San Francisco to Los Angeles Christmas Family Road Trip – Part 1 🎄🚗

Our family road trip from SF to LA this holiday season was unforgettable—complete with a major SF power outage, LA rainstorms, a police pullover, a fender bender, and even witnessing a police dive rescue! Despite the unexpected twists, we had a fantastic time, and my itinerary was a hit with the family. Sharing some tips and experiences in case they help you plan your own trip! 🏨 Accommodations We booked almost exclusively through the Hilton app, choosing suite-style rooms with gym access and breakfast included. Several Hilton brands met our needs perfectly, and since we spent a lot of downtime at the hotels, comfort was key. 🎟️ Disneyland Tickets We got a great deal on Klook—a two-day Park Hopper ticket with Lightning Lane access for four people, totaling just over $1,300 for Dec 24–25. There's also a special three-day ticket on Disney’s official site for Canadian residents, which could be perfect if you’re coming from Canada and want a more relaxed visit. 🚗 Car Rental Booked through Costco Travel for flexibility and good rates. We rented twice for under $600 total and added the $25/day Loss Damage Coverage—which thankfully came in handy! ⚠️ San Francisco Hotel Note We stayed at Hotel Nikko near Union Square, drawn by the festive atmosphere and convenient location. Unfortunately, the area felt unsafe with visible homelessness and open drug use nearby. The hotel itself was stylish but not as clean or functional as we’d hoped. Next time, we’d choose a different neighborhood—any recommendations? 📅 Day 1 – Arrival in San Francisco Landed at SFO, picked up our rental car, and drove to the Hilton Garden Inn in San Mateo—close to Silicon Valley and surprisingly right next to a Panda Express! A warm late-night meal after traveling was a welcome treat. 📅 Day 2 – Silicon Valley & Stanford Visited the Google Campus (thanks to a friend’s insider access!) and enjoyed lunch there—truly a techie’s dream. Then we spent a few peaceful hours wandering the stunning Stanford University grounds, starting from the visitor parking near the art museum and Rodin Sculpture Garden. Later, we drove into SF, checked into Hotel Nikko (with lounge access for breakfast), returned the rental car due to rain, and had a quick—but underwhelming—dinner at a nearby Chinese spot. Overall, a smooth and scenic start to our California holiday adventure—even with a few bumps along the way! More updates to come. ☀️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 #CaliforniaRoadTrip #SFtoLA #FamilyTravel #HolidayTrip #Disneyland #TravelTips #SanFrancisco #Stanford #GoogleCampus #HiltonHotels #RoadTripAdventures