There’s nothing quite like a road trip for ushering out the daily grind and familiar routine, to welcome in family adventure of the story-worthy kind. Starring on screen, in books and on many a playlist, the Californian road trip is the stuff of legend family serving up iconic highways, epic scenery, diverse wildlife and Atlantic surf alongside more than a few world-famous attractions.
Our California family road trip – starting in San Francisco and finishing in San Diego – minimises daily drive time in favour of maximising in-destination exploration, though it is fully customisable for those with a shorter vacation period. From the glory of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the magic of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to the Hollywood glamour of LA and some incredible desert beauty, there’s no shortage of hitlist treasures.
Hugging the coast for most of the journey, stunning scenery is guaranteed with plenty to offer both first time road trippers and seasoned aficionados in search of their next adventure.
Start: San Francisco
End: San Diego
Days: Minimum of 10 days recommended, stopping for at least 1 night in each destination; 2 weeks + for a more leisurely exploration; 1 week possible if you skip Joshua Tree and head straight to San Diego.
Total Travel Time: Just under 15 hours of driving
- San Francisco – Santa Cruz = 1 hour, 47 minutes
- Santa Cruz – Carmel/Monterey = 45 minutes
- Carmel – Big Sur = 40 minutes
- Big Sur – Cambria = 3 hours
- Cambria – Santa Barbara = 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Santa Barbara – LA = 1.5 hours
- LA – Joshua Tree = 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Joshua Tree – San Diego = 2.5 hours
1. Depart San Francisco and head South towards Santa Cruz
Get your trip off to a good start with a day or two in San Francisco. From boho villages packed with bookstores, and a vibrant restaurant scene to a host of iconic attractions including the cable car, legendary Alcatraz island and Pier 39 where the sea lions hang, there’s plenty to pack in. Alternatively, find yourself a relaxing base just outside the city and spend a couple of days chilling by a pool or the beach in Mill Valley before hitting the road.
Scenic route 1 is our recommended route for ocean views and beach stops that make the extra 25 minutes of journey time (compared to the inland road) more than worth it. In Santa Cruz you’ll be greeted by white, clapboard villas with plenty of ocean front accommodation to choose from. Unload your things and head down to the beach for BBQs on the sand, sunset dolphin watching and fun on the US’s longest wooden pier – Santa Cruz Wharf. In the morning hit one of the town’s characterful brunch spots or hire a bike and explore the pretty coast on a family friendly cycling trail.
Head South to Carmel/Monterey
Just under an hour’s drive south of Santa Cruz is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a must for any California family road trip itinerary with displays devised to inspire young ocean leaders of the future. Perched on the ocean itself, kids can glimpse frolicking sea otters, neon jellyfish, sharks, penguins and more with immersive floor to ceiling tanks, and a variety of habitats to explore.
Pretty Carmel-by-the-sea, just 15 minutes from the aquarium, is a great place to base yourself for a day or two with its laid-back village feel, family-friendly restaurants and cafes, and a host of pretty stores to browse. It’s right by the beach for evening picnics by the shore and has a lively annual festival programme. For the outdoorsy, Point Lobos National Park is an 8-minute drive onwards and is well worth an explore with easy hikes suitable for all ages, and opportunities to spot hummingbirds, sea lions, sea otters and even whales from its coastal paths.
Continue South on Route 1 to Big Sur
Photogenic Big Sur is located on one of the prettiest parts of route 1. If short of time, you can just drive through, though making at least a day of it is highly recommended. Nestled in the hills above Big Sur is the Nepenthe restaurant, home to stunning views, the legend that is the Ambrosia Burger and plenty of stories involving late and great literary and film icons.
The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a magical cavern of books, posters and ideas, inspired by the cultural gatherings that Big Sur attracted. It now hosts outdoor film nights, poetry evenings and mini music festivals with a lively atmosphere guaranteed.
With stunning coastal views, the urge to hit the beach might well kick in. Many involve a steep scramble down and are best viewed from above so it’s worth doing your research. Sand Dollar Beach is a favourite with families, easily accessible via a wooden staircase, it has plenty of space to run and paddle, alongside some excellent waves for any surfers in the family.
Head South to Cambria
Set amongst pine forests, with beaches on the doorstep, Cambria is an excellent place to break the journey with cozy welcoming cafes and farmer’s markets offering local produce to stock up on. Make sure to visit Linn’s Easy as Pie Café for a slice of the famous Olallieberry pie.
There’s plenty to do with the kids with boardwalks to cycle, rock pools to explore and a local colony of Elephant Seals to visit. Decadent Hearst Castle which has to be seen to be believed is also a short drive away, as is Morro Bay, named for its iconic rock, with board walks, a Museum of Natural History, as well as kayaking and bay cruises for those keen to get out on the water.
Continue South to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara offers up the perfect mix of beaches, eclectic restaurants, independent stores and spacious villas that may entice you to stay for longer than a day.
For kids there’s plenty to entertain at Stearns Wharf with its ice cream parlours and family restaurants, or swing by the aptly named Funk Zone, a trendy hive of fun for kids and adults alike. Don’t miss the hands on MOXI (Wolf museum of Exploration and Innovation) where play and participation is definitely encouraged.
For those seeking extra peace and privacy alongside beautiful mountain and ocean views, join the celebrity crew up in Montecito, a chic village featuring upscale boutiques, fine dining restaurants and art galleries, within easy reach of some of California’s prettiest beaches including Loon Point and Miramar. LotusLand, a 37-acre botanical garden which was recently named one of the 10 best in the world, is also in this neck of the woods – perfect for stretching the kids’ legs before hitting the road onwards.
Head South to LA
Whether you choose to base yourself by the coast, up in the hills or in the thick of the downtown action, there’ll be more to see and do in LA than you’ll be able to fit in so make a ‘hit list’ and be sure to factor in some downtime.
Santa Monica offers the best of all worlds with its pretty beachside, parks, skate ramps, boardwalks, famous pier and fairground, all within easy reach of some buzzing boulevards.
The La Brea Tar Pits and the Griffith Observatory always go down well with kids, and if you have the extra time, Disneyland is always a crowd pleaser. Alternatively, head up to Laurel Canyon for relaxed Studio City vibes with close proximity to Universal and Warner Brother’s Studios.
Head East to Joshua Tree
After the sights and sounds of busy LA, a desert retreat may be the perfect follow-on, and with the Joshua Tree national park just over a 2-hour drive west from LA (with Palm Springs enroute), it has to feature on the ultimate California family road trip itinerary.
Fun and spacious rentals come surrounded by epic desert scenery with trails to suit all abilities from the doorstep. Mini adventurers may enjoy a local horse trek keeping a keen eye out for cacti and wildlife including quail, floppy eared rabbits and kangaroo rats. Stop off at the Hi-desert Nature Museum in Yucca Valley or relax by the pool. Come nighttime, gather around the firepit for star gazing, S’mores and storytelling.
End in San Diego
Located on the stunning Pacific coast, the wild and wonderful playground of San Diego is the perfect finish line for a California road trip adventure.
Offering up the perfect mix of world class amusement parks, museums, hiking trails and wild beaches alongside some seriously stylish vacation homes, you may well be tempted to extend your vacation. La Jolla, with its pretty village, coves and architect-designed housing is a popular base with families, also drawn by its famous Children’s Pool and sea lions.
With conservation-led San Diego Zoo & Safari park, Legoland California, the Balboa park museums and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps there’s days’ worth of entertainment to enjoy, while the beautiful dramatic coastline might provide the perfect round-off for outdoor adventurers.
Tips for a Successful California Family Road Trip
- Book accommodation ahead of time: The cities, towns and villages along Route 1 are popular hotspots, many hosting events throughout the year, so it’s advisable to book your accommodation in advance so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
- Pack light: With multiple stops and overnight stays, you don’t want to be lugging around and unpacking multiple large bags every night. Take a few key outfits, stick to the essentials, and pick accommodations that provide toys and kids’ amenities so you can lighten your load.
- Bring Games for road: From no mess drawing pads, sticker books and audiobooks to customisable scavenger hunts to make rest stops extra fun, there are plenty of playthings you can bring that don’t take up luggage space. See our guide to the best road trip activities for kids for more inspiration.
- Download a wildlife guide: California is nature rich and has loads of wonderful wildlife to spot, even from the car window, from hummingbirds and condors to marine mammals and desert dwellers, keep a guide handy so mini naturalists can tick off as they spot.
- Check the car safety laws: Car laws vary from state to state to it’s worth doing your research. In California, kids under two years old must sit in a rear-facing infant seat in the back sea, while those 8 and under should be buckled in with a booster or car seat. Kids over the age of 8 can wear just a seat belt.
Additional California Family Destinations
- Napa Valley and Sonoma – only an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, it’s well worth heading north if you have time for the beautiful bays, beaches and legendary wineries. Rent bikes and explore on two wheels, or while away time at one of the many kid-friendly vineyards.
- Sequoia National Forest – around a 2 hour, 45 minute drive west from Cambria/Morro Bay, this huge national forest is worth the detour for its mammoth sequoia trees, as well as its incredible hiking, biking, bouldering and swimming. Some trails are even stroller-friendly.
- Route 66 – From LA head for legendary Route 66 to the Mojave National Preserve. Stop in Barstow for the Route 66 Mother Road Museum before hitting desert country. With 1.6 million acres of pristine desert, there is plenty to explore including singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, and some amazing wildlife.
Take the hassle out of packing and check out our range of California family-focused residences featuring toys, games, cribs, highchairs and more so you can travel light, and enjoy the adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Californian weather and climate vary from region to region with the south and east being typically warmer than the north and west for example. Summer tends to bring hotter temperatures, alongside the crowds. Late summer to early autumn is an ideal time to visit California with less fog, less extreme heat and less traffic on the road.
A California family road trip is customisable, taking anywhere from a week if whizzing through, to a month when really taking your time. We would recommend around 10 – 14 days for our itinerary, spending at least 2 days in the 3 major cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
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