All Trips · Americas
California’s Legendary Pacific Coast
An unforgettable journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco through Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Monterey and Carmel
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Starts
Los Angeles
Ends
San Francisco
Car
Nissan Versa
Hotels
5 Cities
Stay as many nights as you wish
Your package price updates instantly
Hotels & rental car included — flights optional
Secure online payment
Overview
Experience one of America’s most iconic road trips on a journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco along California’s magnificent Central Coast.
Begin beside the ocean in Santa Monica or Los Angeles before travelling north through Malibu to elegant Santa Barbara. Spanish-influenced architecture, palm-lined streets and a beautiful waterfront make this an inviting first stop on the journey.
Continue through the vineyards and rolling hills of California’s Central Coast to Pismo Beach or San Luis Obispo. From here, follow the coastline through Cambria and San Simeon, where Hearst Castle overlooks the Pacific and elephant seals gather beside the shore.
When road conditions permit, the journey continues along Highway 1 through Big Sur, one of the world’s most spectacular coastal landscapes. Towering cliffs, hidden beaches, redwood forests and sweeping ocean views accompany you towards Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey.
Spend two nights exploring the Monterey Peninsula before following the coast through Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay to San Francisco. The journey concludes with two nights in one of America’s most distinctive cities.
Perfect for
Self-Drive Trips
Couples
Independent Travellers
Photography Lovers
Nature Lovers
History Buffs
Food & Wine Lovers
Road Trip Fans
Your Itinerary Overview
8 Days · 7 Nights
Los Angeles
Santa Barbara
Hearst Castle
Carmel-by-the-Sea
San Francisco
Your route. Your pace.
Add or remove nights at every destination. Your itinerary and package price update instantly.
1
Start
ARRIVAL IN LOS ANGELES
Best Western Plus LA Mid Town Hotel
2
Day 2
LOS ANGELES TO SANTA BARBARA
West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel
3
Day 3
SANTA BARBARA TO PISMO BEACH OR SAN LUIS OBISPO
Comfort Inn near Hearst Castle - Cambria
4
Day 4
PISMO BEACH OR SAN LUIS OBISPO TO MONTEREY AND CARMEL
Wave Street InnStay 2 Nights · Days 4–6
5
Day 5
MONTEREY, CARMEL AND THE PENINSULA
Wave Street Innnight 2 of 2 · Same accommodation
6
Day 6
MONTEREY TO SAN FRANCISCO
Hotel Spero, Vignette Collection by IHGStay 2 Nights · Days 6–8
7
Day 7
SAN FRANCISCO
Hotel Spero, Vignette Collection by IHGnight 2 of 2 · Same accommodation
8
Day 8
DEPARTURE FROM SAN FRANCISCO
Departure day · No overnight stay
Choose your rental car
Prices shown for a 8-day rental.
Why You'll Love This Trip
One of America's great road trips, driven at your own pace
LA to San Francisco — no backtracking, just forward
Big Sur's clifftop Highway 1 is simply unmissable
Two nights in both Monterey and San Francisco to actually explore
Hearst Castle, elephant seals and Bixby Bridge all in one day
Charming stops most fly-drive trips rush straight past
Wide choice of hotels to suit every style and budget
FLEXIBILITY MESSAGE
This 8-day/7-night itinerary is our recommended route, but your journey does not have to follow a rigid schedule. Depending on hotel and rental-car availability, you may change the number of nights, select different accommodation categories or extend your stay in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Carmel or San Francisco.
The itinerary can also be extended south to San Diego or north into California’s redwood country, Sonoma County and the Napa Valley.
Flights can be added during the booking process.
IMPORTANT HIGHWAY 1 INFORMATION
This itinerary can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Spring offers green landscapes and colourful wildflowers, while summer generally provides warm weather but can bring coastal fog and heavier visitor numbers. Autumn often offers pleasant temperatures and clearer coastal conditions.
Winter can be quieter and more affordable, although Pacific storms are more likely to affect driving conditions and access along Highway 1.
What's Included
Seven nights’ accommodation in your selected hotel category
One night in Santa Monica or Los Angeles
One night in Santa Barbara
One night in Pismo Beach or San Luis Obispo
Two nights in the Monterey or Carmel area
Two nights in San Francisco
Rental car for the complete itinerary
Unlimited mileage according to the selected rental-car conditions
Applicable rental-car taxes and mandatory charges as displayed during booking
One-way rental from Los Angeles to San Francisco when confirmed
Flexible selection of available hotels
Detailed suggested itinerary
All applicable accommodation taxes shown during booking
Financial protection according to the terms of the booking company
What's Excluded
Flights to Los Angeles and from San Francisco unless added during booking
Fuel, tolls, parking charges and optional rental-car equipment
Rental-car security deposit and locally payable optional insurance
One-way rental charges unless specifically displayed as included
Hotel parking charges in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco
Resort fees or destination charges unless specifically shown as included
Meals and drinks unless specifically stated
Hearst Castle tours
Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets
The 17-Mile Drive entrance charge
Alcatraz tickets, harbour cruises and optional excursions
State park admission and parking charges
Travel insurance
Personal expenses and gratuities
From per personUS$875