15 days in San Francisco & Santa Barbara Itinerary

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

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Wine Tours & Tastings and Alcatraz Island. Discover out-of-the-way places like California State Railroad Museum and VJB Cellars. Get out of town with these interesting San Francisco side-trips: Muscardini Cellars (in Kenwood), Ty Caton Vineyards (in Sonoma) and Sacramento (California State Capitol Museum & Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament). There's lots more to do: don't miss a visit to Golden Gate Bridge, stroll around Golden Gate Park, hike along Lands End, and contemplate the waterfront views at San Francisco Bay.

For photos, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, go to the San Francisco trip itinerary builder website.

Washington to San Francisco is an approximately 12-hour flight. You can also drive. Traveling from Washington to San Francisco, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Washington in April since evenings lows in San Francisco dip to 51°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Get some cultural insight at Wine Tours & Tastings and Old Mission Santa Barbara. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Santa Barbara: Conejo Valley Botanic Garden (in Thousand Oaks), Fillmore Historical Museum (in Fillmore) and Carrizo Plain National Monument (in Maricopa). There's still lots to do: take in the pleasant sights at Santa Barbara Harbor, take a leisurely stroll along Stearns Wharf, get curious at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, and get to know the fascinating history of The Historic La Arcada Courtyard.

For more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara road trip planning app.

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 71°F in May, and nighttime lows around 52°F. You will leave for home on the 14th (Fri).