Ultimate 10-Day California Roadtrip

Arrive at either SFO or OAK, pick up your rental car, and drive over to Cavallo Point—this is about a one-hour drive from either airport.

Suggestions on how to spend the day

• Explore Sausalito using the complementary vintage ebikes at Cavallo Point - get ice cream at Lappert’s.

• Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge.

• Drive or hire a driver to explore Napa or Sonoma for wine tastings.

• Be sure to stop at Gott’s Roadside for a delicious burger.

• Alternatively, stay at Cavallo Point for the day and treat yourself to the many amenities they have to offer, such as a guided hike, yoga on the lawn, watercolor lessons or indulge at the spa.

Take the ferry into San Francisco and explore the Ferry Building.

Eat at Hog Island Oyster Company for oysters. Be sure to pop into Dandelion Chocolates for delicious local chocolate to enjoy.

If you made sure to bring your walking shoes, walk along The Embarcadero towards Fisherman’s Wharf. No need to stop, just continue on until you reach The Buena Vista. Be sure to stop in for some Irish Coffee before riding on the Hyde Street Cable Car.

Explore Golden Gate Park - de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden.

Marina District

There is plenty to do in this part of town. Filled with amazing restaurants, and great shopping, a visit to The Marina District is sure to please anyone.

Visit The Palace of Fine Arts, which was constructed for the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915 and is the only structure to remain. Designed by Bernard R. Maybeck, The Palace was not meant to be permanent and was intended to fall to ruins like the Roman ruins he took inspiration from. Citizens of San Francisco have long loved the beauty of this building that they have fought to restore and keep this structure as a permanent structure.

Explore Fillmore Street Stairs.

Dinner

• Gary Danko: Classic French cooking, with innovative use of fresh, locally grown ingredients.

• State Bird Provisions: Unique dim-sum-style plates.

• Coqueta: Of the late Michael Chiarello.

• Atelier Crenn: Dominque Crenn’s Three-Michelin star restaurant.

Drive to Carmel by the Sea; this is about a two-hour drive.

Things to explore today

• Carmel Village - explore all the village has to offer from shopping, pay special attention to visiting the 21 Comstock’s original cottage that looks to be right out of a fairy tale.

• Carmel Mission: Has been restored and is one of the most authentic missions standing. Take the time to learn about the not-so-great history of the California Missions and the significance they served.

• Monterey Bay Aquarium: If you have never been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it is definitely worth a visit plan for about a three-hour visit.

• Downtown Monterey and Cannery Row.

• Monterey State Historic Park: Walking trail of historic buildings and sites including California’s first theater, the first location the United States flag flew once California was named a state.

Today will be relaxing, but be prepared to spend some quality time in the car for the iconic 17-Mile Drive.

17 Mile Drive

Note at the time of this writing it cost $11.75 to enter by car; it is roughly a two to three hour drive depending on how many times you stop, and how much time you spend at each location. This iconic drive dates back to 1881 and has been leaving visitors in awe ever since. With breathtaking views, coastal cliffs, white sandy beaches and famed golf courses, you are sure to find this drive well worth your time. Be sure to stop and admire the Lone Cypress tree, which for over 250 years has overlooked the Pacific Ocean from its spot on the granite headland.

Big Sur

• Bixby Bridge: You might recognize this famous bridge from the tv show Big Little Lies.

• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: Take time to explore and enjoy the hikes. If you want to save time, do the Waterfall Overlook Trail to hike to McWay Falls.

• McWay Falls

This is the ideal driving route as it is the most scenic, but be sure to check in advance as Highway 1 south of Big Sur is known to have road closures lately.

• Check into Palihouse.

With its small-town charm, Santa Barbara is the perfect place to relax and take it easy. Known as the American Riviera thanks to its Mediterranean weather, sweeping coastlines and culinary scene.

Take time to explore some of the most photogenic and scenic spots in Santa Barbara. Stop into a few wine tasting rooms and enjoy local wine. Known for their architecture and historical significance, a visit to both the Santa Barbara Mission and the Santa Barbara Courthouse —with Spanish colonial revival architecture — is sure to check off your Santa Barbara guide list.

State Street

Close to traffic, this pedestrian straightaway is lined with restaurants, including my favorite place to grab some birria tacos Yona Redz, do some shopping maybe stop in and grab a game at Game Seeker a local, Latina, family-owned business.

For dinner, enjoy some Indian food at Bibi Ji, located on State Street, or go to Oku for sushi and enjoy the rooftop patio and ocean views.

The Funk Zone

No visit to Santa Barbara is complete without a stop at The Funk Zone, Santa Barbara's funky, fun, vibrant neighborhood that is filled with trendy shops, restaurants, coffee shops and galleries of local artists.

Enjoy breakfast at Palihotel.

Drive down to Montecito take the day to enjoy the small town and do some shopping, and pick up some sweet treats at Renaud’s before heading to Butterfly Beach.

If able, visit Ganna Walska Lotusland: The former 37-acre botanical garden at the home of Madame Ganna Walksa, an opera singer, is sure to not disappoint. Visitors are required to make a reservation in advance, availability Wednesday-Saturday.

Grab Lunch at Padaro Beach Grill before starting your drive along the coast to Laguna Beach.

Check in at Montage Laguna Beach.

Enjoy the afternoon exploring Laguna Beach, or just relaxing at the pool.

• 1,000 Steps Beach: Explore the beach caves.

• Pirate Tower: What was once used to access the beach, thanks to the steps inside, it has since been closed off and now is just a sight to see.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then drive down from Laguna Beach to Encinitas.

On the drive, stop in Oceanside to walk along the pier, enjoy watching the surfers from above and make a pit stop at the famous Top Gun house which has been converted into a pie shop. Drive along the coast down to Carlsbad and stop in at the oyster farm for a tour, and some oyster shucking.

Grab lunch in Carlsbad Village - my favorite place is Board and Brew for local sandwiches.

Check into Alila Marea.

Enjoy the ebikes or hotel car to explore Encinitas; be sure to enjoy drinks at the bar at the hotel before heading back up to Oceanside to dine at Michelin-star restaurant Valle for an unforgettable experience.

Coronado

Drive from Encinitas to Coronado and check in at The Hotel Del Coronado.

Along the drive, stop and take some time for yourself at the Self-Realization Garden above Swami’s Beach. Walk around the hotel grounds and the island.

Take the ferry from Coronado to Broadway Pier and explore the Embarcadero. Walk along the water south towards Seaport Village. As you walk you will pass by the USS Midway — if you desire, take some time to explore the historical vessel.

Continue walking along the waterfront stop for food at Malibu Farms before you take the ferry back to Coronado.