West Coast Calfornia Road Trip

Question

we are a couple in our twenties looking to book a west coast road trip in late april/early may. Looking for some advice and suggestions based on our rough itinerary please:

Fly to San Fransisco landing mid afternoon. 3x nights in SF. Using 1 day to do a guided day trip to Yosemite (I know this isn't ideal but something I want to see and it suits the itinerary best i think)

Pick up rental car after SF and travel down Highway 1 (hoping the road closures are open at this point, otherwise will do what we can then circle back inland)

We don't want to rush the drive down so have planned 2 overnight stays, one in Monterey and one in Santa Barbara.

After this continue down to LA and stay there for 3x nights.

Then continue on to San Diego and stay for 2x nights.

Finally travelling to Las Vegas for 3x nights.

Flight home from Las Vegas.

This is 13x nights in total. Without going into too much detail on specific things we want to do (mainly the most popular tourist attractions as this is our first time here) I am hoping for some advice on whether this plan sounds good, realistic and if it could be improved in the timescales. We don't want to bite off more than we can chew but equally want to do as much as possible.

Thanks

Answer

Your planned 13-night West Coast road trip is ambitious but generally realistic for first-time visitors who want to hit the major highlights. You’ve balanced city stays with scenic drives, and the itinerary allows some flexibility without cramming too much into a single day. Here is a detailed breakdown and suggestions for improvement:

San Francisco (3 nights, including Yosemite day trip)

3 nights in SF is reasonable for exploring major attractions like Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown.
Guided day trips to Yosemite are common but long (10–12 hours round trip). Be prepared for early departures and long days. Late April/early May is usually fine in terms of road access, but check Tioga Pass closures in case snow is still present.
Consider focusing on Yosemite Valley highlights (Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, Glacier Point if open) rather than trying to see the whole park.

Highway 1 Drive: San Francisco → Monterey → Santa Barbara

Two overnight stops for this coastal drive is appropriate; it prevents fatigue and allows for stops in key areas like Santa Cruz, Big Sur, and Morro Bay.
Monterey is a good stop for Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and 17-Mile Drive. One night is sufficient for a quick visit and drive down to Big Sur.
Santa Barbara is a nice midway stop with beaches, wine tasting, and downtown. It also breaks up the long LA drive.
Check for any Big Sur closures, as Highway 1 is prone to landslides in spring.

Los Angeles (3 nights)

3 nights gives enough time to see Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory, and possibly a studio tour.
Traffic can be heavy, so plan your days geographically to minimize back-and-forth driving.

San Diego (2 nights)

2 nights is sufficient for Balboa Park, the Zoo, Gaslamp District, and La Jolla or Coronado. If you want a relaxed beach day, one full day may feel short but doable.

Las Vegas (3 nights)

3 nights gives you time to explore the Strip, see shows, and do a possible day trip to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon.
Driving from San Diego to Las Vegas is about 5–6 hours; consider an early start to maximize time on arrival.

Overall Assessment

Your plan balances sightseeing with travel time reasonably well.
If you want a more relaxed pace, consider reducing either the Highway 1 overnight stops to one night (if comfortable with longer driving) or adding an extra night in SF or LA.
Keep in mind spring weather may affect Highway 1 and Yosemite accessibility, so check conditions ahead of time.

In summary, your itinerary is well-structured for first-time visitors, allowing exposure to major cities, scenic drives, and iconic attractions without extreme rush. Minor adjustments for pace or traffic considerations may improve comfort, but overall it is realistic and enjoyable for 13 nights.

West Coast Calfornia Road Trip

More California (CA) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions