A San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip can be nice since youll be on the ocean side of the highway the whole way down. So thick, so creamy and dreamy. Death Valley is huge, so I recommend staying within the park to reduce driving time. Best Stops Along the Los Angeles to San Francisco Drive, Where to Stay On Your Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip, Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip Itineraries, Best Time to do a Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip, Tips for Planning a Road Trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, FAQs About Getting from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Read our guides to the best things to do in Yosemite, the two-day Yosemite itinerary, the best views in Yosemite, where to stay in Yosemite, and Yosemite camping. Ideally, a long weekend or a week off of work would be perfect for this road trip. El Capitan Santa Barbara Stay in the Santa Ynez Mountains with all your creature comforts at El Capitan Canyon. If you choose to stop here, check out the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (home to one of the oldest roller coasters in the USA) and take a stroll among this boardwalks old-school Americana vibes. The shortest driving distance between San Francisco and LA is 383 miles, which takes about six to seven hours on I-5. Looking for more California travel inspiration? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to the TWE newsletter get first dibs on travel tips, updates, and exclusive deals! Day 2: Drive from San Francisco to Yosemite (200 miles/5 hours) With a head full of art and science and a belly full of gourmet food, head to Yosemite. If youre into any of these things, consider working Gilroy into your itinerary somehow. We like to rent fromHertz. In Los Angeles, it's best if you can stay away from West Adams and the Wholesale District/Skid Row. Distance LA to San Francisco on Pacific Coast Highway. Free bikes are also available to explore the city. This seaside town is even more sleepy than the last, but that might just be due to the overcast skies that frequent the area. How to Drive from LA to San Francisco: Highway 101 or I-5? This immersive art installation is comprised of an array of over 58,800 stemmed fiber-optic lightbulbs, gently illuminating the landscape in morphing colors. If traffic is awful and you need to stay the night, there arent as many options. If youre looking to call it a night around here, both Monterey and Carmel are great areas to stay in. Savor an authentic Danish pastry at one of the bakeries. Half Moon Bay is a relatively small town 30 miles south of San Francisco and has a number of great cafes and boutique shops to explore. Already used. For a taste of Europe, head on over to Solvang, where youll find Danish eateries, shops, and a refreshing, unique atmosphere. If you dont know what to order, just get seafood. Jumper Cables / Car Jump Starter | A must-have for any road trip! Angeles National Forest glamping Relax in natural surroundings while close to the city in Paradise Springs, a glamping resort perfect for families and adventurous couples. We respect your privacy. This mountain town is an all-season resort, with skiing in the winter and hikes to beautiful Rainbow Falls in the summer. On day one, leave Los Angeles and follow Highway 101 to San Luis Obispo, stopping at Santa Barbara, Solvang, and Pismo Beach. The straight-shot drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles can be done in 5.5 to 6 hours if you step on it and avoid rush hour traffic. Upon arrival, youll begin to notice its mystical charm, almost like Sedona in Arizona. Distance. If you love garlic, then linger here longer and breathe it all in. How about by train? Now check your email to confirm your subscription. And with theirHertz Gold Plus Rewardsprogram (completely free to join), youll get counter-free pickup at select locations, and even mobile alerts with yourexactrental carandits location before you arrive. Before you get too far, you can stop at Point Mugu State Park for a quick hike or a beach picnic. A bit further south of the coast lies the little area of San Simeon. Or, extend it on the frot end by starting your trip from San Diego. There are cornhole and giant Jenga games for the kids to play . To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles, as early as possible. If youre looking for entertainment for the kids, check out San Luis Obispo Childrens Museum or San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. Not only will this make it so much easier to find what you need, but it will also lead to more space in your trunk for you to pack other necessities. Several years ago, because that's how things work in the far-ahead world of opera, General Director Matthew Shilvock must have gathered his staff around and begun making plans . Just over two hours south of San Francisco is a 90-mile expanse of unforgettable nature and views known as Big Sur. Review. Alternative Route: Highway 395 Best Stops Along the Los Angeles to San Francisco Drive Los Angeles Santa Monica Malibu Ventura Santa Barbara Solvang Pismo Beach San Luis Obispo Enjoy a seafood dinner at one of the many top-notch restaurants, kayak the bay, or visit Pebble Beach while youre here. If youre here during the night, be sure to check out Bruce Munros Field of Light at Sensorio. Read our guides to the best hikes in Big Sur and Big Sur camping. Because I am giving you so many road trip stop options in this post, it would be impossible for me to estimate how long your trip will take. Theres one final route you can take thats more roundabout and inland: Highway 395. Treebones Resort Get close to nature at Treebones Resort, where you can book your yurt for the night. Monos Carry-On Pro Review: Is It Actually Worth The Price? Why its worth visiting: Santa Cruz is an artistic haven, surfing mecca, and all-around fun town. Avila Beach glamping Sleep by the ocean in your own RV or stay in one of the seaside cottages in Avila Beach at Flying Flags Avila Beach. If youre early on in your trip planning stages, I would recommend going through this post, marking down the stops/towns that pique your interest, and then backing into it, to determine how many days you want to spend checking out all the stops. Check out Madonna Inn, one of Californias quirkiest places to stay. The best time to find and book cheap bus tickets is to book at least 60 days in advance. The lack of waves at this beach is absolutely perfect for families and children and people like me, who dont want to be dodging waves left and right. Its also one of the best places on the Central Coast for fresh fish tacos! Hop in the car and follow Highway 101 north again as it heads away from the Pacific Ocean and cuts through Californias agricultural heartland. Explore Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. Here's the quick answer if you have a private jet and you can fly in the fastest possible straight line. Take a guided kayak tour along the Pismo Beach coast and try to spot some sea life. Browse the boutiques and bakeries of Main Street. How can anyone not love the Mediterranean atmosphere of Santa Barbara, CA? You can also visit the local Garlic Shoppe to purchase garlic-themed gifts and souvenirs. On day three, travel from San Luis Obispo to Carmel-by-the-Sea on Highway 1, which hugs the coast and offers some of the most scenic landscapes in California. If youre in a hurry, you can pass SLO by and head straight to Pismo Beach. This area is a protected beach which means that people are not allowed on them. Madonna Inn Forget the chain hotels and stay in this charming and iconic San Luis Obispo hotel where every room has different wild decor, and the pink champagne cake is to die for. However, driving in LA is a headacheboth in terms of LA drivers and the traffic. Dont Miss:Your Guide To The Perfect Ojai Trip: 20 Best Things To Do In Ojai, California. June 20, 2023 Updated 6:46 PM PT. Recommended option Fly San Francisco to Los Angeles, tram 3h 58m Ride the rollercoasters at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. There are 12 ways to get from San Francisco to Los Angeles by plane, tram, subway, bus, train or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. TheiOttieattaches by suction, so its easy to transport from car to car. If youre just passing by, Carmel is a great town to grab a bite to eat and go wine tasting. Drive down to Santa Monica Pier to get a Baywatch-style photo beside the iconic lifeguard houses. Pro Tip: If you are driving from north to south: fly into San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC), do a one-way drive down to LA, and fly out of Los Angeles (LAX). Portable Cooler| Coolers are a must for any road trip. Heres a list of a few of my favorite things to see and do: If youve never been to San Francisco and you have a few days, Id recommend spending 2-3 full days in SF to take in all that the city has to offer. You do not have to buy either from the rental company, BUT you must at least hold a third-party insurance policy to drive a vehicle in California legally. When in Monterey, you definitely cannot miss walking down Cannery Row, the setting of two John Steinbeck novels. Tour the fairy tale cottages of Carmel, shop the boutiques and art galleries, then take a mini-road trip up the 17 Mile Drive and see Pebble Beach, one of the best golf courses in the world. Visit Hearst Castle and take the Grand Rooms Tour to learn about this unique place. The Hearst Castle offers a variety of tours to choose from during your visit to San Simeon, CA. Bring a picnic to Golden Gate Park and ride a swan boat on Stow Lake. Highway 101 and I-5 are open year-round, so you can generally do those routes during any season. This castle was built by newspaper mogul William Hearst and will immediately transport you to Europe. Spring is also an incredible season in Big Sur because wildflowers burst into colorful life across the hills. San Francisco is a sight in and of itself, and the gorgeous vistas of the bay, Golden Gate, Pacific Ocean and city streets unfold in an ever-changing panorama. Taxi from Sanford to Orlando Airport (MCO) If youre up for an adventure and a drive up the coast, head to this Mountain of Gold (what its name translates to)! If live reenactments are your thing, dont missThe Evening Tour, available only in fall and spring, where costumed docents recall the days when Howard Hughes, Buster Keaton and Greta Garbo wandered the castle. See the abandoned M*A*S*H set at Malibu Creek State Park. Who knew you could find a Danish town smack dab in the middle of California? All in all, youll get a jam-packed day of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, tide pools, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills galore. Keep your eyes peeled for the ~40 custom murals in the area. 347 mi (559 km) Its got an amazing grip and popping your phone in and out of the mount could not be easier. 801 reviews #12 of 310 Quick Bites in San Francisco $ Quick Bites Mexican Latin. San Jose is the heart of Silicon Valley, so naturally, its on the pit stop list! Fodor's Guide to California, which also includes details on a number of fantastic road trips. From Oakland, you can get to San Francisco via public transit in as little as 30 minutes. Since buying the house in 1928, he spent the next 50 years carving out the terraces with only a pick and shovel and creating his own version of a castle on a hill (somewhat inspired by the nearby Hearst Castle, where he reportedly worked for a time). Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Francisco usually takes 10 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 30 minutes. Read our complete guide to the best things to do in Solvang. She writes for the national parenting website Red Tricycle and on her own family travel blog, Tiny Trailblazers. Going to sleep in Los Angeles and waking up in San Francisco is many travelers dream. There are so many awesome options that suit every skill level, from the easy 4.1-mile roundtripMontaa de Oro Bluff Trailto the longerCoon Creek Trail(7.1-miles roundtrip). To rent a car in California, youll need a valid drivers license (an international license is acceptable, but be also prepared to show your passport), a credit card, and third-party liability insurance, which you can buy separately or at the counter. Why its worth visiting: The most scenic part of the Big Sur region boasts redwoods and a breathtaking coastline. Rise early and head north on the Pacific Coast Highway toward Carmel. Please try again. But if you want to make this road trip epic then drive the entire stretch on Highway 1 which is along the coast. Pack up the car and hit the highway with this ultimate LA to San Francisco road trip guide. This route is the longest road trip at around 866 miles and 16 hours of driving time, but its equally spectacular as the coastal drive, especially in autumn with the fall foliage. From Lee Vining, take Highway 120 to cross the Sierras through Yosemite National Park. LA MAR CEBICHERA PERUANA - 6883 Photos & 4363 Reviews - Pier 1 1/2 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, California - Latin American - Restaurant Reviews - Phone Number - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services La Mar Cebichera Peruana 4363 reviews Claimed $$$ Latin American, Seafood, Peruvian Edit Closed 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM If youre looking to go deeper, you can take a tour through the cottages, kitchen and upstairs suites. Read our guides to the best things to do in San Jose and the best San Jose hikes. Read our guides to the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes and the best hot springs in Mammoth Lakes. Dont fret because theyre actually a lot to do here! If you want to drive from SF to LA the scenic route, as described here, then you're looking at around 9 h 19 mins (454 miles) via Highway 1. Trunk Organizer|With any road trip comes lots and lots of stuff to pack. If you're planning to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, you'll have one of best road trips in the world! A five-day trip gives you more time to explore the coastal communities of Highway 1. Whale watching, sailing, kayaking, golfing, and biking are also popular activities to do here. Explore San Franciscos bustling Chinatown. The building materials youll see here include beer cans, toilet seats, abalone shells, washer drums, car rims, tile, car parts, and old stoves. You can visit the Fortino Winery, the Solis Winery, or the Clos LaChance Winery to taste some of the regions best wines and learn about the winemaking process! Stay two nights in Joshua Tree National Park, where you can hike, climb, and stargaze in the desert. Take the iconic Pacific Coast Highway to travel between Santa Cruz and San Francisco to enjoy the picturesque beaches along the way. You could drive the I-5 highway for maximum time efficiency, but there's really nothing to look at other than farmland. The two most direct routes from LA to San Francisco are Highway 101 and I-5. When launched, the Hyperloop pod is expected to carry up to 23 passengers and make the 380-mile trip between San Francisco and LA in just 35 minutes, at speeds reaching 670 mph. The drive to the Big Oak Flat entrance takes at least four hours; however, traffic, especially in summer and on weekends, can make it much . For the coastal route, I recommend at least three days. The San Francisco to Los Angeles drive is 6 h 16 mins (383.1 mi) via I-5 S - the most direct route. A quick detour through Los Alamos is well worth your time, which you can spend perusing art galleries, antique shops, and wine tasting rooms. The distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway is roughly 500 miles. From the west entrance of Death Valley National Park, its about two hours to Lone Pine, the gateway to Mount Whitney. Download this Big Sur audio tour so you can learn about this extraordinary stretch of coast as you drive. Head over to State Street for top-notch shopping, great restaurant options, and lively nightlife as the sun sets on the town. El templo es catalogado como monumento histrico por el . Spare Tire| In addition to carrying a spare tire with you, dont forget to check your current tire conditions before you set off as well. A bus takes approximately eight to nine hours. Farther down the road in the Santa Ynez Valley, swing by the Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company Taproom in Buelton to relax on the patio and enjoy some good eats. Why its worth visiting: This charming Central Coast town is perfect for whale watching and a day at the beach. Notable spots include Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Keyhole Arch Rock at Pfeiffer Beach (unmissable sunset spot). If youre staying the night, downtown San Jose is a lively place to be, with its many bars and eateries. Not only do you get sweeping ocean views along the way, but you have the opportunity to stop in a countless number of Californias coolest towns along the way. A warning on insurance: there are two types of rental insurance: third-party liability and collision damage waiver. Considering going from Northern California to Southern California, or vice versa? There was an error submitting your subscription. HOW LONG IS THE DRIVE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO LOS ANGELES? Both these towns provide various hotels and B&Bs to unwind and relax! Youll also have the opportunity to take the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), arguably the best drive in the world. There are no big cities in this wild and difficult-to-reach region. ARE YOU ROAD TRIP READY? Spend the day driving between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo on Highway 101, visiting the town of Solvang, pausing for a Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting, and relaxing in Avila Beach. From roller coasters to water rides (and even photo ops with garlic characters! This town is where you want to go if you love surfingthe surf is great here. Depending on snow conditions, this road is only open in the summer, from around June to November. Just an hour from Santa Cruz, youll find Monterey Bay. Today, Hearst Castle is now an accredited museum and a California State Park, displaying Hearsts extensive art collection. Local Tip: Stop by Malibu Seafood located along Highway 1 and order the fish and chips; you will have no regrets. Hit up one of Santa Cruzs authentic Mexican eateries for lunch, such as Taqueria Vallarta, Tortilla Flats, or El Palomar, then make your way over to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for classic seaside fun. Theres little to see and few worthwhile stops, so plan accordingly. All in all, this is a good place to stop, take a restroom break, and grab a bite to eat. Check out the Hans Christian Anderson Museum. However, traffic can extend a Los Angeles road trip considerably. Dont forget to pack a cooler to store your picnic lunch and post-hike drinks! Why is this on the list? First-timers will thoroughly enjoy theGrand Rooms Tour. Read our related articles below! Go for a hike in Los Padres National Forest. With several stops allow at least 2 days but it's best if you have several days to a week for a more relaxing Highway One road trip. Its a great place to grab a meal or drink and spend some time after a day of hiking or biking. Their artisan bread and pastry selections are so worth it, as are their coffee, breakfast items and sandwiches. End your road trip in San Francisco. Of course, this trip can also be reversed from Los Angeles to San Francisco just map out the spots you plan to visit in the opposite direction! Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West . Experience the sun setting through a natural archway at nearby Pfeiffer Beach, which has purple sand. However, note that the B&B lodging options in Carmel specifically might be pricier than in neighboring cities. You guessed it, more wine tasting! See the Monarch butterflies return to the Monterey Peninsula at Pacific Grove in the winter. How to Drive from LA to San Francisco: Highway 101 or I-5? There is a fee to park here, but if you dine in, that fee is reduced. Continue driving for another hour along Highway 395 to Bishop, where you can visit the oldest living trees in the world at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Dream Inn Santa Cruz This beachside Santa Cruz hotel has a swimming pool and hot tub, plus all guestrooms enjoy spectacular ocean views. One-bedroom stone cottage in West LA Stay in a cozy cottage close to the action in this guesthouse, which comes with its own pool and hot tub. Stop at sandy beaches, grab lunch in pretty coastal towns, see unique wildlife like elephant seals and sea otters, and learn about the history of California at places like Hearst Castle. WHERE TO STAY IN CARMEL: Wayside Innor LAuberge Carmel(if you can afford the latter, its THE place to stay in Carmel! See the iconic rock formation further north in nearby Morro Bay and admire the sea otters. Steps away from SLO, you will find Pismo Beach, a classic Central Coast beach town famous for its sand dunes, boutique shopping, award-winning boardwalk, and beautiful coastline. The surrounding mountains offer fantastic views and even more fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities. Enjoy an afternoon hike along the beach before continuing to San Luis Obispo (or SLO, as locals call it) for dinner and checking into your hotel for the night. Alright, back on track. Three-bedroom cottage in downtown Carmel Walk to downtown and the beach from this classic Carmel cottage, which includes a private courtyard with a fire pit, plus a full kitchen. Why its worth visiting: The most famous California city boasts movie stars and mountain lions among its residents. If you have the time, make a pit stop in the center of town and allocate ~2 hours to peruse the shops, grab some wine (Justin Winery is great), and hang out by the tree-lined town square.