Golden State Getaway: The Ultimate West Coast Road Trip Through California

Road trips are truly one of the best ways to explore. With the freedom of a car (or van), you're in the driver's seat, literally! — to discover incredible sights at your own pace. In this guide, we’ll take you on a thrilling, 10-day journey through California, covering stunning cities, breathtaking coastlines and awe-inspiring national parks. This ultimate itinerary is packed with unforgettable stops, beloved by travelers for a reason. So, grab your keys, crank up the tunes and get ready for an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Day #1 & 2: San Francisco

To begin this epic adventure, we’re going to start in San Francisco. This city is beautiful with endless activities to do like the Golden Gate Bridge, exploring Alcatraz Island, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Panited Ladies Houses and of course plenty of delicious food and drink options.

Day #3: Drive from San Francisco to Big Sur (and enjoy all the stops in between)

The drive from San Fran to Big Sur is about three hours, but instead of going straight there, we’re going to hit some gorgeous sights in between. First, we will hit the charming town of Monterey, with its picture-perfect views and movie-set-like down. An absolute must in Monterey is the Monterey Bay Aquarium — one of the coolest aquariums on the west coast. Next, we’re going to drive south through Pacific Grove to hit Pebble Beach’s famous 17-mile drive; this drive showcases some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the U.S. and is a MUST-DO on this road trip!

Because Big Sur is a popular destination, we recommend booking accommodations well before you arrive. Camping is super fun; the most popular site being Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Camping, but if you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, we recommend Alila Ventana Big Sur and Post Ranch Inn — both boasting amazing views, suites and delicious food options.

Day #4: Full day in Big Sur

Yay! Full day exploring Big Sur and all its natural glory! We’re going to be outside A LOT today, so definitely going to need a good breakfast and caffeine to get it started — Big Sur Bakery has such an array of mouth-watering breakfast options and coffee, that it’s a must-do before we start hiking!

Gorgeous views and trails like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Limekiln Beach State Park and Andrew Molera State Park will legitimately take your breath away boasting the most beautiful coastal views of nature and the ocean. It might be difficult to hit all of them in one day, so we recommend picking one or two trails and just seeing how you feel!

After a long day of adventuring, we recommend finishing the evening off at the Big Sur Tap House, for some delicious local beer and cuisine.

Day #5: Big Sur to Paso Robles for Wine Tasting!

After an enchanting stay in Big Sur, it’s time to hit the road again for about three hours to the stunning Paso Robles famous for their vineyards and olive groves! Absolute must-hit winery visits are LXV and Cass Winery for amazing tastings, food and jaw-dropping views.

For accommodations in Paso Robles, there are endless options from camping to Airbnb’s, for a more affordable option. For a more luxurious stay, we recommend the Allegretto Vineyard and Resort — the views and vineyards are insanely stunning, and the rooms are beautiful! Regardless of what you choose, Paso Robles will be a stunning, romantic and beautiful place to visit.

Day #6: Paso Robles to Pismo Beach to San Luis Obispo

Just a short 45-minute drive from Paso Robles, you cannot miss the cute coastal town of Pismo Beach. To start the morning, we recommend breakfast at the delicious Honeymoon Cafe. They serve an amazing all-American breakfast all day long with so many delicious options. In Pismo, there are plenty of cool activities to do, like renting bikes and biking along the coast, visiting the famous Monarch Butterfly Grove and dinner at the stunning Ventana Grill (life-changing views).

Once you arrive in San Luis Obispo; there are endless cute activities to do like strolling around and exploring the downtown area, going to their farmers market and they have a great children’s museum if you’re traveling with kids! Enjoy your stay at the infamous, Madonna Inn, boasting the cutest rooms and most delicious cake bakery!

Day #7: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Just under a two-hour drive, we’re heading to the cutest and quaintest west coast town: Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is like a town out of a movie scene, with beautiful Spanish-style homes, cobblestone streets and amazing cuisine. The best way to get around town and see all the sights is by biking! You can rent bikes right on the boardwalk for hours, and just explore!

Santa Barbara also has the cutest hotel options; our top favorite would be Hotel Californian. They sit at the #4 best hotel in the entire state of California! The hotel sits very centrally located, close to the beach and downtown area making it easy to get around. Next up, we have dinner (and it’s guaranteed to be delicious). The Lark is an absolute must for dinner, the menu includes amazing seafood as well as locally grown vegetables, guaranteeing an amazing meal.

Day #8: Santa Barbara to Los Angeles (final destination!)

We did it! Our road trip has sadly come to an end, but we had the best time and saw the prettiest coastal sights. There are endless things to see and do in LA–plenty of hotels, bars, restaurants, the list goes on! Tag us @TheEdgeMag in all your Californian adventures, woohoo!