California Coast Road Trip

A jaunt along the West Coast is one of the most fun road trips you can take, Californian Coast road trip. The coast is long and varied, both in geography and the kinds of activities available to enjoy along the way. You can customize your trip to hit the spots best for your interests. Does planning sound overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. Let’s run through some questions from the general down to the specific to help you focus your planning and get you on your way to the coast!

How much time do you have?

This question is more important than you think; the entire coastline from Crescent City to San Diego is already a nearly 14-hour drive before you account for traffic, with the drive from LA to San Diego alone being 3 hours on a good day. This is excluding any time you’ll need to get out to the coast itself to start! If you don’t have at least a week to spare for your trip, you’ll have to sacrifice some stops.  

What parts of the coast are you most interested in visiting?

If you need to tighten the focus on your trip due to time or budget constraints, this will help you figure out where to prioritize your time on the trip. Most interested in the beaches and the cities? Focus on San Diego and Los Angeles (Venice Beach)? More drawn to woodland beauty and wine country? Northern California is your calling.

Traveler’s tip: Whatever you choose, you should start your trip in the area that you think you want to spend the most time in. You can always hit the road out of an area early if it’s not what you expect, but the further along in your trip time you go, the harder it becomes to budget extra time to a new area.

Popular places to see on the California Coast Road Trip

Starting in the North, we gathered a list of the most popular destinations along the California coast.

Mendocino

Mendocino is a history-buff and art-lover must. The town is filled with Victorian style houses and plenty of bed & breakfasts to stay in. It’s also known for being home to the Redwood National Park and glass-bottom beaches. While you’re there, explore the Russian Gulch State Park. This park is a great place to camp and hike along the redwood and conifer forest. If being off the grid is what you enjoy most, you may want to plan for a few extra days in Mendocino.

San Francisco

Home of the famous Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a few hours south of Mendocino, engulfed by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Every neighborhood in the bustling city has its own flair and personality. Some of the most popular are Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, and Union Square. If you are interested in crime and history, plan a visit to Alcatraz Island and tour the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Alcatraz was a maximum high-security federal prison out in the bay San Francisco Bay that housed some of America’s most infamous and dangerous felons, such as Al Capone and Robert Stroud.

Monterey

Once the epicenter of the sardine-packing industry, Monterey’s most famous and popular area is Cannery Row. Here you can find some of the best seafood along the coast within restaurants housed in old converted factories. If you enjoy marine life, Monterey is most famous for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Also, take a picture on Bixby Creek Bridge. 

Big Sur

Big Sur is the iconic stretch between Carmel and San Simeon. There are many incredible sights along the Big Sur and plenty of landscape opportunities for photo buffs. Traveling along Big Sur is the best time to relax on your road trip and take in the ocean air and Pacific Coast views. Some of the best-known stops along the Big Sur are Pfieffer Beach, Ragged Point, and McWay Falls.

Malibu

Just before Los Angeles, check out the fame filled city of Malibu, home to a plethora of celebrities. And if you plan to catch some waves along your road trip, Malibu is the stop for you. Malibu is home to Surfrider Beach, known for its incredible surfing conditions, the Malibu Pier, perfect for saltwater fishing, and Malibu Wine Safaris.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the next most bustling city in California after San Francisco. Known as the hub for the film and television industry of the United States, Los Angeles is home to the biggest studios, including Universal, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Pictures. Take some time on foot to see the iconic Hollywood sign or walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame head over to Venice Beach.

Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach is the hot spot for surfers. Huntington City Beach hosts some of the largest surfing competitions in the world. Every Tuesday you can attend Surf City Nights, a street fair held in a closed-off section of downtown’s Main Street. The fair is a great place to grab some food truck grub, shop, and jam to some local live music.

La Jolla

La Jolla is a seaside village that is known for its rocky seaside. The picturesque city is a popular destination in Southern California, just north of San Diego. This town is best explored by foot. If you love to shop, you’ll find plenty of posh boutiques. Soak up the sunsets at one of many of the waterfront restaurants. For the golf lovers, La Jolla is home to two world-renowned golf courses, Torrey Pines North & South Course.

San Diego

San Diego is the San Francisco of Southern California. Yet, they differ exponentially. San Diego is known for its beaches and irresistible weather. End (or start) your trip being a beach bum, going to SeaWorld, or hitting the nightlife in downtown. San Diego has something for everyone of all walks.

What’s your budget like?

Similar to time, your budget is going to dictate how much of the coastline you can travel, where you make stops for activities, etcetera. The 14-hour drive distance might not make the coast seem that long, but the distance is understated by the fact that most travel in California is done via highways. The coast is nearly 850 miles long. In other words, 3 tanks of gas at a minimum (at California’s nation-leading gas prices, too).

How are you going to get there and get around once you’re there?

You can make an escapade out of it in the family car, but personally, we’d recommend flying in and renting a car. Whatever costs you pay in extra luggage will be made up long-term in saving your car from all the extra mileage. When it comes to renting a car, we would recommend a Honda HR-V or a Subaru Outback. The HR-V is a subcompact SUV that can save you on gas during your trip while still having the full cargo space of a traditional SUV, and the Subaru is a versatile vehicle good in all environments, should you want to explore the more remote areas near the coast.

What should you pack?

• Summer clothes: California is as warm as people say it is, and 90 percent of the time you’re going to be comfortable in a shirt, shades, and shorts. Don’t forget your beach wear for a quick beach stop.
• Windbreaker: One thing most people don’t mention is that nights by the coast can be chilly due to the marine layer. Windbreakers work best, but any kind of light jacket paired with pants should do the trick. You don’t need more than one, though.
• Light activity gear: If the things you want to do along the coast require supplies, bring them (obviously). Towels, a beach bag, etcetera.

Download:  Road Trip Checklist

What should you AVOID bringing?

• Heavy activity gear: Be smart about space. If you’re looking to climb or boat, there are plenty of places to rent from.
• Heavy clothes: Unless it’s a bad day in San Francisco, you’re not going to need it.

Where to stay during your trip?

We recommend picking your battles based on your budget. The larger the city, the pricier the hotels will be. Camping isn’t for everyone, but it is a great way to save and get the full coastal experience. Refer to a list of campgrounds before heading out on your journey.

Where to eat

California is an incredibly diverse state, and that’s reflected in its food. Grab snacks for the road, get your fill of fresh seafood and don’t miss the fantastic Mexican cuisine on the southern coast. Here is a list of the best restaurants along the California coast.

At the end of the day, the whole coast will be an enjoyable site to see! Taking the right steps to plan prior to jumping on the road will allow you to hang loose and take it all in. Good luck and happy adventuring!

About the author: Haley is from Gilbert, Arizona. She loves reading and writing. In her spare time, you can find her exploring the outdoors or sippin’ on a craft brew.