For most of the year, the best route is via Tioga Pass (if you're traveling in winter or spring, check to make sure that it's open before heading out). To extend your trip, continue heading north by booking a weekend in Sonoma to taste some of the best wine in the state. I had my own patio overlooking the beach and could get onto the pier or on the beach within a minute, so thats mainly what spent time doing. The best way to experience California is an LA to San Francisco road trip highlighting the top attractions the Golden State offers. More than 2,600 stars honoring famous actors, musicians, and other public people are on the pavement at this popular attraction. There really is no better way to experience what the California coast has to offer than with a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, taken at your own pace. If you have time, check out what to do in Huntington Beach before you begin, known as Surf City USA. An Epic California Coastal Drive: San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip The Angels Just Can't WinEven With Trout and Ohtani Roundtrip One-way Multi-city 1 traveler Economy Leaving from Going to Departing Returning Add a place to stay Add a car Direct flights only Add Price Drop Protection and Expedia will pay you back if your flight gets cheaper. Dont fret because theyre actually a lot to do here! If you want to do a little more shopping on your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip, head to Ocean Avenue to find a variety of shops. 1 hour from Santa Barbara / 30 minutes from Solvang and Los Olivos. I recommend stopping at Redondo Beach at the beginning of your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip for a relaxing start to your vacation. If youre looking to call it a night around here, both Monterey and Carmel are great areas to stay in. Whale watching, sailing, kayaking, golfing, and biking are also popular activities to do here. Upon arrival, youll begin to notice its mystical charm, almost like Sedona in Arizona. You can rent bicycles to ride down the boardwalk or along the neighboring bike trails before calling it a night. Old Fishermans Grotto is one of my go-to spots whenever Im in Monterey. When in Santa Barbara, dont miss the opportunity to eat some fresh strawberries or uni (sea urchin)! For a taste of Europe, head on over to Solvang, where youll find Danish eateries, shops, and a refreshing, unique atmosphere. If you couldnt tell, I love bread so you know Ive got you covered on all the best bakery spots. The Lark serves up farm-to-table cuisine in the historic Santa Barbara Fish Market structure, so you may sample the bounty of the Central Coast of California without leaving the building. Where to Stay: The Shade Redondo Beach Hotel is a beautiful hotel right on the water and a relaxing way to start your trip. Considering going on a Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip? They even sell boxes of it for you to take home! Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers will definitely want to consider a day trip from Santa Barbara to Montaa de Oro State Park. San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip - Travel2Next If you want to take some scenic drives from Los Angeles at sunset, you have many different options. Never a dull moment, thats for sure! With your extra days here, dive into the culture of San Francisco a little more. You can also relax at one of the beaches, such as Butterfly Beach. Marin Headlands will no doubt be your first stop out of the city of San Francisco to admire stunning views over the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. If youre staying at one of the hotels in the area, stop at Bluewater Grill for local seafood to enjoy while the sun goes down. This castle was built by newspaper mogul William Hearst and will immediately transport you to Europe. They are road trip essentials! Boasting an incredible collection of attractionsthe world-famous San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, tasty craft breweries, sprawling Pacific beaches, and historic sights like the USS Midway aircraft carrier and Hotel Del CoronadoSan Diego offers plenty of fun-filled . I recommend doing tours of the grand rooms, but you can also see the kitchens or the bedrooms. Make sure to check out the outside as well, with its extravagant gardens and Olympic-sized swimming pool. If you want to stay in California, youll love spending 2 days in Death Valley, which is one of the most unique parks in the state. Best car for this road trip: Convertible. Located about 6-hours by car and 1 hour and 30 minutes by plane, San Francisco is one of the best places to visit near Los Angeles. You can get in here for 20 minutes for freeif you just want to drive around and take pictures. The drive on I-5 is both incredibly boring and long, so one suggestion is to take 101 on the way down and I-5 on the way home (or vice versa). The Lark is super popular among locals and tourists. If youre just passing by, Carmel is a great town to grab a bite to eat and go wine tasting. If you're looking to stay near the beach, your best bet is Santa Monica. Its tiny, but its a cute place to explore nonetheless. This town almost reminds me of Napa and Sonoma in Northern California, with how its downtown area is structured, brimming with things to do! Its worth going to the course, even if you dont play golf, just to take in the breathtaking scenery of the sea and the rocky shoreline. Portable Cooler| Coolers are a must for any road trip. Embarking on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco will prove very rewarding for any happy traveller. Its not along the coast, but I figured Id mention it herefor those of you interested in the Garlic Capital of the World. For travelers heading north from Southern California, Ragged Point is often the first few stops when traveling through Big Sur. Roadside Emergency Kit| You never know what kind of car trouble you may encounter on the road. Where To Stay: AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown, Read More: 25 Best Things To Do In The San Francisco South Bay, California, 50 minutes from San Jose / 58 minutes from Santa Cruz. About 30 miles east of Highway 1, you will find the quaint, hidden gem of a town known as Paso Robles. After that, head over to Hearst Castle for a tour of the residence of former publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. You could take a quick flight over, but thats the boring way to go. You can get clam chowder at Splash Cafe for a delicious lunch. If youve arrived on a weekend, head to Main Street in the morning for the local Farmers Market. Best 10 Day USA Itineraries 2023/. The Victorian Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. There was plenty of buzz prior to Lonzo Ball's first game with the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. Youll take a bus up the steep hill this is located on, but the views from the top are incredible. Just a note, it takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Los Angeles to Pismo Beach, so keep that in mind while planning your drive for the day. You can see the castles Neptune Pool, Roman Pool, and the impressive Hearst library on different guided tours. Youve made it to the end of your trip! Urban Light, the sculpture with 202 lamp posts, is at the Wilshire Boulevard entrance and is so popular that people hang out all night around it. For a unique experience, drive onto Stearns Wharf (you can drive right onto the pier and park for free for 90 minutes) to have lunch at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. TheiOttieattaches by suction, so its easy to transport from car to car. You do have to look closely to see the purple (and its really hard to see in this picture, but I promise it is! Check out the rest of the road trip packing list at the end of this post! You will not be able to resist the charm that the town of Carmel carries, evident the minute you step out of your car! 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). Before you leave Santa Barbara, you can stop by the Old Mission. Make sure to stop by San Pedro Square Market, which hosts a variety of food vendors. 1- Marin Headlands A San Francisco to Los Angeles flight is the quickest way to travel between the two cities but a road trip reveals many treasures beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. How to Spend One Day in Los Angeles: A Complete Guide Solvangalsohas plenty ofamazingwineries that youll love if youre a wine enthusiast. You wont be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Need a restaurant recommendation? Taking a Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip along Highway 1 is one of the most scenic places to plan a vacation. Before you leave the official Malibu area, you can stop at Point Mugu State Park for a quick hike or a beach picnic. San Diego is an ideal destination for a 3-day weekend in Southern California. This California coastal drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the best road trips in the USA. Unsubscribe at any time. Even though it costs $12 to get in, you should definitely swing over to take some pictures. 441 Youll love having a glass of wine as you take a break on your road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The cheapest flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles was found 71 days before departure, on average. This seaside town is even more sleepy than the last, but that might just be due to the overcast skies that frequent the area. Here are some tips to help you start crafting your itinerary. Language: English; Mandarin Chinese. If youre looking to go deeper, you can take a tour through the cottages, kitchen and upstairs suites. How long is the road trip from LA to San Francisco? At around nine hours, you can do it in a day if you must, but that would hardly be in the spirit of an easygoing sightseeing coastal drive. Old Town Lompoc is another gem, where you can take a stroll while soaking in that small-town charm. 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. If you were to drive straight without stopping and just take I-5, the driving time from Los Angeles to San Francisco is about six hours (which, of course, does not include the infamous LA traffic!). If you dont have camping gear with you, there are various lodges, inns, motels and resort options as well. If you love nature, Big Sur is a great place to spend the night so you can enjoy a whole day of exploring hidden beaches, vista points and hiking trails. Here are my top recommendations to bring with you: I always find it helpful to visually see the places I want to stop, so here is a map of the general route and the recommended stops youll be checking out while driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco. If youre looking for more things to do, Ovation Hollywood is just a short drive away and has plenty of restaurants, stores, and attractions to keep you occupied. Alex Len has agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million contract to re-sign with the Sacramento Kings, per Shams. Where to Stay: A convenient place to stay for your first night is Shore Hotel, where youll have a private balcony and access to the pool. Lastly, the main attraction that draws many Californians to Pismo Beach: ATVing on the sand dunes next to the beach! The Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island are two iconic San Francisco attractions that I recommend seeing, even if theyre a bit touristy. 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. Local Tip: Head over to Leadbetter Beach if youre looking to just float along merrily in the ocean. You should try both The Lobster and Huckleberry Cafe if youre in Santa Monica. Whats the best time to do a Los Angeles to San Franciso road trip? It takes about 1.5 hours by car from LA. When I was there, I started my days with a stroll along the waterfront, admiring the boats. Tours fill up during busy seasons, so making a reservation in advance is recommended. This is a great place to get local seafood while having an ocean view and is also one of the most romantic getaways in the US. Check out this post: 175 Bucket List Things To Do In Los Angeles, California (From A Locals Perspective). You might also like: Camping in Carmel: 15 Best Camping Spots Near Carmel, California. Like we mentioned above, the I-5 route is useful if you're just looking to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. There is also a great variety of restaurants here. Local Tip: Continuing north on your California road trip from here? SEATTLE -- A total of 70 players were selected on Day 1 of the 2023 Draft, but things are just getting started. Although there is the option to take a more direct path along the I-5 Highway, the Pacific Coast route provides a unique, scenic, and relaxing drive. A: The best Multi-day Tours in Los Angeles according to Viator travelers are: 4-Day Grand Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon Tour. They have multiple tours for different parts of this castle because its so giant. In the 1940s and 50s, Art was an eccentric garbage collector who gathered and kept much of what others threw away to build his home. If youre into beaches or surfing, make sure to stop at Mavericks, a world-famous surfing spot where you can witness massive waves ranging from 25 to 60 feet high! New to LA? 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. This post is a must-read! Just about two hours south of San Francisco is a 90-mile expanse of unforgettable nature and views known as Big Sur. I highly recommend stopping here on your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip. We love Monterey so much that we dedicated an entire post to showcase some of the best things to do in town! Ive explored many parts of California over the years, including some of the beautiful national parks, but I particularly loved driving from LA to San Francisco a few years ago. I also recommend a stop at Ostrichland near Solvang. Its really an unforgettable sight to see. Entrance to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is free and you pay per ride. San Francisco, CA is one of the most recognizable cities in the US, home to techies, yuppies, and hippies alike. $54 Cheap Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) - Expedia 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. Other notable beaches in Malibu include Zuma Beach, El Matador State Beach, and Point Dume State Beach. I live 30 minutes away from San Francisco so its nothing new to me, but I still find that each time I visit the city, I am amazed at everything this place has to offer. If youre more of a picnic person, Ferrini Park is the ideal picnic location for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts (there are volleyball courts here). One is good for those nostalgic beach vibes, while the other is great for shopping and picking up fresh produce/fruits! Where to Stay: Youll love staying right on the beach at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Tips for Planning a Los Angeles to San Francisco Drive. There are many pull-off spots on the Big Sur day trip, but the most famous is Bixby Creek Bridge, so make sure to stop here on the way north. iOttie car mount| This is my partner in crime on any road trip. This laidback California community, just a 20-minute drive from Ventura, boasts a strong Spanish and Western feel. Local Tip: Do NOT miss the clam chowder at Splash Cafe. Tons of Hollywood stars call Malibu home, so you may see them around at the local restaurants. LOS ANGELES TO SAN FRANCISCO ROAD TRIP: HOW MANY DAYS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS ROAD TRIP? Huckleberry Cafe is on Wilshire Boulevard and serves up tasty breakfast and brunch selections. There are plenty of places to sit outside, and people watch or just enjoy the sun. The best route to take: The fastest way to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco is actually on Interstate 5 (which is inland). 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. If you feel like treating yourself, stop by the infamous Nobu restaurant for Japanese food. Continue the drive for another 13 miles and youll hit Point Dume, where youll find a beach as well as picturesque coastal cliffs and rocky coves. Not too far from Point Dume will you find Paradise Cove, a super fun touristy pit stop. And you know what? If youre renting a rental car and youre not sure if it has a navigation screen, bring a phone mount with you. There are other special tours that highlight the art and architecture of the property as well. This is Pacific Avenue to be exact, and here you will find a variety of vintage shops as well as modern apparel and gift stores, eateries, bars, and coffee shops. Ive done this trip in the spring, and it was great sunny weather and no rain. Paso Robles is one of Californias fastest-growing and up-and-coming wine regions, and I love it because its really not too much of a tourism hotspot at the moment. Check for Santa Barbara hotel availability and pricing here! Visit one of the many beaches in the area, like El Matador Beach, known for its spectacular cliffs and towering rock formations. This wonderful gem of a park is quite possibly one of Californias best state parks. The Gilroy Foods processing plant never fails to fill the air with the fragrance of garlic. Aside from the usual clothing and toiletries youd pack for any regular trip, here are the things Id recommend you not leave home without on your LA to SF road trip: Have you done the Los Angeles to San Francisco 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. Afterward, keep driving up the coast to Big Sur, where I highly recommend stopping at the McWay Waterfall Trail. My one and only recommendationthe cookies and cream flavor (prepare to be mindblown by the power of the flavors)! To kick off the day, head east to Solvang, a picturesque Danish hamlet in the Santa Ynez Valley. Go on to Los Angeles, where you can check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For lunch, head up to Santa Barbara, where you have a variety of places to stop at. HOW LONG IS THE DRIVE FROM LOS ANGELES TO SAN FRANCISCO? The Solvang Village Square is a focal point of the town that has various shops and restaurants serving both traditional Danish and other cuisines. Ah, Pismo Beach, a classic Central Coast beach town famous for its sand dunes, boutique shopping, award-winning boardwalk, and beautiful coastline! Ive never had the opportunity to stay the night here, but its another wonderful town to consider for an overnight stop (especially if you want to take advantage of the amazing tasting rooms and wineries in the area). Best of the West 14-Day Road Trip: SF, Yosemite, Vegas, LA San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary - The Route. Driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway is an iconic American road trip experience. Ojai is jam-packed with cute specialty shops such asFig,Summer Camp, In The Field, anddeKor & Co. Alvarado Street Brewery is another great choice, with an extensive range of craft brews and delicious pub-style fare. What are your favorite detours? How can anyone not love the Mediterranean atmosphere ofSanta Barbara, CA? What are your favorite stops along the California Coast? Head over to State Street for top-notch shopping, great restaurant options, and lively nightlife as the sun sets on the town. Really great choice, because the lodging options are endless. If you are planning on driving from south to north: fly into Los Angeles (LAX) or Burbank (BUR) do a one-way drive up to the Bay Area (being sure to take all the awesome stops in between). Africa; Asia; The months of June through August are ideal for a road trip through California if you want to soak up the states signature summer mood and enjoy the beaches. The bridge was featured in Big Little Lies and several other shows, so youll likely recognize it. Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. S. Local Tip: The Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve at Natural Bridges State Beach is a must-see if youre in town from late fall to winter. NBA summer league 2023 - News, schedule and scenes - ESPN On the hunt for kitschy attractions and/or lodging? The Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and Lotusland are all popular things to do in Santa Barbara. San Francisco Tours from Los Angeles with Discounted Prices - TakeTours ACCOMMODATION IN SAN FRANCISCO Youll need a car for the road trip, so I recommend renting a car from Alamo, Hertz, or any of the car rental places nearby. The rugged coastline and pristine turquoise waters are truly a sight to see. 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. Jonathan Mayo. A quick detour through Los Alamos is well worth your time, which you can spend perusing art galleries, antique shops, and wine tasting rooms. Catch the Route 92 bus at the Glendale/Santa Ynez bus stop, and then take it to the Temple/Hill bus stop. Jumper Cables / Car Jump Starter | A must-have for any road trip! Im not always the biggest fan of tours, but this was one of the most surprisingly fun parts of my LA to SF road trip. For the last day of your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip, I recommend getting a late flight out of San Francisco International Airport, so you have time to explore this stretch. 2 Days in Los Angeles: How to Spend a Weekend in L.A. A perfect Pacific Coast Highway 4 day itinerary: 16 stops you need to make Looking to drive the Pacific Coast Highway? The Bit O Denmark Restaurant is one I recommend that has authentic Danish fare like aebleskiver and smorrebrod. In this article, Ill give you helpful tips on planning your own road trip from LA to San Francisco, provide a sample itinerary, and share some of the best stops on a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The park is best known for its yellow/gold wildflowers that cover its hills in the springtime. Santa Monica is charming, with great stretches of shops, bars, and restaurants (particularly along Montana Ave on the north side of the neighborhood). Marissa is a Seattle local who's obsessed with exploring all things Pacific Northwest, especially hiking, road trips, and national parks. A medium-sized vehicle is perfect for your road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco so you can fit your passengers and be able to fit into any stops you make along the way. You should also pick up some bread and pastries for the ride ahead of you at Arizmendi Bakery, Arisacault, Tartine, or B Patisserie. However, its also the time to visit the state, so youll encounter more traffic and have long waits at restaurants. In LA you can do the typical touristy things like visit the LACMA, walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, hike the Hollywood Sign, visit Griffith Observatory, or stroll down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. You could also go down to Costa Mesa, where youll find fewer crowds and plenty to do. If youre into scuba diving, youll want to head to Monterey Bay to take a dive in the kelp forest. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For dinner, enjoy a beautiful dinner at Sea Level @ Shade. Pismo Beach may be my favorite town on this list because I loved the relaxed, casual vibe it had. Visit one of the surrounding vineyards for a taste, or just stroll the main street and check out all the shops and eateries. Youll be able to see elephant seals basking in the sun. The best meal to get here is Barbaras Fishtrap, a little shack restaurant that serves up the best seafood in town (get the fish and chips and a crab sandwich). Not far away is also the breathtaking Bixby Creek Bridge, which youll recognize from many popular shows and films. If youre up for an adventure and a drive up the coast, head to this Mountain of Gold (what its name translates to)! Many people drive from another state to get to California, but the states big enough to do a road trip within it. Where to Stay: Youre literally steps away from the beach when you stay at Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, so it doesnt get much better than that. While there are a lot of beaches in California, this one stands out because the sand is purple. THE TOP 10 Los Angeles Multi-day Tours (w/Prices) - Viator The cheapest month to fly is January. Living in Los Angeles means being a mere two-hour drive from the desert, wine country and some of SoCal's most coveted beach towns. San Diego. Paso Robles has great weather, so its almost always ideal for sipping and eating al fresco style. How about a scenic multi-day drive along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway instead? Some of the best viewpoints and scenic spots include Spanish Bay, Fanshell Beach, and Bird Cliff. It would be fun to travel on this route with a few friends and family joining in. Check out Paso Robles hotel pricing and availability here. You can take a self-guided tour of the church, living quarters, and gardens. 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. By Jeff / April 3, 2018 Like it? 17 Most Popular Stops on a Road Trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco There are plenty of wine shops to visit if you want to try out the local wine, which I highly recommend. After lunch, travel up the coast to Santa Barbara, a picturesque town known for its Spanish colonial beauty and beautiful waterfront vistas. If you love Caribbean food, then do not miss Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill (they serve the most amazing jerk chicken Ive ever tasted)! If youre looking for ice cream to follow up that meal, you NEED to stop by McConnells. By Michael Kolomatsky. The fastest route from Los Angeles to San Francisco is driving north on I-5, which cuts through the agricultural Central Valley. You can easily spend a whole day here eating at the restaurants, wine tasting, fishing, surfing (or learning how to surf), beaching and enjoying the mineral springs here. 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). The menu at this cafe includes both sweet and savory options, such as pastries, sandwiches, and salads made using organic, locally sourced ingredients. Taking a Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip along Highway 1 is one of the most scenic places to plan a vacation. Furthermore, youll have more of the beach to yourself because its less popular than other locations. You might also like: San Francisco to Santa Cruz Road Trip: 15 Best Stops On Highway 1. High season is considered to be October, November and December. Then keep going westward until you reach Pismo Beach, one of my personal favorite stops on this trip. On your way out of Santa Cruz, check out The Mystery Spot, a kitschy roadside attraction that hosts a collection of strange phenomena from the last 70 years. Guess what the main attraction is here at Lompoc? Theres a fee to park in this lot, but you can always just park beside the road and walk over to the beach. If you came to California in hopes of spotting a celebrity, Malibu may be your best bet. Pebble Beach Golf Course is another iconic local attraction that youll love visiting if youre a golfer. Ive been to Ojai twice, once for camping and once to enjoy the urban magic this town has to offer. This is a good place to hop out of the car, get a stretch, and enjoy the sand/sun. Surfrider Beach, located next to the historic Malibu Pier, is a popular destination for surfers and beachgoers alike. How to Plan a Successful Roadtrip from S.F to L.A. - Tinybeans