DAY 1

• Arrive at San Francisco airport. If time allows, explore the city.

  • Car Rental Center - take the AirTrain Blue Line from the airport. Operates 24 hrs.

• Simplify your city travel by using the BART transit. BART trains connect SFO to downtown and other Bay Area places. You don’t need a car in the city. Public transit, tours, and Uber make travel simple.

• Travel Guides: DK San Francisco and Fodor’s California.

• Overnight: San Francisco (3 nights) <Where to stay> <Hotels near BART stations>

DAYS 2 and 3

• Two (2) days exploring San Francisco.

• Wander around Fisherman's Wharf and Ferry Marketplace.

  • Fisherman's Wharf is best known for a Ripley's Believe it or Not, Ghirardelli Square, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and array of seafood restaurants.

  • Ferry Marketplace It is a top public food market and a lively spot in San Francisco. Here, you find many local Northern California food and wine makers. <Events>

    • Located along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. <Driving and Parking>

  • It’s a easy 40-minute (2-mile) walk <map> between the (2) marketplaces or you can take the F-Embarcadaro Streetcar.

• Experience a Cable Car ride.

  • There are three (3) different cable car lines in operation.

    • The Powell-Hyde, the Powell-Mason, and the California Street lines.

  • 👉 The best one is the Powell-Hyde line which runs between the “Powell-Market” turnaround (at Union Square) and the “Hyde and Beach” turnaround (at Aquatic Pk. near Ghirardelli Square). Most visitors ride the entire route.

    • Plus the Powell-Hyde line stops at the Cable Car museum.

    • You can <purchase cable car tickets> at the “Hyde and Beach” cable turnaround (at Aquatic Park near Ghirardelli Square) and at the “Powell and Market” turnaround (at Union Square).

      • To avoid long lines, prepay utilizing MuniMobile® or Clipper® Card or go early at the ticket booth.

  • Summary: Fisherman’s Wharf is served by two (2) cable car lines:

    • 1. The Powell-Hyde line described above. It’s a 5-minute walk to the Hyde Street Pier. <map>

    • 2. The Powell-Mason line on Taylor and Bay Streets—a few blocks from Pier 45. <map>

• Lombard Street-is famous for its steep one-block section with 8 hairpin turns. It’s the Crookedest Street in the world.

  • Getting there: Use the Powell-Hyde cable car line, and then get off at Hyde St & Lombard St.

• Tour historic Alcatraz Island. Ferry departs at Pier 33. <Map>

  • Pier 33 is about a 20 minute walk (1 mile) from Ferry Marketplace and from Hyde Street Pier.

    • The F-Embarcadaro streetcar makes a stop here.

• Enjoy a walk along the harbor from the Embarcadero to Presidio Park. Good views. Five (5) miles one-way. <Map>

  • Read more (▼) about additional bay trails.

• Rent a Bike!

  • Our favorite path is along the Car-Free National Park bike path. <trail map> The path is mostly a flat ride through Aquatic Park, Fort Mason, the Marina and Presidio National Park to the Golden Gate Bridge.

  • Electric bike rentals are becoming more popular. An electric bike is easy to ride. You exert less effort into it and sweat less, resulting in a more comfortable and pleasant ride. Remember your on vacation!

• Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge for a spectacular view of San Francisco. It is 1.7 miles each way.

• Best viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge and city—Hawk Hill and Kirby Cove. <Map>

  • 📌 Directions: Take the first exit northbound crossing the bridge (Exit 442, Alexander Ave) leading to the vista points.

• Catch a San Francisco Giants baseball game or get fired up at a San Francisco 49ers football game depending when visiting.

  • <Directions to Oracle Park Stadium> <Directions to Levi’s Stadium>

• Overnight(s): San Francisco.

DAYS 3 and 4  

• Journey to Yosemite National Park. Arrive in the afternoon.

  • The National Park Service has announced new entrance reservation guidelines during certain periods of the year. <Read more>

  • The most crowded time to visit Yosemite is from June to August.

• Walk through the Mariposa Grove-the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite.

  • Access to Mariposa Grove is via a two-mile hike (each way) on the Washburn Trail or the Mariposa Grove Road. <Directions>

• Best and most famous views:

  • Tunnel View - nice spot to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background, located on the east end of Wawona Tunnel along Wawona Road (Hwy 41).

    • <Directions from Visitor Center>

  • Valley View -located along one-way Northside Drive. This vista is located just after a view of Bridalveil Fall but immediately before Pohono Bridge.

    • <Directions from Visitor Center>

  👉 Day hikes: ranging from easy to difficult:

• Mist Trail- leads to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. <trail route>

• Half Dome hike. Alert: You need a permit to hike Half Dome. Permits are available by lottery with a limited number available two (2) days in advance.

  • 💪 You need to be physically fit. This is a 12-hour all-day hike. The trek reaches 8,000 ft,(2,600m) elevation and can be extremely difficult and dangerous, but with rewarding views.

• Glacier Point is considered one of the best lookouts at Yosemite park. It is accessible via Glacier Point Road, allowing drivers to forego a difficult hike. Great option if traveling with children.

  👉 Open to cars late May through early/mid-November, depending on weather or repair conditions.

  👉 Always check if roadway is temporary closed due to repairs.

• Great app to download is All Trails.

• Relax and grab a bite in Yosemite Valley, where most of the park's services and places to stay are located.

• Overnight: Yosemite Lodge (2 nights) <Reserve, book well in advance>

• Distance:  San Francisco ---> Yosemite,  4 hrs. / 200 mi.

 DAY 5 

• Early in the day — is your last chance to explore Yosemite Park.

• Depart mid-day to Monterey/ Carmel, arrive by dinner time.

• Where to eat: Since Monterey's location is along the Pacific Ocean, fresh seafood is a staple on menus.

  —Old Fisherman's Wharf is a popular spot for dining. However, while the views are great, many visitors think the food is overpriced and average.

• Overnight: Monterey/ Carmel, (2 nights)

• Distance: Yosemite Park ---> Monterey  4 hrs. / 200 mi.

DAY 6

• Explore the Monterey Peninsula.

• Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A must-do visit especially if you’re traveling with small children.

• Walk along Cannery Row in Monterey-luxurious waterfront hotels, tempting restaurants and boutiques.

• Do not miss the stunning 17-Mile Drive. Admission fee.

  • Discover dramatic coastal cliffs, beaches, forests and golf courses.

• Walk around Carmel-by-the-Sea village. This pricey town has designer stores, gourmet eateries and upscale art galleries. 

• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - scenic beaches and coastal terrain.

• Overnight:  Monterey/Carmel.

DAY 7

• Depart from Monterey to Hollywood.

• 🚗 Drive about 320 miles on the famous Pacific Coast Highway 1, which takes 7 to 8 hours.

• This is a wonderful drive with plenty of photo opportunities.

Driving time for Pacific Highway 1:

(does not include stops)

• Monterey to San Simeon - 3 hrs.

• San Simeon to Santa Barbara - 2.5 hrs.

• Santa Barbara to Universal Studios (Hollywood) - 2 hrs.

• Overnight: Universal Studios area, Hollywood, CA, (2 nights)

• Distance:  Monterey ---> Universal Studios-Hollywood.  8.5 hrs. / 340 miles

DAY 8 

• Universal Studios-Hollywood or return home (LAX).

• If your planning to visit during the holidays, spring break or summer—consider purchasing the Universal Express pass.

  • With the pass, you will get one-time priority to every ride, show and attraction! It’s the best way to maximize your time at Universal Studios especially on the most crowded days!

• Download the Universal Studio app. Navigate the park with wait times, maps, show times and more.

• Get there early and try the popular rides first! Also, eat lunch at off-peak times to avoid long lines.

• Overnight: Universal Studios area. <where to stay>

DAY 9

• Next stop is San Diego.

• San Diego is famous for its beaches, parks, and warm weather. There’s a lot to explore in this popular American city.. <learn more>

  • Arrive at the famous Hotel del Coronado. Have lunch and enjoy a walk along Coronado beach. 

• 👉 If you feel energetic, rent bikes and pedal on the Bayshore Scenic Path.

  • San Diego’s 24-mile bike route with palm trees and the beautiful coastline makes for an ideal ride.

  • Bike rentals shops <Click here>

• Overnight: San Diego (3 nights).

  • The Hotel del Coronado is our favorite (expensive).

  • Gaslamp Quarters is another great accommodation spot.

• Distance: Universal Studios --> San Diego, 3 hrs.

DAY 10

• 🦒 Visit the San Diego Zoo. One of the world’s most popular zoos, known for having giant pandas.

• Download the San Diego Zoo app! It shows preset walking routes and guides you to your favorite animals, keeping you on track.

• A free shuttle bus is available for people with limited mobility.

• Afterwards, you can relax at the beach or “hit” the bike path if you missed out on Day 9.

• Overnight: San Diego

• Historical Weather data - click here.

SAN DIEGO is a year-round destination with a semi-arid Mediterranean climate. You will experience warm, dry summers and mild winters. Some rain is seen between November and March.

SAN FRANCISCO has warm and dry summers with mild winters. Cloudy days/rain common in winter. A perfect time to visit is autumn or spring. Most rain is seen from November until March.

• Sunrise/Sunset time.