Road Trip Around the USA: How Much Does the Dream Cost? There are several state parks and coastal walks in the area that means there is plenty of spectacular natural scenery to enjoy and you should plan to spend at least one day in Big Sur. Hi Lily! Now let me break down a few itineraries to choose from, based on how much time you have to do your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Thank you so very much for all of your information. LA is such an exciting place, with so much to do in Los Angeles on a budget – you can enjoy the people watching when the inevitable city traffic stops play! Also the same between LA and Vegas would be great. Click here to see their latest prices, The Stevenson Monterey – If you want to stay in Monterey, then this motel is a great budget option and located just off Highway 1. My top tips for driving from San Francisco to LA, PIN SAN FRANCISCO TO LOS ANGELES ROAD TRIP FOR LATER. •, a longer road trip to Portland or Seattle, Best stops on an LA to San Francisco Drive. Thank Michael. Seriously, don’t miss the Elephant Seals. 12 Best Ways to Save Money on a USA Road Trip, 12 Awesome Stops on a San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip. Everything fell in place for the Thanksgiving weekend. Hi Daniel! and also get a good sunset? Visiting the castle costs $25 and takes a couple of hours making this a fairly expensive detour if you’re trying to minimise your California trip cost, however, you can get a view of the castle from Highway 1 if you prefer to stick to the coast. With the age of sixteen, it was a great adventure. Get out at the top for an awesome view over the San Fernando Valley at the top of Topanga Overlook. San Francisco is a bit cooler but still quite mild particularly compared to the European winters we’ve had the last few years! We are planning to use the PCH to drive to LA. My friends and I are planning on doing this trip in reverse because we have to end on Los Angeles. Follow signs to Point Dume and you’ll find a beautiful sandy beach, headlands, cliffs and rocky coves. The seals spend the majority of the year living deep in the ocean however they come onto the beach throughout the year with peak season being in December to March when they are breeding. If you have time, take a few days to relax along the route, soak up some of the scenery and just generally chill out. Have a few days to explore Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island and just relaxing with a coffee in Union Square. Thanks for the tips, going to Cali this month cant wait. Your ideas are great❣️ Any other recommendations? That makes me so happy to read. It’s the most recognisable bridge in the world, and is actually surprisingly long. Planning a LA to San Fran drive and was wondering if you have recommendations for stops with handcrafted cocktails also ? Wondering where to stop on a Los Angeles to San Francisco drive? We are flying into LV from UK in mid August [was the only route available from London using miles] and immediately to SF. Hike big sur and spend night in a cabin. Does it make sense to go fly to Yosemite from SF [Fresno?] Located just north of Big Sur, Carmel is a town that deserves to be stopped at in its own right when driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a060d819fa1597f16373fd7fdde25c47" );document.getElementById("ba30f17c0a").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); © 2020 The World Was Here First • All rights reserved. Have you driven this route before? A few San Francisco … Not quite what you’re looking for? However, the stops outlined on this LA to San Francisco drive go primarily along Highway 1 and you should expect to spend at least 3 to 4 days to see all the highlights of the PCH. Make sure to stop at iconic sites such as Bixby Creek Bridge & McWay Waterfall which are located on Highway 1. I understand i wouldn’t be able to make all the stops that you say in your blog but would that give me enough time to see the Golden gate bridge and main attractions in San Fran and then drive down and see the Hollywood sign and the stars on hollywood boulevard before making the trip to Vegas or would it be too rushed. I’d suggest 2-3 days for Monterey to LA to see the highlights though you could obviously spend more time if you enjoy hiking and surfing! The Mystery Spot – a collection of strange phenomena from the last 70 years – also makes for an entertaining few hours. USA Road Trip: 11-Day San Francisco to Los Angeles Itinerary Under S$1.8k Gaze at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, explore the mighty Yosemite National Park, and bask in the sun-kissed Los Angeles. Half moon Alternatively, if you prefer a campervan or RV, then I suggest browsing on Outdoorsy which offers a huge selection of choices. Facebook and Google HQs are here, and the famous Hewlett Packard Garage from where it all began. After Solvang, your next opportunity to stop on the California Coast will be at Pismo Beach – a quintessential California surf town! Hi JD! The Bixby Bridge is your best route into the Big Sur, well, pretty much the only one from Highway 1 tbh. Lunch here will ensure you’re fuelled up for the final part of your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip! While Malibu was heavily affected by wildfires towards the end of 2018, it remains a popular spot for visitors due to the prestige that surrounds the town in Hollywood. There is a desire to include a detour into Yosemite into the trip. Wander around Malibu and you’ll find piers, sickeningly beautiful weekend homes and super healthy restaurants – and maybe even the odd celebrity or two. Visit at Hearst castle Road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles and you’ll enjoy stunning coastal views, Californian sunshine villages, epic forests, cool towns and a wine making district or two, too. excluding arrival and departure we will have 11 days. Really appreciate your response. What kind of weather should one expect between Christmas and New Years? Click here to see their latest prices. You just can’t get a bad view on a San Francisco to LA road trip. The quickest and most popular route … Tasting flights typically cost around $15 and you can share a tasting between two if you want to visit multiple wineries. Hi Albert, I believe you need to find a campsite to park your RV for the night, however, I’m not sure about the specific rules for RVs in California. Enjoy every second! Hi Tamara, I’d personally rather spend the time driving along the PCH and spending a couple of days in San Francisco rather than time in LA. We were heading straight to San Fran but have now decided to have a few nights at Lake Tahoe, so we’re thinking of going from Monterey to Lake Tahoe. We are a family of 4, 2 teenagers capable of long stints in the car and quick stops if needed. Wow! The coastal walks were the highlight of our time in Big Sur as watching the waves crash against the cliffs is infatuating! We tried to visit the Esalen Institute for the views and natural hot spring baths. You will drive on t he best route from San Francisco to Los Angeles and o ne of the most … Click here to see their latest prices, Carmel Green Lantern Inn — Located next to Carmel Beach, this cosy bed and breakfast is a lovely place to stay in Carmel. The main benefit is that you can easily pull off Highway 1 when you want to stop and enjoy a viewpoint or take a photo. You could spend 2 days in SF, drive down to LA and then spend one day in LA before heading to Las Vegas. Are these areas generally ok with RV’s parking up for the night? I suggest basing yourself near Monterey/Carmel & Santa Barbara if you have 4 nights. Stay on Route 27 and you’ll come across offbeat stores, diners and ramshackle saloons along the roadside. The city of Santa Barbara is a fantastic place to stop for a day and enjoy the laid back California lifestyle. Hope you have a great trip! Click here to see their latest prices, Found San Francisco — One of the best-rated hostels in San Francisco, you can choose from dorms and private rooms and are known for their great atmosphere which is ideal for meeting other travellers. Unfortunately, there isn’t an alternative route if you want to see the majority of these sites! Nearby Point Lobos State Reserve makes for a fantastic sunset stop as well as a great place to enjoy a scenic drive as there are typically fewer visitors here compared to Big Sur. You could spend 2-3 nights in Monterey/Carmel as it makes for a good base for exploring Big Sur and other nearby attractions. The San Francisco to Los Angeles drive is 6 h 16 mins (383.1 mi) via I-5 S – the most direct route. Planning a Road Trip in the USA: 11 Best Routes! You won’t get any snow on the PCH. Moonstone Beach is also a popular spot in San Simeon, as is the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery and shopping at Cambria Village too. Highway 1 road trip … You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Alternatively, if you’re a surfer yourself, then you can rent a board and enjoying the great conditions which are suitable for beginners and advanced surfers. Hi Abdul, I don’t think you can make all the stops in one night. and then spend there a night and then rent a car there and drive to Monterey and then onwards to LA? The viewing platforms here are wheelchair accessible, free to visit and maintained by Friends of the Elephant Seal which are a non-profit organisation working hard to conserve these magnificent animals. And we are planning to stay only one night at one of the other destination, where do you recommend we stay ? Bixby Bridge is a must-see vista. San Francisco to San Diego – a great California coast road trip, but only the Central California and Southern California portions As you can see, you have options! Click here to see their latest prices, Cheshire Cat Inn — This quaint bed and breakfast is perfect for couples who want a romantic place to stay. You can get clam chowder at Splash Cafe for a delicious lunch. On Pacific Avenue you’ll find all kinds of vintage goodies, visit Palomar for night time salsa dancing, Wilder Ranch State Park for hiking and the Rio Theatre for local music. On this San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip in 10 days, you can tour the lighthouses, hike the trails, picnic on the beach, visit the wineries of the Central Coast, and enjoy nature – seriously the best road trip in California. This will direct you to drive across the famous Golden Gate Bridge and towards Marin Headlands where you can enjoy several viewpoints of the bridge and the city of San Francisco! I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope it's given you a few ideas on what to do and where to go on the road trip! The most popular place to visit in Santa Cruz is the Beach Boardwalk which is home to one of the oldest roller coasters in the USA. Hope you have a great trip! I know you're going to have an incredible time. Hope you have a great trip! Similarly to Santa Barbara, Carmel is also a great town to stop at a wine tasting room to enjoy a glass or flight! just to make sure especially when family is traveling along. your 13 stops article was very inspiring for us… I know you’ve had similar questions so I’ll be short and sweet, but we land in LA and take the road at 9 am and have that day and the next to reach San Fran… While we explored all of the stops in this article by driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco, it is arguably better to do this trip in reverse. The 17-mile drive is a beautiful coastal road that has a number of lookout points to stop at. We rented a convertible for the drive and gave ourselves from Sep 25 to Sep 29 to complete the route. Most of the tasting rooms are within walking distance of each other meaning you can enjoy a couple of these wineries during your time in Santa Barbara. If so, can you recommend a stop in between? My parents visited me from Germany and we made a big road trip from Las Vegas via San Francisco to Los Angeles. Wouldn’t mind going again tbh. Like, on purpose. A San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip will see you driving next to the coast which has several advantages. ), Richmond Park Walks: A Perfect London Day Hike. It’s the perfect stop off before you hit up the craziness of LA. https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/big-sur-day-trip-itinerary/ & https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/santa-barbara-day-trip/. thanks. The 14-day California road trip itinerary would take us from San Francisco, through Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and finally … I suggest first heading either to Main Street which has a local Farmer’s Market on weekends. This San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip itinerary … Michael is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. I don’t want too many stops in different locations due to all the packing and unpacking! love the blog very excited! Is it even possible to include? When traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles, you'll have your pick of majestic viewpoints worthy of stopping the car. Potentially the earliest i can fly into San Fran is on the 5th April. In fact, it’s so good I’ve done the Pacific Coast Highway road trip twice. Of course you can do Highway 1 the other way, and drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco on a road trip, but this way is generally considered the best. Hi Natalia! Road trip, my 2 brothers and my 3 teenagers and I , we have Dec 26-30.. how much time to spend in LA, what to see, we fly into LA late on 25th and fly out of San Fran late on Dec 30th. Any suggestions on how to do this? Can you give us any tips. This is the spot if you want to do some surfing. Can you put my mind at rest or suggest an alternative route for the more white knuckle parts? August will be peak season but the weather will be hot so you’ll be able to enjoy the beaches to their full extent! Explore the lighthouse on the beautiful beach, and the Big Dipper along the boardwalk. San Francisco ⇨ Los Angeles Just the kind of guide we were looking for. Staying in Monterey or Carmel for a night or two is a great option for travellers taking their time on the Los Angeles to San Francisco drive. Hi! Hi Gemma, you can see and stop at some but not all of these stops by taking the Amtrack Coastal Train and there are also some shuttle buses but it’s going to add a lot of travel time compared to driving. Thanks. Hope you have a great trip! The late Sarah Winchester built the place at a cost of over $20m, as instructed by her Medium. A number of the accommodation recs listed in this article have options for rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people so worth checking out some of them! This is going to help us immensely in fulfilling our Californian road trip dream. Located only a few kilometres from the detour to Hearst Castle, Elephant Seal Vista Point gives you the opportunity to see elephant seals relaxing on the beach and waddling in the ocean. Do you think 6 nights in Santa Monica and 5 nights in Monterey would work? There is absolutely no better first impression of this amazing city than seeing its most iconic site from the spectacular viewpoints of Marin Headlands! Due to the fires, a lot of the natural scenery here will take time to replenish and won’t be as spectacular as what you’ll see further up in Big Sur on your LA to San Francisco road trip. Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and Lotusland are all popular things to do in Santa Barbara, while culture vultures can hone in on the Lobero Theatre, the Arlington Theatre and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Hello, The short road trip from San Francisco to Bolinas is worth it with amazing views of the coastline and the town feels incredibly down to Earth despite prices for a small delapidated shack starting at a couple … Home to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, there are a number of great coffee shops and cafes that can provide a much-needed caffeine boost before hitting the road properly on your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip. You can also visit Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is considered one of the best aquariums in the world and has a number of great exhibits to explore. Discover the beauty of the California coast on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco via the Pacific Coast Highway. Hope you have a great trip! The Big Sur holds an arty, hippy community that, in my experience were quite unwelcoming to anyone who wasn’t in it. Not quite what you’re looking for? The Bixby Bridge is 714 feet long and 280 feet high. The majority of the trip will be spent on CA-99 South before using I-5 South, CA … It was very helpful. We are so looking forward to this…thanks again! Traveling oct 24-november 3 and driving the coast. I’ve never seen so many in one place, it was amazing. This may be a strange question but we are considering this road trip next February and I have read that the PCH can be dangerous, if not lethal, in places due to the absence of guard rails.