San Francisco to San Diego Coastal Road Trip

Start your journey with Traveller’s Autobarn. Our San Francisco location offers van and RV rentals for your coastal California excursion. Have your Uber drop you off at our West Winton Avenue location to pick up your campervan rental in California.

The fastest way to road trip from San Francisco to your first destination is via US 101 South. It only takes two hours, and you’ll pass through the infamous Silicon Valley. If you don’t mind adding about an hour (~15 miles) to your trip, consider taking the scenic route down Highway 1.

Go the long way for stunning views of the Pacific Coastline. There’s also plenty to do, from exploring Half Moon Bay near Venice Beach and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero to driving down the famous West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.

When you get to Santa Cruz, you’re only 45 minutes from the quintessential California beach town of Monterey. Park your campervan at San Carlos Beach Park, where you’ll be close to Del Monte Beach and the Lovers Point State Marine Reserve.

Driving from Monterey to Pismo Beach takes around two and a half hours. You can also take Highway 1 if you don’t mind tacking on a half hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic. The scenic route is highly recommended, as the stretch from Monterey to Big Sur is the best there is.

Narrow and winding Highway 1 offers gorgeous views of craggy cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You’ll also get the chance to stop in Big Sur, a city sandwiched by the sea and the Santa Lucia Mountains. Ragged Point, Moonstone Beach Drive, and Morro Rock are also located along the way.

Consider getting out and stretching your legs at one of the many Highway 1 state parks. The beautiful Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, breathtaking Limekiln State Park, and rugged Montana de Oro State Park are must-sees in our book.

You’ll have the opportunity to camp beachside at Pismo State Beach North Campground before getting up and continuing your California coastline adventure.

The nearly two-hour drive to Santa Barbara will take you inland at first before dumping you out onto another one of the most spectacular stretches of the California coast.

The first half of the journey will take you through the picturesque San Louis Obispo wine region. Upon reaching Firestone Vineyard, you’ll head south down US-101 for the coast.

Plan to take a pit stop at Refugio State Beach for some peace and quiet before finishing the drive to Santa Barbara. There is also a basic campground near the beach if you want to enjoy the serenity a while longer.

You can commute to town from Refugio State Beach or stay at one of the many Santa Barbara campgrounds accessible to RVs. From there, you can explore the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. Or check out the local beaches at Shoreline Park and Arroyo Burro Beach County Park.

If you’re in a rush, you can get to Los Angeles in under two hours on US 101 South. Taking the Pacific Coast Highway will nearly double your drive time, but it’s more than worth it for the incredible views.

The first city you’ll pass through is Ventura, a coastal city known for San Buenaventura State Beach and Surfer’s Point. Next stop: Malibu, where the celebrity beach homes are nearly as pretty as the highly popular Zuma and Surfrider Beaches.

LA’s west coast is home to the most famous beaches in the world. Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, and Huntington Beach should all be on your bucket list.

You can even camp on the beach in LA. Bolsa Chica State Park Campground in Huntington Beach and Mesa Campground at San Bernardino State Park are two of our favorite places to park your San Francisco campervan rental near Los Angeles.

Head a few miles inland for a quick break from your California beach tour. You’ll be in Anaheim- Orange County’s second-largest city- in only 39 minutes if you take I-5 South from downtown LA.

Head to Doheny State Beach Campground in Orange County first. This beachside camping site is about an hour from LA and only 30 miles from Anaheim. Anaheim is home to multiple theme parks, including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Adventure City.

If you’re more into parks than theme parks, head to Yorba Regional Park or the Oak Canyon Nature Center. The Anaheim Hills are a great place to bike or walk on one of the many challenging trails.

Anaheim is also convenient to Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. Head to the latter to enjoy the boat-filled harbor and beachside Ferris wheel. Laguna Beach is the place to explore secret coves, tour the Heisler Park gardens, and watch surfers ride the waves at Aliso Beach.

More beautiful beaches and coastal views await you on the hour-and-a-half trek from Anaheim to San Diego. You’ll leave the Pacific Coast Highway behind for the equally stunning I-5 corridor.

San Clemente is the first major city after Laguna. Also located in the OC, it is home to bucket-list beaches like San Onofre and San Clemente Beach. Get out and walk with the ocean breeze at Beach Trail or San Clemente Pier.

Carlsbad is another must-stop beach town located a little over halfway between Anaheim and San Diego. Best known for Tamarack Surf Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach, the area offers many tranquil escapes.

San Diego has many campsites to offer, whether you want to sleep beneath the desert stars, sheltered by majestic mountains, or steps away from the Pacific. Just make sure you stay close enough for a day trip to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

By now, we hope you’re ready to start your journey northward. You’ll retrace your path with fewer stops this time, but it’s also your chance to visit any of the beaches or state parks you missed on the way.

It takes a little over two hours to get from San Diego back to Santa Monica. If you don’t have any other stops planned, consider checking out Temecula Valley Wine Country.

Temecula Valley is the heart of the southern California coastline’s wine region. One of the most popular vineyards is Wilson Creek Winery, which specializes in sparkling wine. Stop by the grounds to have lunch and sample the award-winning almond champagne.

Stop for the night at the Canyon Campground in Santa Monica’s Leo Carrillo State Park. Missing Malibu? You’re in luck because the beach town is close by and offers a coastal campground at Sycamore Canyon and a forested site at Malibu Creek State Park.

The fastest route from Santa Monica to San Francisco is via I-5 North. Even then, expect a nearly six-and-a-half-hour trip. Make the journey feel like less of a chore with a few strategic stops.

Check out the prehistoric rock formations at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center outside of Santa Clarita. Then, take a quick trip toward the coast to enjoy the Carrizo Plain National Monument in Santa Margarita.

There are two popular wildlife refuges south of San Francisco. San Luis National Wildlife Refuge allows guests to adventure through the protected wetlands, while the 10.2-acre Merced National Wildlife Refuge is a habitat for native California waterfowl and shorebirds.

Plan to stay at a San Francisco campground like Half Moon Bay or the San Francisco RV Resort for a final night you and your passenger won’t forget. Then, wake up bright and early to return your van to Traveller’s Autobarn and catch your flight home.

The California coastline features hundreds of miles of some of the best beaches in the world. Enjoy them all with this San Francisco to San Diego itinerary featuring famous stops and hidden locations only the locals know.

Don’t wait a second longer to see all the Pacific Coast has to offer. Save this itinerary and book your road trip van rental at Traveller’s Autobarn. We offer the most competitive rates and unlimited miles for the most epic yet affordable coastal adventure.

Check our more San Francisco road trips here!