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HomeRoad TripsNorth AmericaUnited StatesWest USACaliforniaMilitary History
Presido San Francisco

Military History Road Trip

San Francisco - Alameda - Atwater - Fort Tejon - El Monte - Long Beach - San Diego

Expect on your itinerary

Road conditions Road conditions
Comfort Comfort
Security Security
Historical sites Historical sites
Landscape Landscape
Benefit-stress ratio Benefit-stress ratio
Beach Beach
Urban life Urban life
Military History Road Trip ACTIVATE MAP Stages6 km917 h/stage1.8

Best months to drive

I II III IV V VI
VII VIII IX X XI XII

Road Trip Costs

How much does it cost to go on a Military History Road Trip in California?

Economy
Low budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 225EUR drive & more 125EUR sleep & more 396EUR eat & more 360EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 881EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 1,106EUR
Standard
Mid budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 270EUR drive & more 163EUR sleep & more 594EUR eat & more 540EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 1,297EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 1,567EUR
Premium
High budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 450EUR drive & more 225EUR sleep & more 990EUR eat & more 720EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 1,935EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 2,385EUR
Camper
On the road in RV, overnight at camp grounds with self-catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 1,125EUR drive & more 250EUR sleep & more 275EUR eat & more 360EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 885EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 2,010EUR
Car rental Book hotel Flights
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Military History Road Trip Itinerary

Experience the historic sites of California with the Military History Road Trip! Start your journey in San Francisco, and travel through Alameda, Fort Tejon and Long Beach before ending your trip in San Diego. Along the way, you'll have the chance to explore the rich history of the United States military, with stops at various war memorials, monuments and other historical sites. The total distance of the trip is 917 km and can be completed in five days, depending on your itinerary. The best time of year to take this road trip is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the roads are in excellent condition. Although this road trip can be managed on a budget, it is best suited to those with a higher budget. So why not take the Military History Road Trip and explore the past of the United States?
number of days 5 number of days
route length 917 km route length
budget high budget
good for family good for
traffic direction on the right traffic direction
accident level low accident level

START San Francisco

Distance 917 km Driving time 11.1 h Pace: fast 275.0 kWh Airports SFO
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San Francisco is an amazing city located in the state of California, United States. It is a great starting point for the "Military History Road Trip" as it offers a variety of sights to visit. The city of San Francisco has a rich military history, with a number of important military installations and sites. The Presidio of San Francisco is a former U.S. Army base and is now a National Historic Landmark. The San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio is the final resting place of many U.S. veterans of wars, from the Civil War to the present day. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is also located in the Presidio, and includes a number of historic vessels. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is located in the northern part of San Francisco, and includes many sites of military significance. Fort Point is a historic fort, and the Battery Chamberlin Museum is located nearby. The Marin Headlands are also a part of the recreation area, and include a number of coastal defense batteries. The closest international airport to San Francisco is the San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO). Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to start your road trip. San Francisco is an ideal starting point for the "Military History Road Trip". There are many amazing sights to visit, from the Presidio and its National Cemetery, to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and its many sites of military significance. With car rentals available at the airport, it is easy to begin your journey.

1 San Francisco - Alameda

Distance 29 km Driving time 0.7 h Pace: slow 6.6 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips interesting  historic site attractive landscape accommodation options
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Welcome to the San Francisco to Alameda road trip stage! This 18mi journey will take you less than an hour of driving, and you'll be able to experience some of the most interesting sites in the area. Your first stop should be the famous Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Once you've taken in the breathtaking view, you can drive through the Presidio, a former military base that's now a national park. Next, you'll pass through the quaint neighborhoods of San Francisco, where you can admire the colorful Victorian-style homes and explore the local shops. As you make your way to Alameda, you'll drive along the picturesque San Francisco Bay, offering views of the city skyline and the surrounding hills. You can also take a detour to the East Bay Regional Park, where you can take a break and enjoy the peaceful nature. Once you arrive in Alameda, you'll find plenty of attractions to explore, including the USS Hornet Museum, the historic Alameda Theater, and the beautiful Shoreline Park. This is just one stage of your tour, and more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, get ready for an amazing journey and enjoy the sights and sounds of San Francisco and Alameda!

2 Alameda - Atwater

Distance 179 km Driving time 2.3 h Pace: fast 53.6 kWh View map Itinerary
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Are you ready for a road trip adventure? Starting in Alameda, United States, you will be traveling 111 miles to reach Atwater in less than 3 hours. Along the way you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the region and visit some of the most interesting places. In Alameda, you can visit the Alameda Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the city and its people. You can also visit the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, a unique museum that preserves the history of the USS Hornet aircraft carrier. Atwater is home to the Castle Air Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving and displaying a variety of military aircraft. You can also visit the Atwater Library, a public library that offers a variety of educational and recreational activities. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Start your road trip adventure now!

3 Atwater - Fort Tejon

Distance 345 km Driving time 3.6 h Pace: fast 103.5 kWh View map Itinerary
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Atwater to Fort Tejon? This 214-mile journey will take you less than 4 hours of driving and you can enjoy some of the most incredible sights and activities along the way. Start your journey in Atwater, where you can visit the Castle Air Museum and explore the history of aviation. Then, continue your journey to the city of Merced, where you can visit the Merced County Courthouse Museum and explore the history of the area. The next stop is the city of Mariposa, where you can visit the Mariposa County Museum and learn about the history of the area. You can also visit the nearby Yosemite National Park, where you can explore the stunning landscape and enjoy some of the most incredible views in the world. Continue your trip to the city of Coalinga, where you can visit the Coalinga Mineral Hot Springs and relax in the warm waters. After that, you can visit the city of Bakersfield, where you can explore the Kern County Museum and learn about the history of the area. Finally, you will arrive in Fort Tejon, where you can explore the Fort Tejon State Historic Park and learn about the history of the area. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable road trip from Atwater to Fort Tejon!

4 Fort Tejon - El Monte

Distance 139 km Driving time 1.7 h Pace: fast 41.8 kWh View map Itinerary
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If you are planning a road trip, Fort Tejon to El Monte is a great stage to include! This route is only 87 miles and can be completed in less than two hours, so you can make the most of your time. Start your journey in Fort Tejon, located in the Tehachapi Mountains, and visit the Fort Tejon State Historic Park. Here you can explore the ruins of the fort, the museum and the beautiful natural surroundings. As you continue your journey, make sure to stop at the Tejon Ranch Outlets for some shopping. End your journey in El Monte, where you can find the El Monte Historical Museum and the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Here you can take a walk in nature, go fishing, or just relax and enjoy the view. Don't forget to check out the Itinerary of this stage for more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route. Enjoy your journey!

5 El Monte - Long Beach

Distance 43 km Driving time 0.6 h Pace: fast 12.9 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Welcome to the El Monte - Long Beach Road Trip stage! This short 27-mile stretch takes less than an hour to drive and is part of a larger tour. Start your journey in El Monte, where you can visit the Santa Anita Park, a famous horse racing track. Then, travel to Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, a beautiful park with trails and activities for all ages. Continue your drive to Long Beach, where you can explore the Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner that is now a museum. You can also visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, a great place to learn about marine life. For a unique experience, take a stroll along the iconic Long Beach Boardwalk, a two-mile stretch of beachside walkway. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your roadtrip!

6 Long Beach - San Diego

Distance 182 km Driving time 2.1 h Pace: fast 54.5 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Long Beach to San Diego! This 113 miles long journey will take you less than 3 hours to complete, so you can make the most of your time and visit some of the most interesting places in the area. Start your journey in Long Beach and explore the Aquarium of the Pacific, a great place to learn about marine life, or take a stroll through the Queen Mary, an iconic 1930s ocean liner. Continue your journey to San Diego, the city of great attractions. Visit the San Diego Zoo, one of the most famous zoos in the world, or take a leisurely stroll through Balboa Park. Don't forget to take a tour of the USS Midway Museum and enjoy the breathtaking views from Coronado Beach. This is just one stage of a larger tour, and more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So don't miss out on this amazing road trip from Long Beach to San Diego!

  San Diego

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San Diego is the perfect destination to complete your Military History Road Trip. With its temperate climate, stunning beaches and desert landscapes, this city is a great place to end your journey. First, visit the USS Midway Museum to explore the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. After that, you should visit the USS Recruit, which is the world’s only full-scale Navy ship replica. Both of these sites offer a unique insight into the history of the military. After exploring the naval history of San Diego, take some time to explore its cultural attractions. Take a stroll along the waterfront, visit the San Diego Zoo, and explore the Balboa Park. You can also enjoy a variety of activities like whale watching, kayaking, and beach volleyball. Finally, don’t forget to explore the city's vibrant nightlife and dining scene. From craft breweries to chic speakeasies, there's something for everyone in San Diego. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the closest airport for those travelling by air. It is located just 3 miles from downtown San Diego. So if you’re ready to end your Military History Road Trip in style, San Diego is the perfect place for you.

Military History Road Trip at a glance

We have no doubt that our journey will become a perfect inspiration for your future travels.
Our itinerary can be used as a base that can be recreated in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse beauty spots of your choice.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of essential traffic regulations to follow and a number of elements to remember to turn your road trip into pure pleasure. These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who opt for car hire or camper rental in California.
There are a number of traffic rules to be followed while on a road trip around California. Alcohol is best to be avoided at any price if California is your travel destination. Drivers should remember that the permitted level of alcohol in blood is not very high and is only 0.5‰. Exceeding the maximum speed limit, which is 40km/h, around the city streets may lead to a speeding ticket. If you are aiming for undeveloped areas, you should be mindful of the fact that the maximum permissible speed is 72km/h. On highways, avoid driving faster than the maximum speed of 129km/h. Driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your vehicle with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher heavily increase the safety.
But what are the costs of the whole trip. Depending on the budget option that you are interested in, the amount of money that you have to spend during the whole itinerary will vary. A wide range of budget options is showed below.
We estimate that the cheapest offer when it comes to gasoline to cover the planned 7 stages while travelling around California will cost around 125 EUR. Economy accommodation options may cost you approximately 396 EUR. Holidayers who opt for this option will spend around 360 EUR on food and restaurants. Travellers will have to pay around 225 EUR if they aim for the cheapest rental car offer as well. Thus, going for car rental will increase the costs of the road trip from roughly 881 EUR to around 1,106 EUR.
Tourists who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay around 163 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the trip. Cost amounting to 594 EUR can be expected by all tourists who are searching for standard accommodation. When choosing this option, take into consideration that the food and restaurants within this range will cost more or less 540 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire car should expect a cost of roughly 270 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total approximately 1,567 EUR for holidaymakers who would like to try vehicle rental and 1,297 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
Holidaymakers who are considering the highest level of comfort will be pleased with the premium option. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 2,385 EUR for holidayers who are considering vehicle rental and 1,297 EUR for those who do not need a hire vehicle. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire car should expect a cost of more or less 450 EUR. When it comes to the top standard configuration of the adventure, you need to spend the maximum of 225 EUR on the fuel needed to cover the itinerary. Travellers who will go for top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay roughly 720 EUR for food and restaurants and approximately 990 EUR for overnight stays.
Our tour can be easily adjusted to the requirements of all camper lovers. When it comes to this means of transport, you will pay up to roughly 1,125 EUR. Holidayers will spend roughly 250 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the tour. Tourists who will go for camper rental should expect to pay about 275 EUR for overnight stays and roughly 360 EUR for expenses connected with food.
All of the details connected with costs are available in the Road Trip Costs section.
The part of California showed in our itinerary idea is most enjoyable between January and December. There are multiple thrilling road trips and scenic drives that we offer on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip opportunities. Hopefully, the broad spectrum of options will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers.

Facts for safer driving in California

drink drive limit drink drive limit 0.5
max speed urban max speed urban 40 km/h
max speed rural max speed rural 72 km/h
max speed highway max speed highway 129 km/h
headlights at daytime headlights at daytime off
fire extinguisher fire extinguisher yes
tolls tolls yes
seat belts seat belts yes

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