Little Itineraries : The Perfect Two-Week California Road Trip
If California had a greatest hits album, the destinations on this road trip would easily make the track list. Of course, there are so many amazing, Golden State destinations not on this list: Palm Springs, Yosemite, Joshua Tree. The list goes on and on. But if you want to experience an epic road trip, then you’ve found yourself the right itinerary.
SAN DIEGO - 3 DAYS
Fly into San Diego, pick up your rental car, and begin your adventure!
Stay in Little Italy or North Park to get a real feel for the city. Spend a day at Balboa Park to explore the museums. Don’t miss the Fleet Science Museum and the Botanical Garden. Have dinner at Station Tavern in South Park or ramen at Underbelly. Enjoy craft beer from Ballast Point and Stone. Play at Waterfront Park and visit the USS Midway Museum. Take a trip out on a whale watching boat or devote a day to the San Diego Zoo or the Safari Park.
In route to Los Angeles, you may or may not want to stop at Disneyland or California Adventure. I’m not going to judge you. Or maybe I will, if you have never visited the park that started it all, you must!
LOS ANGELES - 3 DAYS
As a Los Angeles native, I’m dizzy with LA recommendations. If you only have three days and you’ve never visited before, here’s what you should do!
Hike Griffith Park and visit the Observatory. Have lunch at Little Dom’s or Alcove nearby. Visit Thai Town for the largest Thai population outside of Thailand and incredible food. Ok, fine, walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is pretty fun! Have dinner at a Musso & Frank Grill, a old Hollywood relic and a personal family favorite. (My grandparents went on dates there!) Head out to Santa Monica and Venice to shop and eat and spend your afternoon at the beach. Visit downtown, Little Tokyo, Grand Central Market, and The Last Bookstore. Grab dinner at the historic Union Station.
SANTA BARBARA - 2 DAYS
On your way out of LA to Santa Barbara, you have a few options. Take PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) out to Malibu and grab an early lunch at Malibu Farm. Or take the 101 to Ventura and enjoy lunch at Beach House Tacos on the pier.
Lunch at La Super-Rica Taqueria, dinner at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, drinking through the Funk Zone. Go antiquing at The Blue Door. Visit the Mission and the historic courthouse and bell tower.
MONTEREY - 2 DAYS
On your way out of Monterey, you have more route choices! Visit the tiny town of Los Alamos for tacos from Babi’s Beer Emporium, a cocktail at the 1880 Union bar, and shopping at Depot Mall, the antique store. Or head into Santa Ynez for wine tasting.
A stop in Monterey is really only for one reason: the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is incredible! But if you want to skip this stop, you can add days onto another destination. Monterey also has great hiking and a drive into nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great afternoon activity as well.
SAN FRANCISCO - 4 DAYS
Your last stop and another destination with too many spots to visit than four days allow. We loved our stay at the Fairmont Hotel (it was a gift!) or book an airbnb in the Mission Dolores neighborhood.
Visit the Ferry Building to shop and grab lunch at Gott’s Roadside. Drinks at the Tiki Lounge (at the Fairmont). Explore Golden Gate Park. Visit the Academy of Sciences (it’s worth the price of admission!). Chinatown for a meal and shopping. Buena Vista Cafe for Irish coffees. Pizzeria Delfina for lunch. Ride a cable car. Steins for a drink and to watch whatever game is on (it’s our family’s place!). Foreign Cinema for an incredible dinner. Tartine Bakery, lounge at the park, and ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery in Mission Dolores. Zazie’s for breakfast in Cole Valley.
Is a California road trip on your travel must-do list? I think it just landed back again on mine!
