# California coast and film · Short middle stop and a slower finish

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/north-america/open-jaw/california-coast-and-film-z0732/>)

Short middle stop and a slower finish

- Region: North America
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 11
- Interests: Nature, Tech & Gaming, History, Food & Drink

## Route and nights

- San Francisco · 4 night(s)
- Los Angeles · 2 night(s)
- San Diego · 5 night(s)

Tradeoff: Two nights in the middle means one main visit. Keep a substantial final base for the last stretch.

Compare: Rail or drive to compare

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · San Francisco

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Check in and drop your bags · Hyatt Regency San Francisco
- 16:35 to 17:35 · Take a short orientation walk near the hotel · Ferry Building, San Francisco. Skip this block if you arrive later.
- 17:50 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Embarcadero, San Francisco
Overnight: [Hyatt Regency San Francisco](<https://www.hotels.com/ho106067/hyatt-regency-san-francisco-san-francisco-united-states-of-america/>) · San Francisco

### Day 2 · San Francisco

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near the hotel · Embarcadero, San Francisco
- 09:30 to 10:25 · Travel to Golden Gate Park · Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Choose a transit stop near the first garden.
- 10:35 to 12:25 · Explore the Music Concourse and one garden · Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park. Check hours and access for the San Francisco Botanical Garden or another garden.
- 12:40 to 13:45 · Lunch in the Inner Sunset · Inner Sunset, San Francisco
- 14:00 to 14:50 · Continue toward Ocean Beach · Ocean Beach, San Francisco
- 15:00 to 16:20 · Walk an open promenade section near Ocean Beach · Ocean Beach, San Francisco. Stay on the shore paths and follow beach and weather notices.
- 16:35 to 17:40 · Return downtown · Embarcadero, San Francisco
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Dinner near the hotel · Embarcadero, San Francisco
Overnight: [Hyatt Regency San Francisco](<https://www.hotels.com/ho106067/hyatt-regency-san-francisco-san-francisco-united-states-of-america/>) · San Francisco

### Day 3 · San Francisco

- 08:45 to 09:30 · Breakfast near the Ferry Building · Ferry Building, San Francisco
- 09:45 to 10:15 · Walk the Embarcadero to Pier 15 · Pier 15, San Francisco
- 10:20 to 13:05 · Choose hands-on exhibit areas at the Exploratorium · Exploratorium, San Francisco. Check opening days and age or ticket rules for any special program.
- 13:15 to 14:15 · Lunch near the waterfront · Embarcadero, San Francisco
- 14:30 to 16:15 · Walk the public piers and return along the Embarcadero · Embarcadero, San Francisco
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Dinner near the hotel · Embarcadero, San Francisco
Overnight: [Hyatt Regency San Francisco](<https://www.hotels.com/ho106067/hyatt-regency-san-francisco-san-francisco-united-states-of-america/>) · San Francisco

### Day 4 · San Francisco

- 08:10 to 08:55 · Breakfast near the Ferry Building · Ferry Building, San Francisco
- 09:05 to 10:40 · Travel to Angel Island using a confirmed ferry route · Ayala Cove, Angel Island State Park. Match this block to the published ferry schedule. Verify island transport and the last return before booking.
- 10:50 to 12:55 · Visit the U.S. Immigration Station area · Angel Island Immigration Station, California. Confirm museum opening and access from the ferry landing. Allow time for the uphill walk or available island transport.
- 13:00 to 13:45 · Eat a packed lunch where permitted · Angel Island State Park, California
- 13:55 to 15:35 · Return to San Francisco by ferry · Ferry Building, San Francisco. Use the actual return departure. Substitute a city waterfront history walk if ferries or museum access do not line up.
- 16:00 to 17:00 · Take a short waterfront walk near the hotel · Embarcadero, San Francisco
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner downtown · Downtown San Francisco
Overnight: [Hyatt Regency San Francisco](<https://www.hotels.com/ho106067/hyatt-regency-san-francisco-san-francisco-united-states-of-america/>) · San Francisco

### Day 5 · Los Angeles

- 06:40 to 07:25 · Have breakfast before checking out · Embarcadero, San Francisco
- 07:25 to 08:15 · Check out and allow time to reach your departure point · Hyatt Regency San Francisco
- 08:15 to 17:00 · Travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles · San Francisco, California. Choose the route based on road conditions and your booked transport. A coastal drive with multiple stops takes extra time and may need an additional night. Use the departure and arrival times from your booking.
- 17:10 to 18:00 · Check in after reaching the new base · The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles. Keep dinner flexible if the transfer runs late.
- 18:20 to 19:35 · Have dinner near your new hotel if time allows · Downtown Los Angeles
Overnight: [The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles](<https://www.hotels.com/ho105342/the-westin-bonaventure-hotel-and-suites-los-angeles-los-angeles-united-states-of-america/>) · Los Angeles

### Day 6 · Los Angeles

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near the hotel · Downtown Los Angeles
- 09:25 to 10:45 · Travel to Los Feliz or Griffith Park · Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Check official park access, weather, and the current observatory bus or road route.
- 11:00 to 12:15 · Walk a short marked Griffith Park route · Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Choose a route that suits the day's heat and your walking distance.
- 12:30 to 13:30 · Lunch in Los Feliz or a packed meal · Los Feliz, Los Angeles
- 13:45 to 15:45 · See the observatory grounds and open exhibits · Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles. Confirm grounds and building hours separately, and allow time for the return ride.
- 16:00 to 17:20 · Return downtown · Downtown Los Angeles
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near the hotel · Downtown Los Angeles
Overnight: [The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles](<https://www.hotels.com/ho105342/the-westin-bonaventure-hotel-and-suites-los-angeles-los-angeles-united-states-of-america/>) · Los Angeles

### Day 7 · San Diego

- 07:50 to 08:35 · Have breakfast before checking out · Downtown Los Angeles
- 08:35 to 09:25 · Check out and allow time to reach your departure point · The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles
- 09:25 to 13:45 · Travel from Los Angeles to San Diego · Los Angeles Union Station. Check the Pacific Surfliner timetable and any service disruptions. Use the arrival station closest to your hotel. Use the departure and arrival times from your booking.
- 13:55 to 14:55 · Have lunch near your new base · Columbia District, San Diego
- 15:05 to 16:00 · Drop bags and check in when the room is ready · The Westin San Diego Bayview
- 16:15 to 17:05 · Take a short orientation walk if time allows · Embarcadero, San Diego
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel if time allows · Columbia District, San Diego
Overnight: [The Westin San Diego Bayview](<https://www.hotels.com/ho126381/the-westin-san-diego-downtown-san-diego-united-states-of-america/>) · San Diego

### Day 8 · San Diego

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Breakfast near the hotel · Downtown San Diego
- 09:10 to 10:00 · Travel to Cabrillo National Monument · Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego. Check National Park Service access, weather, and operating hours.
- 10:05 to 12:10 · Explore the monument overlooks and lighthouse grounds · Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego. Use the upland viewpoints as the default. Check official tide and access information before attempting a tidepool visit.
- 12:25 to 13:35 · Lunch in Point Loma · Point Loma, San Diego
- 13:50 to 15:30 · Walk public shore paths around Shelter Island · Shelter Island Shoreline Park, San Diego. Choose a short out-and-back route and skip exposed paths in poor conditions.
- 15:45 to 16:50 · Return downtown · Downtown San Diego
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner around Little Italy or downtown · San Diego, California
Overnight: [The Westin San Diego Bayview](<https://www.hotels.com/ho126381/the-westin-san-diego-downtown-san-diego-united-states-of-america/>) · San Diego

### Day 9 · La Jolla

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast downtown · Downtown San Diego
- 09:25 to 10:25 · Travel to La Jolla Village · La Jolla Village, San Diego. Check the current bus or road route and reserve extra time for the return.
- 10:35 to 12:15 · Walk near La Jolla Cove and Ellen Browning Scripps Park · La Jolla Cove, San Diego. Follow posted closures and wildlife viewing rules, and give animals space.
- 12:25 to 13:35 · Lunch in La Jolla Village · La Jolla Village, San Diego
- 13:50 to 15:25 · Choose a short Coast Boulevard walk or an indoor stop · Coast Boulevard, La Jolla. Check weather, access, and opening days for any museum alternative.
- 15:45 to 17:00 · Return downtown · Downtown San Diego
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near the hotel · Downtown San Diego
Overnight: [The Westin San Diego Bayview](<https://www.hotels.com/ho126381/the-westin-san-diego-downtown-san-diego-united-states-of-america/>) · San Diego

### Day 10 · San Diego

- 08:45 to 09:30 · Breakfast downtown · Downtown San Diego
- 09:45 to 10:30 · Travel to Liberty Station · Liberty Station, San Diego
- 10:40 to 12:10 · Explore Liberty Station's public courtyards · Liberty Station, San Diego. Choose a short gallery or park stop if its hours fit.
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Pick lunch at Liberty Public Market · Liberty Public Market, San Diego. Check vendor hours and leave room for an evening taco stop.
- 13:45 to 15:15 · Walk the waterfront paths around Spanish Landing · Spanish Landing Park, San Diego. Use current signed public access and shorten the walk if needed.
- 15:35 to 16:55 · Return downtown for a break · Downtown San Diego
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Choose a fish taco dinner · San Diego, California. Pick a route-friendly shop and verify its current hours.
Overnight: [The Westin San Diego Bayview](<https://www.hotels.com/ho126381/the-westin-san-diego-downtown-san-diego-united-states-of-america/>) · San Diego

### Day 11 · San Diego

- 08:40 to 09:25 · Breakfast near the hotel · Downtown San Diego
- 09:40 to 12:00 · Visit Maritime Museum of San Diego · Maritime Museum of San Diego. Check opening times and individual vessel access.
- 12:15 to 13:15 · Lunch near the waterfront · Embarcadero, San Diego
- 13:30 to 14:20 · Travel to Old Town · Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- 14:25 to 16:20 · Explore Old Town's public grounds and open exhibits · Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Check individual buildings before relying on an interior visit.
- 16:35 to 17:30 · Return downtown · Downtown San Diego
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near the hotel · Downtown San Diego
Overnight: [The Westin San Diego Bayview](<https://www.hotels.com/ho126381/the-westin-san-diego-downtown-san-diego-united-states-of-america/>) · San Diego

### Day 12 · San Diego

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Columbia District, San Diego
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Embarcadero, San Diego. Skip the walk if you have an early departure.
- 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect luggage · The Westin San Diego Bayview
- 10:30 to 11:30 · Allow time for onward travel · Columbia District, San Diego. Use the confirmed departure and pickup times from your booking.