15 days in San Francisco & Santa Barbara Itinerary

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

Get some cultural insight at California State Railroad Museum and Crocker Art Museum. Explore hidden gems such as Dry Creek Vineyard and Walt Disney Family Museum. Explore San Francisco's surroundings by going to Healdsburg (Sapphire Hill Winery, Cartograph Winery, &more), Santa Rosa (Charles M. Schulz Museum & Museum of Sonoma County) and The Undergound Tasting Room (in Sacramento). Dedicate the 19th (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's lots more to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, do a tasting at VJB Cellars, see the interesting displays at de Young Museum, and explore the world behind art at Legion of Honor.

To find traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the San Francisco holiday planning site.

Washington to San Francisco is an approximately 42-hour car ride. The time zone difference when traveling from Washington to San Francisco is minus 3 hours. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Washington in February: high temperatures in San Francisco hover around 62°F and lows are around 48°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Santa Barbara.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a solid vacation destination with its wide beaches, renowned wineries, and some of California's finest shopping and dining options.

Get some cultural insight at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Casa del Herrero. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Monarch Butterfly Grove and Wine Tours & Tastings. Venture out of the city with trips to Ancient Peaks Winery (in Santa Margarita), Heritage House Museum (in Arroyo Grande) and Wildwood Regional Park (in Thousand Oaks). There's lots more to do: admire the striking features of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, explore the fascinating underground world of Salt Cave, make a trip to Santa Barbara Harbor, and meet the residents at Santa Barbara Zoo.

To find ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara sightseeing planner.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 67°F in February, and nighttime lows around 44°F. On the 5th (Fri), you're off to home.