Alternatively, if you'd like to take public transportation, you can take the Los Angeles Metro Bus. Youll love checking out the many eateries and stores that line the pier and port. The menu at this cafe includes both sweet and savory options, such as pastries, sandwiches, and salads made using organic, locally sourced ingredients. The cheapest flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles was found 71 days before departure, on average. This immersive art installation is comprised of an array of over 58,800 stemmed fiber-optic lightbulbs, gently illuminating the landscape in morphing colors. You can also relax at one of the beaches, such as Butterfly Beach. That includes 38 of the Top 100 prospects in this year's class who remain on the board and seven of the top 50. Staying the night and getting to know the city is a great idea before you head home. Your email address will not be published. After lunch, travel up the coast to Santa Barbara, a picturesque town known for its Spanish colonial beauty and beautiful waterfront vistas. This restaurant is on top of a giant hill and has a stunning view of Big Sur. For strawberries, youll find produce stands selling them at many exits along the way as well as near the fields where theyre grown. (17) Coach / Bus from Los Angeles to S. (5) Top Destinations. Language: English; Mandarin Chinese. 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. All in all, this is a good place to stop, take a restroom break, and grab a bite to eat. Old Town Lompoc is another gem, where you can take a stroll while soaking in that small-town charm. You can surely busy yourself all day with the many art galleries and museums in San Jose, CA. For a taste of Europe, head on over to Solvang, where youll find Danish eateries, shops, and a refreshing, unique atmosphere. If youre looking to go deeper, you can take a tour through the cottages, kitchen and upstairs suites. 70 Reviews Los Angeles, United States Share Save to Wishlist From $590.00 Price varies by group size Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. 15 Incredible Stops on a Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip. Lonzo Ball-- July 7, 2017. Its known for its sand that looks purple depending on the lighting. The months of September through November and March through May offer milder temperatures and fewer tourists than the summer months. Free cancellation. The Angels Just Can't WinEven With Trout and Ohtani 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!). Not only does the tool allow you to compare rental car prices across the major rental car companies, but most of the time you can book with no prepayment and no cancellation fees. 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. When in Santa Barbara, dont miss the opportunity to eat some fresh strawberries or uni (sea urchin)! 1 hour from Santa Barbara / 30 minutes from Solvang and Los Olivos. From there, head on over to a more modern part of town, downtown Santa Cruz. This blend of materials and elements is both impressive and perplexing, making it a fun landmark that you shouldnt miss if youre passing through! This post includes a suggested itinerary for an LA to SF road trip, but you can make it as short or as long as you want. 1. The Hearst Castle offers a variety of tours to choose from during your visit to San Simeon, CA. Check for Santa Barbara hotel availability and pricing here! Highway 1 is a scenic route that runs along the coastline and adds several hours to the journey. The straight-shot drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco can be done in 5.5 to 6 hours if you put your foot down and avoid rush hour traffic. Weve done SF to LA and LA to SF trips ranging from 2 days to 5 days, but a 10-day road trip does not seem out of the question at all (especially if you are trying to fit in a majority of the towns listed in this post). It would be fun to travel on this route with a few friends and family joining in. Alex Len has agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million contract to re-sign with the Sacramento Kings, per Shams. You can reserve a car in advance in Los Angeles and arrange to drop it off in San Francisco from the following companies: There are so many amazing places to stop when driving from LA to San Francisco, but here are my favorite ones. There are plenty of places to sit outside, and people watch or just enjoy the sun. However, its also the time to visit the state, so youll encounter more traffic and have long waits at restaurants. The rugged coastline and pristine turquoise waters are truly a sight to see. Driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway is an iconic American road trip experience. Looking to call it a night somewhere along the Big Sur? The 17-Mile Road is an iconic destination for tourists in Pebble Beach. However, youll want to do a LA to San Francisco drive on Highway 1 because there are so many beautiful places to see. Typically, temperatures are more pleasant, and tourist numbers are lower than in the summer. Enjoy the beautiful beach and hillside scenery as you drive down Pacific Coast Highway. After youre done exploring the lake, its time to drive to Pismo Beach to check in to your hotel, which I think is one of the best places to visit on a LA to San Franciso road trip. Highlights of the menu include chipotle shrimp tacos, chile relleno, and grilled steak with chimichurri sauce. If you want a different but fun experience for lunch, you can stop at Cold Spring Tavern. There is a safe spot to park just north of the bridge to take photos (dont walk onto the bridge!). If you are more the type to compare prices between rental car companies, usePricelines rental carsearch! Can you tell yet that we Californians love to drink our wine? No matter how much time you have for your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip, I can guarantee youll enjoy all the scenery along the way! Dont forget to pack a cooler to store your picnic lunch and post-hike drinks! We respect your privacy. There's truly a day trip from Los Angeles for every taste. Morro Bay is a small, beachy town alive with family-friendly activities. Lobster rolls, crab cakes, and artisanal cocktails are what this eatery is famous for. Today, this is the most extensively restored mission that exists, with 10 original buildings furnished to transport you back to the era. I also recommend visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium while youre there, which is one of the best aquariums in the country. LA to San Francisco Road Trip: 15 BEST Stops & 4 Itineraries If youre renting a rental car and youre not sure if it has a navigation screen, bring a phone mount with you. For dessert, I recommend the churros or the chocolate tamale. Surrounded by ranches, farms, and vineyards sits a quaint little town called Los Alamos. Roadside Emergency Kit| You never know what kind of car trouble you may encounter on the road. Old Fishermans Grotto is one of my go-to spots whenever Im in Monterey. 38 minutes from Morro Bay / 32 minutes away from SLO. You can get clam chowder at Splash Cafe for a delicious lunch. If you want to extend your trip, you can always do one day in Joshua Tree National Park. New to LA? * As a Los Angeles local, it's been my pleasure to explore the regions surrounding my home. Not to mention, its a beautiful spot to spend the night! When you are ready to leave, you can fly out of San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), or San Jose (SJC). For locals and LA transplants alike, rite of passage activities located in Malibu include dining at Malibu Farm Restaurant by the pier and going on a wine safari at Malibu Wine Safaris. Santa Monica is charming, with great stretches of shops, bars, and restaurants (particularly along Montana Ave on the north side of the neighborhood). Carmel is another town that had a relaxed feel that I loved. This LA to San Francisco road trip was the first time Id been able to stop in the town of Santa Barbara, even though Id explored other towns around it before. If you want to get from LA to San Francisco while also seeing some of the best views in California, pack up a car and take a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1. In my opinion, this is one of the prettiest and lushest areas in ALL of Southern California. 2023 MLB Draft Day 2 overview and schedule - MLB.com Then head over tohistoric Downtown Venturaand make the most of your time here treasure hunting at vintage boutiques and secondhand stores. It was such a cute town, and I wish I had more time to walk through all of it. 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. 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. More than 1 million people visit every yearso it is worth visiting if you like architecture! ACCOMMODATION IN SAN FRANCISCO San Diego, located about two hours south of Los Angeles, is a perfect day trip companion to your Los Angeles visit. Explore the energetic Embarcadero, filled with shops and art galleries, or spend a few hours dining at an oceanfront restaurant. If you came to California in hopes of spotting a celebrity, Malibu may be your best bet. You can find more road trip hacks here. 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. Take a seat on our air . 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. 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. From farmland in San Luis Obisbo to high deserts Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, all the way to the beaches of San Diego. That said, I should also mention you probably wont have service until you get to Carmel, so plan accordingly. HOW LONG IS THE DRIVE FROM LOS ANGELES TO SAN FRANCISCO? Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. Visit one of the many beaches in the area, like El Matador Beach, known for its spectacular cliffs and towering rock formations. They are road trip essentials! When you first get there, take the time to walk around outside to see the unique public art. You could also go down to Costa Mesa, where youll find fewer crowds and plenty to do. San Diego. One of the most infamous jails in American history was housed on Alcatraz Island, in the center of the bay. You can also visit The Grove, which is an outdoor shopping center thats a fun place to window shop and is also known for celebrity sightings. 40 minutes from Half Moon Bay / 55 minutes from San Jose. The tours cost $25-30 depending on which tour you do. 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. 2 Days in Los Angeles: How to Spend a Weekend in L.A. Then keep going westward until you reach Pismo Beach, one of my personal favorite stops on this trip. During this part of your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip, take some time to explore the cute town of Pismo Beach. This California coastal drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the best road trips in the USA. This post was first written in 2019 and last updated in March 2023. From there, grab some wine and even a meal in the Funk Zone, a relatively new area of former fishing warehouses now turned to a hub of trendy restaurants, bars, and wine tasting rooms. 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. For nature lovers, Santa Cruz has got some good stuff for you! Check out the rest of the road trip packing list at the end of this post! Usually, rental car companies charge one-way fees upwards of $200. 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? The Solvang Village Square is a focal point of the town that has various shops and restaurants serving both traditional Danish and other cuisines. A quick detour through Los Alamos is well worth your time, which you can spend perusing art galleries, antique shops, and wine tasting rooms. They also feature a wide variety of artisanal drinks, including beer and wine. Southern California is known worldwide for its sunny beaches, liberal ways, entertainment scene, and free-spirited people. The best months to watch monarch butterflies are November and December. On your last day, youll head out from Pebble Beach to drive the magnificent 17-Mile Drive. At the northern end of the Big Sur region, you will be met with charm and romance, all wrapped up in one jam-packed town called Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. Ah, Pismo Beach, a classic Central Coast beach town famous for its sand dunes, boutique shopping, award-winning boardwalk, and beautiful coastline! Half-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles. This castle was built by newspaper mogul William Hearst and will immediately transport you to Europe. Centered around the old mission lies the historic downtown area of SLO. Heres my itinerary so you can follow the same road trip from LA to San Francisco. Here are some tips to help you start crafting your itinerary. The beautiful McWay Falls plunges 80 feet onto a private beach, and youll want to take plenty of pictures. 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. A: The best Multi-day Tours in Los Angeles according to Viator travelers are: 4-Day Grand Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon Tour. 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. You can either fly out of the San Jose International Airport or go further north to the San Francisco International Airport when youre ready to head home. By Allie Lebos 06/29/23 10:47am Ready for a weekend outside . There are various breweries and wineries here as well. Its got an amazing grip and popping your phone in and out of the mount could not be easier. You can also go for an evening walk on the promenade, or you can rent a dune buggy and speed along the sand dunes. Head even further south to my personal favorite beaches: If you want to catch great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, head to. Even though it costs $12 to get in, you should definitely swing over to take some pictures. Not too far from Point Dume will you find Paradise Cove, a super fun touristy pit stop. This town almost reminds me of Napa and Sonoma in Northern California, with how its downtown area is structured, brimming with things to do! 7 Day San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip - Parks & Trips San Francisco, CA is one of the most recognizable cities in the US, home to techies, yuppies, and hippies alike. Find all the travel essentials you'll need in my Amazon storefront. Portable Cooler| Coolers are a must for any road trip. Los Alamos is another great little town in Santa Ynez Valley that wont take you too long to visit. Who knew you could find a Danish town smack dab in the middle of California? On your way north, you can make a quick stop at Elephant Seal Vista Point. Be sure to also check out the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, where thousands of butterflies migrate to spend the winter. By Michael Kolomatsky. If youre interested in learning more about the missions history, visit Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Catch the Route 92 bus at the Glendale/Santa Ynez bus stop, and then take it to the Temple/Hill bus stop. Los Angeles to San Francisco Tours & Trips - TourRadar We typically like to rent fromHertz. Youll definitely want to grab lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants here. One of my favorite photographers, Chris Burkard, has his studio there, and I highly recommend stopping by to pick up a few of his works. There are so many places to stop, so I recommend getting an early start. Read More: 32+ Exciting Things To Do In Monterey Bay, CA. Both these towns provide various hotels and B&Bs to unwind and relax! Check out my itinerary for a Seattle to San Diego road trip! Dont fret because theyre actually a lot to do here! The distance is a mere 450 miles or 720 kilometers. 3% Group Discount Airport Pick up. Duration: 10 9. 3-Day California Coast Tour: Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite The Ultimate San Francisco To Portland Road Trip: 50+ Stops You Need To Make In Between, Complete Guide to Revealing The Priceline Express Deals Hotel Before You Book, The Ultimate Packing Checklist For 3 Months Of Travel, Patagonia Outlet: Everything You Need To Know About The Shopping Experience, The Perfect Kauai 7-Day Itinerary For An Unforgettable Hawaiian Vacation, The Nike Employee Store: How To Get In and What To Expect (Beaverton, Oregon). How can anyone not love the Mediterranean atmosphere ofSanta Barbara, CA? Check them out if youre looking for that quintessential Malibu experience. 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). You should also pick up some bread and pastries for the ride ahead of you at Arizmendi Bakery, Arisacault, Tartine, or B Patisserie. Need a restaurant recommendation? Not only will you be able to keep beverages cold and refreshing, but you will also be able to keep perishables fresh. If you have time, check out what to do in Huntington Beach before you begin, known as Surf City USA. 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. 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. Coronado 2 hrs by car There's a reason Coronado has topped lists of the country's best beaches: Its wide shores never feel overcrowded, the soft, fine-grained sand is easily walkable and the. You guessed it, more wine tasting! Trips from Los Angeles to San Francisco are most popular in August, with the most tours doing this route then. Tour the historic Hearst Castle, admire elephant seals, watch surfers conquer impossible waves, hike through majestic redwoods, eat all the tacos, and so much more! Ankers ultra-light, ultra-portable power bank, 24 Best Things To Do In Myrtle Beach In Winter, 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Cozumel, Mexico, Travel east and visit neighborhoods such as. You can rent bicycles to ride down the boardwalk or along the neighboring bike trails before calling it a night. 20+ Best Day Trips from Los Angeles, CA (National Parks, Gardens S. I recommend planning your trip in advance when you do a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco by car so you dont miss any stops along the way. The Monarchs migrate over to this mild seaside climate and form a city in the trees. You can literally see thousands of monarch butterflies dangling among the trees here. Want to feel like youve been transported to The Netherlands? If you feel like treating yourself, stop by the infamous Nobu restaurant for Japanese food. 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. 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: Enjoy quick access to the pier and beach with sliding glass doors on your room at Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach. In this article, we'll look at the 27 best day trip spots. Its tiny, but its a cute place to explore nonetheless. Taking your time to drive up the California coast opens up a world of amazing sights and attractions worth stopping for! San Francisco Tours from Los Angeles with Discounted Prices - TakeTours 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. San Francisco will be the final stop on your journey, and I recommend spending the night here. The ride will be about 8 minutes, and will cost $1.75. YOUR QUICK CHECKLIST: License and registration| This is a no-brainer, but always good to check you have all documents before its too late and you get too far away from home. Learn more 3-day California coastal tour Visit the Spanish Mission in Santa Barbara and discover the Danish town of Solvang Check out this post: 175 Bucket List Things To Do In Los Angeles, California (From A Locals Perspective). Huckleberry Cafe is on Wilshire Boulevard and serves up tasty breakfast and brunch selections. You can complete the drive in about eight to ten hours if you dont stop much, but I recommend spending several days to fully explore each area. For the next part of your trip, keep in mind that Pismo Beach to Carmel will take about 2.5 hours without stopping. 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. All throughout the South Bay area, youll find fun stuff to do, but San Jose is extra special in our eyes. Monterey is one of the best places to stop from Los Angeles to San Francisco because you can either have a relaxing time here or be active. Heres an example of what an LA to SF road trip (with very minimal stops) would look like: The number of days you should take for your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip will depend entirely on what you want to do/see on your road trip. Best of the West 14-Day Road Trip: SF, Yosemite, Vegas, LA Tour Code: 473-19151. $54 Cheap Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) - Expedia You can visit Carmel Beach if you want to walk along the sand or dip your toes in the water. This is one of the most breathtaking routes to drive along the Pacific Coast. 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). If you're looking to stay near the beach, your best bet is Santa Monica. I will say, that if you take the scenic, coastal route up to SF, your overall driving time will take over 8.5 hours. Wondering exactly where to stop on a multi-day California Coast road trip? Where To Stay: Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles, 25 minutes from Morro Bay / 38 minutes from Paso Robles. I recommend doing tours of the grand rooms, but you can also see the kitchens or the bedrooms. You should also take a ride on the Ferris wheel for an incredible view of the beach from up high. A bit further north of the coast lies the little area of San Simeon. There was plenty of buzz prior to Lonzo Ball's first game with the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. 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. At over 800 miles long and plenty of areas to explore, California is possibly one of the best states to take a road trip. If you want to take some scenic drives from Los Angeles at sunset, you have many different options. 7-Day Tour to San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Zion from LA. Head over to State Street for top-notch shopping, great restaurant options, and lively nightlife as the sun sets on the town. Read More: Big Sur Road Trip: 2-Day Itinerary Of The 23 Best Things To Do In Big Sur, CA. Ive done this trip in the spring, and it was great sunny weather and no rain. Theres plenty to do in Los Angeles, such as visiting the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also known as the LACMA. Ojai is jam-packed with cute specialty shops such asFig,Summer Camp, In The Field, anddeKor & Co. Local Tip: Stop by Malibu Seafood located along Highway 1 and order the fish and chips; you will have no regrets. Then, head farther up the coast to Santa Monica and spend the afternoon there at the beach or on the Santa Monica Pier. Ive been to Ojai twice, once for camping and once to enjoy the urban magic this town has to offer. Nearby is also Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch, literally the cutest things youll ever see on a road trip ever. 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. Some other outdoor activities include hiking Manuel Peak at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, hunting for jade at Sand Dollar Beach, and wandering through redwood groves at Limekiln State Park. Check out the BEST Los Angeles has to offer on this half-day interactive sightseeing experience! Never a dull moment, thats for sure! If you have even more time, youll love this longer itinerary so you can explore some of my favorite coastal towns on this drive. When is the best time to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco? You can spend your day on the golf course, horseback riding, or picnicking on the beach, then fill your nights with some good wining and dining options at one of the many waterfront restaurants. If youre into tech culture, check out The Tech Museum of Innovation.