A 5-day coastal nature drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles via Monterey and Santa Barbara
Estimated cost
$2,560estimated total
Stays
$1,250
Fuel
$175
Food
$660
Other
$475
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
137 mi2h 39mDepart 08:30
Start
San Francisco
Drive 121 miles in ~2h 15min via US-101 S and CA-1 S from San Francisco
125 mi2h 8m
1
Attraction
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
10:45–13:152h 30m here$10
Clifftop trails, coves, wildlife
Great first coastal hike and photo stop; arrive before noon for parking and bring layers for fog.
Drive 9.3 miles in ~19 min via CA-1 N from Point Lobos
9 mi19m
2
Food
Hula's Island Grill
Monterey, United States
13:30–14:301h here$35
Casual seafood and island plates
Fits local seafood cravings after hiking; order fish tacos and use nearby paid street parking.
Drive 1 mile in ~10min via Del Monte Avenue in Monterey
1 mi4m
3
Attraction
Old Fisherman's Wharf
Monterey, United States
14:40–16:101h 30m here
Historic wharf and bay views
Required Monterey anchor with sea-life photos; walk the wharf for harbor seals and clam chowder samples.
Drive 2 miles in ~10min via Pacific Street in Monterey
2 mi8m
4
Overnight
Stage Coach Lodge Monterey
Monterey, United States
16:20–17:201h here$250
Comfortable motel with parking
Moderate motel suits friends with an SUV; reserve parking and ask for a quiet courtyard room.
Day 2
250 mi8h 8mDepart 08:30
Drive 23 miles in ~40min via CA-1 S from Monterey
19 mi27m
5
Attraction
Bixby Creek Bridge
Big Sur, United States
09:10–09:4030m here
Iconic coastal bridge viewpoint
Classic photography pullout for the group; stop early before tour traffic and keep valuables hidden.
Drive 87 miles in ~3h 9min via CA-1 S through Big Sur
87 mi3h 9m
6
Activity
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Big Sur, United States
10:00–12:302h 30m here$10
Redwood trails and river walks
Best mix of hiking and shade in June; use the Valley View trail and carry water.
Drive 76 miles in ~2h 54min via CA-1 N in Big Sur
76 mi2h 54m
7
Food
Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn
Big Sur, United States
12:40–13:401h here$35
Rustic riverside lunch stop
Relaxed local stop after hiking; sit by the river if open and fuel up before the remote coast.
Drive 68 miles in ~1h 38min via CA-1 S past rugged Big Sur overlooks
68 mi1h 38m
8
Overnight
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
San Simeon, United States
16:10–17:101h here$285
Oceanfront highway hotel
Good coastal base with sunset access; book ahead for June and choose ocean-facing if budget allows.
Day 3
73 mi1h 56mDepart 08:30
Drive 7.7 miles in ~11 min via CA-1 N from San Simeon
8 mi11m
9
Attraction
Elephant Seal Vista Point
San Simeon, United States
08:45–09:3045m here
Wild elephant seal rookery
Wildlife photography with minimal walking; June can show molting seals, stay behind railings.
Drive 43 miles in ~50min via CA-1 S from San Simeon
34 mi44m
10
Attraction
Morro Rock
Morro Bay, United States
10:20–11:501h 30m here
Volcanic landmark and bay views
Great birding and wide-angle coastal shots; park near Embarcadero and watch for sea otters.
Drive 1 mile in ~10min along Embarcadero in Morro Bay
1 mi6m
11
Food
The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar
Morro Bay, United States
12:00–13:001h here$45
Waterfront Central Coast seafood
Local cuisine with harbor views; reserve patio seats and try the catch of the day.
Drive 14 miles in ~25min via South Bay Boulevard and Pecho Valley Road
12 mi24m
12
Activity
Bluff Trail
Los Osos, United States
13:25–15:252h here
Easy ocean bluff hike
Scenic hike fits nature and photography; afternoon wind is common, keep hats secured.
Drive 16 miles in ~35min via Los Osos Valley Road to San Luis Obispo
17 mi31m
13
Overnight
Apple Farm Inn
San Luis Obispo, United States
16:00–17:001h here$265
Cozy inn near downtown SLO
Comfortable friend-friendly base with parking; easy evening access to downtown restaurants.
Day 4
114 mi2h 9mDepart 08:30
Drive 15 miles in ~25min via US-101 S from San Luis Obispo
13 mi15m
14
Attraction
Pismo Preserve
Pismo Beach, United States
08:55–10:552h here
Coastal hills hiking preserve
Morning hike avoids June heat; take Discovery Trail for ocean panoramas and free parking.
Drive 57 miles in ~1h 05min via US-101 S through Santa Maria Valley
54 mi53m
15
Food
Industrial Eats
Buellton, United States
12:00–13:001h here$40
Creative local Central Coast food
Excellent local cuisine stop for friends; share wood-fired plates and expect a casual line.
Drive 43 miles in ~55min via US-101 S from Buellton
43 mi46m
16
Attraction
Santa Barbara County Courthouse Gardens
Santa Barbara, United States
13:55–15:251h 30m here
Spanish Revival landmark views
Required Santa Barbara anchor with top photo views; climb the tower before late-afternoon crowds.
Drive 3 miles in ~15min via Carrillo Street in Santa Barbara
3 mi10m
17
Activity
Shoreline Park
Santa Barbara, United States
15:40–16:551h 15m here
Ocean bluffs and sunset walk
Easy coastal walk for sunset scouting; use free street parking and bring a wind layer.
Drive 1.4 miles in ~4 min via Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara
1 mi4m
18
Overnight
Franciscan Inn & Suites
Santa Barbara, United States
17:05–18:051h here$320
Beach-area moderate hotel
Walkable beach location suits friends; book early for June weekends and confirm SUV parking.
Day 5
142 mi3h 29mDepart 08:30
Drive 6 miles in ~20min via Mission Canyon Road from Santa Barbara
5 mi15m
19
Activity
Inspiration Point Trailhead
Santa Barbara, United States
08:50–11:202h 30m here
Foothill hike above the city
Final Santa Barbara adventure hike; start early for cooler temps and limited trailhead parking.
Drive 65 miles in ~1h 35min via US-101 S and CA-1 S through Ventura
79 mi1h 29m
20
Food
Malibu Seafood
Malibu, United States
12:55–13:551h here$35
Pacific Coast seafood shack
Local seafood lunch on the drive south; order grilled fish and avoid leaving bags visible in the SUV.
Drive 24 miles in ~40min via CA-1 S and I-10 E from Malibu
25 mi44m
21
Attraction
The Getty
Los Angeles, United States
14:35–17:052h 30m here$25
Architecture, gardens, LA views
Great finale for photography and city views; reserve timed entry and pay for parking only.
Drive 18 miles in ~1h via I-405 S and US-101 S across Los Angeles traffic
23 mi40m
22
Attraction
Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles, United States
18:05–19:351h 30m here
Iconic skyline and sunset viewpoint
Destination LA viewpoint with golden-hour photos; use paid parking or shuttle if lots are full.
Finish
Los Angeles
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Reserve Santa Barbara and Monterey lodging early; mid-June weekends fill fast and parking can be limited.
- 2Start Big Sur driving before 09:00 for easier pullouts at Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
- 3Fuel in Monterey or Carmel before Big Sur; gas along the remote coast is limited and expensive.
- 4Check Caltrans Highway 1 status the night before Day 2 because landslides or repairs can affect Big Sur segments.
- 5Use golden hour at Shoreline Park or Griffith Observatory for the best group photography.
- 6Keep lunch flexible in Morro Bay and Malibu; seafood counters get lines but move quickly outside peak noon.
Good to know
- 1US-101 and CA-1 have heavy summer weekend traffic near Monterey, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles.
- 2Big Sur Highway 1 is prone to landslide closures; be ready to detour inland via US-101 if Caltrans posts restrictions.
- 3Do not leave visible bags or camera gear in the SUV at coastal pullouts, Malibu beaches, or LA viewpoints.
- 4June coastal fog can reduce visibility on CA-1 mornings; use headlights and slow down on cliffside curves.
- 5State park lots at Point Lobos, Pfeiffer Big Sur, and Pismo Preserve can fill by late morning in summer.
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