Thank you! I’m glad you like the itinerary. Here’s the updated 10-day itinerary with one less night in Santa Barbara and an extra night in Napa Valley to allow for more time exploring the wine country.
Day 1: Los Angeles to Santa Monica and MalibuDrive: Los Angeles to Santa Monica (~30 minutes, 15 miles)
Activities:
Visit Santa Monica Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, or rent bikes and ride along the beach.
Head to Malibu (about 30 minutes away) and relax at Zuma Beach, El Matador Beach, or enjoy the Malibu Pier.
Try a seaside lunch or dinner at Nobu Malibu.
Overnight: Stay in Santa Monica or Malibu.
Day 2: Explore Santa Monica and MalibuActivities:
Spend the day exploring Santa Monica and Malibu. Visit Venice Beach, the Venice Canals, or Palisades Park for beautiful coastal views.
Visit the Getty Villa in Malibu or stroll around the Malibu Country Mart.
Overnight: Stay in Santa Monica or Malibu.
Day 3: Santa Monica to San DiegoDrive: Santa Monica to San Diego (~2 hours, 130 miles)
Activities:
Head down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), stopping at Venice Beach, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente for short scenic breaks.
Explore Balboa Park, visit the San Diego Zoo, or stroll through Old Town San Diego.
Enjoy the nightlife and dining in Gaslamp Quarter.
Overnight: Stay in San Diego.
Day 4: Explore San DiegoActivities:
Explore La Jolla Cove and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for coastal views and hikes.
Visit Cabrillo National Monument for scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the bay.
Spend the afternoon at Seaport Village, or take a harbor tour.
Overnight: Stay in San Diego.
Day 5: San Diego to Santa BarbaraDrive: San Diego to Santa Barbara (~4 hours, 215 miles)
Activities:
Drive along Pacific Coast Highway and stop at La Jolla, Del Mar, and Oceanside on the way.
Once in Santa Barbara, visit Stearns Wharf, wander through Santa Barbara’s Historic Downtown, or check out the Santa Barbara Mission.
Explore Funk Zone for wine-tasting rooms and trendy restaurants.
Overnight: Stay in Santa Barbara.
Day 6: Santa Barbara to MontereyDrive: Santa Barbara to Monterey (~4.5 hours, 250 miles)
Activities:
Head north toward Monterey. Stop in Morro Bay for a quick break.
Once in Monterey, explore Cannery Row, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and stroll along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail.
Take the 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach for incredible coastal views.
Overnight: Stay in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Day 7: Explore Monterey and Carmel-by-the-SeaActivities:
Explore Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for hiking and amazing views.
Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its charming art galleries, boutique shops, and fairy-tale cottages.
Spend the afternoon at Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail or visit the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Overnight: Stay in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Day 8: Monterey to Napa ValleyDrive: Monterey to Napa (~3 hours, 150 miles)
Activities:
Head north to Napa Valley, famous for its picturesque vineyards and wineries.
Stop by Solvang, a Danish-style village, for a scenic break and lunch.
Explore Robert Mondavi Winery, Castello di Amorosa, and V. Sattui Winery for wine tastings and vineyard tours.
Take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train or explore Yountville for boutique shopping and gourmet food.
Overnight: Stay in Napa or Yountville.
Day 9: Full Day in Napa ValleyActivities:
Spend the day exploring Napa Valley. Visit more wineries like Domaine Carneros, Beringer Vineyards, or Opus One Winery.
Explore Napa Valley Vine Trail for a scenic bike ride, or visit Oxbow Public Market for local food and artisan products.
If you're interested, you can also visit Castello di Amorosa, a medieval-style castle winery.
Overnight: Stay in Napa or Yountville.
Day 10: Napa Valley to Yosemite National ParkDrive: Napa to Yosemite (~4 hours, 200 miles)
Activities:
Depart Napa in the morning and drive to Yosemite National Park.
Upon arrival, explore Yosemite Valley and enjoy views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall.
Take a short hike to Yosemite Falls or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Mirror Lake.
Overnight: Stay in or near Yosemite National Park.
Day 11: Full Day in Yosemite National ParkActivities:
Spend the day exploring Yosemite. Head to Glacier Point for panoramic views, or hike the Mist Trail to see Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.
Visit Mariposa Grove to see the towering giant sequoias or hike the Four-Mile Trail for stunning views of Yosemite Valley.
Overnight: Stay in or near Yosemite National Park.
Day 12: Yosemite to San FranciscoDrive: Yosemite to San Francisco (~4 hours, 170 miles)
Activities:
Spend your morning exploring Yosemite if you have time, or visit Glacier Point and the Tuolumne Meadows area.
Drive to San Francisco, and once you arrive, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.
Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island, or explore Golden Gate Park for a relaxing afternoon.
Overnight: Stay in San Francisco.
Day 13: Explore San FranciscoActivities:
Spend a full day exploring San Francisco. Visit the Palace of Fine Arts, explore the Mission District, or check out the beautiful North Beach neighborhood.
Walk down Lombard Street, visit the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, or explore the Exploratorium for a hands-on science experience.
For a unique perspective of the city, visit Twin Peaks for panoramic views or head to Coit Tower.
End of Trip.
Key Highlights:Beaches: Santa Monica, Malibu, La Jolla, and scenic PCH stops.
Cities: San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Napa Valley, and San Francisco.
Nature: Yosemite National Park’s iconic landmarks, coastal beauty, and wine country.
Wine: Napa Valley vineyards and wine-tasting experiences.
This 10-day itinerary now has an extra night in Napa Valley to enjoy more of the wine country and allows for a more relaxed pace overall. It’s the perfect combination of nature, coastal beauty, iconic cities, and world-class wineries. Enjoy your road trip!
Day 1: Los Angeles to Santa Monica and MalibuDrive: Los Angeles to Santa Monica (~30 minutes, 15 miles)
Activities:
Visit Santa Monica Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, or rent bikes and ride along the beach.
Head to Malibu (about 30 minutes away) and relax at Zuma Beach, El Matador Beach, or enjoy the Malibu Pier.
Try a seaside lunch or dinner at Nobu Malibu.
Overnight: Stay in Santa Monica or Malibu.
Day 2: Explore Santa Monica and MalibuActivities:
Spend the day exploring Santa Monica and Malibu. Visit Venice Beach, the Venice Canals, or Palisades Park for beautiful coastal views.
Visit the Getty Villa in Malibu or stroll around the Malibu Country Mart.
Overnight: Stay in Santa Monica or Malibu.
Day 3: Santa Monica to San DiegoDrive: Santa Monica to San Diego (~2 hours, 130 miles)
Activities:
Head down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), stopping at Venice Beach, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente for short scenic breaks.
Explore Balboa Park, visit the San Diego Zoo, or stroll through Old Town San Diego.
Enjoy the nightlife and dining in Gaslamp Quarter.
Overnight: Stay in San Diego.
Day 4: Explore San DiegoActivities:
Explore La Jolla Cove and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for coastal views and hikes.
Visit Cabrillo National Monument for scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the bay.
Spend the afternoon at Seaport Village, or take a harbor tour.
Overnight: Stay in San Diego.
Day 5: San Diego to Santa BarbaraDrive: San Diego to Santa Barbara (~4 hours, 215 miles)
Activities:
Drive along Pacific Coast Highway and stop at La Jolla, Del Mar, and Oceanside on the way.
Once in Santa Barbara, visit Stearns Wharf, wander through Santa Barbara’s Historic Downtown, or check out the Santa Barbara Mission.
Explore Funk Zone for wine-tasting rooms and trendy restaurants.
Overnight: Stay in Santa Barbara.
Day 6: Santa Barbara to MontereyDrive: Santa Barbara to Monterey (~4.5 hours, 250 miles)
Activities:
Head north toward Monterey. Stop in Morro Bay for a quick break.
Once in Monterey, explore Cannery Row, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and stroll along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail.
Take the 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach for incredible coastal views.
Overnight: Stay in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Day 7: Explore Monterey and Carmel-by-the-SeaActivities:
Explore Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for hiking and amazing views.
Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its charming art galleries, boutique shops, and fairy-tale cottages.
Spend the afternoon at Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail or visit the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Overnight: Stay in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Day 8: Monterey to Napa ValleyDrive: Monterey to Napa (~3 hours, 150 miles)
Activities:
Head north to Napa Valley, famous for its picturesque vineyards and wineries.
Stop by Solvang, a Danish-style village, for a scenic break and lunch.
Explore Robert Mondavi Winery, Castello di Amorosa, and V. Sattui Winery for wine tastings and vineyard tours.
Take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train or explore Yountville for boutique shopping and gourmet food.
Overnight: Stay in Napa or Yountville.
Day 9: Full Day in Napa ValleyActivities:
Spend the day exploring Napa Valley. Visit more wineries like Domaine Carneros, Beringer Vineyards, or Opus One Winery.
Explore Napa Valley Vine Trail for a scenic bike ride, or visit Oxbow Public Market for local food and artisan products.
If you're interested, you can also visit Castello di Amorosa, a medieval-style castle winery.
Overnight: Stay in Napa or Yountville.
Day 10: Napa Valley to Yosemite National ParkDrive: Napa to Yosemite (~4 hours, 200 miles)
Activities:
Depart Napa in the morning and drive to Yosemite National Park.
Upon arrival, explore Yosemite Valley and enjoy views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall.
Take a short hike to Yosemite Falls or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Mirror Lake.
Overnight: Stay in or near Yosemite National Park.
Day 11: Full Day in Yosemite National ParkActivities:
Spend the day exploring Yosemite. Head to Glacier Point for panoramic views, or hike the Mist Trail to see Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.
Visit Mariposa Grove to see the towering giant sequoias or hike the Four-Mile Trail for stunning views of Yosemite Valley.
Overnight: Stay in or near Yosemite National Park.
Day 12: Yosemite to San FranciscoDrive: Yosemite to San Francisco (~4 hours, 170 miles)
Activities:
Spend your morning exploring Yosemite if you have time, or visit Glacier Point and the Tuolumne Meadows area.
Drive to San Francisco, and once you arrive, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.
Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island, or explore Golden Gate Park for a relaxing afternoon.
Overnight: Stay in San Francisco.
Day 13: Explore San FranciscoActivities:
Spend a full day exploring San Francisco. Visit the Palace of Fine Arts, explore the Mission District, or check out the beautiful North Beach neighborhood.
Walk down Lombard Street, visit the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, or explore the Exploratorium for a hands-on science experience.
For a unique perspective of the city, visit Twin Peaks for panoramic views or head to Coit Tower.
End of Trip.
Key Highlights:Beaches: Santa Monica, Malibu, La Jolla, and scenic PCH stops.
Cities: San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Napa Valley, and San Francisco.
Nature: Yosemite National Park’s iconic landmarks, coastal beauty, and wine country.
Wine: Napa Valley vineyards and wine-tasting experiences.
This 10-day itinerary now has an extra night in Napa Valley to enjoy more of the wine country and allows for a more relaxed pace overall. It’s the perfect combination of nature, coastal beauty, iconic cities, and world-class wineries. Enjoy your road trip!