15 days in San Francisco & Santa Barbara Itinerary

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

Explore hidden gems such as Wine Tours & Tastings and San Francisco Bay. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Golden Gate Bridge and California State Capitol Museum. Change things up with these side-trips from San Francisco: Healdsburg (Comstock Wines, Dry Creek Vineyard, &more), Sacramento (Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament & California State Railroad Museum) and Ty Caton Vineyards (in Sonoma). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Alcatraz Island, immerse yourself in nature at Marin Headlands, see the interesting displays at Walt Disney Family Museum, and learn about winemaking at VJB Cellars.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the San Francisco day trip site.

Washington to San Francisco is an approximately 12-hour flight. You can also drive. You'll gain 3 hours traveling from Washington to San Francisco due to the time zone difference. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Washington in March, with highs in San Francisco at 65°F and lows at 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) early enough to fly 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Santa Barbara Harbor. Get a sense of the local culture at Wine Tours & Tastings and Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Get out of town with these interesting Santa Barbara side-trips: Ancient Peaks Winery (in Santa Margarita), Mullin Automotive Museum (in Oxnard) and Fillmore Historical Museum (in Fillmore). There's still lots to do: take a leisurely stroll along Pismo Pier, contemplate the long history of Old Mission Santa Barbara, identify plant and animal life at Douglas Family Preserve, and get to know the resident critters at Santa Barbara Zoo.

To see maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Santa Barbara trip planner.

Fly from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April, daytime highs in Santa Barbara are 71°F, while nighttime lows are 50°F. On the 12th (Mon), you're off to home.