A Coastal Road Trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Five Days Along California’s Central Coast

There’s something timeless about driving down California’s coast — winding roads, ocean vistas, and the small towns that seem to slow time itself. This fall, we took five days to road-trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, stopping along the way to explore charming towns, local eats, and scenic views that remind you why this stretch of California is so special.

Day 1 — From San Francisco to Cambria

We started our journey with a stop in Salinas for lunch at The Steinbeck House, the birthplace of author John Steinbeck. The historic Victorian home turned restaurant was filled with charm and nostalgia — a perfect way to begin the trip.

From there, we continued south to Cambria, where we checked into the Olallieberry Inn, a cozy bed and breakfast tucked along the creek. We stayed in the San Simeon Room, and the inn welcomed us with homemade cookies and an evening happy hour featuring red and white wine with small bites.

After settling in, we wandered downtown Cambria, which was buzzing with a scarecrow contest — local businesses had crafted creative displays lining the streets, and everyone was invited to vote for their favorites. As the sun began to set, we made our way to Moonstone Beach Park, where the sky glowed pink and orange over the Pacific. Dinner that night was at Madeline’s, a cozy restaurant known for its local wines and perfectly cooked entrees — a fitting end to our first day.

Day 2 — Hearst Castle and Arrival in Santa Barbara

We woke up to a hearty homemade breakfast at the inn, enjoyed in the garden before heading to Hearst Castle for the Grand Rooms Tour. Walking through the opulent halls and terraces overlooking the sea felt like stepping back in time.

Afterward, we stopped by the Cambria Nursery & Florist, which was already decked out for Christmas. Rows of twinkling lights, holiday decor, and nutcrackers imported from Germany filled every corner — we couldn’t resist bringing a couple home. Lunch was light and fresh at Lily’s Coffee House, where we split a sandwich and salad before getting back on the road.

We took the scenic Highway 154 route toward Santa Barbara, stopping at several vista points to watch the sunset paint the hills in gold. Once in town, we checked into the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, perfectly located across from the ocean. Dinner was casual and delicious at Corazon Cocina, tucked inside the local food hall, followed by dessert at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, a Santa Barbara classic.

Day 3 — A Day in Wine Country

After breakfast at the Hilton’s Roundhouse Restaurant, we ventured out to Los Alamos to browse its antique shops and vintage stores, then continued to Los Olivos, one of our favorite wine country towns. We stopped at (IN) Larkin, where Paria found a beautiful jacket, and then had lunch at Nella Kitchen & Bar, where the king salmon salad was truly unforgettable.

Our afternoon was spent at Barbieri Wines, enjoying a flight of rich red wines paired with local cheeses and cured meats. As the sun began to dip, we drove back toward Santa Barbara, pulling over at scenic overlooks to soak in the views one last time before dinner.

Day 4 — Exploring Santa Barbara

We started our morning with acai bowls from Oakberry, followed by coffee from Handlebar Coffee Roasters, a local favorite. We spent most of the morning wandering along State Street, popping into small boutiques and local shops.

Lunch was casual and comforting at The Win-Dow Burgers, followed by a refreshing Italian ice at Mangione’s. In the afternoon, we strolled along E Cabrillo Boulevard, taking in the palm-lined waterfront. Dinner was at Apertivo, a small Italian restaurant that serves just two handmade pasta dishes each day — we tried both, and each was a standout.

After dinner, we wandered through the Funk Zone, an artsy neighborhood full of murals, wine tasting rooms, and breweries, and ended our evening with drinks at Institution Ale.

Day 5 — Santa Barbara to Solvang to San Francisco

Our final morning began at Lilac Patisserie, a charming gluten-free bakery downtown. The avocado toast and French toast were both excellent. We then visited Mission Santa Barbara, walking through its historic grounds and gardens before starting our drive north.

On the way home, we made one last stop in Solvang, the Danish-inspired town known for its old-world charm. We had lunch at Whiskey N Rye, where the BBQ hit the spot, followed by a slice of Arne’s Famous Aebleskiver at Solvang Restaurant. Before leaving, we picked up Danish butter cookies at The Solvang Bakery and stopped into Jule Hus, a Christmas store open year-round, filled with ornaments and holiday decor.

By the time we pulled back into San Francisco, our car smelled faintly of cookies and pine, and our hearts were full — grateful for five days of winding roads, coastal sunsets, good food, and all the little moments in between.