5-Day Vegetarian Honeymoon Itinerary in December 2023

1. Day 1: San Francisco Botanical Garden
   10 minutes (3.2 miles) from Golden Gate Park

   In the morning, take a stroll through the lush greenery and colorful flowers of San Francisco Botanical Garden. For lunch, head over to Nourish Cafe for delicious vegan sandwiches and salads. Spend the afternoon exploring the Golden Gate Park, including the Japanese Tea Garden and deYoung Museum. For dinner, make a reservation at Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar & Izakaya for some of the best vegan sushi in town.

2. Day 2: Berkeley
   20 minutes (10 miles) from San Francisco

   Start the day with a hearty brunch at The Butcher's Son, a vegan deli famous for their breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Afterward, head over to the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden for a scenic hike with stunning views of the Bay Area. In the evening, grab a table at Gather for some delicious farm-to-table vegetarian dishes and craft cocktails.

3. Day 3: Monterey Bay Aquarium
   2 hours 20 minutes (115 miles) from Berkeley

   Start your day with a scenic drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to thousands of marine animals and plants. For lunch, try the vegetarian burrito at La Tortuga Taqueria, a local favorite. Spend the afternoon exploring Cannery Row and the quaint shops and restaurants of downtown Monterey. For dinner, enjoy some vegan comfort food at The Wild Plum Cafe & Bakery.

4. Day 4: Santa Barbara
   3 hours (210 miles) from Monterey

   Start your day with breakfast at The Shop Cafe, known for its vegan breakfast burritos and smoothie bowls. Afterward, visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for a peaceful nature walk through native California plants and flowers. In the afternoon, take a stroll along the beach and explore the charming boutiques and cafes of downtown Santa Barbara. For dinner, make a reservation at Mesa Verde for some exquisite vegan cuisine with a Mexican twist.

5. Day 5: Los Angeles
   1 hour 45 minutes (95 miles) from Santa Barbara

   Start your day with a hike at Runyon Canyon Park for panoramic views of Los Angeles. For lunch, head over to Crossroads Kitchen for some elegant vegan dishes and cocktails. Spend the afternoon exploring the galleries and shops of the Arts District, including the vegan ice cream shop, Divine Dips. For dinner, enjoy some delicious vegan Italian food at Plant Food + Wine.

Recommendations

While in San Francisco, consider visiting the Ferry Building Marketplace for local artisanal products and organic produce. In Monterey, take a scenic drive along the 17-Mile Drive for stunning coastal views. In Los Angeles, visit the Getty Center for its exceptional collection of art and architecture.

Time and Costs Estimates

• San Francisco Botanical Garden (2 hours, $25)
• Nourish Cafe (1 hour, $20)
• Golden Gate Park (3 hours, free)
• Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar & Izakaya (2 hours, $60)
• The Butcher's Son (1.5 hours, $30)
• UC Berkeley Botanical Garden (2 hours, $15)
• Gather (2 hours, $50)
• Monterey Bay Aquarium (3 hours, $50)
• La Tortuga Taqueria (1 hour, $15)
• Cannery Row (2 hours, free)
• The Wild Plum Cafe & Bakery (2 hours, $30)
• The Shop Cafe (1 hour, $20)
• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (2 hours, $12)
• Mesa Verde (2 hours, $60)
• Runyon Canyon Park (2 hours, free)
• Crossroads Kitchen (2 hours, $50)
• Divine Dips (1 hour, $15)
• Plant Food + Wine (2 hours, $60)
• Total Estimated Costs: $502