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 Wine Tours & Tastings and Golden Gate Bridge. Step off the beaten path and head to California State Railroad Museum and Musee Mecanique. Venture out of the city with trips to VJB Cellars (in Kenwood), Crocker Art Museum (in Sacramento) and Sonoma (Sonoma Valley & Ty Caton Vineyards). There's much more to do: head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, examine the collection at de Young Museum, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Grace Cathedral, and indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink.

To find reviews, maps, and tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip planner.

Washington to San Francisco is an approximately 12-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Washington to San Francisco is minus 3 hours. Traveling from Washington in April, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in San Francisco, with lows of 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Old Mission Santa Barbara. Wine Tours & Tastings and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore Santa Barbara's surroundings by going to Carrizo Plain National Monument (in Maricopa), Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Museum (in Camarillo) and Paradise Falls (in Thousand Oaks). The adventure continues: contemplate the long history of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, take in nature's colorful creations at Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Santa Barbara Zoo, and get to know the fascinating history of The Historic La Arcada Courtyard.

To find more things to do, maps, photos, and more tourist information, read Santa Barbara tour itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. May in Santa Barbara sees daily highs of 71°F and lows of 52°F at night. On the 10th (Mon), you'll travel back home.