Avenue is the main drag; the side streets are where it gets interesting.
• →Japantown — a short ride west, centered on the Japan Center and the Peace Pagoda. Excellent lunch stop.
• →Golden Gate Bridge — walk it, or view it from Crissy Field or Battery Spencer across the bay for the classic shot.

Day 5 — More SF

• →Painted Ladies at Alamo Square
• →Castro and Haight-Ashbury — two distinct neighborhoods worth a wander
• →Alcatraz — if booked in advance (2–3 weeks minimum), one of the best tour experiences in the city
• →North Beach — City Lights Bookstore, strong espresso, good Italian food

Section V — Day 6

Napa Valley (Bergson)

An hour north of the city on Highway 29. Bergson puts you in the heart of the valley.

The Must-Visits

• →Castello di Amorosa — a fully realized 13th-century Italian castle winery, built stone by stone. The cave tour is worth every minute. Book timed entry in advance.
• →V. Sattui — excellent picnic grounds, a wide selection of estate wines, and an on-site deli that makes lunch here an easy decision.

If Napa feels crowded, Sonoma is 30 minutes west and moves at a considerably more relaxed pace.

Section VI — Day 7

Monterey (Marriott)

South on US-101 then CA-68 West — roughly two hours from Napa. The Marriott on the waterfront puts you steps from everything.

• →Monterey Bay Aquarium — genuinely world-class. The open sea exhibit and jellyfish tanks are highlights. Budget at least three hours.
• →Cannery Row — Steinbeck's sardine-packing district, now restaurants and shops. Worth a walk even without the history.
• →17-Mile Drive — the scenic Pebble Beach loop (~$12 toll). The Lone Cypress, Stillwater Cove, and Fanshell Beach overlook are the highlights.
• →Carmel-by-the-Sea — ten minutes south, worth a walk through the village and along the beach.

Section VII — Day 8

Pacific Coast Highway South (Big Sur → Los Angeles, Kimpton)

This is the day the trip earns its legend. Driving Big Sur southbound puts you on the ocean side of the road — unobstructed views and easier pull-offs the whole way. Leave Monterey early. There is no rushing this.

The Stops, in Order Heading South

Stop	What It Is
Bixby Creek Bridge	Most photographed bridge on the California coast. Pull off on both the north and south sides.
Pfeiffer Beach	The keystone arch rock and purple-tinged sand. Turn at Sycamore Canyon Road — unsigned, easy to miss.
McWay Falls	A waterfall dropping directly onto a beach cove. Short trail off Highway 1, massive payoff.
Big Sur Village	Good stop for gas, lunch, and a moment to decompress before continuing south.
Hearst Castle	William Randolph Hearst's estate above San Simeon — book timed tickets in advance if this is on the list.
Malibu / Point Dume	Clifftop views and a secluded beach below. The right re-entry into greater LA.

You'll arrive in LA in the evening. The Kimpton is home base for the next three nights.

Section VIII — Days 9–10

Los Angeles (Kimpton)

Three nights in LA gives the city room to breathe. No need to rush anything.

Day 9 — The City

• →Griffith Observatory — go at sunset. The views over the basin and the Hollywood Sign sightlines are worth the drive up.
• →Hollywood Walk of Fame — quick walk, check the box.
• →Mulholland Drive — the scenic ridge road connecting the Hollywood Hills. Do it in the late afternoon.
• →The Broad — free contemporary art museum in downtown. Reserve timed entry in advance.
• →Rodeo Drive — worth a walk through Beverly Hills even if shopping isn't the goal.

Day 10 — Universal Studios

Arrive at open. This is a full day. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the studio backlot tram tour are the anchors. Build in time for the longer ride queues mid-morning before the crowds peak.

Section IX — Days 11–13

San Diego (2 Nights)

The trip ends where California begins. Two nights is the right amount to decompress and hit the highlights without rushing.

Day 11 — La Jolla, Gaslamp, and the Coast

• →La Jolla Cove — sea lions on the rocks, cliffs, clear water. Go in the morning before it gets crowded.
• →Gaslamp Quarter — the historic downtown neighborhood, good for lunch and an afternoon wander.
• →Balboa Park — 1,200 acres of museums, gardens, and the famous Spanish Colonial architecture. The Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space Museum are standouts.
• →Old Town San Diego — a quick stop for a good margarita and some history.

Day 12 — SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld makes sense as the final full activity — the kids get a sendoff and you're done before the evening flight. The penguin and orca exhibits are the highlights. Check showtimes when you arrive and plan the day around them.

Day 13 — Fly Out

Leaving California.

If the flight is afternoon or evening, Coronado Island is a beautiful last-morning detour — the Hotel del Coronado and the beach are worth it even for a short walk.

~1,400 miles  •  12 nights  •  4 cities  •  1 national park  •  1 legendary coastal highway (southbound)