Itinerary
- Day 1
San Francisco
You'll arrive in San Francisco and pick up your rental car, then head straight into Downtown to walk around Market Street. If you're interested, the historic cable cars like the Powell-Hyde line are there to ride. Union Square is great for shopping and grabbing a meal, then you can drive out to Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge for photos. By evening you'll have a solid sense of the city's layout.
Optional Activities
- Powell-Hyde cable car ride (payable locally)
- Explore Union Square shops, restaurants and cafes
- Visit Lombard Street
- Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint at Hyde terminus
Landmarks Market Street Union Square Lombard Street Golden Gate Bridge 
- Day 2
San Francisco
Start your day at Fisherman's Wharf where you can see Alcatraz from the waterfront. Walk along Aquatic Park Pier and check out the sea lions at Pier 39. If historic ships interest you, the Maritime National Historical Park is there to explore. Stop by the Ghirardelli chocolate factory to sample some chocolate before heading back to your hotel.
Optional Activities
- Maritime National Historical Park admission and tour (payable on site)
- Sea lion viewing at Pier 39
- Ghirardelli chocolate factory visit and sampling
Landmarks Fisherman's Wharf Aquatic Park Pier Alcatraz Maritime National Historical Park Pier 39 Ghirardelli chocolate factory 
- Day 3
San Francisco to Santa Cruz
You'll drive south on Highway 1 from San Francisco toward Santa Cruz. There's an option to detour through Silicon Valley if you want to see tech company headquarters, but it adds time to your day. Once you arrive in Santa Cruz, you can walk around checking out the colorful houses and then spend time at the Beach Boardwalk, which has a historic amusement park with vintage roller coasters.
Optional Activities
- Silicon Valley tech headquarters tour
- Beach Boardwalk exploration
- Historic amusement park rides
Landmarks Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Silicon Valley - Day 4
Santa Cruz
This day focuses on Santa Cruz's local side and beach culture. Walk the beach promenade watching surfers, then hike or bike West Cliff Drive (about 5 kilometers) where you might see dolphins along the coast. Lighthouse Point has a lighthouse and surf museum worth visiting. If you're up for it, Carmel-by-the-Sea is close by with its artistic vibe and fairytale cottages.
Optional Activities
- West Cliff Drive hike or bike ride (5 kilometers)
- Lighthouse Point visit
- Surf museum
- Carmel-by-the-Sea town exploration
- Carmel Beach visit
Landmarks West Cliff Drive Lighthouse Point Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel Beach - Day 5
Santa Cruz to Solvang
Highway 1 gets really scenic today. Drive the 17 Mile Drive with tons of photo opportunities past golf courses and villas, and you'll see the famous Lone Cypress tree. The Bixby Creek Bridge from 1932 is impressive to cross. You'll reach a waterfall that drops right onto a sandy beach with turquoise water. Later, arrive in Solvang, a Danish-inspired town with European character.
Optional Activities
- 17 Mile Drive scenic route
- Lone Cypress viewing
- Bixby Creek Bridge stop
- Beach waterfall viewing
- Solvang exploration
Landmarks 17 Mile Drive Lone Cypress Bixby Creek Bridge Solvang 
- Day 6
Solvang to Santa Barbara
Start in Solvang exploring the alleyways, windmills, and picking up fresh baked goods. Then drive to Santa Barbara for a different feel, with Spanish-Mexican coastal vibes. Spend time on the beach promenade or relax on the sand. The waves here are calm, which makes it good for beginner surfers if that interests you.
Optional Activities
- Solvang alleyway and windmill exploration
- Santa Barbara beach promenade stroll
- Beach relaxation
- Beginner surfing
Landmarks Solvang Santa Barbara Beach - Day 7
Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
You'll drive to Los Angeles through palm-tree-lined streets. Head to Beverly Hills to see celebrity homes, then drive Mulholland Drive through the Hills for scenic views. Check out the Walk of Fame with its 2,800 pink stars. For sunset, head to Griffith Observatory where you can see the Hollywood Sign with city lights behind it.
Optional Activities
- Beverly Hills exploration
- Mulholland Drive scenic drive
- Walk of Fame
- Hollywood Sign viewing
- Griffith Observatory visit
Landmarks Beverly Hills Mulholland Drive Walk of Fame Hollywood Sign Griffith Observatory 
- Day 8
Los Angeles
Start at Santa Monica Pier with its neon Ferris wheel and roller coaster. Rent a bike and cruise around Los Angeles the easy way, heading toward Venice Beach or through Palisades Park for coastal views. Later, check out Venice's Ocean Front Walk where there's street art, live music, and the famous Muscle Beach.
Included Activities
- Santa Monica by Bike: rental bike for one day for your own explorations
Optional Activities
- Santa Monica Pier rides
- Venice Beach exploration
- Palisades Park biking
- Muscle Beach viewing
- Ocean Front Walk street art and live music
Landmarks Santa Monica Pier Venice Beach Palisades Park Muscle Beach Ocean Front Walk 
- Day 9
Los Angeles
You can choose your focus today. Venice Beach has an interesting cultural scene, while Malibu Beach offers endless sand and a relaxed atmosphere. Alternatively, explore downtown Los Angeles with the Disney Concert Hall's distinctive architecture and Union Station, which is a popular movie filming location.
Optional Activities
- Venice Beach exploration
- Malibu Beach visit
- Disney Concert Hall viewing
- Union Station visit
Landmarks Venice Beach Malibu Beach Disney Concert Hall Union Station - Day 10
Los Angeles to Oceanside
Spend your last morning beach time at Venice watching bodybuilders, street artists, and skateboarders. You can stop by Malibu Beach if you want. Then drive Highway 1 south toward Oceanside to experience authentic California beach vibes. The five-kilometer sandy beach there is good for water sports like kayaking, surfing, and boating.
Optional Activities
- Venice Beach final visit
- Malibu Beach visit
- Oceanside water sports - kayaking, surfing, boating
Landmarks Venice Beach Malibu Beach Oceanside Beach - Day 11
Oceanside to San Diego
Drive south along the Pacific coast with spectacular views heading to San Diego. La Jolla offers an option to kayak in coastal caves and see sea lions. Explore San Diego Historic Park where you can see marine life like dolphins and sea lions. Try some Mexican food at local restaurants, then head back to Oceanside for the night.
Included Activities
- La Jolla Kayaking: group tour to San Diego's caves with English-speaking guide
Optional Activities
- La Jolla kayak exploration of coastal landscape and sea caves
- San Diego Historic Park exploration
- Mexican dining
Landmarks La Jolla San Diego Historic Park 
- Day 12
Oceanside to Palm Springs
You'll drive through the California desert toward Palm Springs, which sits as an oasis and celebrity retreat. The drive itself is part of the experience with desert landscapes and clear skies (the area gets 350 days of sunshine annually). Arrive in Palm Springs and settle in by the pool surrounded by palm trees, then enjoy dinner or cocktails in the evening.
Optional Activities
- Palm Springs exploration
- Dining and cocktails
Landmarks Palm Springs 
- Day 13
Palm Springs
Head to Joshua Tree National Park just outside Palm Springs. Hike the Nature Valley Trail through the Mojave Desert where Joshua Trees, cacti, and massive boulders create an otherworldly landscape. You might spot iguanas, coyotes, and rare birds. Drive part of Route 66 for the classic American road trip feeling.
Optional Activities
- Joshua Tree National Park entrance (payable locally)
- Nature Valley Trail hike
- Route 66 drive
Landmarks Joshua Tree National Park Nature Valley Trail Route 66 
- Day 14
Palm Springs to San Diego
You'll have the remaining hours to finish anything on your bucket list before heading to San Diego airport. It's a good time to reflect on everything you've seen and done along the California coast and desert.
Optional Activities
- Final activities and last-minute explorations
- Day 15
Return Flight
You'll depart from San Diego airport today, heading home with all the memories and experiences from your California road trip.
