Overview

This 13-night Pacific Coast Highway Self Drive includes your flights from the UK to San Francisco and San Diego back to the UK; an arrival transfer; ten days’ car hire; and 13 nights’ hotel accommodation - comprising three nights in San Francisco, two nights in Monterey, one night in San Luis Obispo, one night in Santa Barbara, three nights in Los Angeles, and three nights in San Diego. 

To start your trip you’ll spend the first three nights in San Francisco at Handlery Union Square. A 2-day Multi-Pass is included that grants you admission to 28 different attractions across the city. Top attractions include: Hop-On/Off Sightseeing Tour (24 hour ticket), Aquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Exploratorium, Golden Gate Bay Cruise, Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise, Bay City Bike Rental and Tour, Escape from the Rock, Wine Country Tour and Tastings, and de Young Museum.

Next, you’ll pick up your hire car and drive to the coastal city of Monterey where you’ll spend two nights at Hilton Garden Inn Monterey. Perhaps visit The Monterey Bay Aquarium, explore Old Fisherman’s Wharf, book a whale-watching trip, or visiit a choice of beautiful beaches. You’ll then drive to San Luis Obispo and spend one night at Rose Garden Inn. Perhaps visit one of the local wineries before continuing your journey to Santa Barbara for one night, staying at Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara. Highlights in Santa Barbara include El Presidio de Santa Barbara Historic Park and the 18th century Santa Barbara Mission. 

The next three nights will be spent in Los Angeles at the BLVD Hotel & Suites and you have two sightseeing tours included. The Open-Top LA bus tour will take you to over 50 of Los Angeles’ most popular sights, while the Hollywood Star Track Tour will let you see where some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities live. You will then continue your drive along the coast and spend your final three nights in San Diego at Handlery Hotel San Diego. There’s lots to see and do in San Diego so make use of your included 2-day Old Town Trolley Platinum Pass and hop on and off at key attractions, shops, and restaurants. Popular stops include Old Town Market, Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Coronado.

Full Itinerary

3 Nights - Handlery Union Square, San Francisco

Your Pacific Coast Highway Self Drive adventure starts with your flight from the UK to San Francisco. On arrival, a private transfer will take you to Handlery Union Square for a three-night room-only stay. Situated in the heart of Union Square, this family-run hotel has been a long-standing favourite with many visitors to San Francisco due to its high standard of service and relaxed, friendly atmosphere. You will be just steps away from the many shops and restaurants of Union Square, and within easy reach of popular Fisherman’s Wharf. 

The facilities at Handlery Union Square include: restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre, Wi-Fi, courtyard sundeck, sauna, concierge, laundry services, and room service. 

The Daily Grill Restaurant serves up fresh California comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy dishes like meatloaf and chicken pot pie or sip on happy hour cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. Room service is also available. 
The hotel boasts 377 warm and inviting guest rooms across ten categories, ranging from Petite Room to Rooftop Garden Suite. Petite Rooms are kitted out with one full bed, flat-screen television, complimentary Wi-Fi access, a workspace with ergonomic desk chair, coffee making facilities, mini fridge, safe, and multiple USB outlets.

Enjoy free time in San Francisco with an included 2-day Multi-Pass that grants you admission to 28 different attractions across the city. Top attractions include: Hop-On/Off Sightseeing Tour (24 hour ticket), Aquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Exploratorium, Golden Gate Bay Cruise, Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise, Bay City Bike Rental and Tour, Escape from the Rock, Wine Country Tour and Tastings, and de Young Museum.   
 

2 Nights - Hilton Garden Inn Monterey, Monterey

Pick up your hire car at the end of your stay in San Francisco and drive to Monterey where you’ll check into Hilton Garden Inn Monterey for a two-night room-only stay. Hilton Garden Inn Monterey boasts an excellent location just off Highway 1. The hotel offers spacious guest rooms and all the facilities you could need for a comfortable stay, while being close to many of Monterey’s top attractions, including The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Wharf for whale-watching trips, and a choice of beautiful beaches. 

Hotel facilities include: restaurant, bar, complimentary Wi-Fi access, laundry, gift shop, snack shop, fitness room, swimming pool, and bicycle rental.

The Pacific Grille restaurant serves a hearty buffet breakfast including made-to-order eggs, potatoes, bacon, ham, and sausage. In the evenings at Pacific Grille you can dine on coastal California-inspired meals including sustainable fresh fish. 

Hilton Garden Inn Monterey features 204 guest rooms across more than ten categories, ranging from Standard to Bi-Level Suite with Large Patio. Standard Rooms feature either one king or two queen beds, flat-screen television, work space, microwave, mini fridge, Keurig coffee machine, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and hairdryer. 

1 Night - Rose Garden Inn, San Luis Obispo

Drive from Monterey to San Luis Obispo where you’ll check into Rose Garden Inn for a one-night room-only stay. Rose Garden Inn is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens which feature a large swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. Guest rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated, and well-equipped with all of the amenities you will need during your stay. 

Facilities at Rose Garden Inn include: outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, picnic area, complimentary Wi-Fi access, laundry service, concierge, and parking.

Rose Garden Inn features 64 Standard Rooms, including accessible rooms. Standard Rooms feature: one king, two double, or two queen beds; complimentary Wi-Fi access; tea/coffee making facilities; microwave; mini fridge; hairdryer; and flat-screen television.  

1 Night - Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

Drive from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara and check into Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara for a one-night stay with breakfast included. Nestled amidst lush gardens, a fresh-water lagoon, and colourful koi ponds, Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara enjoys an excellent location just off the Pacific Coast Highway. Nearby attractions include El Presidio de Santa Barbara Historic Park and the 18th century Santa Barbara Mission.

Facilities at Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara include: outdoor pool, buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, fitness centre, and parking. 

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara features 126 comfortable guest rooms across five categories, ranging from Standard Queen/King to One-Bedroom Suites. Standard Room features include: complimentary Wi-Fi access, flat-screen television with premium cable, microwave, mini fridge, safe, and iron and ironing board.

3 Nights - BLVD Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles

Drive from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles where you’ll check into BLVD Hotel & Suites for a three-night room-only stay. The BLVD Hotel & Suites is a boutique hotel in the heart of Hollywood, just minutes from the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios Hollywood. The hotel offers an array of modern amenities and California-cool characteristics.

The hotel facilities include: snack bar, bar/lounge, outdoor pool, complimentary Wi-Fi access, concierge, and parking (charge).

You’ll find a great selection of restaurants, cafés, and bars in the areas surrounding the hotel. The on-site Archive Lounge is an intimate space offering famous cocktails from iconic films throughout the decades. Enjoy Marilyn Monroe's historic Manhattan or James Bond's iconic Vesper.  

The hotel offers 42 guest rooms across four categories, including Standard Rooms, Junior Suites, BLVD Suites, and BLVD Family Suites. Standard Rooms feature: either one king or two queen beds, ergonomic work space, flat-screen television, complimentary Wi-Fi access, mini fridge, microwave, hairdryer, air-conditioning, and coffee maker.

You will have plenty of free time to explore Los Angeles and two sightseeing tours are included during your stay. An Open-Top LA tour is a unique and fun bus tour that takes to you to over 50 of Los Angeles’ most popular sights, including Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip, and the Hollywood sign. The Hollywood Star Track Tour takes you on a tour to the homes of the rich and famous, including Tom Cruise, Justin Bieber, and David Beckham.

3 Nights - Handlery Hotel San Diego, San Diego

Drive from Los Angeles to San Diego where you'll check into Handlery Hotel San Diego for a three-night room-only stay. This friendly, boutique hotel is the ideal Southern California retreat, conveniently located for accessing San Diego’s best attractions, including Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and Old Town. 

The facilities at Handlery Hotel San Diego include: restaurant; poolside bar and casual dining; complimentary Wi-Fi access; swimming pool; fitness centre; and parking (charge).

Just off of the main hotel lobby, Postcards American Bistro serves classic American dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dine in the restaurant’s relaxed ambience or enjoy meals in your room with room service available 07:00-21:00. The Tiki-style Reef Lounge Poolside Bar & Grill is open seasonally for casual dining and delicious cocktails.

 
The hotel boasts 217 contemporary guest rooms across five categories, including King/Double Traditional, King/Double Premier, and Double Accessible Rooms. King Traditional Rooms are kitted out with one king-size bed, flat-screen television, complimentary Wi-Fi access, air-conditioning, hairdryer, coffee making facilities, mini fridge, workspace with ergonomic chair, and safe.

Enjoy free time to explore San Diego. Make use of your included 2-day Old Town Trolley Platinum Pass to help you explore at your own pace and hop on and off at key attractions, shops, and restaurants. The friendly drivers narrate the San Diego tour with a fascinating and fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. Popular stops include Old Town Market, Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Coronado.