San Francisco is one of the most iconic cities in the USA and a great place to begin a motorhome holiday!
The city offers visitors must-see attractions, thousands of unique events, and several diverse districts. Whether you want to walk the famous Golden Gate Bridge, ferry over to the infamous Alcatraz Island or visit the SF MOMA with its incredible collection of more than 30,000 pieces of art, San Francisco offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
San Francisco is also a great push-off point for a Californian RV adventure. Heading east will take you towards the wondrous Yosemite National Park with it's amazing landscapes and natural beauty. Head south and have the opportunity to visit Napa Valley (wine country) on your way down the West Coast Highway towards another iconic city - Los Angeles.
Day 1 | Arrive in San Francisco, the "City by the Bay" for a two night hotel stay
This very walk-able city is dotted with landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz and the largest Chinatown in the United States. A stroll of the City’s streets can lead from Union Square to North Beach to Fisherman’s Wharf, with intriguing neighbourhoods to explore at every turn. Why not take a boat across the bay to Sausalito and get a great view of the city from one of the many waterfront cafes and bars. Other sightseeing alternatives are Segway tours or bicycle tours.
San Francisco
Day 3 | Collect your RV and head south to the Monterey area, approx. 110 miles
Stay two nights the Monterey area.
Discover this part of the coast from Monterey’s Cannery Row and world class aquarium to Carmel’s unique galleries, historic mission and small sandy coves. Point Lobos State Natural Preserve, located three miles south of Carmel, offers hiking trails and areas for enjoying the unique natural beauty of the rugged coastline. Point Lobos is a popular site for nature photographers and artists. Enjoy lunch or dinner at Rocky Point Restaurant located 10 miles south of Carmel, between Carmel and Big Sur, with beautiful views of the sea and shore. You may enjoy whale spouting, sea otters, and pelicans.
Monterey
Day 5 | Head south down Highway 1 and enjoy the stunning Big Sur coastline, on your way to Cambria, approx. 100 miles.
Stay two nights in the Cambria area.
There are plenty of photo-opportunities en-route and places to pull over and admire the view. Stop at Hearst Castle, a unique complex perched on the coastal hills. Walk or simply relax on the uncrowded and unspoilt sands at Moonstone Beach, or see the elephant seals basking in the sun at the Piedras Blancas Rookery. From Cambria you can also visit San Luis Obispo, with its historic mission, world famous Thursday night Farmers Market and museums and galleries. Take a walking food tour of San Luis Obispo, a kayak tour of Morro Bay or learn to surf at Pismo Beach.
Big Sur Coastline
Day 7 | Drive to Los Angeles, approx. 220 miles
Stay three nights in the LA area.
Discover the different neighbourhoods associated with the LA lifestyle, including hip and trendy West Hollywood (or WeHo if you’re in the know!), glamorous Beverly Hills and the beach cities of Santa Monica, Venice and Marina del Ray. Stroll along the Walk of Fame in Hollywood and visit Graumann’s Chinese Theatre. Head into the Hollywood Hills to get a closer glimpse of the sign, or take a tour of the movie stars homes. You can ‘ride the movies’ at Universal Studios, or visit the original Disneyland in Anaheim and its’ newer neighbour Disney’s California Adventure.
Los Angeles
Day 10 | Drive to Sequoia National Park, approx. 205 miles
Stay two nights in the Sequoia National Park area.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks sit side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada, and they are home to the giant redwoods. The entire landscape testifies to nature's size, beauty, and diversity - huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world's largest trees.
The extreme elevations within the park mean that conditions and activities can vary between areas. Spring gradually moves up in elevation, beginning in late January or early February in the lower Foothills, and lasting until July in the High Sierra. By May, the Foothills are rapidly moving into summer.
Redwoods
Day 12 | Drive to Yosemite National Park, approx. 140 miles
Stay three nights in the Yosemite area.
Take in the wonders of Yosemite National Park, either by joining a ranger-led programme, hiking a trail, or meandering along one of driving loops – all allow you to get the most out of your visit. Yosemite experiences all four seasons, with pristine snowy winters, vibrant spring flowers, long hot summer days, and cool crisp autumns. No matter when you visit you are sure to be stunned by the scenery and the natural beauty of this popular national park.
Yosemite National Park
Day 15 | Return to San Francisco, approx. 190 miles
Drop off your RV before heading to the airport for your flight home.
San Francisco