California rewards the curious. Spanish missions, Gold Rush grit, and Hollywood glamour meet windswept bluffs and granite cathedrals. Across centuries, the state has drawn dreamers; you’ll follow their paths from cable cars to coastal redwoods, and onward to beaches where waves sculpt stone into spires.

This 14-day plan focuses on sea stacks, photography, and classic sightseeing—anchored in San Francisco, Monterey & Big Sur, and Los Angeles. Expect golden-hour walks at Lands End, long-exposure shots at Pfeiffer Beach’s keyhole arch, and Malibu’s sculptural rocks at El Matador. Whale watching adds wildlife to your portfolio, while Alcatraz and Warner Bros. illuminate California’s stories.

Mid-range budget tips are baked in: scenic hikes are free, great meals don’t have to be pricey, and a few high-value tours elevate the trip. Renting a car maximizes coastline access; pack layers for coastal fog, bring a tripod and ND filter for silky water shots, and check tide tables for those moody sea-stack compositions.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a city of headlands and horizons. Photographers love its fog theatrics, backlit bridges, and rocky coves that frame the Pacific. It’s also a place to eat brilliantly—from Ferry Building oysters to neighborhood gems in the Sunset and North Beach.

Base yourself near Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, or the Marina for easy waterfront access and quick hops to the Presidio and Lands End. For sea stacks and surf drama inside city limits, Lands End and the Sutro Baths ruins deliver when the light turns honeyed.

Days 1–5: Golden Gate Views, Alcatraz, and Coastal Trails

• Signature sights & photo ops: Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer and Marshall’s Beach; Lands End Trail to Sutro Baths (sea stacks scattered off the shoreline); Baker Beach for sunset; Twin Peaks for city panoramas; Chinatown alleys and North Beach’s Italian cafés.
• Sea stack add-on: Drive 35–60 minutes south to Half Moon Bay/Davenport for Shark Fin Cove and Panther Beach—the shark-fin sea stack is a star at low tide and pastel dusk.
• Essential experiences (Viator picks):

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes) – Glide under the bridge and around Alcatraz while learning the bay’s maritime history. A compact, photo-friendly hour on the water.

California Sunset Cruise (2-hours) – Blue hour reflections, skyline silhouettes, and a chance at alpenglow on the Marin Headlands. A superb slot for long-exposure experiments.

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise – The twilight tour adds eerie atmosphere and fewer crowds. Great for storytelling photos and moody window light in the cell blocks.

Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour – Trade surf for stone: Bridalveil and El Capitan compositions, plus a sequoia grove (seasonal access). A long but unforgettable day for landscape lovers.

• Where to eat & drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Tartine Manufactory (legendary morning buns, country bread), Andytown in the Outer Sunset (Irish soda bread, Snowy Plover espresso-tonic), Sightglass (SoMa) for single-origin pours.
  • Lunch: Ferry Building’s Hog Island Oyster Co. (grilled oysters, clam chowder); Gott’s Roadside (ahi burger, garlic fries); Saigon Sandwich (budget-friendly banh mi).
  • Dinner: Kokkari Estiatorio (robust Greek flavors, reservations advised), Liholiho Yacht Club (Hawaiian-California plates), Sotto Mare in North Beach (cioppino that tastes like the sea).
  • Sweets: Bi-Rite Creamery (salted caramel), Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (watch the fold, snap a portrait).
• Where to stay: Compare options on VRBO (San Francisco) and Hotels.com (San Francisco). For a mid-range budget, look at the Marina, North Beach, or the Inner Sunset for value and transit access.
• Getting there: Fly into SFO or OAK. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical one-way from major U.S. hubs runs ~$100–250.

Monterey & Big Sur

Two hours south, the coast turns wilder. Kelp forests sway off Cannery Row, while Highway 1 threads cliffside pullouts that beg for tripods. This is prime sea-stack country—especially around Davenport, Garrapata, and the hidden sands of Pfeiffer Beach.

Base in Monterey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel-by-the-Sea for easy access to Big Sur. You’ll balance whale sightings with sunrise fog and starry skies over Bixby Bridge.

Days 6–9: Shark Fin Cove, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Keyhole

• Travel to Monterey (Day 6 morning): Drive ~120 miles, 2–3 hours via CA‑1/US‑101; fuel ~$25–35. Optional flight SFO→MRY (~1h15) via Kiwi.com if you prefer not to drive.
• Sea-stack & coastal photo loop: Davenport’s Shark Fin Cove and Panther Beach (low tide compositions); Santa Cruz’s Natural Bridges at sunset; Garrapata State Park bluffs (wave-sculpted rocks, spring wildflowers); Pfeiffer Beach’s keyhole arch (winter sunsets align dramatically); McWay Falls overlook for dawn pastels; Bixby Bridge for blue hour light trails.
• Wildlife at sea (Viator pick):

Monterey Whale Watching Tour – A 99% sighting success rate in the nutrient-rich Monterey Bay. Bring a 70–200mm for breaches and a wider lens for spouts against coastal backdrops.

• Where to eat & drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Captain + Stoker (house-roasted coffee, granola bowls), Alta Bakery (in the historic Cooper‑Molera Adobe—kouign-amann, egg bialys), Red House Cafe in Pacific Grove (scrambles, garden patio).
  • Lunch: Phil’s Fish Market in Castroville (cioppino, fish tacos), Sandbar & Grill on the wharf (clam linguine, harbor views), Big Sur Deli (packable sandwiches for trailheads).
  • Dinner: Passionfish (sustainable seafood, smart pricing), La Bicyclette (wood-fired pizzas in Carmel), Flying Fish Grill (Japanese-Californian seafood classics).
  • Sweet stops: Revival Ice Cream (bee’s knees flavor), Pavel’s Backerei (almond croissants) in Pacific Grove.
• Where to stay: Browse VRBO (Monterey) and Hotels.com (Monterey). Pacific Grove offers quiet, walkable charm and quick coastal access on a mid-range budget.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a mosaic—studio backlots, mountain observatories, and 75 miles of beaches. For your sea-stack lens, Malibu’s El Matador is the star: sculptural rocks, sea arches, and tide pools bathed in golden light.

Stay in Santa Monica or Venice for beach access and relaxed dining, or base in Hollywood if studio tours and museums top your list. Sunset chasers can pair El Matador with Point Dume and Leo Carrillo for varied foregrounds.

Days 10–14: Malibu Sea Stacks, Studios, and Skyline

• Travel to Los Angeles (Day 10 morning): Monterey→LA via US‑101 (~330 miles, 5–6 hours; fuel ~$45–65). The CA‑1 coastal route is jaw-dropping but slower (~7–8 hours). Prefer to fly? MRY→LAX is ~1h15; compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.
• Sea-stack & coastal shoots: El Matador State Beach (Malibu) for dramatic stacks and a famous sea arch—arrive 90 minutes before sunset for scouting; Point Dume for cliffs and surf lines; Leo Carrillo for rocky coves and night-sky attempts when conditions allow.
• City highlights & tours (Viator picks):

Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More – Efficient overview for first-timers, with plenty of photo stops from the Walk of Fame to coastal viewpoints.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood – Step onto active sets and legendary backlots; it’s movie history with behind-the-scenes insights (and unique portrait backdrops).

• More photo spots: Griffith Observatory (city and Hollywood Sign at blue hour), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Gehry curves at sunrise), Venice Canals (soft morning reflections), The Broad/DTLA facades for geometry.
• Where to eat & drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Gjusta (Venice—smoked fish, pastries, patios), Huckleberry (Santa Monica—farm-driven breakfasts), Intelligentsia (Silver Lake) for meticulously pulled espresso.
  • Lunch: Bay Cities (Santa Monica—“Godmother” Italian sub), Guerrilla Tacos (Arts District—market-driven fillings), Broad Street Oyster Co. (Malibu—lobster rolls post‑El Matador shoot).
  • Dinner: Bestia (Arts District—wood-fired Italian), Bavel (Middle Eastern), Felix Trattoria (Venice—handmade pasta). For classic Hollywood history, Musso & Frank Grill (martinis, wedge salad).
  • Sweet bites: Sweet Rose Creamery (small-batch scoops), Sidecar Doughnuts (huckleberry glazed when in season).
• Where to stay: Compare beach-base and Hollywood options on VRBO (Los Angeles) and Hotels.com (Los Angeles). Santa Monica/Venice suits coastal shoots; Hollywood offers central access.

Logistics, Budget Tips, and Photo Notes

• Car vs. transit: For sea stacks and sunrise/sunset flexibility, rent a car. Parking fees vary ($2–$15 at beaches/trailheads). Gas averages make the scenic drives affordable on a mid-range budget.
• Budget (50/100): Mix free hikes, self-guided coastal stops, and a few targeted tours. For meals, aim $12–20 lunches, $20–40 dinners; splurge selectively (e.g., one special dinner per city).
• Photography: A circular polarizer tames glare; a 6–10 stop ND enables long exposures. Low tide opens compositions at Shark Fin Cove and El Matador—arrive early, watch waves, and never turn your back on the ocean.
• Safety & timing: Coastal fog (“June Gloom”/“Nocturnal & Morning Marine Layer”) often burns off midday; sunsets burst after the fog edge recedes. Wear layers; trails can be windy and damp.
• Departing California: Consider open-jaw tickets into SFO and out of LAX via Trip.com or Kiwi.com to avoid backtracking.

In two weeks, you’ll collect California’s essentials: a bridge in the fog, whales breaching beyond kelp, and sunsets pouring through a stone arch. From SF’s bluffs to Malibu’s sea stacks, the Pacific will be your constant companion—and your most dramatic subject.