California. Part 1. San Francisco, Pacific Coast Highway 1, and Santa Barbara. Aug, 2022.

This trip turned out to be beautiful, vibrant, active, and incredibly memorable. From San Francisco and the iconic Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, every stop offered something unique and unforgettable.

But let’s start at the beginning. Our journey began in San Francisco before we set off along the famous California State Route 1, better known as Highway 1. Stretching for nearly 1,000 kilometers along the Pacific coast, it is widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The most spectacular section lies between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is known as Big Sur. We were fortunate to travel this breathtaking route and experience its stunning landscapes firsthand: endless ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and charming coastal towns. Along the way, we also saw elephant seals in the wild for the very first time—a truly unforgettable sight

Day 1

The direct flight from Toronto to San Francisco takes just over five hours. Upon arrival, we checked the price of an Uber and were quite surprised. Uber was quickly ruled out, and instead we began our introduction to the city's public transportation system.

At the airport, we purchased Clipper cards ($3 each) from a ticket machine and loaded them with fare for the BART train to downtown San Francisco (about $10 per person). We had booked a room at the Chancellor Hotel, conveniently located near Union Square. This central location makes it easy to reach many of the city’s most popular attractions. For tourists, renting a car in San Francisco is often more trouble than it is worth. Parking can be difficult and expensive, while the city’s public transportation network is extensive and easy to use.

Before arriving, we had heard plenty of stories about the city’s homeless population and were somewhat concerned. This is a common issue in many prosperous and warm-climate regions of the United States. To our surprise, however, we encountered very few homeless people during our trip. Perhaps local authorities had taken measures to address the issue, but at least in the main tourist areas, it was rare to come across more than an occasional individual.

After leaving the train station and making sure we were heading in the right direction, we walked toward our hotel accompanied by the sounds of street musicians performing nearby. Almost immediately, we spotted one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks: the historic Cable Car.

The first cable car line opened in 1873. Unlike a traditional streetcar, it operates using a continuously moving steel cable running beneath the street, which pulls the car along its route. Riding a cable car is a unique experience, especially when standing on the outside running board and taking in the views of the city’s steep hills and colorful neighborhoods. A one-way ride costs $8, and long lines are common at the most popular stops. Later, I’ll share a tip on how to ride a cable car without waiting in line—and without paying a fare!

For the rest of the day, we decided to take it easy and recover from the flight. In the evening, we went for a short walk around Union Square, the heart of downtown San Francisco. Originally developed in the 19th century, Union Square is surrounded by luxury boutiques, department stores, hotels, restaurants, and cafés, making it one of the city's most vibrant and popular gathering places.

One thing that immediately stood out to us was the weather. Even in August, the evening was surprisingly cold, windy, and much cooler than we had expected

Day 2

As we stepped out of the hotel in the morning, we quickly realized that it was still quite chilly. I knew that the average August temperature in San Francisco is around 20°C (68°F), but I hadn't expected the strong, cold wind. Many people were wearing warm sweaters, and some were even bundled up in jackets and beanies. San Francisco is famous for its unpredictable weather. Despite being located in sunny California, the city has a unique climate influenced by the Pacific Ocean and its frequent fog. It does warm up a bit during the day, but the wind is almost always present.

Looking ahead, I can already say that we absolutely loved San Francisco! The architecture, the incredible parks, and the breathtaking views made a lasting impression on us. There is something about the city that feels incredibly welcoming—as if it would be a wonderful place to live. If only it weren't for the constant wind!

Our plan for the day was to head toward the ocean. However, just a ten-minute walk from our hotel, we found ourselves in one of the city's most famous neighborhoods: Chinatown. San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in North America and one of the largest Chinese communities outside of Asia. Walking through its streets feels like stepping into another world, with colorful lanterns, traditional architecture, bustling markets, and countless restaurants filling the neighborhood with energy and character

We turn down one of the small side streets to visit a factory where fortune cookies were first created. The factory has been operating for 59 years. Here are all the different kinds of cookies made here 

We were offered a tasting and shown the production process 

We continue walking and see the Transamerica Pyramid, one of San Francisco’s most recognizable skyscrapers, standing 260 meters tall. Then we reach the Ferry Building, the city’s former ferry terminal. Ferries still depart from here, and inside there are cafés and small shops

Then we take a tram to one of the most memorable places in the city — Pier 39.

From this point, we start using the MUNI public transport pass, which includes buses and city trams. If you download the app, a day pass costs only $5, and for children under 18, public transport was free that summer.

We get off near Pier 39 and immediately see a huge line of people. Many of them are waiting to go on a cruise ship, while we head toward the waterfront to see the famous sea lions

They have taken over this pier. The boats had to move aside, and the sea lions have unofficially — but very comfortably — settled on the dock 

Watching them is so much fun! 

The pier itself is very pleasant for a walk, and there are also attractions and a carousel 

And of course, you have to try clam chowder. At the Boudin restaurant, it is served in a bread bowl. Here, you can also buy fresh baked bread in different interesting shapes and varieties 

We continue walking and arrive at the Musée Mécanique, a museum of vintage arcade machines from the 1920s–1930s. All the machines are still in working order, and you can actually play them for just 25 cents

We continue walking along the waterfront and arrive at Fisherman’s Wharf, a lively fishing pier area filled with restaurants and shops. The views here are absolutely beautiful 

We head toward the delicious Ghirardelli Square, known for its famous chocolate. This is how beautifully we are welcomed 

Everything here is dedicated to His Majesty—chocolate 

After a sweet break, we continue our journey toward the most winding street in the city. We hear goats bleating and see this scene 

We are not having it easy. We have to climb a very steep street. It’s not that the house is crooked—the street itself is built at a sharp angle. This is how I captured it… Sigh, I really should do more sports! 

We made it! An absolute San Francisco landmark — Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the world.

It is located in the Russian Hill neighborhood. In the first half of the 20th century, immigrants from the Russian Empire settled here. The area is clean, scenic, with beautiful houses and bright flowers everywhere. Cars carefully and slowly make their way down the winding street, while tired visitors walk down more energetically. It’s definitely easier going downhill than uphill:) The surrounding streets are just as steep and slanted

We take a bus and head to a new and very beautiful place — the Palace of Fine Arts. The Palace of Fine Arts was built in 1915 and was later demolished and rebuilt using more durable materials. It is a very pleasant area to walk around, with peaceful surroundings and stunning architecture

Not far away, we reach one of the city’s most iconic landmarks—the Golden Gate Bridge. This suspension bridge was built in 1937 and is 2,737 meters long. To enjoy the sunset view of the bridge, we head to the Golden Gate Promenade, a scenic waterfront walking area along the bay

Day 3

This day was much more relaxed.

We went to the Haight-Ashbury area, and near Alamo Square there is a small city park where you can enjoy one of San Francisco’s most iconic sights — Victorian-style “doll houses.” They are called the Painted Ladies or the Six Sisters. During the 1906 earthquake, all the houses in the area were destroyed, except for these ones

We continue to the huge (8-hectare) urban park — Golden Gate Park. The park is very well maintained and includes museums, an aquarium, lakes, and many gardens. It feels peaceful and calm, almost like a quiet escape from the city.

We enter the de Young Museum, where you can go up to the observation deck (free of charge) to check your connection and enjoy the view

We had planned to visit the famous Japanese Tea Garden (entry $13), but it turned out to be the second Tuesday of the month, so entry to the Botanical Garden was free instead. The gardens are divided into different sections featuring plants from various countries. There were far more plants than flowers, so the park didn’t make a strong impression on us.

But the highlight feeding the squirrels

Residents of the city are really lucky. They have such beautiful and convenient parks for walking. By the way, you can move around the huge park area using a free shuttle bus. 

We take the bus and head back to the famous bridge to see it during the day. The best place to do this is from the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre.

After that, we go to one interesting spot I promised to mention earlier—the cable car parking area. It is located at the intersection of Taylor St. and Francisco St. There are usually several cable cars parked there, and you can step inside for free, sit down, and take photos

In the evening, we take another walk through Chinatown. We also try a new type of ice cream for us. It is made right on a frozen metal plate: cream and different flavors are poured in (we had chocolate), and then it is rolled into delicious little ice cream rolls 

And so our introduction to San Francisco comes to an end. In the morning, we will continue our journey along one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It is best to drive this route from San Francisco toward Los Angeles, rather than the other way around. This way, the ocean stays on your right side, and it is easier to stop at the many viewpoints along the coast. That is why we began our trip in San Francisco.

Day 4

From our hotel, we take an Uber to Oakland, a suburb of San Francisco. It was much cheaper to rent a car there. From there, we set off toward the scenic coastal drive.

Our next overnight stop was planned in the well-known city of Santa Barbara, and the nonstop drive would normally take 6+ hours. However, since we planned to make many stops along the way, we left early in the morning—and our 6+ hour drive gradually turned into almost 11 hours.

I had studied the route in advance and marked the most beautiful viewpoints where it was worth stopping. In fact, these spots are easy to find, usually marked by clusters of cars and people visible from the road. Along the highway there are also pullouts where you can safely park, get out of the car, and enjoy the views.

These are the views from those stops

Our next stop is a viewpoint overlooking the Bixby Creek Bridge. The bridge was built in 1932 and is 279 meters high. It is best seen from the Castle Rock viewpoint.

While dad is taking photos of the scenery, the daughter is feeding the squirrels

And mom is capturing it all on video 

We continue driving. It is unbelievably beautiful here 

On a long stretch of the road, mobile signal disappears completely. So it’s best to enter the full route into GPS in advance. It’s also wise to refuel early, as gas stations won’t appear for quite a while. Guardrails are missing in many sections of the highway. And while it probably goes without saying, you really do need to drive carefully here—one mistake on a winding road like this could send a car straight toward the ocean. The water is very cold, and there is little to no rescue support in these remote areas.

We keep driving...

The highlight of the day is the stop at Elephant Seal Vista Point. This is where we saw elephant seals for the very first time in our lives.

They are enormous seals with noses that look like short trunks. They lie around in groups, making deep, guttural sounds, swimming, moving in a funny, clumsy way, trying to scare each other, and occasionally throwing sand over themselves — probably to stay warm

Santa Barbara is already close, but we really want to make a stop in a small town — Solvang.

It is a very charming village in a Danish-style design, with windmills, old-fashioned lanterns, souvenir shops, bakeries, and cafés. The place feels very cozy, but by the time we arrived, many things were already closed

By the way, at the very beginning of our trip we planned to stop in another charming place — Carmel-by-the-Sea. Somehow our GPS missed the turn, and we ended up skipping it. If you are ever in that area, I highly recommend visiting.

We stay overnight in Santa Barbara.

Day 5

The Best Western Plus Santa Barbara hotel turned out to be very pleasant, surrounded by tropical greenery, with a large room and a warm swimming pool. It was a pity we only had one day in this town. All its main sights can easily be seen in a single visit, but the atmosphere is so enjoyable that we could have stayed even longer…

We get into the car and start exploring the local sights. Our destination is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. We park in the designated area. And if you park illegally, small police cars quickly arrive and issue fines. The courthouse is built in a Spanish Colonial style

It is open to visitors and decorated with numerous hand-crafted mosaics. You can also climb the tower to get a view of the city from above 

We continue driving along the coast toward the colorful Chromatic Gate arch. After that, we take a short walk in Alice Keck Memorial Park. We heard that you can feed ducks and turtles here—and it turns out you really can!

And then we head to the most iconic place in the city—the Old Mission Santa Barbara. This is where the famous arches from the opening sequence of the TV series “Santa Barbara” are located 

Our mission at the Mission is complete, so it’s time to get back on the road. Our next stop was the beautiful city of San Diego, followed by the famous Los Angeles. But that’s a story for next time…