-
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 differentThis is all fantastic advice. Thanks to you all!
So I’m on the point of booking redemption flights in J – this is for late May early June 2026. Outbound will be LHR to SFO but still undecided between LAX or SAN for inbound. Factors influencing my decision will be the availability of CS and, to a lesser extent, the airport experience.
Towards getting CS, barring an equipment change, is it a fair assumption that 777 flights from LAX (BA280, BA282) and the 777 (BA264) and 787-8 (BA272) flights from SAN will all be CS? The information here would suggest so.
Also, any advice on airport experience between LAX and SAN – lounge availability, how busy, rental car drop off convenience, etc?
Thanks again.
PCH is an amazing drive and if you go from SFO to LAX then you’ll be on the side of the road closest to the coast.
Some great advice above. I second the recommendations for the Kimpton Alton, in San Francisco. We really enjoyed staying there and remember them having a nice restaurant where we had breakfast. Alcatraz sells out quickly so make sure you book in advance. Really great tour. I’d say 3/4 nights is good for San Francisco, depending on how early/late you arrive on day 1.We also stayed at the HIE in Monterey, which was ok. It’s definitely more about location as we found it a little bit dated overall. I would stay there again though as it was really convenient. Having looked at prices for a recent trip there, the IC seems to be a bit closer on price than it used to be and despite never staying there it has come well recommended to me. I’m a big fan or Monterey and would plan to stay for a night or two if you have time. Make sure you go and see the sea lions.
If you’ve got 14 days then I would look at heading east to see Yosemite. You’ll need to make a reservation during the peak months but it’s definitely worth visiting if you can.
If you’ve got young peopple with you or enjoy that sort of thing as adults, the beach boardwalk at Santa Cruz is worth a stop. It’s a great example of an original pier fairground with lots of rides, games and attractions. We also went to the mystery house in Santa Cruz which was a fun couple of hours although nothing you’ll be upset about if you don’t go.
Enjoy your trip, we loved doing the PCH
SAN 1st, then as you’re driving the PCH all the scenery and pullouts are on the correct side of the road. It’s also much easier for immigration and rental car pickup. Hoever I would advise not picking up a car when you arrive, just do public transport or uber/lyft for your days in SF, it’s cheaper and less hassle.
Since you have so much time, look at Pinnacles and Channel Islands National Parks if you like hiking. Neither of them will disappoint.
@Jimbob no, it reopened a long time ago however some lookout points and portions of the state parks along it may still be closed.I thought some sections of the road south of Monterey are still closed.
I thought some sections of the road south of Monterey are still closed.
Oh sorry, yes, south of carmel. It changes every winter after the storms
For me the definitive HfP advice on this route is this post in this thread here:
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/california-road-trip/#post-301732
Additional random thoughts from me:
– stay to the north end of SanFran (Little Italy, Telegraph Hill, Fishermans Wharf) which is pleasant. Union Square region isn’t any more due to homeless issues but there just doesn’t seem to be the same issues once you head up Nob Hill.
– If you want to stay somewhere affordable, exceptionally friendly and interesting (SF’s oldests working elevator!) then say Hi to Skittles, Pip’s replacement at https://goldengatehotel.com/#
– Don’t get put off by detours due to landslides as they are always there – they are sometimes quite interesting (once ended up driving through a full-on Full Metal Jacket style army training base). It simply does always take a few trips to cover the whole route.
– Roaring Camp Railroad is great – either the Redwoods ride or the one into the centre of Santa Cruz
– The Winchester Mystery House and the Santa Cruz boardwalk are both fun to visit even if you’re not normally into that sort of thing.
– I slightly disagree that Monterey is not worth it; the aquarium is always excellent. The secret is to spend more time in Pacific Grove the adjoining town which is great and less commercial.
– Along 17 Mile Drive, if you are even slightly into golf then a visit to Pebble Beach is great – you don’t have to be playing the course to wander round the 1st tee, museum/shops, while if you have kids the 9 hole course is fantastic ( replica 7th and championship level greens!) and is FREE (!!!) to under 12s.
– Stop for the Elephant Seals near Hurst Castle (which you should also be going to) – they’re spectacular!
– Santa Barbara is worth 2-3 days at least – it’s great!
– 100% agree on spend your time on the coastal road not in LA.Traffic round LA’s airport loop is mental (like all of LA really) but the Oneworld lounge is pretty calm and I find it pleasant – it’s not going to rival the best of Asia but is far better than many/most American options.
Do build in extra time so 7-10 days is good although 14 probably excessive so you do have time to build more in. Yosemite – but not on a weekend for the valley as it is mental, and the Sequoias at Kings Canyon are certainly a great option. Sacramento with its history and the wine area around Napa would be a cool alternative.
An alternative in Monterey is the Hotel Pacific (stayed in Oct 2022), which was a handy location for the town and to walk along to Fisherman’s Wharf and the front. Wasn’t driving but believe had car parking, and a bit more of an independent feel if you don’t want the HIE.
Second the Savage Squirrel, the aquarium is excellent, and also if you’re slightly into golf or sport a visit to the visitor centre at Pebble Beach is worth it. There was a nice deli next door across the car park making fresh sandwiches, which was a godsend after my brain had got 17 miles and 17 kilometres confused with the cycle there… Cycling the 17 Mile Drive is fantastic though and amazing views.
I didn’t have time to, but some excellent wildlife tours out into the bay by boat from Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, or around Elkhorn Slough to see the sea otters.
If a fan a John Steinbeck you could also consider a detour to visit Steinbeck museum in Salinas.
There are plenty of vineyards within 60 minute drive from Salinas or Monterey.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has some nice hiking trails
If you beach wallks Marina State Beach is a great spot though with very limited parking. There is a Walmart close by where I parked up for a few hours.
Towards getting CS, barring an equipment change, is it a fair assumption that 777 flights from LAX (BA280, BA282) and the 777 (BA264) and 787-8 (BA272) flights from SAN will all be CS?
A 777 is pretty much guaranteed CS (although an LGW CW aircraft was loitering out of LHR for a few days recently). By mid-2026 the 788 fleet will all be converted, but a swap to a CW 789 is a potential risk. A schedule change for next summer is always possible as well, but nothing you can do to mitigate against that.
A couple of extra things to add for anybody considering the PCH
When driving north to south the sun is generally not in your eyes and you have the better views from that lane as opposed the south to north option.
A couple of extra things to add for anybody considering the PCH
When driving north to south the sun is generally not in your eyes and you have the better views from that lane as opposed the south to north option.
Um, are you sure? 😀 PCH is in the northern hemisphere, so the sun travels through the sky to the south of you!
The
A couple of extra things to add for anybody considering the PCH
When driving north to south the sun is generally not in your eyes and you have the better views from that lane as opposed the south to north option.
Um, are you sure? 😀 PCH is in the northern hemisphere, so the sun travels through the sky to the south of you!
As far as I’m concerned you are definitely correct from our experience from LAX. We arrived early morning from Hawaii and drove south on the interstate to San Diego. It was the worst drive we have ever had. Not only very busy but as the sun rose we couldn’t see the lane markings or cars as the sun was directly in our eyes. We still remember how difficult it was. We eventually pulled off until the sun rose high enough so we weren’t blinded by it.
Driving south from san fran you won’t get the sun in your eyes in the morning but you will probably have to content with lots of fog which will obscure the million dollar views. The fog usually clears by lunchtime but then as the day goes on there sun will be in your eyes. Summer won’t be too much of an issue as it will be high, shoulder and winter seasons you may have a problem
Again, many thanks to all the above contributors.
Have now snagged our open jaw Avios flights in J, using a 2-4-1, for last two weeks in May next year (2026). Flying into San Francisco and home from San Diego.
The above advice and links to other PCH threads provide plenty of food for thought so now looking forward to planning a detailed PCH itinerary in slower time. As someone who has had no opportunity for building hotel loyalty points, need to focus on how to find affordable accommodation.
Thanks, all.
Be aware of memorial day, last Monday in may. Hotel prices in tourist area s will skyrocket, national parks will be rammed. You can queue for 3 hours just to get in the gate at Yosemite
Since you’re LA/SD area you probably will be ok, but watch for road closures for parades etc. Don’t even try Santa Monica, or Balboa park
@davefl –
Be aware of memorial day, last Monday in may. Hotel prices in tourist area s will skyrocket, national parks will be rammed. You can queue for 3 hours just to get in the gate at Yosemite
Good point which I hadn’t considered! That will be right in the middle of our 14-night trip. Will need to plan around that.
That’s great you’ve managed to book flights you wanted. San Diego is so much easier for car rental pick up and drop off than LAX. If you are planning staying in city for a couple of nights’ sightseeing, you probably won’t need a car (parking is very expensive). Taxi apps cheap and reliable. At end of our last trip we stayed at the IC which is right by the waterfront and Santa Fe depot. The weather wasn’t good in May when we were at Del Mar this year, so took the coaster train up to Solano Beach on one of the days the sun shone! If you want a restaurant looking out to sea at sunset, Jake’s Del Mar is worth considering.
Again, many thanks to all the above contributors.
Have now snagged our open jaw Avios flights in J, using a 2-4-1, for last two weeks in May next year (2026). Flying into San Francisco and home from San Diego.
Thanks, all.
Apologies for hijacking this thread but it’s right on topic for me: looking to book a PCH road trip: lon-sfo-san-lon or lon-san-sfo-lon trip in 26. Much of the advice on this and other threads concerns northern/central california.
How much is there to see down in san diego (or the road trip between) san diego and la? I recall this being a massive 5/6 lane motorway.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
