California Coast · 7 days

California

Self-drive route · free to read, day by day

days
7
km
990
stops
19
drive / day
1h 34m

Experience the ultimate California journey from the rugged cliffs of Big Sur to the ancient giants of Muir Woods, concluding with the granite peaks and waterfalls of Yosemite National Park on this iconic loop.

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Curated by Lance · drove it, filmed it

updated Oct 2026

Highlights

one per day

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in San Francisco · Carmel-by-the-Sea · Big Sur · Yosemite National Park — start in San Francisco, end in San Francisco.

What the in-car version adds

  • Tap-to-navigate, every stop

    Opens Google Maps or Apple Maps, in order.

  • Works with no signal

    Download the PDF once: every day, stop and drive time.

  • Your own trip to change

    Shorten it, swap stops or ask AI to adjust it.

  • Cost estimate

    Fuel, rental car and stays for this route.

  • What to book, and when

    Tours, ferries and stays that sell out.

Day by day

all free to read
DAY01

Golden Gate Bridge → Palace of Fine Arts

34 km · 22m driving · overnight in San Francisco

  1. 1Golden Gate Bridge
  2. 2⭐ Muir Woods National Monument
  3. 3Palace of Fine Arts
DAY02

Monterey → Carmel Mission Basilica Museum

184 km · 2h 6m driving · overnight in Carmel-by-the-Sea

  1. 1Monterey Bay Aquarium
  2. 2⭐ The Lone Cypress
  3. 3Carmel Mission Basilica Museum
DAY03

Bixby Creek Bridge → Pfeiffer Beach

80 km · 50m driving · overnight in Big Sur

  1. 1⭐ Bixby Creek Bridge
  2. 2McWay Falls
  3. 3Pfeiffer Beach
DAY04

San Luis Reservoir → Mariposa Grove

303 km · 3h 11m driving · overnight in Yosemite National Park

  1. 1San Luis Reservoir
  2. 2⭐ Mariposa Grove
DAY05

Tunnel View → El Capitan Meadow

43 km · 38m driving · overnight in Yosemite National Park

  1. 1⭐ Tunnel View
  2. 2Lower Yosemite Fall
  3. 3El Capitan Meadow
DAY06

Glacier Point → Tenaya Lake

25 km · 30m driving · overnight in Yosemite National Park

  1. 1⭐ Glacier Point
  2. 2Olmsted Point
  3. 3Tenaya Lake
DAY07

Ironstone Vineyards → Ferry Building

321 km · 3h 23m driving · end of trip

  1. 1Ironstone Vineyards
  2. 2⭐ Ferry Building

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Included

  • Tap-to-navigate for all 19 stops
  • Offline PDF for no-signal stretches
  • Unlimited AI edits for 30 days: days, stops, pace
  • Cost estimate: fuel, car and stays

Not included

  • Rental car
  • Accommodation
  • Fuel
  • Entry tickets and paid activities

Heads up

  • Yosemite National Park requires peak-hour reservations during busy seasons; book well in advance.
  • Check Highway 1 road conditions frequently as landslides can cause long-term closures in Big Sur.
  • Muir Woods requires parking or shuttle reservations before arrival.
  • Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close from November to May due to snow.

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Questions

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