Are you planning a trip to California in 2023? This itinerary is for you!
Any time we plan a trip, I spend the weeks leading up to our flight doing hours of research on everywhere we want to go. It builds my anticipation for traveling, and ensures that we aren’t stuck with any dead space in our schedule where we are surrounded by amazing dining and activities, but aren’t sure what to do! That is my number one travel pet peeve, and I want to help you avoid it too.
When we decided to take an epic one-week road trip through California on Highway 1, I carefully selected the most beautiful locations for us to stop for exploring and eating. Here is the perfect California itinerary 2023.
Day 1 – San Francisco: The Bridge & The Bay
We flew into San Francisco and flew out of San Diego so that we would only have to drive one way (and on the right side of the road, closer to the ocean) down Highway 1. This did make our rental car more expensive, but it was worth it to us because we could maximize our time fully in each location.
I recommend spending your first day in San Francisco visiting a few iconic spots and dining on fresh seafood.
The Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Park
Conservatory of Flowers
Mosaic Stairs
Dinner at Woodhouse Fish Co.
Ice Cream at Salt & Straw
Day 2 – San Francisco: Chinatown & Fisherman’s Wharf
We spent our second day in San Francisco wandering around Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. We didn’t discover this until after we had already paid to park twice, but there is a trolley line that perfectly connects these two areas. I highly recommend purchasing yourself a trolley ticket and saving money on parking while having an iconic San Francisco experience!
Rainbow Lattes at Home Coffee Roasters
Explore Chinatown
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company
City Lights Booksellers
Trolley Ride to Fisherman’s Wharf
Boudin Bakery
Pier 39
Dinner at Chowder’s
Sunset on the Pier
Day 3 – San Francisco: Muir Woods National Monument
On your last day in San Francisco, check a few more iconic locations off of your bucket list and then drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to spend the afternoon exploring Muir Woods. In my opinion, this is a MUST do when you visit San Francisco! The towering redwood trees are incredible. Plus, you have a perfect excuse to see the Golden Gate Bridge from a whole new angle.
Painted Ladies
Umbrella Alley
Ghirardelli Square
Trolley Ride to Lombard Street
Lombard Street
Muir Woods National Monument
Day 4 – Highway 1 Road Trip: Carmel-by-the-Sea & Point Lobos
After a quick stop just an hour outside of San Francisco at Pigeon Point Lighthouse sitting at the edge of a beautiful and dramatic cliffside, you’ll keep driving for another hour and a half until you reach Carmel-by-the-Sea. This charming storybook town is known for its cottage-like architecture and art scene. Spend the afternoon exploring Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Carmel-by-the-Sea:
Cottage of Sweets
Carmel Coffee House
Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Day 5 – Highway 1 Road Trip: Big Sur
Some of the most amazing views on Highway 1 are found in the area surrounding Big Sur. I recommend stopping at Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Waterfall Trail, and Elephant Seal Vista Point and resting for the night at a cute B&B in Moonstone Beach.
Bixby Creek Bridge
McWay Waterfall Trail
Elephant Seal Vista Point
Moonstone Beach
Day 6 – Highway 1 Road Trip: Morro Bay & Santa Barbara
As you head into Central and South California, make a half-day stop in Morro Bay. Walk along the pier for views of imposing volcanic plug Morro Rock and spot sea otters playing and fishing in the waters below. Finish your day watching the sunset on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara.
Morro Bay:
Sea Otters
The Shell Shop
Carousel Salt Water Taffy
Santa Barbara:
Stearns Wharf
Day 7 – Highway 1 Road Trip: Santa Monica Pier & Huntington Beach
We skipped LA to avoid the traffic, so this leg of the trip can be easily customized if you are interested in visiting the Hollywood sign or Rodeo Drive. We instead spent a half day at Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier and then drove on to Huntington Beach. We watched our favorite sunset of the trip here and ate our favorite meal at an incredible Hawaiian food spot.
Santa Monica Pier
Huntington Beach
Dinner at Duke’s Hawaiian Restaurant
Day 8 – San Diego: The San Diego Zoo or San Diego Safari Park
As animal lovers, the San Diego Zoo was a MUST for us. But it was unseasonably warm when we visited and the zoo is truly massive, so we actually got pretty exhausted. If I could go back and do this day over again, I would go to the San Diego Safari Park instead!
Day 9 – San Diego: Sea World
We really enjoyed Sea World because it gave us an opportunity to learn about aquatic animals we never encounter living in Texas. The most memorable for me were three different kinds of sea turtles – we got to watch as they chowed down on some lettuce and fish! If you are not a Sea World fan, I recommend spending a day exploring the Gas Lamp District or spending extra time at La Jolla.
Day 10 – San Diego: La Jolla & Coronado Beach
I saved the best for last on this itinerary – both of these beaches are incredible! La Jolla is full of interesting tidal pools, playful sea lions, and even bootlegger’s sea cave turned souvenir shop. We enjoyed it so much that we actually went twice on our trip. Coronado Beach sits in front of the beautiful Coronado Hotel (definitely a future bucket list stay) and offers fire pits, smores roasting kits for sale, and a lovely location to watch the sunset.
La Jolla Beach
Coronado Beach
Tips for Planning a California Itinerary
We absolutely loved our time exploring California from North to South, and I know we will treasure the memories forever. If you’re inspired to plan your own California itinerary, check out the blog posts below for more guides and details.
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