Considering road trip Santa Monica to Santa Cruz

Question

Hi everyone

We are a family from East Coast Australia and going to be in California landing LAX Wed 16th April 1:15pm and leaving from SFO Sat 19th April 11:05pm (after 10 days in Houston & NYC). It is my wife, myself and our 16 year old son. We are 50-ish and fit and active.

We trying to decide whether we have enough time to do costal road trip or should we just do 2 days Santa Monica then fly LAX to SFO for last 2 days (focus would be staying Santa Cruz).

The areas we would like to focus on for the trip would be a morning in Venice/Muscle Beach for our sons interest, Santa Monica for dinner. Happy with brief stops in Santa Barbara, Morro Bay area, Big Sur (is this even accessible from the south currently?). We would want to spend our last night in Santa Cruz and spend the last day checking out Santa Cruz and then heaidng to SF to fly home. If we get a couple of hours to basically see Golden Gate Bridge and jump on a tram that would be enough.

I understand we are squeezing alot in so i'm open to feedback.

Much appreciated

Answer

Your proposed plan of driving from Santa Monica to Santa Cruz over a few days is ambitious but feasible if you focus on highlights and are comfortable with long driving stretches. Given your landing and departure times, you essentially have about three full days to explore California, which will limit how much of the coast you can cover comfortably.

Day 1 – Santa Monica & Venice:

After your 1:15pm arrival at LAX, factor in immigration, baggage claim, and car rental – realistically you may be ready to leave the airport around 3:30-4pm.
Spend the late afternoon/evening in Santa Monica, strolling the pier and Main Street. Grab dinner nearby.
Consider a morning visit to Venice/Muscle Beach the next day before heading north, allowing your son to enjoy the sights without rushing.

Day 2 – Coastal Drive North:

Depart Santa Monica early (around 7-8am) to maximize stops along the way.
Quick stop in Santa Barbara for coffee or brunch and a short walk downtown.
Continue to the Morro Bay area for a scenic break or lunch. The town is small but charming with the iconic Morro Rock.
Big Sur: Mid-April usually allows access along Highway 1, though sections can occasionally close due to landslides or maintenance. Check road conditions ahead of time. Even a short stop at popular viewpoints like Bixby Bridge or McWay Falls will give a taste without needing to drive the full stretch.

Day 3 – Santa Cruz & San Francisco:

Arrive in Santa Cruz in the late afternoon or evening and spend the night. Boardwalk and coastal areas are highlights.
Spend the following morning exploring Santa Cruz—beachwalks, pier, or a short hike in nearby redwood areas.
Drive to San Francisco in the afternoon, aiming to allow a couple of hours for Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints, a quick tram ride or cable car experience, and perhaps a stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf.
Return your rental car and catch your 11:05pm flight.

Tips and Considerations:

This itinerary involves long stretches of driving, especially from Santa Monica to Big Sur and then to Santa Cruz. Be prepared for 6-8 hours of driving on some days.
If you prefer a less rushed experience, consider skipping Big Sur and focusing on Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, and Santa Cruz, which still gives a great mix of coastal scenery.
Plan accommodations ahead, especially in Santa Cruz, to avoid last-minute stress.
Traffic near LA and around San Francisco can be significant; allow extra time for airport arrival/departure and city driving.

Overall, while the coastal road trip is doable in your timeframe, it will be tight. Prioritize the sights most important to your family, and be flexible with timing along the way.

Considering road trip Santa Monica to Santa Cruz

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