85+ Attractions for the ULTIMATE California Road Trip

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Pack your bags because you are about to take one of the best road trips that can be found anywhere in the world!

Be prepared to experience architectural magnificence, the quaintest seaside towns, an eccentric millionaire’s dream, incredible national parks, stunning vistas, unique sea life, and so much more!!! What you will observe on your road trip down California’s coast will be the- experience of a lifetime!!!

Here are 10 fantastic places to plan into your itinerary during your California Coastal road trip on the 101 from San Diego to San Francisco!

#1: San Diego

San Diego is a city full of fun, color, good food, activity, and culture. It encompasses everything a person could love about California. From it’s laid back vibe, pristine beaches, the amazing food, and family friendly activities; San Diego has everything you could ever want for the first leg of your amazing road trip.

San Diego is known for it’s laid back vibe-beach scene-good food and fun!

Things to check out:

Sea World

San Diego Zoo

Coronado Island and Hotel Del Coronado

U.S.S. Midway

Gaslamp Quarter

Get some good tacos (Tacos La Lucha Libre or Tacos El Gordo). Grab a burger at Hodad’s, or brunch at Snooze.

La Jolla Cove

Balboa Park

Carlsbad (Legoland, Flower Fields, and more)

During the springtime be sure to check out the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields!

Hit up Oceanside Pier on the way to your next pitstop

#2: Palm Springs

This is an especially good stop if you plan your road trip during the winter months. During the summer, you might not want to add this in, unless you like to be HOT! It is a little detour off the main road, but it’s definitely a stop for the person who would like to experience a true California desert!

Joshua Tree National Park shows the California desert in all it’s glory and beauty!

The number one stop here is Joshua Tree National Park

Other points of interest include:

Cabazon Dinosaurs (from PeeWee’s Big Adventure)

Large Marilyn Monroe statue

Take the Palm Springs aerial tramway

Sit poolside at one of the many desert resorts

Check out the amazing modern designs of the homes (many which were owned by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, etc.)

#3: Orange County

(the start of Hwy 1 or PCH)

Be sure to pack your bathing suit and head to one of the many beautiful beaches located in Orange County. It’s pleasant at almost any time of the year.

There are A LOT of amazing beaches in Orange County and you will be equally thrilled at any of the beautiful beaches found there. Some of my favorites include Huntington Beach (for great surfing, and hanging out on the beachy main street), Dana Point has a great harbor for stand up paddle boarding or to let younger children play, Laguna Beach is known for it’s beauty and hidden treasures— take a walk around the Montage Hotel.

Of course if you are in Orange County you will want to hit up Disneyland in Anaheim, Ca. I would recommend staying at The Howard Johnson Hotel and Waterpark just minutes from the park (enter this code for 15% off: 1000022077). It’s beautiful, newly remodeled, saves on parking and comes with a waterpark for the kids! Read more about the hotel here. Be sure to check out Downtown Disney, the Packing District or The Anaheim Garden Walk nearby for dinner and shopping. My favorite place to eat at the Anaheim Garden Walk is Fire and Ice Grill. Great family option where everyone can create exactly what they want to eat. And do everything you can to see the new Star Wars Ride: Rise of the Resistance because it is unbelivably cool! Check out this post with 15 fun things to do in Anaheim Ca.

The new Rise of the Resistance ride in Star Wars land is absolutely stunning.

Other OC areas include:

You might also opt to do Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park– grab some of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken there.

Catch a game at Angels Stadium.

Rent a Duffy Boat from Newport Beach

Get a Balboa Bar and play at the Fun Zone on Balboa Island in Newport Beach- and be sure to take the Ferry Across.

For a local bakery favorite check out Porto’s Bakery— and be prepared to wait!

#4: Los Angeles

There is no way I could list everything you could do in L.A. because the list would practically be never ending. This city boasts world class museums, parks, beaches, shopping, and more. Perfect for individuals, couples, and especially families. There are so many incredible stops in the city of angels that you could easily spend a week here and keep your itinerary full. Consider adding these amazing stops to your road trip itinerary.

Things to check out:

Universal Studios (perfect for the movie lovers in your life, but also for anyone who likes fun). It’s a family favorite here.

There are many vantage points to see the iconic Hollywood sign

Hollywood Walk of Fame- Manns Chinese Theater

Hike Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign or Runyan Canyon. Our favorite LA hike here.

Check out one of the many incredible museums like The Huntington, Getty, LACMA, and our kid’s favorite The LaBrea Tar Pits.

Find a family friendly museum that suits your family’s needs

Check out Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Malibu for great beaches (Point Dume State Beach eat brunch at the Malibu Cafe). Each of these offers a lot of fun activities and sight seeing.

Eat taquitos on Olvera Street (Cielito Lindo), get the world famous french dip sandwich at Philippe’s, and try Chicken and Waffles at Roscoes. For out of state travelers- to get the epitome of a California day, you must try In N Out! Make it animal style!

#5: Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is the perfect beach city. It would make a perfect overnight stop.

Hit up State Street for shopping, and amazing food options. Be sure to grab some ice cream at McConnell’s.

The Chromatic Gate in Santa Barbara welcomes you to this beautiful beachy town

More to do includes:

Take a walking tour of Jeff Shelton’s buildings (his style reminded me of Dr. Suess… I loved it). The Vera Cruz house is a must see!

Grab a bike (or electric bike) to ride down the beach and see the town.

Check out the county courthouse (if you get lucky you can hear the bells ring).

Santa Barbara Mission

Stay at the Haley House off State Street

Nearby you might also check out Ventura Harbor, Rincon Beach, or Ojai.

#6. Solvang

I’m taking you off the coast for a moment because you do NOT want to miss Solvang. And don’t worry, it’s just a minor detour, you will meet up with the coast again soon.

Solvang is located in Santa Barbara County. This Danish city is unlike anything you’ve seen in California and is absolutely adorable (to put it mildly). If you are craving a European vacation, this is the next best thing. The architecture will transport you to a small quaint Danish village where you will find Danish food, shops, cheeses, and even wooden shoes. And definitely try to plan your visit around Christmas when the whole place looks like a living snow globe.

Solvang is a darling Danish village in The Santa Ynez valley

Don’t pass up eating danish pancakes at Paula’s or grabbing aebleskivers as you stroll around the town… they are to die for.

Other places to check out

The Old Mission Santa Ines

Ostrichland

Nojoqui Falls

#7. San Luis Obispo (SLO)

San Luis Obispo is the cutest college town, with a small town feel, but a lot of energy.

One of it’s great claims to fame is bubblegum alley. It is equal parts disgusting and intriguing. You’ve got to check it out— and yes, definitely add to it!

Make sure to add your piece to the great gum alley in San Luis Obispo

While you enjoy this place make sure to find a cute outdoor patio to eat at, sit under the lights and breath in the feel of this place!

Stay at the Madonna Inn– Colorful, quirky and maybe the most unique place you will stay in California.

You might also want to check out:

Pismo Beach (Monarch Butterfly Grove)

Morro Bay

Paso Robles (we loved staying at The Stables Inn)

The Stables Inn in Paso Robles is newly remodeled and a great place to stay the night on your trip down CA 101

About an hour north of SLO you must check out:

San Simeon Elephant Seals

Hearst Castle (must stop!!!) This place is a marvel and definitely an experience you don’t want to pass up. Make your reservation in advance. Hearst Castle is an Essential Stop Along the Pacific Coast Highway. William Randolph Hearst was a newspaper publisher who became world-famous for his sensational style of journalism and larger-than-life personality… and his home sums those characteristics up perfectly. You’ll have to see it to belive it!

#8. Big Sur

The Bixby Canyon Bridge is a feat of engineering and a beautiful landmark in Big Sur

As you continue back on Hwy 1 you are entering one of the most remarkable parts of the drive yet— Big Sur.

With majestic seaside cliffs, Bixby Bridge, waterfalls falling directly onto the beach and purple sand, this area is a masterpiece by God himself. It is quite honestly a feast for the eyes. Be sure to fill up on gas before going through this area as you will not have the chance there and there is no cell phone reception and a very narrow highway you do NOT want to be stuck on!

The rock formations in Big Sur are known for their beauty worldwide

Read more in depth about Big Sur here.

#9. Carmel-by-the-Sea

Located in Monterey County this is the perfect place to stay to check out the area. Voted “One of America’s Top Beach Towns” you will soon see why. This place is a living fairy tale. Here you will find the cutest buildings, art galleries, beaches, amazing views, and parks, perfect hiking, and so much more. Read more in depth about Carmel here.

Things to check out:

17-mile Drive (includes Cypress Point and Pebble Beach)

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Fisherman’s Wharf

Cannery Row

Eat at Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing

Stay at the Hofsas House (pet friendly, huge rooms for families, and a heated pool)

(From here you can opt to head North on Hwy 1 to add Santa Cruz to your itinerary for a fun road stop attraction or continue on to your last destination).

#10. San Francisco

You made it! The (potentially) last stop of your trip.

On your route you can stop and admire the large redwood forest just outside of the city. Once you arrive in San Francisco there will be a lot to see and do. This is the perfect destination for families to explore!

San Francisco must do for families:

One of my top recommendations in San Francisco is biking across the Golden Gate Bridge

Take a ride on a trolley car

Self tour Alcatraz Island (must make a reservation)

Take a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge (if you keep riding to Sasalito you can ferry back to the wharf)— you can also drive the bridge over to Muir Woods to get a better look at the redwoods and beautiful scenery surrounding the city.

The Palace of Fine Arts (and the Exploratorium which is AWESOME)

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Ca

Ferry Building Marketplace

Drive down Lombard Street

Pier 39— grab some chowder there and watch the sea lions

Musee Mecanique- weird and fun, perfect for kids

Fisherman’s Wharf- be sure to grab ice cream or chocolate at Gharadelli Square

There you have it! The best road trip to take with kids and families in California. Obviously you can pick and choose to make your adventure longer or shorter, but with so much to see and do in California, this is a trip that will guarantee lasting memories and experiences of a lifetime!!!

On your way back consider a Yosemite National Park detour. In my opinion it’s well worth the extra driving hours as it is truly one of my favorite places on earth!

For some of our tips for road tripping with kids check this out.