San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip

You’ve picked up your RV and are ready to hit the road. But before you head out, it’s definitely worth taking the time to explore San Francisco. Start by exploring Twin Peaks Boulevard, which is just 15 minutes from town and offers you the opportunity to get some of the best views across the city before strolling through the colorful alleys of the Mission District.

Naturally, no day spent exploring San Francisco is complete without visiting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge or, if time allows, taking a ferry ride over to the eerie Alcatraz Island. And, when you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Fisherman’s Wharf for some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted.

If you’re keen on staying the night in San Francisco and heading out the next morning, the best San Francisco RV camping and campgrounds include San Francisco RV Resort. It’s conveniently located 15 minutes from town and has 150 sites that are available to book all year round. The amenities on offer are great, too, and include laundry facilities, picnic tables, a BBQ area, and even a pool, so you can truly unwind after a long day exploring the city.

We know you want to spend more time exploring than driving, and that’s why your first stop is Half Moon Bay, which is only 40 minutes from San Francisco. When you arrive, head straight to the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, which hugs the shoreline and gives you uninterrupted ocean views and the chance to explore several beaches along the way. If you’re traveling during the winter, you might even catch Maverick’s Surf Competition, which draws surfers from all over the world to take on the 60-foot waves.

With your beachside craving satisfied, the next place to visit is Downtown Half Moon Bay, which is filled with art galleries and interesting shops. There are also some excellent eating opportunities here, including Moonside Bakery, and once you’ve refueled with coffee and pastries, make your way to Pillar Point, where you can book a fisher charter or rent a kayak to explore the waters.

This is also the first stop on the road where you should consider camping, and Half Moon Bay RV Park is the perfect place to park your RV for the night. It’s less than 5 minutes from town and has sites with full hookups, as well as some fantastic amenities, including hot showers, laundry facilities, WiFi, and an on-site restaurant.

Your next day sees you spend a little longer on the road, and just over 90 minutes from Half Moon Bay, you’ll arrive in Monterey. One of the best things to do here is to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you’ll get the chance to see a whole host of marine animals, from jellyfish to sea otters. After that, head over to Cannery Row, which is conveniently less than 10 minutes on foot from the aquarium, and explore the restaurants and waterfront bars.

Feel like doing something in nature instead? The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail is perfect for bike rides, or you can book a whale-watching tour and spot gray whales, humpbacks, and even orcas splashing in the water, depending on the season. There’s also plenty of parking at San Carlos Beach, which is just 5 minutes from town, and it’s one of the best places in Monterey to see an amazing sunset.

When you’re ready to rest your head, Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park is 10 minutes from town and offers full 30-amp and 50-amp hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and WiFI. Also, since it’s so close to the area’s top attractions, it’s a perfect base for a couple of days before heading onto the next leg of your adventure.

As you make your way to your next destination, it’s worth taking the time to stop at Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is only 5 miles from Monterey. This is your chance to explore this area of California a little more, and given that it has a place on the 27 best beaches in the USA, it only makes sense to kick back with a picnic before carrying on with the longer stretch of road ahead.

You won’t mind much in terms of big tourist attractions here, but that’s really the beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can easily spend an entire afternoon discovering the shops and restaurants on the cobbled streets, and if you want some truly amazing views, a drive along Scenic Road is an absolute must.

Along with the natural beauty on offer, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great alternative to camping if you can’t grab a space in Monterey, with Carmel by the River RV Park providing full hookup sites and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. These include flushing toilets, hot showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and WiFi. And, since it’s pet-friendly, you’re welcome to bring your canine companion along for the adventure!

Leaving Carmel-by-the-Sea in your rearview mirror, you’re now on a 2.5-hour journey to Pismo Beach and it’s laid-back, sunny atmosphere. The first thing you should do when you arrive here is to walk the Pismo Pier, which stretches 1,200 feet into the ocean and is the perfect place to kick back and watch surfers taking on the waves while you breathe in the salty sea air.

If you’re craving something a little more adventurous, a 10-minute drive from town will take you to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, where you can rent ATVs and zoom around massive, rolling sand dunes. Or, for something much calmer and in nature, the Monarch Butterfly Grove is within walking distance from the beach and, from November to February each year, is home to thousands of beautiful butterflies preparing for migration.

Whatever you feel like doing while you’re in Pismo Beach, a good camping base is important, and at Pismo State Beach North Campground you’re just 5 minutes from the shore. There are 103 campsites in total here, including sites with full hookups, and you’ve got amenities like coin-operated hot showers, a dump station, flushing toilets, and fire rings, providing a comfortable stay paired with awesome ocean views.

You’re about halfway through your road trip at this point, but there’s no need to worry about running out of exciting things to do, and Santa Barbara is here to prove it! Start your visit here by walking along the palm-lined shores of East Beach or enjoying a picnic on Butterfly Beach, which is a little more secluded and quieter. After that, head to the Old Santa Barbara Mission, which is 5 minutes from town and gives you the chance to learn more about the rose gardens and Spanish architecture the area is so famous for.

There are also some offbeat attractions to explore in Santa Barbara, including the Funk Zone, which is a creative neighborhood packed with tasting rooms, breweries, and art galleries in old industrial buildings. Also, if you’re traveling with kids (or just love wildlife yourself), a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo needs to be on your to-do list.

After a full day of exploring, you’ll need somewhere comfortable to sleep and, luckily, there are several Santa Barbara campgrounds to choose from. El Capitan State Beach is a particular favorite, which is 25 minutes from town and has over 100 campsites to choose from. It is important to note that there aren’t any hookups here, but the chance to wake up to some beautiful ocean views is more than worth the trade-off, and you’ll still have access to vital amenities like toilets, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, and campfires.

This is where things start to get even more exciting! You’re now heading to Los Angeles, and as soon as you arrive, we recommend starting your visit with a trip to Venice Beach. Here, you’ll see some incredible roller-staking skills, bodybuilders, and street musicians, all on the same boardwalk. From here, you can also walk up to the Santa Monica Pier and spend some time on the arcade games and the famous Ferris wheel.

Naturally, no trip to Los Angeles is complete without some Hollywood glamor, and window shopping in Beverley Hills is a must. Or, if you’re a movie lover, treat yourself to a Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, which is just 15 minutes out of town, and peak behind the curtain at some of your favorite blockbusters and TV shows. LA is also famous for its food scene, and when you’re ready to grab a bite to eat, you’ll find everything from Korean BBQ in Koreatown to vegan tacos in Silver Lake on offer.

When it comes to parking your RV for the night, you’ve got plenty of options, and some of the best Los Angeles RV camping and campgrounds include Dockweiler RV Park, which is only 20 minutes from Downtown LA. There are full hookups available here on sites that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length, along with amenities like flushing toilets, showers, and a designated dog exercise area. Just keep in mind that no tent camping is allowed and, while there was once a dump station here, that facility is now closed.

As you start making your way toward San Diego, this is the part of the road trip that breaks into smaller distances, and the first of these stops is Anaheim. This town is home to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, which means there’s plenty of entertainment to keep you going for days!

But if you need a break from the Disney bubble, Anaheim’s Packing District is the place to go. This is a super cool food hall right in the heart of town, with everything from gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to kombucha on tap to sample. You can also check out the famous Angels Stadium while you’re here, which is only 10 minutes from town, or if you’re into craft beers, head to Bottle Logic or Brewery X, both of which are also just 10 minutes away.

If you need a good option for setting up a base here, Anaheim Harbor RV Park is one of the best, especially if you’re planning to spend a lot of time in the Disney parks. Not only is it 5 minutes from Disneyland Park, it has sites with full hookups and excellent guest amenities, including a heated swimming pool, mini market, and gazebo area with BBQs and fire pits.

Your penultimate stop on the road from San Francisco to San Diego, San Clemente is a mellow beach town and the perfect place to slow down and look back at your journey up until this point. The San Clemente Pier is the perfect place to start your visit, or you can walk the Beach Trail to get some beautiful views of the coastline before grabbing some lunch at Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar right on the pier.

Another must-visit while you’re in in San Clemente is the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, which is only 5 minutes from town and is the perfect mix of natural beauty and history. Or, if you’d prefer to do something a little more adrenaline-fueled, make your way to T-Street Beach and take a surfing lesson (depending on the season).

Being so close to the beach, you’ll likely want to make the most of it and set up camp within walking distance. That’s totally possible at San Clemente State Beach Campground, which is only 700m from the shore and has sites with full hookups that can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length. There are also restrooms with showers and drinking water available, and while it may not have swimming pools or clubhouses like some other RV parks, you simply can’t beat the location if you want to be as close to the beach as possible.

You’ve finally arrived in San Diego, but this doesn’t mean your adventure needs to come to a sudden end! Start your trip here by visiting Balboa Park and exploring its many museums, gardens, and the legendary San Diego Zoo. Then, head out to explore the neighborhoods of North Park and its craft coffee scene and La Jolla’s beautiful sea coves and resident sea lions lounging on the rocks.

Feel like hitting the beach? You’ve got a couple of excellent options to choose from. The first is Coronado Beach, which has soft sands and awesome views of the historic Hotel de Coronado on offer. Pacific Beach is another great option, and it’s perfect for longboard cruising and strolling a lively boardwalk. Or, for something that feels a little more nature-focused, head to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, which, as its name suggests, is particularly beautiful at sunset.

When you’re looking for camping in San Diego, one of the best campgrounds is Campland on the Bay. It’s just 15 minutes from town and is a family-friendly RV resort close to the beach, with amenities including a pool, water activities, restrooms with showers, and recycling stations.

Ready to hit the road? Start your California coastal adventure with Travellers Autobarn, where you can find affordable campervan rentals in San Francisco complete with free unlimited miles, giving you the chance to visit every stop on this itinerary without worrying about extra charges.

Looking for some other awesome road trips? If you’re looking for other road trips out of San Fran check these out, otherwise here are some other itineraries you should definitely check out:

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• California Desert Road Trip – Best Drive Itinerary
• See all San Francisco road trips

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