Highway 1 • Half Moon Bay • Big Sur • Carmel • Yosemite
April 22 – 26, 2026 | 4 nights | Maximum Ocean TimeGrab bags and head to the Rental Car Center (AirTrain Blue Line from any terminal — runs 24hrs).
SFO Rental Car Center, 780 N. McDonnell Rd. Avis, Budget, and Hertz have 24-hour pickup counters. Grab the car now so you're ready to hit the road first thing in the morning — no waiting!
~5 min drive from the Rental Car Center. Park, crash, sleep!
Eat in the city before hitting the coast. Picks:
Skip SF, drive straight to the ocean (~15 min from SFO) and eat there:
Right next to Pedro Point — grab coffee + pastries, then walk straight to the overlook.
45 minFirst ocean stop! Dramatic headlands with panoramic Pacific views. Short trail along the bluffs. If you had breakfast at Soul Grind, you're already here.
20 minFamous big-wave surf spot. Dramatic rocky coastline at Pillar Point even without giant waves.
15 minOne of the tallest lighthouses on the West Coast (115 ft). Bluff trail, tide pools at Whaler's Cove.
25 minDramatic coastal bluffs, tidepools, and the Pescadero Marsh wildlife preserve.
20 minNorthern elephant seal colony! In April you can still see seals on the beach. Short walk to the viewing area.
30 minHidden cove with a shark-fin-shaped rock. Short trail down to the beach. One of the most photogenic spots on Highway 1.
20 minFamous natural rock arch in the ocean. Tidepools and butterfly habitat. Just before you enter Santa Cruz.
20 minWalk the boardwalk, see the Giant Dipper roller coaster and the beach. Quick photo stop.
20 minBeautiful drive along Monterey Bay. Look for sea otters at Moss Landing from the highway bridge!
~45 minFamous waterfront. Sea otters, sea lions, pelicans. Shopping and people-watching.
30 minStunning rocky point with turquoise water. One of the most beautiful free spots on the peninsula.
20 minWild, windswept beach with white sand dunes and crashing waves. Golden-hour boardwalk walk.
25 minMonterey area. Freshen up for dinner.
Enter at Pacific Grove gate. Stops: Bird Rock, Cypress Point, The Lone Cypress, Ghost Tree, Pescadero Point, Pebble Beach.
Fee: $12.25/car
50 minDramatic rocky outcrop at the southern tip of 17-Mile Drive. Stunning views of Carmel Bay and the open ocean.
10 minStorybook village — no street addresses! Walk Ocean Avenue, galleries, boutiques. Walk to Carmel Beach — white sand, turquoise water.
40 min"Crown jewel of the State Park System." Sea Lion Point Trail — dramatic cliffs, turquoise coves, wildlife.
35 minThe most scenic stretch of Highway 1 in the world. Drive slowly, pull over at turnouts.
Restaurant is closed, but the cliff-edge viewpoint is still stunning. Pull over for photos of the dramatic coastline.
10 minTHE iconic Big Sur photo. 714-foot arch bridge over a deep canyon. Dirt lot on the north side for the classic shot.
20 minDramatic volcanic rock with historic lighthouse. Photo from the Hwy 1 pullout.
10 minCraft beer, burgers, tacos, and pub food in a casual outdoor setting. Great midday refuel.
40 minHidden purple-sand beach with Keyhole Arch. Take Sycamore Canyon Road (unmarked! only ungated road on the right between ranger station and post office).
25 minFamous cliffside terrace 800 ft above the Pacific. Cocktails and the legendary Ambrosia Burger. Even just a drink here is unforgettable.
30 minTHE Big Sur money shot: 80-foot waterfall onto a pristine beach cove. Short 0.6-mile paved trail.
25 minGorgeous rugged coastal wilderness south of Big Sur. Drive a bit further for dramatic remote coastline views. This is as far south as you'll go.
15 minEnjoy the sunset over the Pacific on the return. Different angle, totally different magic.
~1 hr 15 minQuick refresh before dinner.
CA-1 N → CA-156 E → US-101 S → CA-152 E → CA-99 N → CA-140 E. The CA-140 route follows the Merced River — the most scenic entrance.
~4–4.5 hrs with stopsOutstanding local coffee and pastries. Fill up gas here too (way cheaper than inside the park!).
20 minEntrance fee: $35/car (valid 7 days). Non-U.S. residents may pay additional fee — check nps.gov/yose.
THE classic panorama: El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, entire valley.
15 minEasy 0.5-mile round trip to the 620-foot waterfall base. April = peak flow. You WILL get misty!
30 minNeck-craning view of the 3,000-ft granite monolith. Look for climbers on the wall!
20 minEasy 1-mile loop to the base of North America's tallest waterfall (2,425 ft). Thundering in late April with snowmelt.
45 minYour saved pin! Beautiful riverside spot to watch golden-hour light hit the valley walls.
20 minGentle 1-mile flat loop with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Royal Arches. Sunset here is magical.
30 minHead out of the valley. El Portal (~30 min) or Mariposa (~45 min).
Hotel continental breakfast or pastries grabbed the night before. Get moving — the valley is magical at dawn.
20 minPark pass still valid. No line this early.
30–45 minEasy 1-mile loop. Best experienced early before crowds. Thundering with snowmelt in late April.
45 minYour saved pin! Easy-moderate 5-mile loop (or 2-mile out-and-back). In late April the lake reflects Half Dome — one of the most photographed views in the park.
1.5–2 hrsYour saved pin! Moderate 2-mile round trip, 1,000 ft gain. Incredible view of Upper Yosemite Fall and valley. Only if feeling energetic.
1–1.5 hrsDeli sandwiches from Village Store — perfect road food. Quick, easy, filling.
20 minCA-140 W → CA-99 S → I-580 W → I-80 W. ~4 hours. Gas/bathroom stop in Oakdale or Manteca.
~4 hrsSFO Rental Car Center. Drop off, AirTrain to terminal.
SFO has great food — Napa Farms Market (Terminal 2), or find a sit-down spot. Plenty of time.
1 hrUntil next time, California!
SFO Rental Car Center. AirTrain Blue Line (runs 24hrs). Pick up the car when you land so you're ready to go in the morning. Avis, Budget, Hertz have 24-hour counters. ~4 day rental.
Crash pad — you land at midnight, out by 7:30 AM.
Same place 2 nights — central for coastal drive and Big Sur.
Stay close for an early morning in the park.
Flights & car rental excluded (booked separately).
| Category | Total (4 ppl) | Per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas (~620 miles) | $120–$160 | $30–$40 | ~$5/gal. Fill up Monterey & Mariposa, NOT Big Sur |
| Night 1 — Ramada SFO | $139 | $35 | 1 room, 1 night |
| Night 2+3 — Monterey (2 nights) | $290–$500 | $73–$125 | Hotel or Airbnb x 2 nights |
| Night 4 — Near Yosemite | $189–$389 | $47–$97 | Lodge or hotel |
| Food (all meals, 4 days) | $400–$600 | $100–$150 | Mix of nice dinners + casual |
| Park Fees & Tolls | $50 | $13 | Yosemite $35 + 17-Mile $12.25 |
| Ubers (Night 1 + misc) | $40–$80 | $10–$20 | SFO to hotel + backup |
| TOTAL (excl. flights & car) | $1,230–$1,920 | $308–$480 | Per person for the full trip |