The PERFECT Coastal California Road Trip Itinerary | Where to Stay, What to Do | See CA in 1 Week

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DAY 1----------------------
TRAVEL DAY TO TRINIDAD
STAY: Trinidad Bay B&B https://trinidadbaybnb.com/

DAY 2 -------------------------
FULL DAY IN TRINIDAD
Breakfast at B+B
Walk around Trinidad Head, see the light house + pier
Shop around small boutiques
Coffee: Beachcomber https://www.beachcombercafetrinidad.com/
Lunch: Trinidad Bay Eatery (Michel Score: 8/10. Cute diner vibes, gluten-friendly) https://trinidadeatery.com/
Hike: Redwoods - Karl Knapp Trail https://www.rexby.com/Smilkos_Lens/tt...
Dinner: Moonstone Grill (Michel Score: 8/10. Beautiful views, good food, a little pricy) https://www.moonstonegrill.com
STAY: Trinidad Bay B+B https://trinidadbaybnb.com/

DAY 3---------------------------
Drive south towards Sea Ranch (total ~5 hrs)
Stop at Founders Grove, hour south of Trinidad, easy hike (more of a walk) https://www.redwoodhikes.com/Humboldt...
Go to Drive-Thru tree ($15 entry) https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing...
Drive 2 more hours to Cabrillo Point Lighthouse (my FAVORITE lighthouse) you can stay here too! https://pointcabrillo.org/
Dinner: Eat in Lobby at hotel bar (Michel score: 7/10. Simple menu, beautiful views)
STAY: Sea Ranch Lodge https://www.thesearanchlodge.com/

DAY 4-------------------
DAY OFF IN SEA RANCH
BREAKFAST: room service (Michel score: 9/10. Surprisingly fairly priced and no additional fees?)
Point Arena Lighthouse - $15 to walk to the top of the tallest west coast lighthouse https://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/
Other Activities: walk property, read next to fireplace, surf nearby
DINNER: Sea Ranch Lodge Dining Room (Michel Score: 7/10. Beautiful views, food was good but not great. Pretty pricy)
STAY: Sea Ranch Lodge https://www.thesearanchlodge.com/

DAY 5 -------------------------
DRIVE TO SAN FRAN
STOP 1: Point Reyes creamery (get the charcuterie boxes, taste free cheese, say hi to cows!) https://pointreyescheese.com/
STOP 2: Point Reyes Lighthouse https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reye...
STOP 3: Point Bonita Lighthouse
Check in to house boat in Mill Valley : https://bit.ly/4k35bg0
Walk around Mill Valley
Playa for dinner - bib gourmand taco Tuesday or happy hour daily 4-6 (Michel Score: 9/10) https://playamv.com/

DAY 6-------------------------
DRIVE TO CARMEL BY THE SEA
Drive through SF, see the Golden Gate Bridge
STOP 1: Fort Point lighthouse to get your iconic golden gate bridge pictures
STOP 2: ~Taco Bell cantina~ in Pacifica
STOP 3: Pigeon point lighthouse
STOP 4: See Santa Cruz
Dinner: Chez Noir (Score: 8/10. VERY pricy, great atmosphere and experience, most dishes were incredible with a couple let downs) https://www.cheznoircarmel.com/
STAY: Stilwell hotel (not sure if I recommend it for the price!) https://www.larkhotels.com/hotels/sti...

DAY 7 ------------------------
DRIVE TO BIG SUR (~1 hour)
HIKE HIKE HIKE (tons of trails starting at Big Sur Lodge - we did Pfeiffer Falls Trail to see waterfalls) https://bigsurlodge.com/
Tan Bark Trail to see sea otters (just do the lower half, west of the 1!) https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/ca...
SHOP: Phoenix - cute store w crazy view https://www.nepenthe.com/phoenix
LUNCH OR DINNER: Nepenthe https://www.nepenthe.com/reservations
FANCY DINNER OPTION: Sur House (Michel Score: 7/10. Spensy but nice. Would rather eat somewhere with views!) https://www.ventanabigsur.com/dining/...
Stay: DEETJENS https://www.deetjens.com/

DAY 8------------------------
DRIVE DAY TO SANTA BARBRA
BREAKFAST: Deetjen’s (Michel Score: 9/10. What a great and unique experience! Lots of gluten-friendly options)
STOP 1: Guadalupe Dunes https://www.countyofsb.org/868/Rancho...
STOP 2: San Louis Obispo - there is a coffee shop friends recommended called Scout https://scoutcoffeeco.com/
STOP 3: Walk around Solvang (Happy Hour at Hotel Lansby https://www.thelandsby.com/dining/menus/)
DINNER: Bibi Ji in Santa Barbra https://bibijisb.com/ (Michel Score: 8.5/10. Great for the price. Bib gourmand and natural wines!)
STAY: Drift Hotel Santa Barbra https://www.drifthotels.co/santabarbara

DAY 9---------------------------
DRIVE TO SAN DIEGO
Walk Santa Barbara Shops before leaving
STOP 1: Ventura - get coffee at Prospect https://www.prospectcoffee.com/
STOP 2: LA (Sugarfish for dinner!) https://sugarfishsushi.com/

TIME STAMPS:
0:00-1:25 MY RECS
1:25-4:11 day 1- travel day. Go to Trinidad Bay BnB!
4:11-7:23 day 2- exploring Trinidad
7:23-11:07 day 3- driving to Sea Ranch
11:07-12:16 day 4- exploring Sea Ranch
12:16-16:03 day 5- Mill Valley, outside of San Fransisco
16:03-19:30 day 6- Carmel by the Sea
19:30-23:22 day 7- Big Sur
23:22-26:33 day 8- Santa Barbara
26:33-29:21 day 9- back home to San Diego! go to all the spots!

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