Road Trip Itinerary from San Francisco to Los Angeles - Family Friendly

• Day 1: San Francisco - Explore the famous Golden Gate Bridge and take a scenic drive to Monterey Bay to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• Day 2: Monterey Bay - Take a 17-Mile Drive to enjoy stunning views of the coastline and visit the famous Lone Cypress Tree.
• Day 3: Pismo Beach - Head down to Pismo Beach and enjoy a day of sand dune exploration and possibly an ATV rental adventure.
• Day 4: Solvang - Visit the charming Danish-style village of Solvang. Enjoy some Danish pastries and visit local businesses to experience Scandinavian culture.
• Day 5: Santa Barbara - Spend some time admiring the architecture of Santa Barbara by checking out the Santa Barbara Courthouse and visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara.
• Day 6: Malibu - Enjoy a beach day at Malibu Beach, or take a scenic drive up the coast to enjoy the stunning view.
• Day 7: Los Angeles - Visit the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and take a tour of Universal Studios Hollywood.
• Day 8: Los Angeles - Spend a day exploring Disneyland or Disney California Adventure.
• Day 9: San Diego - Visit the San Diego Zoo and enjoy the animal exhibits or spend a day at SeaWorld San Diego.
• Day 10: Carlsbad - Explore the natural beauty of Carlsbad by visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields or enjoy the stunning view at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.
• Day 11: Joshua Tree National Park - Take a trip to visit the stunning Joshua Tree National Park for some hiking and rock climbing.
• Day 12: Palm Springs - Relax in the desert and visit local shops and restaurants in Palm Springs.
• Day 13: San Bernardino - Visit the San Manuel Casino for some fun and entertainment.
• Day 14: San Bernardino - Explore the San Bernardino National Forest and try some outdoor activities like hiking or fishing.
• Day 15: Los Angeles - Say goodbye to the open road and return to Los Angeles for a final day of sightseeing and shopping.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Golden Gate Bridge (2 hours, $0)
• Monterey Bay Aquarium (4 hours, $50)
• 17-Mile Drive (2 hours, $15)
• Pismo Beach Sand Dunes (3 hours, $65 for ATV rental)
• Solvang (3 hours, $35)
• Santa Barbara Courthouse (2 hours, $0)
• Old Mission Santa Barbara (2 hours, $10)
• Malibu Beach (3 hours, $0)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame (2 hours, $0)
• Universal Studios Hollywood (6 hours, $100)
• Disneyland (8 hours, $129)
• Disney California Adventure (8 hours, $129)
• San Diego Zoo (4 hours, $56)
• SeaWorld San Diego (6 hours, $75)
• Carlsbad Flower Fields (4 hours, $20)
• Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park (3 hours, $15)
• Joshua Tree National Park (6 hours, $30)
• Palm Springs (6 hours, $50)
• San Manuel Casino (2 hours, $50)
• San Bernardino National Forest (3 hours, $0)
• Total Estimated Costs: $939

Transportation

Make sure to rent a car to make this journey possible. Keep in mind the cost of gas, which will vary based on the size of your rental car and the amount of driving you do. Expect to spend around $300 on gas for this trip, which will take around 22 hours of driving time.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider spending more days in certain cities to explore them further. If you have less time, consider cutting out some activities or removing some cities from your itinerary. Keep in mind that this itinerary is family-friendly and that activities can be tailored to your family's preferences.