Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Start car-free in San Francisco before picking up a rental car for Yosemite's granite domes, Monterey and Big Sur along Highway 1, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.
Estimated per-person budget ($2,250 – $3,800) covers mid-range hotels, intercity transport, timed attraction or national park passes ($80 America the Beautiful Pass), and daily dining including state sales tax and tip.
Day-by-day plan
San Francisco Arrival, Ferry Building & Cable Cars
Ride BART from SFO to Downtown, stroll the Embarcadero Ferry Building, and ride the Powell-Hyde Cable Car over Russian Hill.
Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge & Sausalito Ferry
Take the morning boat to Alcatraz, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and return by ferry before Mission burritos or Chinatown dim sum.
Drive to Yosemite National Park (4 hrs): Tunnel View & Valley Floor
Pick up your rental car, enter Yosemite via CA-120 or CA-140, stop at Tunnel View for El Capitan and Half Dome, and walk to Lower Yosemite Fall.
Yosemite: Mist Trail (Vernal Fall), Glacier Point & Mariposa Grove Sequoias
Hike the granite steps of the Mist Trail, admire high-country views from Glacier Point (late May–Oct), and walk among Giant Sequoias at Mariposa Grove.
Yosemite to Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea (3.5 hrs)
Descend to the Pacific coast for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach to fairytale Carmel.
Big Sur Coastline (Bixby Bridge & McWay Falls) to Central Coast
Drive across Bixby Creek Bridge and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (check Caltrans QuickMap for current Highway 1 through-access), continuing to Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo.
Santa Barbara ('The American Riviera') & Malibu to Santa Monica
Walk Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf and Spanish Courthouse tower, then follow PCH past Malibu's El Matador Beach into Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Bike Path & The Getty Center
Cycle the oceanfront Marvin Braude Trail from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Canals, then spend afternoon at the hilltop Getty Center.
Hollywood, Academy Museum / La Brea Tar Pits & Griffith Observatory Sunset
Explore Miracle Mile museums, walk through Beverly Hills, and watch sunset frame the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory.
Downtown LA Architecture / Grand Central Market or Studio Tour & LAX Departure
Grab breakfast at Grand Central Market opposite Walt Disney Concert Hall before returning your car at LAX.
Transport, driving & pass notes
Designed for classic golden state road & coastal loop travel. Compare train, flight, and road-trip costs in USD ($) using our Amtrak & Rail Pass Calculator, $80 National Parks Pass Calculator, and US Trip Budget Calculator.
What to book ahead
- Apply for your $21 ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure (or verify visa validity).
- Book Amtrak Acela / Northeast Regional tickets or rental cars 4–8 weeks ahead for the lowest USD ($) rates.
- Reserve timed-entry slots for high-demand sights (Statue of Liberty Crown/Pedestal, Alcatraz, Capitol/White House tours, or Recreation.gov park entries) 30–90 days out.
Ways to adapt this route
- Add 1–2 buffer days if traveling during summer peak or Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday weeks.
- Use our interactive Itinerary Builder to customize stops and print your day-by-day plan.