This West coast road trip was like a dream! So many fun things to see and do! I can’t wait to do it again with my daughter.
Map
Sections
19
LA to Malibu
Ventura, CA
Santa Barbara
Los Olivos
Buellton
Los Alamos
LA to Malibu
I had chilaquiles with these giant prawns for breakfast! We saw the 90210 house, Redondo beach and then headed out on our road trip. We headed north on 405 to 10 West. 10 becomes PCH or state road 1 to Malibu. Then we took State Road 1 to 101 in Oxna...
First stop on our road trip. Gorgeous views and a little walk on the beach.
The Malibu Pier
We drove through the university and saw the beautiful views!
Pepperdine University
We had the clam chowder and it felt like we were in the movie Pulp Fiction!
Neptune's Net
Take a bike ride along the ocean starting at Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Pier
Haha I saw some celebrities on this beach! Who knew? It was fun to hang out there in the middle of the week!
Manhattan Beach Pier
Brings me back to all the 90s nostalgia— Dylan, Donna, Kelly, Brenda, Steve, Andrea, Brandon, David!! Do you remember the Color Me Badd episode? lol
Beachfront 90210 Beachhouse on tv show middle unit
Ventura, CA
We stopped in Ventura before heading Santa Barbara
We loved walking the pier and staying right by the ocean!
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
We had the Santa Cruz seafood tower and it was amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant.
Lure Fish House
We walked downtown and it was beautiful to see all the little shops.
Downtown Ventura
Take a walk at Surfer’s Point. The beach was a bit rocky so sandals might be needed. It’s still a beautiful view at sunset.
Surfers Point at Seaside Park in Ventura CA
Check out Patagonia Store, which is a great brand and it’s fun to see the building
Patagonia
The fish tacos are awesome! So fresh! I had shrimp tacos and loved them!
Spencer Makenzie's
Get breakfast at Cajun Kitchen Cafe! And if you’re in california, you have to try the chilaquiles.
Cajun Kitchen Cafe
Santa Barbara
Check out the beautiful architecture of the Santa Barbara Mission
Old Mission Santa Barbara - Tour the Mission
It was fun to walk down State Street and wander through the shops. There was an ice cream shop and I ordered olive oil ice cream. It was so good!
State Street Promenade - Visit Santa ...
It’s fun to walk the pier but also it’s fun to drive to the highest hill and look over Santa Barbara. It’s a beautiful view
Pier Santa Barbara
This is a lovely restaurant off the beaten path. I had the chili verde and it was just the right portion for our road trip ahead to Los Olivos.
Cold Spring Tavern
Los Olivos
If you like wine, this would be a great place to tour. We stopped at one winery that appeared to be an old horse barn. It was lovely! I don’t have any wine recommendations because I was pregnant at the time of this road trip.
Wine Trail Map
It’s a lovely little town to walk through! I highly recommend it!
Los Olivos: A Tranquil Corner of the City
I had the steak Cobb salad and I highly recommend it!
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe
Beautiful spot to eat for dinner! After walking around town, we had dinner here. Since I was pregnant, I had to have a lot of iron. We ordered the tomahawk steak and it was amazing!
The Inn at Mattei's Tavern Luxury Resort in Los Olivos, California
You have to stop here to try on cowboy boots and hats! So fun! I love the smell of a saddle shop!
Jedlicka's Los Olivos
If you want a pretty drive, take Foxen Wine Trail to Santa Maria.
Foxen Vineyard & Winery
Buellton
We split the chicken schnitzel and it was so tender! Highly recommend stopping on the way to San Luis Obispo!
Firestone Walker Brewing Company - Barrelworks
Los Alamos
When we visited, this saloon was owned by Kurt Russell’s sister, who looks very much like her brother. This town was just so fun to see, it reminded me of the Wild West.
The Saloon
This used to be Bell Street Farm; the new French award winning restaurant has amazing food! I had the Bell’s salad with steak for lunch. Delicious!
Bell's
Pismo Beach & Avila Beach
We drove through this area but didn’t stop. It looked like a great tourist town and it had beautiful ocean views.
Pismo Beach
Avila Beach was another area we drove by on our road trip. It looked like a tourist town and it’s marked for us to visit again.
Avila Beach Official Visitor Guide, Avila Beach, CA
San Luis Obispo
Take a hike on the 9 Sisters (eroded volcanic plugs) and see breathtaking views! The pictures don’t do it justice!
Exploring the Nine Sisters
You have to stay here! OMG it’s so awesome! Every room is decorated different. I think we had a cave room! The walls were rock! The restaurant with all its pink glory was truly something to experience. The men’s bathroom is beyond unique!
Madonna Inn
This place made our road trip! It was so fun staying here! The food was good, I am pretty sure I had steak being that I was pregnant and low iron. Check out the men’s bathroom if you get a chance, it’s unique!
Iconic Hotel, Dining & Events in SLO
This place had great food! It’s known for bbq style food, so I had the pig sandwich and the sauce was just how I like it, very tender meat as well.
Firestone Grill
Morro Bay
Just go here to see the sea lions, I could watch them for hours. I took video so I could hear their calls! The babies were so sweet and curious.
Come Get Salty in Morro Bay - Visit Morro Bay
Cayucos
Beautiful beaches and views! Walk the pier, see the beach and take a little walk through town. So much fun to see Cayucos!
Cayucos State Beach - California State Parks
Cambria
Another spot to take beautiful pictures. I hope you get a moment to stop and enjoy Cambria.
Visit Cambria
Piedros Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
If you’re an animal lover like me, you won’t want to leave. I still play the sounds of the oceans and the seals from my recorded videos, it’s beautiful!
Friends Of The Elephant Seal Visitor Center
Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park
This road trip stop has amazing views!
What I love about stopping here is that it’s a great road trip break with majestic views and a waterfall.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Bixby Bridge
Stunning views of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California
This is a famous bridge that has beautiful views. We actually used one of our trip pictures as a giant picture in our living room and it was this bridge.
Bixby Bridge: Iconic Big Sur Views on California's Hwy 1
Carmel-by-the-Sea
This gorgeous coastal town has Pebble Beach, known for its golf courses, and a pretty drive.
You have to pay an extra fee in order to drive through Pebble Beach, but it’s a road trip so take it! The views are stunning!
Pebble Beach Resorts
Monterey
We stayed over night here and just loved walking around this little town.
This aquarium was a short walk from our hotel and offered a nice way to stretch our legs after a long road trip.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
This English Pub was a lovely stop not far from our downtown hotel.
The Crown & Anchor
This is a scenic walk that had great shops and restaurants in Monterey.
Cannery Row
We grabbed a coffee off Cannery Row before our road trip to San Francisco
Tidal Coffee
This was a cute boutique hotel that was close to Cannery Row.
Wave Street Inn - Monterey
San Francisco
We did all the touristy things in San Francisco— Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown
If you’re coming to San Francisco you have to take a ride on the Golden Gate Bridge!
Golden Gate Bridge
Fisherman’s Wharf is a busy place with lots of restaurants. We just randomly picked a restaurant and we had the New England Clam Chowder, which was the second time on our trip- Neptune’s Net also had great chowda!
Fisherman's Wharf
Go inside the live animal markets. It will be a site you won’t forget.
Chinatown
We had the New England clam chowder! It felt a bit odd like we were on the wrong coast or something but it was delicious
Eagle Cafe
We didn’t eat here but we went in just to see it and walk around.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Oysters have amazing health benefits and this place has fresh oysters! It’s a beautiful spot on Fisherman’s Wharf
Hog Island Oyster Co.
We checked out this park before we headed out on the bridge!
The Presidio (San Francisco)
A fascinating site is Lombard Street in San Francisco
Lombard Street
Have an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista! This was a cute stop for us!
The Buena Vista
This was a great stroll with lots of things to see and do and people watch.
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Oakland
This was a quick stop for us on our way to Sacramento
Get yourself the best fried chicken sandwich here! So good!
Bakesale Betty
This place is known for their burgers, so if you’re in the area check it out
SIDEBAR OAKLAND - Restaurant Reviews
Lake Merritt
We made a few quick stops here and enjoyed seeing this area
This was a recommendation from a friend and we were not disappointed.
Oaktown Spice Shop
This is an off the beaten path bakery for any foodie to enjoy!
