How to travel North California, where to go, where to stay!
6 Minute Read | Written by Erin Roche & Jackson Rule
Whether it’s your first time in the US or your fifth, California always has something new to experience! From Lake Tahoe in the north all the way to the border, there are hundreds of possible itineraries for seeing the best this diverse state has to offer, but for Jackson’s first trip to the US, we gave ourself ten days for the incredible road trip itinerary you’re about to read! This 10-day itinerary will take you through the most iconic regions of California, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara. Everything from where we stayed to where we ate is detailed within to make your trip as quick and seamless to plan as possible!
Who is this itinerary for?! As we’ve said, California has something for everyone, but this particular itinerary will bring unforgettable memories to travellers who are over 21 years old, interested in spending time outdoors, comfortable driving in the US, love incredible dining with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and want to experience the California icons!
Every destination in this list has the potential for a longer stay, so if your own time permits we’d recommend spending an additional night in Santa Barbara or Napa to soak up even more of the best of wine country and coastal California. This NorCal focused itinerary took us from San Francisco, through the world renowned wine region of Napa Valley, to towering California redwood forests, along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway and ending in LA!
So let’s get into it! Beginning with…
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Day 0 - Arrive to San Francisco
Arrive and head straight to Hotel Zephyr! If you arrive before check-in, drop your luggage and head out for a short, leisurely walk through the Fisherman’s Wharf area checking out San Francisco’s highlights from Pier 39!
Grab lunch at the iconic Boudin Bakery and catch your first glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the end of the pier, here you’ll also spot some sea lions lounging in the warm sun.
Head back to Zephyr and settle in to your perfect oasis from the bustling streets of Fisherman’s Wharf! Make sure you make the most of the beautifully styled facilities in the courtyard as well as the games room.
The world that is San Francisco’s culinary scene is at your fingertips for dinner! Alongside the famous seafood options in the area, you’ll find a range of world-class restaurants across the city. We’d recommend checking in with the hotel staff for tips on your favourite cuisine, or head to Sotto Mare in Telegraph Hill for some world-class Italian seafood!
OUR TIPS: Fisherman’s Wharf can be a bit touristy — enjoy it early in the trip so you can spend time seeing other areas of San Francisco.
Day 1 - San Francisco
Rise and shine for your first full day in the USA! Enjoy breakfast at the Eagle Cafe on Pier 39 with an incredible view over the bay. You’ll want to fuel up before heading out on todays adventure!
Get back and prepare at Zephyr before heading to Blazing Saddles San Francisco for the best part of a trip to San Francisco! Today you’ll be cruising around the bay on an e-bike, crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and learning about the city’s maritime heritage with stops at some truly breathtaking spots.
The tour will finish up in Sausalito, where you have the option of staying in this beautiful upmarket neighbourhood for lunch or jumping on the ferry back to either Pier 1 or Pier 39. We’d recommend spending some time up in Sausalito, the dining up there is fabulous and the town itself is full of chic boutiques - when you’re ready head down to the ferry and make your way back to the city.
Refresh back at Zephyr before heading out to dinner #2! If Chinese / asian cuisine interests you, don’t miss a dinner in San Francisco’s Chinatown district. It is packed with well rated restaurants dishing up a range of authentic meals and American-Chinese classics!
OUR TIPS: Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable athletic wear, the e-bikes make riding a breeze but you’ll still spend a lot of time riding in the sun.
Day 2 - San Francisco to Napa Valley (Stay in Calistoga!)
Enjoy your last morning in San Francisco with breakfast at nearby Pat’s Cafe for a more local vibe. You’ll want to hit the road early so get packed and call an Uber to take you to the car rental centre on O’farrell Street to pick up your vehicle for the next six days!
Begin the beautiful journey to Napa Valley! Along the short hour and a half drive you’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge and enter redwood country as you cruise up the 101!
Arrive into Napa and head directly to Dr Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs. Be prepared for a few nights of total relaxation and some incredible vineyard experiences!
If you didn’t stop for lunch on the drive, head to the Clif Family Winery for your first tasting and some unbelievably delicious lunch from their onsite Bruschetteria Food Truck!
Unwind in Doc’s mineral springs before an unmissable dinner at Ciccio in Yountville, when we say unmissable we mean one-of-a-kind, farm to table Italian classics mixed with innovative dishes, accompanied by a handcrafted and perfectly paired wine menu loaded with local favourites and Italian options.
OUR TIPS: If you visit on Wednesday, check the Bruschetteria Food Truck’s website for its weekly cuisine specials! Make a reservation at Ciccio, you cannot miss this place.
Day 3 - Napa Valley
Make the most of Napa! Enjoy breakfast at Dr Wilkinson’s own House of Better restaurant before a sunny day of stemmed glasses and grapevines!
The only way to get the most out of the day visiting a few of Napa’s best vineyards is with a private driver. ‘Designated Drivers’ operate a BYO vehicle private driver service where their driver will deliver you to each of your tastings and standby until you’re ready for the next!
Our recommendations for vineyards that aren’t to be missed are; B Cellars for a meticulously designed pairing experiences with a selection of their wines alongside some seasonal dishes, Del Dotto with its immaculate Venetian style, a red wine-only cellar experience that shares more than just a taste of their huge range of wines straight from the barrel! And finally Sterling, don’t be intimidated by its hilltop position, a cable car will ferry you from the carpark up to the estate itself, and the views (and the wine) are incredible from up there!
It can be a long day so stop for some dinner on the way back to Doc’s or walk the whole 50 metres into Calistoga for dinner!
OUR TIPS: It is absolutely critical that you book a driver for the day if you plan on visiting a few vineyards — Napa tastings are generous.
Day 4 - Napa Valley to Sonoma County (Stay in Santa Rosa)
Have breakfast at House of Better and one last dip in the hot and cool mineral springs at Doc’s before hitting the road out of Napa Valley and into Sonoma County!
The short drive from Calistoga to Santa Rosa is stunning! You’ll pass over the range that separates the valleys, driving through some beautiful redwood forests - just the beginning of your redwood adventures in Sonoma!
Before checking in, head to the Barlow Market in Sebastopol and enjoy lunch at any of the eateries, tasting rooms or breweries in the market! Our personal favourite is Kosho Sushi!
Head to Flamingo Resort & Spa to offload your luggage and unwind at this retro chic resort blending the best of 1950’s Americana with modern luxuries, but prepare yourself for the meal of a lifetime..
Head out for a scenic drive down State Road 12 from Santa Rosa toward Sonoma and one of the most memorable meals you’ll ever have at the girl & the fig - expect the most decadent country twist on French classics with an unbeatable duck confit and the best cookies we’ve ever had, period.
OUR TIPS: Book a table at the girl & the fig ahead of time—it’s a must-do and this place is packed all week long!
Day 5 - Sonoma County
Grab breakfast at Flamingo Resort’s own Lazeaway Club before hitting the road towards Sonoma County’s largest redwood forests for a day in nature!
Head straight to Sonoma Zipline Adventures and strap in for a flight over the canopy! The two hour adventure sees you clipped onto five different ziplines at a range of speeds and distances for some unique perspectives of the forest This was an absolute highlight of our time in the US, these forests are insane and being high above some of the tallest trees in the world needs to be on your bucket list.
Continue up the Russian River to Guerneville, and make sure you stop by the Guerneville Taco Truck for an awesome Mexican lunch on route to the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Here you’ll have a much less adrenaline pumping experience walking amongst some of the tallest and widest trees you’ll ever see!
Stop by the Monte Rio beach for a cold plunge in the Russian River as the sun dips behind the valley walls, another absolute highlight of the trip!
Stop for dinner once you’re back in Santa Rosa or head to the Lazeaway Club, just a few steps from your room.
OUR TIPS: Wear enclosed shoes and bring a change of swimmers for jumping in the river! Don’t miss the shaved ice truck if its at the Monte Rio Beach…
Day 6 - Sonoma County to San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Today is a BIG day! So jump out of bed early (if you can), grab breakfast and hit the road for an exciting road trip day.
Head south down the 101, back over the Golden Gate Bridge and through San Francisco’s Pacific Coast area, before joining on State Route 1 and cruising the coast. Stop for the incredible views as much as you look, before having lunch and coffee in either Santa Cruz or Monterey. Where you’ll have to make a not-so-difficult choice…
If you’re here for some of Cali’s most iconic views and one of our favourite coastal drives in the entire world, continue down Route 1 through Carmel-By-The-Sea and into the string of State Parks that end with Big Sur! Common landslides mean Route 1 may be closed after Big Sur which then means a return drive to Monterey and then onto the 101 to continue the journey, so check the status of Route 1 before you head down and be prepared for a longer than expected drive.
When we visited, Route 1 was closed after Big Sur, which meant we caught sunset at McWay Waterfall (can’t recommend this spot enough), before driving back to Monterey then on to San Luis Obispo in the night.
Arrive to Hotel San Luis Obispo and grab a late dinner at one of the late night pizza restaurants in town.
OUR TIPS: Check road closures on Route 1—detours back through Monterey can add several hours on to the trip to San Luis Obispo if its closed, but we would still highly, highly, highly recommend heading down to McWay Falls!
Day 7 - SLO
San Luis Obispo County has a LOT to see, so head to Piadino, one of Hotel San Luis Obispo’s two amazing on site restaurants, for breakfast early!
Jump in the car and make your way to Morro Bay, often a blanket of thick fog will greet you as you enter this quirky maritime town, home to a colony of Sea Lions, Sea Otters, the massive Morro Rock and Estero Adventures, our next stop.
The best way to see the bay is from the water! Rent a virtually silent electric boat from Estero Adventures and cruise toward the inlet, but keep your eyes open because something might be watching… The bay’s resident Sea Otters will pop up all around as you make your way up the bay and past the floating pier where you’ll see (and hear) a colony of Sea Lions warming up in the sun.
Drop the boat back and head from lunch at Dorn’s Breaker Cafe in town, don’t miss the north coasts iconic clam chowder and other premium seafood straight from the source!
Make your way back to SLO for an afternoon strolling the streets, checking out vintage thrift stores and cute cafes.
As the sun begins to set, drive up to Prefumo Canyon for a view over the whole valley to Morro Bay.
If you’re visiting any other day than Monday and Tuesday, make your way to Ox + Anchor at Hotel SLO for one of San Luis Obispo’s best rated dinners by Chef Ryan Fancher.
OUR TIPS: Book your boat rental in advance—Morro Bay can be busy!
Day 8 - SLO to Santa Barbara
More beach time awaits, so head for breakfast downstairs at Piadino before continuing down the 101 through even more beautiful wine country to Santa Barbara!
Arrive and drop your bags at the Harbor View Inn before setting off on your date with Santa Barbara with Totally Cali Tours! Seeing Montecito, rightfully regarded as the ‘American Riviera’ and other Santa Barbara highlights like the Funk Zone and some of the unique architecture that gives Santa Barbara it’s unique Spanish-heritage inspired charm! Finish up on Stearn’s Wharf, looking back to the city and the beautiful mountain range that frames the city with a glass in hand at Deep Sea Tasting Room!
Head to Oku for a Japanese dinner before heading back to the Harbor View Inn.
OUR TIPS: Make reservations for Oku—it’s a local favourite.
Day 9 - Santa Barbara
There’s only one place you should be heading for breakfast and that’s Jeannine’s! Right outside the Harbor View Inn, this Santa Barbara institution dishes out breakfast classics with an unbeatable view!
After a few packed days, take today to stroll the easily walkable streets of Santa Barbara. Set some waypoints at Leadbetter Beach, Santa Barbara County Courthouse and Skater’s Point to enjoy the best of Santa Barbara.
Dining recommendations for today are: Lunch at the Public Market and dinner at 3rd Window Brewing for the best smash burgers we had the entire trip!
OUR TIPS: Check out the beaches then get an Uber to the Public Market, we ate at Empty Bowl, a Thai restaurant, walking back towards the beach through Downtown makes the walk a bit easier.
Day 10 - Santa Barbara to LAX
Enjoy your last breakfast at Jeannine’s or head to Dart Coffee on East Yanonali Street on your way to the 101 before the quick drive to LA.
Soak in those west coast views as you finish up this leg of Route 1 through Ventura and Malibu before arriving in LA!
Depending on what time your flight is, you might have time to park at Rose Ave carpark ($6 for full day) in Venice and take a bucket list stroll along the Venice Beach Boardwalk! It’s an experience in every sense of the word, but stay focused and you’ll seriously enjoy the nostalgic sights of this famous walkway. We’d recommend checking out the Venice Beach Skatepark and soaking in the atmosphere in the Recreational Area.
Once you’ve had your fair share of Venice Beach, jump back in the car and drive five minutes to Santa Monica Pier! You can find hourly parking on the south side of the pier for a few dollars per hour.
Stroll the bustling pier, enjoy some lunch and if this is the end of your trip, take in the sights before continuing on to LAX and saying bye to Cali for now!
OUR TIPS: Parking in Venice is actually super easy—use the Rose Ave lot for a convenient beach stop, and the small carparks immediately south of Santa Monica Pier for cheap hourly car parking.
