The Pacific coast has always been an edge-of-the-world kind of place—tide pools and sequoias on one side, neon skylines and tech dreams on the other. This two-week West Coast itinerary threads through Seattle’s creative hum, San Francisco’s hills and history, the quiet harbors of Morro Bay, La Jolla’s sunlit coves, and Los Angeles’ movie-magic neighborhoods.

Expect a little of everything: markets that have fed cities for generations, cliff-hugging scenic drives, sea lions dozing on warm rocks, and museums that pull you from one era to the next. You’ll taste sourdough and Dungeness crab, sip third-wave espresso, hunt tacos in beach towns, and watch sunset after sunset melt into the Pacific.

Practical notes: weather swings with microclimates—pack layers year-round. In big cities, avoid leaving valuables in cars, especially in San Francisco. Book marquee experiences (e.g., popular museums, studio tours) in advance; wildfires and coastal closures can affect Highway 1—check conditions before long drives.

How to use this itinerary

We group activities into flexible 2–3 day blocks per city rather than rigid hour-by-hour schedules. Travel between cities assumes morning departures, with estimated times and options noted. Mix and match based on weather and your pace.

Seattle

Days 1–3: Seattle essentials and waterfront neighborhoods

Seattle’s story arcs from Coast Salish homelands to Klondike gold seekers and modern cloud computing. It’s a place to wander markets, ferry between islands, and watch mountain silhouettes change with the light. The city’s coffee culture is both ritual and art—perfect fuel for museum-hopping and hill walks.

• Pike Place Market: Meet fishmongers, craftspeople, and bakers. Grab salmon chowder at Pike Place Chowder, piroshki at Piroshky Piroshky, and peek into the hidden Post Alley. Go early to avoid crowds.
• Seattle Center: Pair Chihuly Garden and Glass with the Space Needle for glass art brilliance and skyline views; add MoPOP for music, sci‑fi, and pop-culture deep dives.
• Waterfront & ferries: Stroll the piers; consider a scenic round-trip on the Bainbridge ferry for postcard views back to the city.
• Neighborhood time: In Ballard, taste oysters at The Walrus and the Carpenter, browse Nordic Heritage Museum, and sunset at Golden Gardens. In Capitol Hill, explore indie shops and Volunteer Park’s conservatory.

Coffee & Breakfast: Victrola Coffee Roasters (roasting heritage), Elm Coffee Roasters (single-origin precision), and Storyville in Pike Place (quiet nook over the market). For hearty starts: Portage Bay Cafe (organic toppings bar) and The London Plane (Pioneer Square pastries, seasonal plates).

Lunch & Dinner: Matt’s in the Market (market-driven menus with Elliott Bay views), Sushi Kashiba (omakase near the market), The Pink Door (Italian-American with cabaret vibe), Canlis (Northwest tasting menus; book ahead), Communion (soul food with Seattle flavors).

Getting there & around: Fly into SEA using Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical US nonstop fares from major hubs run ~$120–$300, 2–5 hours depending on origin. Light rail connects SEA to downtown in ~35 minutes.

Where to stay:

• Four Seasons Hotel Seattle (waterfront elegance; steps from the market)
• Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown (value near Space Needle)
• Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle (social, directly by Pike Place)
• Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Lake Union (suites with kitchens on the lake)
• Browse more stays: VRBO Seattle | Hotels.com Seattle

San Francisco

Days 4–6: Travel to SF (2h flight) and explore bays, bridges, and neighborhoods

Morning flight to San Francisco (~2 hours, often $70–$180). Consider checked-bag timing and BART or rideshare into the city. Alternative: a long but scenic rail journey along the Coast Starlight (full-day+); flyers save time at the start of the trip.

Founded in 1776, reborn after the 1906 quake, San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods: North Beach espresso, Chinatown dim sum, Mission District murals, and the windswept dunes of the Outer Sunset.

• Golden Gate Bridge & Presidio: Walk or bike the bridge; then explore Presidio’s trails and overlooks. Batteries to Bluffs is a favorite.
• Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39: See sea lions and grab fresh crab; ferry views sweep the bay even if you skip island tours.
• Ferry Building: Taste local producers—Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, Hog Island oysters, and Acme Bread—best on farmers’ market days.
• Lands End to Sutro Baths: Cliffside trail with shipwreck lore and great sunset light.
• Cable cars: Ride a moving museum up Nob Hill; go early or late to avoid peak queues.

Coffee & Breakfast: Blue Bottle (original kiosk energy), Ritual (Mission District pioneer), Sightglass (industrial-chic roastery). Tartine Manufactory for morning buns and country loaves; Mama’s (North Beach) for classic scrambles and famously long lines.

Lunch & Dinner: Swan Oyster Depot (counter-service seafood institution), Boudin (sourdough bowls), Saigon Sandwich (no-frills, great value banh mi). Evenings: Zuni Cafe (brick-oven chicken, oysters), State Bird Provisions (inventive dim sum–style service), Liholiho Yacht Club (Hawaiian-California menus), Mister Jiu’s (modern Cantonese in Chinatown).

Getting there & between: SEA–SFO flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com (many daily nonstops). Bay transit is robust; parking is scarce—use Muni, BART, and rideshares.

Where to stay:

• Neighborhoods: Union Square (central), Fisherman’s Wharf (tourist-friendly), Hayes Valley (boutiques), North Beach (cafe culture).
• Search options: VRBO San Francisco | Hotels.com San Francisco

Morro Bay

Days 7–8: Travel to Morro Bay (drive 3.5–6h) for harbor wildlife and quiet beaches

Pick up a car in San Francisco and head south. Via US‑101, it’s ~3.5–4 hours to Morro Bay; via Highway 1 (Big Sur) allow 5–6+ hours and check for closures after storms. Depart in the morning to enjoy coastal pull-offs and elephant seals near San Simeon.

Morro Bay is unhurried—kayakers trace the harbor, otters raft in kelp, and Morro Rock anchors every view. Nearby, Montaña de Oro State Park offers golden bluffs and tide pools that glow at low tide.

• Kayak or SUP the estuary: Glide by sea otters and herons; go early for calm water.
• Morro Rock & Embarcadero: Walk the waterfront boardwalk for souvenir shops and small galleries; sunset is prime time.
• Montaña de Oro: Bluff Trail for cliff vistas; Spooner’s Cove for picnics and beachcombing.

Coffee & Breakfast: Top Dog Coffee Bar (local roaster, patio) and Blue Sky Bistro (bayfront breakfast). Dorn’s Original Breakers Cafe does classic coastal breakfasts with a view.

Lunch & Dinner: Tognazzini’s Dockside (fresh-off-the-boat seafood, live music some nights), Windows on the Water (refined local catch with bay views), House of JuJu by the Bay (burgers and bowls; casual).

Where to stay: Harborside inns and vacation homes shine here—look for free parking and bay views. Search: VRBO Morro Bay | Hotels.com Morro Bay

La Jolla

Days 9–11: Drive to La Jolla (5.5–7h) for sea caves, coves, and coastal hikes

Set out after breakfast. US‑101 and I‑5 get you to La Jolla in ~6–7 hours (break in Santa Barbara or San Clemente), while the inland CA‑1/I‑5 mix is faster but less scenic. Arrive by late afternoon to catch golden-hour at the cove.

La Jolla delivers a greatest-hits reel of Southern California—turquoise water, photogenic cliffs, and a downtown of boutiques and cafes. Sea lions sprawl on the rocks at Children’s Pool, and Torrey Pines’ sandstone trails float above the surf.

• La Jolla Cove & Children’s Pool: View sea lions (keep distance) and explore tide pools at low tide.
• Kayak the sea caves: Launch from La Jolla Shores to Sunny Jim’s and other caves when conditions allow; morning is calmer.
• Birch Aquarium: Hands-on exhibits and Pacific panoramas; great for families.
• Torrey Pines State Reserve: Hike Guy Fleming or Razor Point loops for cliff-to-coast vistas.

Coffee & Breakfast: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (award-winning roasts), Parakeet Cafe (colorful, health-forward plates), The Cottage (iconic lemon ricotta pancakes), Sugar and Scribe (bakeshop by a Food Network champion).

Lunch & Dinner: Puesto (hand-pressed blue-corn tortillas; try the filet mignon taco), George’s at the Cove (California coastal menus with ocean decks), Duke’s La Jolla (Hawaiian-inspired classics), NINE-TEN (locavore dining in the Grande Colonial).

Where to stay: Prioritize walk-to-cove locations and parking. Search: VRBO La Jolla | Hotels.com La Jolla

Los Angeles

Days 12–14: Drive to LA (2–2.5h) for museums, neighborhoods, and studio magic

Leave La Jolla after breakfast and reach Los Angeles by late morning. Base yourself in Santa Monica (beachy), West Hollywood (nightlife and dining), or Downtown (museums and historic theaters). LA is a city of villages—plan by neighborhood to minimize traffic.

• Hollywood & Griffith Park: Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then head to Griffith Observatory for sweeping city views at sunset.
• Beach day: Stroll Santa Monica Pier and cycle the Marvin Braude Bike Trail to Venice’s street art and canals.
• Museum options: The Getty Center (art and gardens), The Broad (contemporary icons), LACMA (outdoor Urban Light and diverse collections).

Signature LA tours and tickets (Viator)—book early for peak seasons:

• Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

  

  7.5-hour, guide-led overview—perfect on Day 12 to get oriented. Expect stops in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the coast, plus stories that tie neighborhoods together.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

  

  Explore active backlots, sets, and props with an expert guide—movie history comes alive in Burbank. Ideal for film buffs and families.

• Big Bus Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

  

  Flexible way to link Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the beach while hearing neighborhood lore. Great with teens or multigenerational groups.

• Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

  

  Year-round viewing of gray, blue, and humpback whales plus dolphins and sea lions—pair with a beach afternoon in Belmont Shore.

  
  

Coffee & Breakfast: Maru Coffee (careful, light roasts; Arts District & Los Feliz), Alfred Coffee (melrose meets matcha), and Intelligentsia (Silver Lake original). For breakfast/brunch, Gjusta (Venice bakery-deli with smoked fish and salads), Huckleberry (Santa Monica), and République (Mid‑Wilshire; kouign-amann and shakshuka).

Lunch & Dinner: Guerrilla Tacos (seasonal, chef-driven tacos in the Arts District), Bestia (wood-fired Italian; book ahead), Jon & Vinny’s (casual red-sauce comfort and great soft serve), Grand Central Market picks like Eggslut for the famous breakfast sandwich, or Sari Sari Store for Filipino rice bowls.

Where to stay: Choose by vibe—Santa Monica (walkable beach base), West Hollywood (restaurants and nightlife), DTLA (museums, theaters). Search: VRBO Los Angeles | Hotels.com Los Angeles

Getting between cities (estimated times and tips)

• Seattle → San Francisco: Morning flight ~2 hours; fares ~$70–$180 on major carriers via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• San Francisco → Morro Bay: Morning drive 3.5–4 hours (US‑101) or 5–6+ hours (CA‑1/Big Sur, check conditions). Fuel up in Carmel or Cambria.
• Morro Bay → La Jolla: 5.5–7 hours with stops (Santa Barbara, Ventura, or Malibu make easy lunch breaks). Aim to bypass LA rush hours.
• La Jolla → Los Angeles: 2–2.5 hours on I‑5; leave after the morning peak and before midafternoon traffic.

Day-by-day blocks at a glance

• Days 1–3: Seattle — Pike Place Market, Space Needle/Chihuly, ferry views, Ballard oysters, Capitol Hill cafes.
• Days 4–6: San Francisco — Golden Gate, cable cars, Ferry Building, Lands End, Chinatown/Mission eats.
• Days 7–8: Morro Bay — Estuary paddle, Montaña de Oro, waterfront sunsets and dock-to-plate seafood.
• Days 9–11: La Jolla — Coves, sea caves kayak, Torrey Pines trails, oceanfront dining.
• Days 12–14: Los Angeles — Hollywood + Griffith, beaches and bike path, museums, studio/backlot experiences.

For accommodation choices in each stop, compare apartments and homes on VRBO and hotels on Hotels.com; for flights, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com for deals and convenient timings.

In two weeks, you’ll sip Seattle espresso above Elliott Bay, crest San Francisco hills beneath fog-draped bridges, drift past otters in Morro Bay, swim sunlit coves in La Jolla, and finish amid Los Angeles lights and backlots. It’s a West Coast arc that balances urban icons with salt-air quiet—a trip you’ll replay in memory every time the sun sets over water.