California Dreaming: An Epic Road Trip from San Francisco to San Diego
From City Streets to Sequoia Forests: My Journey Across the Golden State
Last month I was thrilled to be invited on an incredible California road trip with Visit California. Our journey captured the very essence of the Golden State: from windswept coastlines to golden countryside, vibrant cities to tranquil national parks, and from sun-soaked beaches to magical snowy mountains. This is California at its most diverse, and every mile brought a new highlight.
San Francisco: Iconic City Scenes & Unmissable Experiences
Our adventure began in the heart of San Francisco, with a
two-night stay at the stylish Beacon Grand Hotel, just off Union Square. With
cable cars passing the door and some of the city’s top sights on your doorstep,
it’s the perfect base for exploring. The rooms are spacious and the service
faultless - the perfect welcome to the city.
We started our first full day with a classic San Francisco
experience: boarding a cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf. Here, we picked up E-bikes
from Blazing Saddles and met our guide for an unforgettable ride along the
coast, through parks and neighbourhoods, with the legendary Golden Gate Bridge
gradually revealing itself ahead. Whether you opt for a guide or go
independent, be sure to stop for that must-have photo just before you join the
bridge. The views are spectacular.
The ride across the Golden Gate was epic, and on the far
side the picturesque suburb of Sausalito was waiting. With its waterfront
restaurants and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a lovely place to stop for a bite
before catching the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf. This is definitely a San
Francisco ‘must-do’ and a brilliant way to take in both city and sea.
Afterwards, we refuelled at bustling Pier 39 with great food
and a spot of shopping, before wandering through vibrant Chinatown. Don’t miss
the Fortune Cookie Factory for a chance to watch the magic in the making!
That evening, we experienced ‘Dear San Francisco’ at Club Fugazi in Little Italy: a high-energy love letter to the city, blending acrobatics, music and storytelling. The perfect end to our San Francisco stay was taking a Waymo driverless taxi back to the hotel. This was my first time in a futuristic, self-driving car, and an experience that strangely felt second nature very quickly.
Into the Wild: Yosemite National Park & Gold Country
Leaving San Francisco behind us, we set off eastward on a
journey I’d been dreaming about - Yosemite
National Park. Our first stop: the historic Gold Rush town of Mariposa. With
its preserved streets, cosy cafés and local restaurants, Mariposa is a charming
gateway to Yosemite and feels like stepping back in time.
Our accommodation at AutoCamp Yosemite was a highlight:
quirky Airstream trailers set amongst the trees, with a pool, communal fire
pits for s’mores, BBQs at each unit, and a lively schedule of movie nights and
quizzes. It was glamping at its absolute best.
The next day brought the iconic scenery of Yosemite Valley:
standing beneath El Capitan’s mighty granite face, it’s easy to see why this
place draws climbers from across the globe. Later, we checked in to Tenaya
Lodge, one of my top picks for Yosemite. Incredibly, the weather took a wintry
turn and we woke to blue skies & fresh snow - a rare and magical treat for
this early in the season. Our hike to Mariposa Grove in the snow that morning was
breathtaking—the giant sequoias, especially ‘Grizzly Giant’ and the California
Tunnel Tree are the show stoppers!
A quick stop in Sonora allowed us time to explore Columbia State Historic Park, an authentic old mining town where you can even have a go at gold panning—warning: it’s addictive! Although my own ‘gold fever’ didn’t strike it rich, the experience was all part of the fun.
Off the Beaten Path: Charming Winters & Wine Country
Alternatives
Next up: Winters, a hidden gem in Yolo County surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. This picturesque town was the biggest surprise of the journey - live music in the streets, fabulous restaurants and bars, and a wine scene to rival better-known Napa (with less bustle and more charm). If you have time, I couldn’t recommend spending a couple of nights here more highly. It’s an ideal alternative to Napa, only an hour & a half from San Francisco
Southern California Vibes: San Diego & Santa Monica
We caught a convenient internal flight from Sacramento (top
tip: it’s a much easier departure point than San Francisco when heading south).
Arriving in San Diego was like stepping into a Beach Boys song: blue skies,
palm trees, and endless beaches. We based ourselves in Mission Bay, ideal for
exploring the city’s attractions, and the sunset was out of this world.
Although our time here was cut a little by road closures, which meant missing out on a behind-the-scenes tour at San Diego Zoo - we made the most of every moment. The silver lining of our unplanned detour allowed us a few hours in Santa Monica, visiting the legendary pier and cycling along the promenade to Venice Beach, soaking up classic California atmosphere.
One State, Limitless Possibility
In one extraordinary road trip, we experienced stunning
variety: sun and snow, beaches and national parks, historic gold towns and
vibrant wine country. California is a place where every day brings new
surprises, and the possibilities for adventure are endless.
If you’re dreaming of your own California road trip, I’d love to help you make it a reality - every journey is unique, and the experiences and memories last a lifetime.
Check out the highlights of my trip on Instagram
