Itinerary
- Day 1
San Francisco
After landing in San Francisco, you'll pick up your rental car and head into Downtown to get started. The historic cable cars are your first stop, offering a unique way to see the city's steep hills and architecture. From there, walk through Union Square to check out shops and grab lunch at one of the many restaurants. Next, drive down the famous winding curves of Lombard Street (it's trickier than it looks), and finish the day at the Golden Gate Bridge with your camera ready to capture the views.
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride on Powell-Hyde line
- Visit Union Square
- Drive down Lombard Street
- View Golden Gate Bridge from Hyde terminus
Landmarks Golden Gate Bridge Lombard Street Union Square Market Street 
- Day 2
San Francisco
This morning head to Fisherman's Wharf where you'll have clear views of Alcatraz from Aquatic Park Pier. Walk through the Maritime National Historical Park and stop at Pier 39 to see the sea lions lounging around. Later, visit the Ghirardelli chocolate factory to sample their treats and pick up some to take with you. Spend the afternoon wandering the wharf area, grabbing fresh seafood if you're hungry.
Optional Activities
- Maritime National Historical Park visit
- Pier 39 sea lions viewing
- Ghirardelli chocolate factory visit
Landmarks Fisherman's Wharf Alcatraz Island Aquatic Park Pier Pier 39 Maritime National Historical Park Ghirardelli chocolate factory 
- Day 3
San Francisco to Santa Cruz
Drive south on Highway 1 toward Santa Cruz with the Pacific Ocean on your right the whole way (75°F/24°C). If you're interested in tech, take a quick detour through Silicon Valley to drive past some company headquarters. By afternoon you'll arrive in Santa Cruz where the colorful Victorian houses line the streets. Head to the Beach Boardwalk to walk around and check out the historic seaside amusement park with its classic rides and games.
Optional Activities
- Silicon Valley detour and tech headquarters viewing
- Beach Boardwalk exploration
- Amusement park visit
Landmarks Highway 1 Silicon Valley Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 
- Day 4
Santa Cruz to Solvang
Continue down Highway 1 through coastal scenery with waves and cliffs everywhere. Stop at the famous 17 Mile Drive, a scenic loop road that takes about an hour to complete. Look for the iconic Lone Cypress tree standing alone on the rocks. See the impressive Bixby Creek Bridge built in 1932, a beautiful arch bridge. Later find a waterfall that drops directly onto the sand at the beach. End your day in Solvang, a Danish-inspired village with European charm and windmills.
Optional Activities
- 17 Mile Drive
- Lone Cypress viewing
- Bixby Creek Bridge
- Waterfall and beach viewing
- Solvang exploration
Landmarks 17 Mile Drive Lone Cypress Bixby Creek Bridge Carmel Bay Solvang 
- Day 5
Solvang to Santa Barbara
Start this morning in Solvang enjoying the Danish atmosphere, visiting windmills, and trying some fresh baked goods at local bakeries. After breakfast, drive to Santa Barbara where Spanish-Mexican architecture shows up everywhere in the buildings and town layout. Explore the beach promenade by walking along the water, then relax on the sand. The water here is calm and flat, so if you've been wanting to try surfing, this is a good spot for beginners.
Optional Activities
- Solvang alleyway exploration
- Santa Barbara beach promenade stroll
- Beach relaxation
- Beginner surfing
Landmarks Santa Barbara Solvang - Day 6
Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
Drive into Los Angeles and start exploring Hollywood. Visit Beverly Hills to see the upscale neighborhoods and shops. Next, drive Mulholland Drive through the Hollywood Hills for views of the city below. Walk the Walk of Fame downtown to see the pink stars embedded in the sidewalk (there's over 2,800 of them). Look up to spot the iconic Hollywood Sign on the hillside. By evening, head to Griffith Observatory to watch the sunset from the hilltop with the city spread out behind you.
Optional Activities
- Beverly Hills visit
- Mulholland Drive drive
- Walk of Fame
- Hollywood Sign viewing
- Griffith Observatory visit
Landmarks Beverly Hills Mulholland Drive Walk of Fame Hollywood Sign Griffith Observatory 
- Day 7
Los Angeles
Spend the day at Santa Monica Pier where you can see the neon Ferris wheel and ride the classic rollercoaster. Rent a bike and cruise along LA's coastal areas heading toward Venice Beach and Palisades Park. The ride takes you right along the water with ocean views. Once you reach Venice Beach, walk through the Ocean Front Walk to see street art, listen to live musicians, and check out the famous Muscle Beach where you'll see the outdoor gym culture in action.
Included Activities
- Bike rental for Santa Monica exploration
Optional Activities
- Santa Monica Pier visit
- Venice Beach exploration
- Palisades Park cycling
- Ocean Front Walk discovery
- Muscle Beach viewing
Landmarks Santa Monica Pier Venice Beach Palisades Park Muscle Beach Ocean Front Walk 
- Day 8
Los Angeles to Oceanside
Start at Venice Beach watching bodybuilders, street artists, and skateboarders doing their thing. After exploring the beach culture, head to nearby Malibu Beach with its long sandy shores and celebrity homes tucked into the hills. Drive Highway 1 north to Oceanside for the afternoon and evening. This area has real California beach vibes with excellent weather (around 72°F/22°C). Five kilometers of sandy beach here are perfect for water sports, whether you want to swim, paddleboard, or just walk the shoreline.
Optional Activities
- Venice Beach exploration
- Malibu Beach visit
- Oceanside water sports - kayaking, surfing, boating
Landmarks Venice Beach Malibu Beach Oceanside Highway 1 - Day 9
Oceanside to San Diego
You'll drive south toward San Diego, taking in the Pacific coastal scenery along the way. Once you arrive, there's an optional kayak tour in La Jolla where you can paddle through coastal caves and look for sea lions and dolphins in the water. After that, head back to explore the historic buildings at San Diego Historic Park. Grab some Mexican food at one of the local restaurants in the area, then drive back to Oceanside by evening.
Included Activities
- Drive to San Diego
- Visit San Diego Historic Park
Optional Activities
- Kayaking in La Jolla
- Explore La Jolla coastal landscape and sea caves
- Mexican dining at local restaurants
Landmarks La Jolla San Diego Historic Park 
- Day 10
Oceanside to Palm Springs
Drive into Palm Springs, the desert oasis where celebrities come to escape. Leave your rental car parked and spend the day relaxing by the pool at your hotel or resort. If you want to venture out later, head into town for dinner at a nice restaurant or grab a cocktail at a bar. Otherwise, stay poolside and enjoy the warm desert air (usually around 95°F/35°C in peak season).
Optional Activities
- Poolside relaxation
- Dinner in town
- Bar visit for cocktails
Landmarks Palm Springs 
- Day 11
Palm Springs to San Diego
Today is your final day before heading home, so use whatever time you have left to hit anything still on your bucket list. Maybe it's a quick stop at a place you missed or extra time at a favorite spot. Spend some of the day reflecting on the week's adventures through California, from San Francisco's hills to LA's glamour to the desert. Check that you have everything packed and ready for your flight.
- Day 12
Return Home
After landing back home, collect your luggage and transition from your American adventure back to daily life. Take some time to organize your photos and think about which experiences stood out. Then start sharing stories and showing pictures to friends and family about your week traveling down the California coast.
