DAY 1

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

  • Car Rental Center - take the AirTrain BlueLine 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 Ripley's Believe It or Not, Ghirardelli Square, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and an array of seafood restaurants.

  • Ferry Marketplace 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 an easy 40-minute (2-mile) walk <map> between the (2) marketplaces, or you can take the F-Embarcadero 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 Park, 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 to 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 famed as 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-Embarcadero streetcar makes a stop here.

• Walk along the harbor from the Embarcadero to —> Presidio Park. Good views. Five (5) miles one-way. <Map of walking path>

  • Instead of doing this massive walk on foot, do part of the walk or rent a bike.

  • 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 you're 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 on when visiting.

  • Directions 🔗 to Oracle Park Stadium>

  • Directions 🔗 to Levi’s Stadium—the stadium is located in Santa Clara, CA ~ 43 miles (a 45 to 60-minute drive) south of San Francisco. A visitor who only uses BART or walks won't reach it easily; they'd need a different plan, like Caltrain
    or a long Uber.

• Overnight(s): San Francisco.

DAYS 4 and 5  

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

  • The National Park Service cancelled the entrance reservation system.

  • ⚠️ Because of this, the park is seeing record-breaking crowds. To secure a parking spot in the Valley, you must plan to arrive before 7:30 AM or visit midweek.

    • During weekends and holidays, wait times at entrance stations are exceeding 90 minutes. < 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>

  • If hiking is an issue, from spring through fall (typically mid-April to November), a free public shuttle (seasonal check schedule) takes visitors directly from the Welcome Plaza parking lot up to the Mariposa Grove arrival area.

• 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 just outside the exit 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 in 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 the roadway is temporarily closed due to repairs.

• A great app to download is AllTrails. ⚠️ Download maps for offline use before entering Yosemite Valley—cell service disappears inside the granite canyon.

• 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 6

• 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 7

• 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, with 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 the 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 8

• Monterey to Hollywood (The Detour Route)

  • Cruise south down Highway 1 directly out of Monterey. You’ll wind along towering coastal cliffs, cross the engineering marvel of the Bixby Creek Bridge, and track alongside the crashing Pacific surf.

  • Santa Barbara Stop: Stop for a late afternoon walk along State Street or the historic Stearns Wharf.

• Distance/Time: ⚠️ 340 miles. Approx. 6–7 hours of straight driving via
  Hwy 101. Leave early!

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

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

Driving time for Pacific Highway 1:

(does not include stops)

• Monterey to Santa Barbara - 5.5 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 9

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

• If you're 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 Studios 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 10

• 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 rental shops <Click here>

• Overnight: San Diego (3 nights).

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

  • Gaslamp Quarter is another great accommodation spot.

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

DAY 11

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

  • On weekends, visitors should scan the QR code right at the front gate to lock in a timed slot for Panda Ridge. It’s the brand-new, state-of-the-art giant panda habitat.

• 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 are common in winter. A perfect time to visit is autumn or spring. Most rain is seen from November until March.

• Sunrise/Sunset time.