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4-Day California Coast Road Trip

Skip the crowds. Find the wild.

Let’s be honest: the ultimate California coast road trip isn’t about rushing from one tourist trap to the next. It’s about discovering those wild stretches of Highway 1, waking up to foggy mornings, and scoring the best camping spots in California along the way. This 4-day, one-way highway 1 road trip skips the obvious and dives straight into the real deal: Cambria’s laid-back charm, the rugged drama of Big Sur, and Sonoma County’s famous wine country before you land in San Francisco. Whether you’re looking for classic California road trip ideas or just want to avoid rookie mistakes, this guide is your shortcut to an epic adventure.

Route: Los Angeles ➤ Cambria ➤ Big Sur ➤ Sonoma County ➤ San Francisco

Distance: Approx. 460 miles

Duration: 4 Days

Landmarks & Scenic Spots: Malibu Bluffs, Moonstone Beach, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach, Armstrong Redwoods, Golden Gate Bridge

Best Time to Travel: May to October

Tolls & Fees: Some bridges and highways require tolls. Plan with the official California toll system.

Stop 1: Los Angeles

Our recommendation: Morning pick-up

Kicking off your journey with an RV rental in Los Angeles sets the tone for the best road trips from Los Angeles—you’re chasing sunshine, good eats, and open highways. Load up your rig at a RV Rental in Los Angeles station, grab a breakfast burrito, and escape the gridlock as early as you can. If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend your first night, check out our guide to beautiful camping destinations near Los Angeles for the best local spots as you leave the city behind. Every mile north is a reminder of why road trips from LA are the ultimate reset: as the city fades, the coast and your next adventure come into focus.

Things to Do

Nature Highlights

  • Malibu Bluffs Park – Coastal views, hiking trails, and picnic spots with an ocean breeze.
  • Will Rogers State Historic Park – Wide-open lawns, easy trails, and classic LA canyon scenery.
  • El Matador Beach – Dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and a perfect first stop for tide pooling.

Local Culture

  • The Getty Center – Modern art, sculpture gardens, and killer city views. Free entry, parking fee.
  • Venice Beach Boardwalk – Iconic LA energy: murals, street performers, skate park, and local vendors.
  • Grand Central Market – Foodie paradise in a historic building—perfect for a pre-trip snack run.

Where to Eat

Quick Bites

  • Gjusta Bakery (vg, gf, df, af) – Trendy Venice bakery with sandwiches, pastries, and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
  • Leo’s Tacos Truck (gf) – Classic LA street tacos—fast, cheap, and always a line for a reason.
  • Sqirl (v, vg, gf) – Inventive Silver Lake café with salads, toasts, and house-made jams; vegetarian and gluten-free options labeled.

Sit-Down Restaurants

  • Republique (vg, gf, df) – Bustling French-inspired spot for California classics with vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free menu options.
  • Gracias Madre (vg, gf) – Stylish organic Mexican cuisine—100% plant-based with lots of gluten-free options.
  • Jon & Vinny’s (v, vg) – LA’s go-to for Italian-American comfort; vegetarian and vegan choices available, plus breakfast pizza.

Stop 2: Cambria

Our recommendation: 1 day

For a lot of travelers, Cambria is the hidden gem of any California coast road trip itinerary—a sleepy seaside town with just the right amount of old-school character. Here, you can unwind on Moonstone Beach, hunt for tide pools, and experience one of the best short trips from Los Angeles if you love quiet escapes. Pro tip: Cambria is a perfect overnight before you hit the most dramatic stretch of the coast.

Dramatic coastline at Cambria, California with a parked RV on the sand during sunset.

Things to Do

Nature Highlights

  • Moonstone Beach Boardwalk – Scenic coastal boardwalk with driftwood, wildflowers, and tide pools perfect for a sunset stroll.
  • Fiscalini Ranch Preserve – Oceanfront trails through native grasslands and dramatic bluffs—keep an eye out for migrating whales.
  • Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery – Watch elephant seals lounging, sparring, and sunbathing on the beach just north of town.

Local Culture

  • Nitt Witt Ridge – Quirky hillside folk art house built from recycled materials; tours available for a true Cambria oddity.
  • Cambria Historical Museum – Local history and vintage gardens set in a charming 1870s house.
  • Linn’s Fruit Bin Farmstore – Family-run spot for homemade jams and classic California olallieberry pie.

Where to Eat

Quick Bites

  • Linn’s Easy As Pie Café (v, gf) – Famous for its olallieberry pie and hearty, casual breakfasts with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
  • Cambria Coffee Roasting Company (vg, gf) – Laid-back spot for small-batch coffee, pastries, and plant-based milks.
  • Sandy’s Deli & Bakery (v, gf) – Grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and baked treats with veggie-friendly choices.

Sit-Down Restaurants

  • Robin’s Restaurant (vg, gf, df) – Cozy spot for global comfort food and seasonal local produce; extensive vegan and gluten-free menu.
  • Sea Chest Oyster Bar & Restaurant (gf) – Classic seafood and oysters with ocean views; gluten-free options available.
  • Madeline’s Restaurant & Wine Shop (v, gf) – Upscale bistro with Central Coast wines, fresh seafood, and clearly marked vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Stop 3: Big Sur

Our recommendation: 1 day

No Big Sur road trip is complete without losing track of time along misty cliffs and under ancient redwoods. This is the iconic part of the highway 1 road trip everyone talks about—the place where every pull-off is a postcard and every camping spot feels like a secret. Here, it’s all about living slow, soaking in the views, and letting nature call the shots.

big sur highway 1

Things to Do

Nature Highlights

  • McWay Falls – Iconic 80-foot waterfall plunging onto a secluded beach; one of California’s most photographed views.
  • Pfeiffer Beach – Famous for purple sand, wind-carved rocks, and dramatic sunsets; look for the photogenic “Keyhole Arch.”
  • Andrew Molera State Park – Wide open meadows, scenic bluff trails, and a wild, uncrowded beach perfect for a morning hike.

Local Culture

  • Henry Miller Memorial Library – Offbeat arts center and bookshop celebrating Big Sur’s literary history; hosts concerts and quirky events.
  • Big Sur River Inn General Store – Vintage roadside stop for local goods, Big Sur-made art, and a laid-back riverside vibe.
  • Coast Gallery Big Sur – Showcasing local artists, jewelry, ceramics, and unique souvenirs in a cliffside setting.

Where to Eat

Quick Bites

  • Big Sur Bakery (v, vg, gf) – Rustic bakery and café with wood-fired breads, pastries, and hearty breakfasts; vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
  • Big Sur Deli (v, gf) – Grab-and-go sandwiches, burritos, and snacks for a picnic on the coast; veggie and gluten-free options.
  • Ripplewood Resort Café (v, gf) – Classic diner fare and homemade pies in a redwood setting; vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

Sit-Down Restaurants

  • Nepenthe (vg, gf) – Legendary cliffside restaurant with sweeping ocean views, fresh salads, and vegan/gluten-free menu items.
  • Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn Restaurant (v, vg) – Historic dining room serving hearty American breakfasts and dinners; vegetarian and vegan options available.
  • Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn (gf, df) – Upscale destination for innovative Californian cuisine and an unbeatable panorama; gluten-free and dairy-free options marked.

Stop 4: Sonoma County

Our recommendation: 1 day

If you’re looking for California road trip ideas that blend rugged coastline with rolling vineyards, Sonoma County is your move. It’s more than wine—think giant redwoods, farm stands, and riverside camping spots you’ll wish you booked for longer. This region shows off just how much variety you get on a four-day California coastal highway road trip.

Lush Sonoma County vineyard in the golden hour, perfect for RV travelers exploring California wine country.

Things to Do

Nature Highlights

  • Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – Walk beneath ancient coastal redwoods on shaded, peaceful trails.
  • Bodega Bay – Rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and perfect spots for whale watching or flying a kite.
  • Russian River – Kayaking, canoeing, or swimming in a winding river surrounded by lush forest.

Local Culture

  • Healdsburg Plaza – Charming town square with boutiques, galleries, and weekend farmers’ markets.
  • Sebastopol’s The Barlow – Industrial-chic market district with local food, craft drinks, and art installations.
  • Charles M. Schulz Museum – Dedicated to the creator of Peanuts; comic strips, fun exhibits, and Snoopy nostalgia for all ages.

Where to Eat

Quick Bites

  • Wild Flour Bread (v, vg) – Wood-fired bakery with legendary sticky buns and organic loaves; plenty of vegan options.
  • Estero Café (v, gf) – Classic roadside café in Valley Ford with farm-fresh breakfasts and gluten-free choices.
  • Big Bottom Market (v, vg, gf) – Healdsburg’s favorite for biscuit sandwiches, soups, and local treats with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Sit-Down Restaurants

  • The Girl & The Fig (vg, gf) – Lively Sonoma bistro serving French-inspired California fare with vegan and gluten-free menus.
  • Backyard (v, vg, gf) – Forestville favorite for locally sourced American comfort food; vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
  • Valette (gf, df) – Upscale farm-to-table experience in Healdsburg; many gluten-free and dairy-free dishes clearly labeled.

Stop 5: San Francisco (End Point)

Our recommendation: Half day

There’s something unforgettable about rolling into San Francisco after conquering the 4-day California coast road trip—the Golden Gate rising from the fog, city lights reflecting on the bay, and the energy of your trip’s grand finale. Before you hand over your keys at the RV Rental in San Francisco station, soak up every last minute. And if you want to spend one more night under the Bay Area sky, our guide to camping near San Francisco highlights the best local spots to end your adventure in style.

Grey RV parked at a lookout where a man is sitting on a bench overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Things to Do

Nature Highlights

  • Golden Gate Park – Expansive city park with gardens, trails, and lakes perfect for strolling, biking, or a sunny picnic.
  • Lands End Trail – Coastal trail with dramatic cliffs, wildflowers, and postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Crissy Field – Waterfront green space with walking paths, kite surfers, and unbeatable bay and bridge views.

Local Culture

  • Ferry Building Marketplace – Historic waterfront terminal packed with artisan food stalls, bakeries, and local goods.
  • Mission District Murals – Stroll alleyways filled with colorful street art and a vibrant local vibe.
  • California Academy of Sciences – World-class science museum with an aquarium, rainforest dome, and planetarium under one roof.

Where to Eat

Quick Bites

  • Tartine Bakery (v, vg) – Legendary bakery with world-famous bread, pastries, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan treats.
  • La Taqueria (gf) – Mission classic for crave-worthy tacos and burritos; gluten-free options available.
  • The Plant Café Organic (vg, gf, df) – Waterfront café for healthy bowls, fresh juices, and plant-based choices galore.

Sit-Down Restaurants

  • Greens Restaurant (vg, gf) – Iconic vegetarian eatery at Fort Mason with sweeping bay views and lots of gluten-free options.
  • Foreign Cinema (v, gf, df) – Trendy spot serving Californian-Mediterranean fare in a quirky, movie-screening courtyard; vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free dishes.
  • Scoma’s (gf) – Classic Fisherman’s Wharf seafood house for Dungeness crab and sourdough, with gluten-free selections.

Travel Tips for Your California Coast RV Road Trip

  • Essentials: Bring layers for changing weather, sturdy shoes, sun protection, reusable water bottle, and a first aid kit.
  • Navigation: Download offline maps—cell service can be spotty along Highway 1.
  • Reservations: Book your camping spots early, especially for summer weekends.
  • Full Checklist: See our RV camping essentials list.

  • Traffic Laws: Right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless posted otherwise. Four-way stops are first come, first served—use hand signals if unsure.
  • Toll Roads: Some bridges and highways require tolls. Plan with the official California toll system.
  • Unlimited Miles: Take every detour—your roadsurfer RV rental includes unlimited miles.

Camper Van Driving Over Bridge

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