4-Day Itinerary for California: From LA to San Francisco

  1. Day 1: Exploring Santa Monica and Venice Beach
    30 minutes (15 miles) from LAX airport

    Start your California adventure with a day of beach-hopping at Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Start with a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier, ride the Ferris wheel or try the numerous food options. Then move on to the buzzing Venice Beach Boardwalk to enjoy the street performances, and street vendors. Don't forget to snap a picture at the famous Venice sign.

  2. Day 2: Hollywood and the Sunset Strip
    30 minutes (13 miles) from Santa Monica Beach

    Day 2 takes you to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Visit Grauman's Chinese Theater and discover the handprints of famous actors. Walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame on which your favorite stars have their names. Then visit the Sunset Strip, famous for its nightclubs, restaurants, and music venues.

  3. Day 3: Exploring San Diego and La Jolla Cove
    117 miles from Hollywood, 2 hours drive

    Spend your third day exploring San Diego's coastline. Start with Breakfast at the Gaslamp Quarter. Then drive to the La Jolla Cove Beach, which belongs to one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of California. Walk around the beach or take a swim in the seawater or rent paddleboards to explore the place. Visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

  4. Day 4: Golden Gate Park and San Francisco
    500 miles from San Diego, 7 hours' drive

    Your journey concludes in San Francisco. Drive down to Golden Gate Bridge, which is proudly listed under America's most famous landmarks. Visit the Golden Gate Park for a quick picnic or explore the exhibits in the de Young Museum. Then hit Fisherman's Wharf to try the classic San Francisco clam chowder or take a ferry to Alcatraz Island to discover what life was like at the notorious prison.

Time and Cost Estimates:

  • Santa Monica Pier (2 hours, Free)
  • Venice Beach Boardwalk (3 hours, Free)
  • Grauman's Chinese Theater (1 hour, $16/person)
  • Sunset Strip (2 hours, Free)
  • La Jolla Cove Beach (2 hours, Free)
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography (2 hours, $20/person)
  • Golden Gate Bridge (1 hour, Free)
  • Golden Gate Park (2 hours, Free)
  • de Young Museum (2 hours, $15/person)
  • Fisherman's Wharf (2 hours, Free)
  • Alcatraz Island (3 hours, $39/person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $130/person for attractions that have admission fees.

Useful Tips:

To optimize your trip, add another day primarily for exploring San Diego, Tijuana Mexico or more places around San Francisco. Remember to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes as most places require a lot of walking.

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