A Californian road trip with friends, family or just the two of you. It’s fun guaranteed! And the best part is that you don’t need to spend all your savings on a holiday in California.

In this article you’ll find some tips on how to enjoy San Francisco and its surroundings based on our personal experience and we promise, you won’t end up broke!

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco has transformed a lot in the last decade(s). Silicon Valley is the playground for many technology start-ups and the city is listed amongst the most expensive to visit. However, this shouldn’t prevent you from planning a vacation to this vibrant city in California!

If you have a limited budget, you can easily visit the main touristic attractions in San Francisco in one day. The longer you stay, the more expensive your holidays will get.

How to get there

You can fly directly to SFO airport but, if you’re on a tight budget, check out flights to Oakland International Airport. Prices are considerably lower and Oakland’s airport is well connected to San Francisco by BART (train).

Where to stay in San Francisco/Oakland?

Consider staying at a hotel in Oakland, it will save you a lot of money. Again, you can take the BART to get to downtown San Francisco or even the ferry to get awesome views of the city. We stayed at the Oakland Marriott City Center Hotel which is conveniently located near a BART station and just a few minutes walking to local restaurants and stores. Some other options are Waterfront Hotel a Joie de Vivre Hotel, a retro nautical themed hotel which lies just a few steps from the ferry to San Francisco and Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel, with free shuttle to the BART station and Jack London Square. 

What else?

Oakland has long been overshadowed by its big sister across the Bay but it has so much to offer! Make sure to stop by and taste some fresh products at the Jack London Square Farmers Market before heading on the ferry (only on Sundays, from 11am-4pm). 

Once you arrive to the city, stretch your legs out and get on a bike! It’s an eco-friendly and fast way to move through many neighbourhoods, Golden Gate Park and up to the Golden Gate Bridge.

MORE THAN JUST THE CITY

California is much more than San Francisco! It has amazing national parks and is perfect for a short road trip – even with kids. Rent a car and discover California’s breathtaking nature!

Yosemite National Park is located at 3 hours by car from San Francisco and offers hikes for all fitness levels. Big Sur is a 2 hours and a half drive from the Bay Area and will blow you away with its seaside cliffs and views of the rocky coastline. Both Yosemite and Big Sur offer many luxury accommodation options but also lots of inexpensive campgrounds for backpackers. It’s a must for nature and sport lovers!

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK:

A few days of camping in Yosemite? If you’re traveling by plane, it might be a bit more complicated to carry all necessary camping materials. No worries, LowerGear has everything you need and they can drop it off at any US postal office.

Note: 2024 Reservation Requirement: 

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through October 27, 2024, for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:

• April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).
• July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.
• August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

Where to stay?

Below you will find a mix of budget-friendly as well as more upscale accommodation options for you to enjoy the best of California’s nature:

Many campgrounds used to operate on a first-come, first-served basis but recently a reservation system has been set up which helps manage congestion and ultimately provides a quality visitor experience. 

Tamarack Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat and is open from mid-June until mid-October (dates vary depending on the opening of the Tioga Road). Reservation for the campsite is available on a two-week rolling window on recreation.gov. You pay $24/night (no showers or water, only basic toilets).

PS: It can be very cold in the early morning (even in high summer) so pack something warm! I absolutely love my warm and super cozy hoody from Kühl. It’s great for outdoor trips like this one! 

Near the Hetch Hetchy entrance, in the northwestern part of Yosemite National Park, you find Evergreen Lodge, a rustic mountain resort that welcomes families and couples in its charming cabins. Another great and comfortable accommodation option is Rusk Creek Lodge, very close to the west entrance. Families will love the resort facilities and tours. In the heart of the national park you can find The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, an architectural masterpiece with spectacular views of the Yosemite Valley and the Half Dome.

Remember to contact us well in advance to book your accommodation for one of the above mentioned lodging options as rooms get sold out months before the start of the peak season!

What are the best hikes?

Difficult to say but we definitely loved these:

• Mirror Lake, Lower Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Fall and Cook’s Meadow are easy family hikes, even stroller friendly.
• Toulumne Grove Trail is a short and steadily downhill hike through thick woods all the way to the grove where you can discover the giant sequoias.
• A challenging day hike is the Clouds Rest Trail, where you can take in one of Yosemite’s most stunning and wide-ranging 360-degree panoramic views.

• Another recommended day hike is the John Muir Trail to the top of the Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.

• The most wanted hike is definitely the Half Dome. Make sure to get an advance permit for this one.

What else?

Since we left San Francisco early we didn’t get to a supermarket to buy all food and drinks for our Yosemite stay. So we ended up visiting the supermarket located in Yosemite Village and as you can imagine, prices were twice as expensive (same for gasoline). So try to stop by a mall to make all necessary purchases before entering the park.

BIG SUR

Big Sur is certainly a national treasure and a must for a California vacation! Highway 1 offers stunning coastal views and is the perfect way to explore California’s coast from Carmel to San Simeon. A gentle uphill drive will take you to the first viewpoint of Big Sur – don’t forget to take a picture of the world famous Bixby Bridge.

Where to stay?

Kirk Creek Campground is a wonderful campground and is conveniently located next to Highway 1 with amazing views. This is also a very popular campground and making a reservation well in advance is recommended. The host, Daniel, will be happy to help you and show you around. You pay $45/night (no showers or water, just a basic toilet).

Along the coast you will also find many boutique lodges and luxury properties like Ventana Big Sur, an adult-only luxury resort situated on a hillside overlooking Big Sur’s beautiful Pacific coastline. A great couples getaway! More up north, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Resort offers charming accommodation among pine groves on a cliff facing the ocean. For excellent views of Monterey Bay you need to stay at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.

What are the must-see beaches?

First of all, at the end of the Kirk Creek Campground there’s a small downhill path that brings you to an exclusive breathtaking beach. Only the camping visitors have access to this beach!

Pfeiffer Beach is a spectacular beach that stretches out far and is a great spot to watch sunset.

Sand Dollar Beach is another relaxing beach and if you’re lucky, you might be the only one wandering around.

What are the best hikes?

We got there in summer and due to fires, many hikes were closed to public but we recommend you the following ones:

• The East Molera Trail in Andrew Molera Park
• Tan Bark Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• Rocky Ridge Trail in Garrapata State Park

What else?

Drive along Highway 1 and when you hit San Simeon, check out on the elephant seals. Especially if you’re traveling with kids, they will love it!

Is California too expensive for a long holiday? No, but set priorities and discard any unnecessary expenses. San Francisco is a must see and will be your start or end point of the road trip but it’s a city where money easily rolls. Stay 1 night (or a few) in the city and then head to Yosemite and Big Sur to enjoy the beauty of nature at no cost.

PS: Now that most airlines charge for a carry-on bag, I highly recommend travelling light with this Kühl backpack. There are many compartments that make it very functional for a short adventure trip! 

Who are we?

Hey! My name is Sofie and I’m founder and travel planner at Your Way To Travel. I create tailor-made travel itineraries, based on your budget and preferences. I’ve been planning trips for more than 8 years now and would love to help you as well! 🙂 You can contact me at [email protected].