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Having already digested the advice in a number of excellent resources on this forum, OH and I are now in the process of planning our SF and PCH trip for next year – late May, early June. The outline plan is to fly LHR to SFO, spend a few days exploring SF, then renting a car and driving south, taking in what the PCH has to offer, then flying back from either LAX or SAN. Apart from getting to LAX, I am not planning any time in LA itself.
Given the likely high cost of accommodation along the way, from a budget point of view, we are probably limited to about 14 nights; might be able to stretch to 18. So we are seeking advice on the following:
Given that we don’t have any particular “must see” objectives and given the above time constraint, how should we apportion our available time? For example:
How many days should we spend exploring SF?
After SF, should we take a slow meander south to LA maybe spending more than one night in particular places we like the look of or is it worth pressing on leaving enough time to continue further south to San Diego and fly home from there?
Incidentally, this far out, reward availability in J for the return flight is good from both LAX and SAN.
All thoughts welcome.
San Fran, max 2-3 days.
Alcatraz book well in advance. On occasion night tours are available.
Hire a bike and cycle across golden gate bridge to Sausalito,you can return via ferry.
Pinecrest diner near Union square is a great spot for breakfast.Having already digested the advice in a number of excellent resources on this forum, OH and I are now in the process of planning our SF and PCH trip for next year – late May, early June. The outline plan is to fly LHR to SFO, spend a few days exploring SF, then renting a car and driving south, taking in what the PCH has to offer, then flying back from either LAX or SAN. Apart from getting to LAX, I am not planning any time in LA itself.
Given the likely high cost of accommodation along the way, from a budget point of view, we are probably limited to about 14 nights; might be able to stretch to 18. So we are seeking advice on the following:
Given that we don’t have any particular “must see” objectives and given the above time constraint, how should we apportion our available time? For example:
How many days should we spend exploring SF?
After SF, should we take a slow meander south to LA maybe spending more than one night in particular places we like the look of or is it worth pressing on leaving enough time to continue further south to San Diego and fly home from there?
Incidentally, this far out, reward availability in J for the return flight is good from both LAX and SAN.
All thoughts welcome.
I think 14 days to go down the PCH is too much.
I would stay in SF for 3 nights-Then go to Yosemite for 3 nights.
Get back to the coast at Monterey then stop at least at Hearst Castle
Hi @Alwaysbusy – the PCH is a wonderful trip! We did it in 2022 and had a great time.
Did you find this thread:
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/west-coast-us-road-trip-aug-2022/
Great drive with stunning scenery and you can find lots of top tips on here about places of interest / to stay en route. Even if only going for a week you could still have a day or two either end as it’s not the longest drive so you have loads of flexibility.
Split the journey up into bite size chunks with some exploring in between. Weather pleaseant that time of year. Lovely towns to mooch around like Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara – the list goes on…
Plenty to bookend it with in terms of great hotels and activities in both SFO (per @travelersolo ‘s comment). We stayed at the Kimpton Alton, near Fisherman’s Wharf. Nice hotel in great location. LA too of course has loads to offer although we preferred to spend our time in Santa Monica at that end as we’ve done downtown before. The Oceana Santa Monica is a great Hilton redemption!
Can thoroughly recommend the Holiday Inn Express Monterey if on a budget. Free parking and even cheaper on points when we went. One road back from the coast/boardwalk and easy walk into main parts of town and the marina restaurants.
Pismo Beach is cool for the butterflies but the HIE Grover Beach was inland and a bit tired. Likewise I’d swerve the HIE Carpinteria too and stay somewhere in Santa Barbara if you want to pop in to see Hazza & Megz.
Can’t speak to the San Diego part of your query but the extra drive isn’t long – depends on how much you live up to your user name I guess 🤣
Isn’t the mid portion of the PCH closed due to landslides, and has been for years.
Would need a fairly lengthy detour to get around it.
I also think that unless you go inland, 14 days along the PCH is too long. Pre Covid we tried to drive it 3 times in May after my daughter finished College and on each occasion it was closed south of Big Sur due to landslides. I would definitely check current situation as per @Jimbob’s comment. We’ve also tried to go to Yosemite 3 times in May and the road was closed also because of landslides. May be we’re just unlucky. Monterey, Big Sur, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Monica and Santa Barbara are all worth a visit.
As we’ve visited SFO and LA so many times we now tend to avoid. But definitely recommend Fisherman’s Wharf, Sausalito and Alcatraz.
In 2022 and 2025 we used 241s to San Diego end of April and May. It was far easier to get business flights on first flight of day in each direction. This year it was a 777 with First and CS. The latter flight on our dates this year was not CS but it could change so worth checking. Driving between LA and San Diego is quick and easy along a very wide interstate with many lanes. We’ve stayed at Newport Beach, Long Beach (Queen Mary), Carlsbad, Solano Beach, Del Mar (Indigo) and San Diego (IC and Kimpton). We’ve also stayed at Lake Elsinore, Murrieta and Temecula in wine country, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree NP.
If you plan on visiting a few National Parks, you should consider getting the annual America the Beautiful pass for $80 which allows entry per vehicle not pp. There’s so much to see and do, you need to do lots of research. You will have a great time wherever you go.
I’d stay another day in SFO – there can be long queues for cable car and it can be a tiring city esp if you walk any hills!
definately cycle over GG – you can cheat and get an electric bike esp if you dont get ferry back – the ride back is quite different
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