12 Days on California’s Coast: A Family-Friendly San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary

From Golden Gate views and redwood hikes to Santa Monica beach days and Hollywood magic, this 12-day California itinerary blends sightseeing, hiking, and laid-back coastal living—perfect for families on a mid-range budget.
Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog during sunset, San Francisco.
Photo by Tae Fuller on Pexels

California rewards the curious: Spanish colonial roots, Gold Rush grit, waves of tech innovation, and a coastline that steals the show. In 12 days, you’ll taste iconic San Francisco neighborhoods, wind along the Pacific Coast Highway, and land in Los Angeles for beach time, hikes, and movie-lot magic.


San Francisco is compact and storied—Victorian “Painted Ladies,” cable cars, and a bay spanned by the Golden Gate. Just north, ancient redwoods whisper in Muir Woods; east, Yosemite’s granite walls wow on a long but doable day trip. Los Angeles sprawls—part beach town, part world studio, part mountain park—with neighborhoods that feel like small cities of their own.

Expect cool, layered mornings in San Francisco, warmer afternoons in LA, and microclimates everywhere—carry a light jacket even in July. Reserve high-demand attractions (Alcatraz, studio tours) early, and in summer watch for coastal fog (“June Gloom”) on beach mornings. With a mid-range budget, pick a couple of paid marquee experiences and mix them with stellar free hikes and viewpoints.

San Francisco

Welcome to the city of hills and horizons. San Francisco’s neighborhoods each carry a distinct flavor—North Beach’s Italian heritage, Chinatown’s lantern-lit alleys, the Mission’s murals, and the Presidio’s bluff-top trails. Families love that many headliners—from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pier 39’s sea lions—are easy to reach without a car.

Don’t miss a bay cruise under the bridge, sunset from Baker Beach, and a ferry to Alcatraz to peel back layers of history. On the food front, this is a capital of sourdough, Dungeness crab, dim sum, and third-wave coffee—with plenty of kid-pleasing stops between.

Days 1–5: Iconic SF, Redwoods, and Bay Views

Start with the waterfront: Pier 39’s sea lions, the Ferry Building food hall, and a cruise under the Golden Gate for the best family photos. Add a cable car ride to Nob Hill, explore Chinatown’s bakeries, and end at North Beach for pizza and gelato.


  • Family-friendly highlights:
    • Golden Gate vista trifecta: Battery Spencer (Marin Headlands), Crissy Field Promenade, and Baker Beach. Bring a kite for Crissy Field.
    • Lands End Trail: Easy clifftop path with Sutro Baths ruins; stroller-friendly segments from the Visitor Center.
    • Exploratorium: Hands-on science museum that thrills kids and adults; plan 2–3 hours.
  • Viator experiences that fit your vibe:
  • Optional day trip for hikers: Yosemite in a (long) day. Expect 14–15 hours round-trip, but the payoff is towering cliffs and waterfalls. Consider: Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip
    Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco on Viator

Eat & drink (kid-approved and delicious): Breakfast at Tartine Bakery (morning buns) or Devil’s Teeth Baking Company by Ocean Beach (legendary breakfast sandwiches). Dim sum at Good Mong Kok or City View in Chinatown. Lunch at Boudin for clam chowder in a sourdough bowl or Super Duper Burgers for quality fast-casual. Dinner at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (award-winning pies), Sotto Mare (cioppino), or Burma Love (rich Burmese curries). Treats at Ghirardelli Square or Bi-Rite Creamery.


Days 6–7: Road Trip to LA via the Pacific Coast Highway

Depart San Francisco in the morning for Highway 1. This is the scenic route; the driving is slower but unforgettable. Total distance SF–LA via PCH is ~440 miles. Split it over two days for family-friendly pacing.

  • Day 6 (SF to Monterey/Big Sur/Cambria): 2 hours to Monterey (Cannery Row, tide pools at Asilomar), then 2–3 hours of stop-and-go along Big Sur (Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach’s purple sand if tides allow). Overnight in Monterey, Carmel, or Cambria. Gas estimate for trip portion: ~$35–$45 (assuming ~$4.80/gal and 25 mpg).
  • Day 7 (to Santa Barbara and LA): Stop at the Elephant Seal Vista Point near San Simeon, lunch in San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach (sand dunes), and wander Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Continue 1.5–2 hours to LA depending on traffic.
  • Prefer to fly? Nonstop SFO–LAX/SNA/BUR is ~1.5 hours, fares often $49–$129 one-way. Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Los Angeles

LA is a mosaic: surf towns, palm-lined boulevards, hillside hikes, museums, and studios that fuel the world’s stories. Base yourselves near the beach for relaxed mornings, then venture to Hollywood, Griffith Park, and the Getty for culture and city views.

Families can easily mix thrill rides at Universal with swan boats at Echo Park, tide pooling in Malibu, and a sunset picnic at the Observatory. Plan drive times generously; aim your cross-city moves outside rush hours.

Days 8–12: Beaches, Hollywood, and Hills

Beach life: Start in Santa Monica—bike the Marvin Braude Beach Trail to Venice, watch skaters at the park, and hit the Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Wheel. For a quieter day, head to Manhattan Beach (kid-friendly waves, easy dining on Manhattan Beach Blvd) or Malibu’s Zuma Beach (lifeguards, big sandy expanse).

Hiking & views: Griffith Observatory at golden hour (free entry; stellar exhibits) with an easy trail to a Hollywood Sign viewpoint. For coastal hiking and tide pools, try Point Dume Cove or El Matador Beach sea stacks (stairs required). Runyon Canyon works for a quick city view hike.


LA sightseeing sampler (build around your tours): Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre steps; drive Mulholland for skyline turnouts; browse The Getty Center’s gardens and hilltop views (free timed-entry tickets). In DTLA, stop at The Broad (free tickets) and Grand Central Market for an easy family lunch.


Eat & drink (casual and tasty): Breakfast at Huckleberry Bakery & Café (Santa Monica) or Gjusta (Venice; order at the counter). Picnic fixings from Bay Cities Italian Deli (the Godmother sandwich is a local classic). For tacos, try Sonoratown (DTLA) or Tacos Por Favor (Santa Monica). Sushi lovers can opt for Sugarfish (set menus, quality fish). Kid-friendly dinners: North Italia (Santa Monica), Ramen Nagi (DTLA), or Mendocino Farms (multiple locations). Treats at Sidecar Doughnuts or Diddy Riese (Westwood).

Logistics & Family Tips

Driving: LA traffic is real; avoid weekday rush (7–10am, 3–7pm). In SF, street parking is tight—use garages or rideshares for hillier neighborhoods. For the PCH drive, check for roadwork/closures near Big Sur before you go.

Car seats & beach days: California requires appropriate car seats/boosters for kids under 8. Pack a lightweight beach tent, reef-safe sunscreen, and shoes for rocky tide pools in Malibu.

Budget pointers (mid-range, ~50/100): Mix free highlights (Golden Gate overlooks, Griffith Observatory, beaches) with 2–3 paid anchors (Alcatraz or Yosemite day tour, Universal or Warner Bros). Expect casual meals to run $15–$25 per adult, sit-down dinners $25–$45.

Optional Add-Ons

Block-by-Block Overview

  • Days 1–2 (SF): Waterfront, Ferry Building, Golden Gate vistas, Lands End Trail, evening North Beach.
  • Day 3 (SF): Alcatraz or bay cruise, Chinatown alleys, cable car to Nob Hill.
  • Day 4 (SF): Muir Woods + Sausalito; return by ferry if you’d like a scenic ride back.
  • Day 5 (SF): Exploratorium or California Academy of Sciences; sunset at Baker Beach.
  • Day 6 (Road trip): Monterey Bay + Big Sur turnouts; overnight on the coast.
  • Day 7 (Road trip): Elephant seals, Santa Barbara lunch; arrive LA by late afternoon.
  • Day 8 (LA): Santa Monica & Venice bike path, beach time, sunset on the pier.
  • Day 9 (LA): Warner Bros. Studio Tour; Griffith Observatory evening.
  • Day 10 (LA): Universal Studios day or Hop-on Hop-off to explore neighborhoods.
  • Day 11 (LA): Malibu hike (Point Dume) and beach; casual seafood by the water.
  • Day 12 (LA): DTLA art stop (The Broad), Grand Central Market lunch; fly out.

For your departing flight, search competitive fares from LAX, SNA, or BUR on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Morning departures usually mean lighter traffic to the airport; add 30–60 minutes padding for security.


Coffee breaks you’ll thank me for: SF: Sightglass (SoMa) for pour-overs; Philz (Mission) for customizable blends. LA: Menotti’s (Venice) for espresso; Demitasse (Little Tokyo) for creative lattes. Keep a reusable bottle handy—California has excellent tap water.

You’ll finish this trip with sandy toes, camera rolls of redwoods and cityscapes, and a family highlight reel from studio backlots to cliffside trails. California is a place you return to, but with this route you’ll have tasted its essence—bay to breakers to beach sunsets.

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