Catalinaschool (CC BY 4.0)Monterey Bay Aquarium · Old Fisherman’s Wharf · Natural Bridges State Beach · Old Mission Santa Barbara · East Beach · Malibu Pier
7-day United States trip — Monterey to Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Day-by-day route, attractions and food.
This route focuses on the California coast, connecting the marine biodiversity of Monterey to the Spanish colonial architecture and Pacific vistas of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. It balances quiet tide pools at Point Lobos with the dense cultural layers of the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory. This path is built for travelers who want to trace the edge of the continent through rugged cliffs and urban hubs.
Monterey
Day 1 · World-Class Marine Exhibits
Day 1 · Iconic Coastal Drives and Nature Reserves
Day 2 · Scenic Coastal Parks
Day 2 · A Coastal Kayaking Excursion
Day 2 · Historic Wharf and Cannery Districts
Santa Barbara
Day 3 · Spanish Mission History
Day 4 · Historic Missions and Architecture
Day 3 · Wine and Culinary Districts
Los Angeles
Day 5 · Coastal Recreation Districts
Day 6 · Hollywood Legacy Sites
Day 7 · World Class Art Museums
Day 7 · Historic Food Markets
Pick travel dates to see the weather for your month.
This coastal journey remains mild and dry for most of the year, though you should prepare for the persistent marine layer that blankets Monterey in the mornings. Los Angeles and Santa Barbara stay warmer and more consistent, but keep a windbreaker handy for when the fog rolls in off the Pacific after sunset.
Monterey
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 °C (61 °F) | 7 °C (45 °F) (cold) | 6 | 7:19 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Feb | 16 °C (62 °F) | 7 °C (45 °F) (cold) | 6 | 6:55 AM – 5:48 PM |
| Mar | 17 °C (63 °F) | 8 °C (46 °F) (cold) | 7 | 7:18 AM – 7:14 PM |
| Apr | 18 °C (65 °F) | 8 °C (47 °F) (cold) | 4 | 6:33 AM – 7:41 PM |
| May | 18 °C (65 °F) | 9 °C (49 °F) | 1 | 6:00 AM – 8:07 PM |
| Jun | 20 °C (68 °F) | 11 °C (51 °F) | 0 | 5:48 AM – 8:27 PM |
| Jul | 20 °C (67 °F) | 11 °C (52 °F) | 0 | 6:01 AM – 8:25 PM |
| Aug | 20 °C (69 °F) | 12 °C (53 °F) | 0 | 6:25 AM – 7:57 PM |
| Sep | 22 °C (71 °F) | 12 °C (53 °F) | 0 | 6:50 AM – 7:14 PM |
| Oct | 20 °C (69 °F) | 10 °C (50 °F) | 2 | 7:15 AM – 6:30 PM |
| Nov | 18 °C (65 °F) | 8 °C (46 °F) (cold) | 4 | 6:45 AM – 4:58 PM |
| Dec | 16 °C (60 °F) | 6 °C (44 °F) (cold) | 7 | 7:12 AM – 4:52 PM |
Santa Barbara
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20 °C (68 °F) | 7 °C (45 °F) (cold) | 4 | 7:05 AM – 5:11 PM |
| Feb | 20 °C (68 °F) | 8 °C (46 °F) (cold) | 4 | 6:44 AM – 5:42 PM |
| Mar | 20 °C (69 °F) | 8 °C (47 °F) (cold) | 5 | 7:09 AM – 7:06 PM |
| Apr | 22 °C (72 °F) | 10 °C (49 °F) | 2 | 6:27 AM – 7:30 PM |
| May | 22 °C (72 °F) | 11 °C (52 °F) | 1 | 5:56 AM – 7:54 PM |
| Jun | 24 °C (76 °F) | 13 °C (56 °F) | 0 | 5:46 AM – 8:12 PM |
| Jul | 26 °C (79 °F) | 15 °C (58 °F) | 0 | 5:58 AM – 8:11 PM |
| Aug | 27 °C (81 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 0 | 6:20 AM – 7:45 PM |
| Sep | 27 °C (80 °F) | 15 °C (58 °F) | 1 | 6:42 AM – 7:05 PM |
| Oct | 26 °C (78 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 1 | 7:04 AM – 6:23 PM |
| Nov | 23 °C (73 °F) | 9 °C (49 °F) | 2 | 6:32 AM – 4:53 PM |
| Dec | 20 °C (67 °F) | 7 °C (44 °F) (cold) | 5 | 6:58 AM – 4:49 PM |
Los Angeles
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 °C (73 °F) | 9 °C (48 °F) | 4 | 6:58 AM – 5:06 PM |
| Feb | 23 °C (74 °F) | 9 °C (48 °F) | 3 | 6:37 AM – 5:36 PM |
| Mar | 24 °C (75 °F) | 10 °C (51 °F) | 5 | 7:03 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Apr | 26 °C (78 °F) | 12 °C (54 °F) | 1 | 6:22 AM – 7:24 PM |
| May | 25 °C (78 °F) | 14 °C (57 °F) | 1 | 5:51 AM – 7:47 PM |
| Jun | 28 °C (83 °F) | 16 °C (62 °F) | 0 | 5:41 AM – 8:05 PM |
| Jul | 30 °C (86 °F) (hot) | 18 °C (65 °F) | 1 | 5:53 AM – 8:04 PM |
| Aug | 31 °C (89 °F) (hot) | 18 °C (65 °F) | 0 | 6:14 AM – 7:39 PM |
| Sep | 31 °C (88 °F) (hot) | 18 °C (64 °F) | 0 | 6:36 AM – 6:59 PM |
| Oct | 29 °C (85 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 1 | 6:58 AM – 6:18 PM |
| Nov | 26 °C (78 °F) | 11 °C (52 °F) | 2 | 6:25 AM – 4:48 PM |
| Dec | 22 °C (72 °F) | 9 °C (48 °F) | 4 | 6:51 AM – 4:44 PM |
Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)Lunch at a seaside cafe along the waterfront, watching the local harbor activity.
Typical USD 9-15
Globetrotter19 (CC BY-SA 3.0)Casual dinner near the water to wrap up the first day of the coastal trip.
Typical USD 20-30
rick from San Francisco, USA (CC BY 2.0)Lunch at a cafe along the village's flower-lined streets.
Typical USD 12-18
Photo by Los Muertos Crew on PexelsEvening meal at a waterfront spot overlooking the bay.
Typical USD 3-6
Staying at Cannery Row since Day 1
arrives 1:56 PM
3 hrs 56 min door to door · 378 km
Worth a detour on this drive
Gerardolagunes (CC0)Mid-day stop for a casual meal in this historic central coast town.
Typical USD 4-7
Julia Sumangil (CC BY-SA 4.0)Evening meal in Santa Barbara's vibrant arts and culinary district.
Typical USD 20-40
Nhobgood (talk) Nick Hobgood (CC BY-SA 3.0)Enjoy a midday meal in the heart of the pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining district.
Typical USD 15-35
Madmaxmarchhare at English Wikipedia (CC BY 2.5)Relax with an evening meal overlooking the coastal breeze.
Typical USD 25-35
Staying at State Street since Day 3
arrives 12:42 PM
1 hr 42 min door to door · 152 km
Worth a detour on this drive
Daderot (CC0)Midday meal near the Pacific coast along the scenic route into the city.
Typical USD 8-14
City Foodsters (CC BY 2.0)Evening dining in the vibrant coastal neighborhood, just steps from the beach.
Typical USD 2-4
Stephanie from Austin TX (CC BY 2.0)Casual lunch in the neighborhood surrounding the park entrance.
Typical USD 3-6
Staying at Santa Monica since Day 5
Manuel Serrano (Public domain)Enjoy a casual midday meal in the neighborhood near the museum.
Typical USD 12
Yamaguchi Yoshiaki from Japan (CC BY-SA 2.0)Evening meal overlooking the Pacific coast to conclude the journey.
Typical USD 18
Same destination, your dates, group, and pace. Generated free in about 2 minutes.
Customize this tripFreeFood, shopping & festivals
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Los Angeles
Day 5 · dinner
Day 6 · lunch
Day 5 · lunch
Day 6 · dinner
Santa Barbara
Day 3 · lunch
Day 4 · lunch
Day 3 · dinner
Monterey
Day 1 · lunch
Day 2 · dinner
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Los Angeles
Monterey
Santa Barbara
Tap any photo for more photos and the story.
Jan 1
February
Apr 10 – 15
July
Dec 25
Costs
Estimated total · For 2 travelers · 1 room · 7 days
USD 2,774Flights from your city not included.
| City | Simple | Comfortable | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
| Santa Barbara | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
| Los Angeles | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
Not included: visas, travel insurance, SIM cards, tips, shopping.
Use the Monterey-Salinas Transit trolley during the summer months to navigate the waterfront without hunting for parking or feeding meters.
Visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve at sunrise; the limited parking fills up fast, and you can hike the Cypress Grove Trail before the crowds arrive.
Book an evening kayak tour with Monterey Bay Kayaks to see sea otters and harbor seals resting in the kelp beds at sunset.
Skip the toll gate fee on the 17-Mile Drive by biking the route instead; you get full access to the coastline sights while avoiding vehicle entrance charges.
Use the Metro Rail E Line to reach the California Science Center in Los Angeles, which drops you steps from the entrance and avoids the heavy Exposition Park traffic.
Before you go
Rental car from Monterey
Day 1–7 · pick up and return in Monterey
Hotel in Monterey
Nights 1–2 · Cannery Row · about USD 360 · Comfortable hotel range
Hotel in Santa Barbara
Nights 3–4 · State Street · about USD 360 · Comfortable hotel range
Hotel in Los Angeles
Nights 5–6 · Santa Monica · about USD 360 · Comfortable hotel range
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve parking reservation
Day 1 · Book 4 weeks ahead · Parking within the reserve is limited and often fills up early; reservations ensure entry during peak hours.
Monterey Bay Aquarium advance tickets
Day 1 · Book 2 weeks ahead · Timed entry is mandatory to manage capacity; purchase online in advance to skip the main ticket counter line.
Monterey Bay Kayaks tour
Day 2 · Book 7 days ahead · Guided tours of the Elkhorn Slough require advance booking to secure a boat spot for the morning tide windows.
The Getty Villa timed entry
Day 5 · Book 7 days ahead · Admission is free but requires a timed entry reservation booked online; parking must be reserved separately.
The Getty Center timed entry
Day 7 · Book 7 days ahead · Timed entry is required for all visitors; parking reservations are strongly recommended as the garage reaches capacity.
Griffith Observatory parking permit
Day 6 · Book 3 days ahead · Evening parking at the observatory is extremely competitive; pre-purchase if required or use the DASH observatory bus.
| City | Public transport | Ride-hailing apps | Transit card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey | Bus | Uber, Lyft | |
| Santa Barbara | Bus, Suburban rail | Uber, Lyft | MTD GoPass |
| Los Angeles | Metro, Tram, Suburban rail, Bus, Funicular | Uber, Lyft | TAP |
At Point Lobos on day 1, arrive before mid-morning to avoid the busiest parking windows, even with a reservation.
When visiting Old Mission Santa Barbara, be mindful of the quiet areas in the gardens as it remains an active religious site.
For sunset at Griffith Observatory on day 6, arrive at least an hour early as traffic on the narrow mountain road can bottleneck.
When using the TAP card in Los Angeles, tap your card at the turnstile for the metro and the reader near the driver when boarding buses.
Grand Central Market on day 7 is cash-friendly, but many vendors now prefer contactless payments; visit on a weekday morning to avoid the lunch rush.
Avoid the area surrounding the Skid Row district in Downtown Los Angeles when walking near The Last Bookstore.
On 17-Mile Drive, ensure you have your entry pass clearly visible for the gate attendants to expedite your transit through the checkpoints.
At Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, be aware of the limited turnaround space at the end of the pier during high-traffic weekends.
Fill your gas tank in Monterey before starting Highway 1, as fuel prices are significantly higher in the remote Big Sur region.
Highway 1 through Big Sur is prone to seasonal landslides, so check Caltrans for current road closures before departing.
Parking at popular stops like Malibu Pier can fill up quickly on weekends; consider arriving early or parking at nearby public lots.
Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent on the winding mountain stretches of Highway 1; download offline maps in advance.
Coastal fog can reduce visibility significantly during summer mornings; drive with headlights on when navigating the cliffside roads.
Expect heavy traffic congestion on Highway 101 as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area during weekday rush hours.
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Check whether your licence needs an International Driving Permit
Get USD cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for United States
Book 17-Mile Drive entry pass
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve parking reservation
Monterey Bay Aquarium advance tickets
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Transit card: TAP · Los Angeles
Pen for arrival forms
State Park Pass
Monterey anchors the first two days to capture the morning mist of the central coast while energy levels remain high for coastal hiking. The transition to Santa Barbara on day three serves as a reset, using the drive as a mid-trip anchor before settling into the central coast. Los Angeles occupies the final three days, using its museums and elevated viewpoints to transition from nature back toward an urban finish.
The sequence moves from smaller, nature-focused towns to the density of a major city. This plan prioritizes coastal accessibility and major landmark sites across three distinct California regions. It skips the inland wine valleys of Paso Robles and the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, both of which require dedicated inland detours.
It also omits the desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park. This itinerary is for the traveler who prioritizes ocean proximity and architecture over solitude in the high desert or mountain interiors. Extend the trip by two days to include Big Sur, specifically to hike the riverside trails at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
The added time lets you slow the pace through the winding coastal segments before reaching Los Angeles.
| Visa & entry | Most visitors from visa-waiver countries must apply for an ESTA online at least 72 hours before departure. Citizens of non-waiver countries must obtain a B1/B2 tourist visa from a US embassy. All travelers must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended departure date. |
|---|---|
| Official advice | US State Department · UK Foreign Office |
| Emergency | Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911911 for all emergencies. Text-to-911 available in many areas. |
Major cities like Chicago or Los Angeles have specific pockets of high crime that shift block by block; stick to busy, well-lit commercial areas after dark. If you encounter a road emergency, call 911 to reach police, fire, or ambulance services. In national parks, stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost or encountering wildlife in rugged terrain.
| Tipping: restaurants | 18–20% (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Tipping: taxis | 15–20% |
| Tipping: hotels | $2–5 per bag; $2–5/night housekeeping |
| Cards | Universally accepted |
| Contactless | Common but not universal |
| Cash | Cash accepted but cards preferred everywhere |
| Payment tip | Credit cards accepted everywhere. Apple Pay/Google Pay widely available. |
| Plugs | Type A, B120V · 60Hz |
|---|
| SIM | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo eSIM | $5 to $26 for 7 to 30 days | Airalo app |
| T-Mobile physical SIM | $30 to $50 for 30 days | Any T-Mobile retail store |
Roaming charges are very high. Buy a local eSIM or prepaid SIM immediately.
Tipping is standard and expected; add 18% to 22% for table service at restaurants, and 15% to 20% for ride-shares or taxis. In formal or high-end restaurants, speak quietly to maintain the surrounding atmosphere. Many public places strictly enforce non-smoking laws, including designated distances from building entrances.
About USD 2,774 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 7 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.
Travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program can apply for an ESTA before departure. Others must obtain a B1/B2 visa from a United States embassy or consulate. Check official government requirements for your specific nationality well in advance of your travel dates.
California is generally safe, but common sense applies in urban areas. In Los Angeles, avoid areas like Skid Row, which spans 3rd to 7th Street near Alameda. Dial 911 for all emergency services across all three locations.
Los Angeles is vast, but the Metro bus and rail system provides service across the county. Many residents rely on this network daily. For shorter distances, ride-share services are more reliable than hailing a taxi on the street.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight train connects Los Angeles and Santa Barbara daily with scenic views. Connecting to Monterey requires a rental car or a flight into regional airports like Monterey Regional or San Jose. Driving distances between these points are significant and often involve heavy traffic.
Temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, especially near the ocean. Bring layers, including a light jacket for the cooler marine layer mornings and evenings. Casual attire is standard for the West Coast, though dressier options are useful for formal dining in Santa Barbara.
Tipping is expected in the United States. Standard practice is to leave 18 to 22 percent of the pre-tax total for good service at restaurants. For simple counter-service or coffee shops, a smaller tip or rounding up is common.
Santa Barbara and Monterey offer mild, Mediterranean-like weather year-round. September and October are often the most pleasant months, featuring clear skies and thinner crowds. Summers can be busy, and mornings often feature heavy fog along the Monterey Peninsula.
Downtown Santa Barbara is compact and very walkable. For reaching destinations in neighboring Goleta or Montecito, the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District bus system is affordable and covers the area comprehensively.
Download this Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles, United States itinerary — day-by-day plan, maps, budget, and more.
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