13 Best Stops On An LA To San Francisco Drive

A drive from LA to San Francisco along the Pacific Coast Highway in California is undoubtedly one of the best road trips in the world.

While you can drive between the two cities along the I-5 highway in just under 6 hours, I think taking your time and driving along the coast provides travellers with some amazing sites and stops to see.

Combining this section with a drive from LA to San Diego or even as part of a longer trip to Portland or Seattle makes for the ultimate California itinerary for visitors who want to see the best of this state!

Table of Contents

Toggle

• Planning Your Road Trip
• Best Stops on an LA to San Francisco Road Trip
  • 1. Santa Monica
  • 2. Malibu
  • 3. Santa Barbara
  • 4. Solvang
  • 5. Pismo Beach
  • 6. Hearst Castle
  • 7. Elephant Seal Vista Point
  • 8. Big Sur
  • 9. Carmel
  • 10. Monterey
  • 11. Santa Cruz
  • 12. Half Moon Bay
  • 13. Marin Headlands
• Is It Better to Drive North to South?
• Where to Stay on the Drive
  • Los Angeles
  • Santa Barbara
  • Monterey/Carmel
  • San Francisco

Planning Your Road Trip

The distance from the City of Angels to San Francisco is about 382 miles (615 kilometres) and takes only around 6 hours non-stop if travelling on the I-5 Highway.

However, the stops outlined on this drive go primarily along Highway 1 and Highway 101 and you should expect to spend at least 3 to 4 days to see all the highlights of the PCH.

If you need to rent a car prior to setting off on your road trip then I recommend searching on DiscoverCars.com to compare prices as they aggregate prices across many major providers.

Alternatively, if you prefer a campervan or RV for your drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, then I suggest browsing on Outdoorsy which offers a huge selection of choices.

Best Stops on an LA to San Francisco Road Trip

Below are 13 amazing stops to enjoy between Los Angeles and San Francisco along Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean.

1. Santa Monica

Even though Santa Monica is still a part of greater Los Angeles, it makes for a fantastic first stop when on a California road trip.

Home to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, there are several great coffee shops and cafes that can provide a much-needed caffeine boost before hitting the road properly.

I suggest first heading either to Main Street, which has a local Farmer’s Market on weekends.

If you want to indulge in Santa Monica’s world-famous shopping then venture over to the Third Street Promenade before ending your stop in Santa Monica with a walk along the Oceanfront and an obligatory photo at the Pier!

2. Malibu

Next up on your road trip and only about a twenty-minute drive from Santa Monica is Malibu. Malibu is one of the most beautiful areas to visit in the Los Angeles area and is a worthy stop whenever exploring this metropolis.

Not only is it famous for some absolutely breathtaking beaches such as Zuma and Topanga, you can also visit an offshoot of the notable Getty Museum – the Getty Villa – which houses an incredible collection of art and antiquities.

There are also some incredible homes here as it is one of the most sought-after postal codes in the entire Los Angeles area. So if you fancy seeing over-the-top multi-million dollar homes or want to check out some of the beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, then a stop in Malibu for a couple of hours is worth it.

3. Santa Barbara

The city of Santa Barbara is a fantastic place to stop for a day and enjoy the laid-back California lifestyle. Begin your day in Santa Barbara by strolling along the Harbour and exploring the iconic Stearns Wharf.

You can then take advantage of the plethora of watersports offered in the area by going surfing, kayaking or paddleboarding. If you don’t feel like getting into the water then there are also hiking opportunities in the area.

In the afternoon, make sure to take advantage of Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trails. There are dozens of tasting rooms scattered across the city with some of the best wine you’ll find in all of California.

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. You can also typically share a tasting between two if you want to visit multiple wineries.

If you prefer a guided experience and want to visit several wineries, this guided food & photo tour includes visits to a number of tasting rooms along with food tastings and a guide to show you some hidden spots in the area.

Santa Barbara is a great place to stop for the night with the town having many great accommodation options such as this beachside cottage or this modern condo.

4. Solvang

From Santa Barbara, the drive goes along the 101 through picturesque mountains and wine country. About 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara, you have the option of detouring to Solvang – a town that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Denmark!

Solvang was founded by Danish immigrants who wanted a feeling of familiarity after migrating to the USA.

Solvang is fairly compact and you could spend an hour or so walking around here and enjoying the Northern European architecture and shops. If you’ve visited Copenhagen before you might also notice a replica of a lot of the city’s famous sites such as the Little Mermaid Statue and Hans Christian Anderson Museum.

Solvang is an unusual stop and not something you would expect to find on a trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. However, I think it makes for a good detour if you are longing for a taste of Europe!

5. Pismo Beach

After Solvang, your next opportunity to stop on the California Coast will be at Pismo Beach – a quintessential California surf town located just south of the larger city of San Luis Obispo!

The main attraction of Pismo Beach is the stunning coastline that you find here along with the old-school California feel. On a nice day, you can walk along the pier and spend an hour or two watching surfers hitting the waves.

Alternatively, if you’re a surfer yourself, then you can rent a board and enjoy the great conditions which are suitable for beginners and advanced surfers.

Pismo Beach makes a good stop for lunch if you have spent the night in Santa Barbara as there are a number of great independent cafes and restaurants to enjoy.

6. Hearst Castle

Another unique stop to make on this road trip is Hearst Castle, located a short detour outside of San Simeon. The castle was built by newspaper mogul William Hearst and will once again make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Europe!

Visiting the castle starts at $35 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.

Make sure to also keep an eye out for zebras and other animals when driving past Hearst Castle which are remnants of what was once the world’s largest private zoo.

7. Elephant Seal Vista Point

Located only a few miles 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.

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.

The seals are absolutely fascinating to watch and you can easily spend an hour or so walking along the viewing platforms and seeing them from unique vantage points.

The viewing platforms here are wheelchair accessible, free to visit and maintained by Friends of the Elephant Seal who are a non-profit organisation working hard to conserve these magnificent animals.

8. Big Sur

Arguably the highlight of any LA to San Francisco drive, Big Sur is an area of California that will absolutely blow you away! There are several state parks and coastal walks in the area which means there is plenty of spectacular natural scenery to enjoy and you should plan to spend at least one day in Big Sur.

From the dramatic coastline to beautiful waterfalls to lush redwoods there is something for everybody at Big Sur. Make sure to stop at iconic sites such as Bixby Creek Bridge & McWay Waterfall which are located on Highway 1.

Spend a couple of hours hiking in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and make sure to take advantage of the plethora of short coastal walks that you can access by pulling off Highway 1. The coastal walks were the highlight of our time in Big Sur as watching the waves crash against the cliffs is infatuating!

9. Carmel

Located just north of Big Sur, Carmel is a town that deserves to be stopped at in its own right. The town of Carmel is quite charming to walk through and there are a number of artisan shops to check out.

Similarly to Santa Barbara, Carmel is also a great town to stop at a wine tasting room to enjoy a glass or flight!

It should also come as no surprise given its proximity to Big Sur but there is plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy close to the town of Carmel.

Nearby Point Lobos State Natural 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.

10. Monterey

From Carmel, take the famous 17-mile drive towards Monterey. The 17-mile drive is a beautiful coastal road that has a number of lookout points to stop at. The drive gets extremely busy (and has an entry fee of $12.25 per vehicle), so I highly recommend doing the drive first thing in the morning before the tour buses arrive! 

In Monterey, enjoy a walk down Cannery Row while spotting tributes to some of the literary greats that have come from this part of the world.

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 or go on a whale watching tour to see sea life in the wild.

It’s worth also driving to the nearby town of Pacific Grove, both to enjoy more local and affordable places for lunch (I highly recommend a clam chowder bread bowl from Vivolo’s Chowder House!) and to stop at the Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. 

From the months of October to February, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate here and you can walk through the sanctuary and see them flying around between trees and colourful plants. Entrance to the sanctuary is free.

Staying in Monterey or Carmel for a night or two is a great option for travellers taking their time when driving from LA to San Francisco.

11. Santa Cruz

Driving from Monterey to Santa Cruz will take approximately one hour and have you arriving in another quintessential California surf town!

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.

It has been significantly upgraded over the years and is now a great mix of old-school charm and modern attractions. Entrance to the Beach Boardwalk is free and you pay per ride.

After exploring central Santa Cruz, take a drive or walk along West Cliff Drive for another dose of spectacular views and watching surfers go about their day!

12. Half Moon Bay

Located only 30 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay makes an excellent lunch stop before heading towards the big city!

Half Moon Bay is a relatively small town and has a number of great little cafes and boutique shops to explore if you want to stretch your legs.

I recommend heading to San Benito House Deli for lunch where you can get enormous and delicious homemade sandwiches with a range of toppings for very reasonable prices. Lunch here will ensure you’re fuelled up for the final part of your journey to San Francisco from LA.

13. Marin Headlands

When ending your drive, I suggest marking your final stop as Marin Headlands just north of San Francisco.

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!

There is absolutely no better first impression of this amazing city than seeing its most iconic site from the spectacular viewpoints of Marin Headlands!

Is It Better to Drive North to South?

While we explored all of the stops in this article by driving north from Los Angeles, it is arguably better to do this trip in reverse.

Driving from San Francisco will see you driving next to the coast which has several advantages. 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.

This is particularly beneficial when driving in Big Sur as the roads are narrow and it can be more challenging to pull into a car park from the other side of the road. The other advantage is that the views are obviously better for the passengers!

At the end of the day though, you should drive along Highway 1 whichever way makes the most sense to you! The stops will be the same and you will still get to see all of the magnificent attractions in this beautiful part of California!

Where to Stay on the Drive

While you can find accommodation anywhere, I recommend basing yourself in Santa Barbara and Carmel or Monterey out of all these stops along Highway 1.

Los Angeles

Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel – Located in the heart of Hollywood, this hotel has a range of rooms to choose from and is centrally located making it an excellent base for exploring.

Freehand Los Angeles – A modern hostel located downtown, it is a great place to stay for solo travellers or people trying to cut down costs. There are private rooms as well as dorms available.

Santa Barbara

The Presidio Hotel – A boutique hotel in the heart of the town with a great selection of rooms and a friendly staff that will go above and beyond to ensure you have a great stay.

Cheshire Cat Inn – This quaint bed and breakfast is perfect for couples who want a romantic place to stay. A fantastic breakfast is included in the room rate.

Monterey/Carmel

Carmel Green Lantern Inn – Located next to Carmel Beach, this cosy bed and breakfast is a lovely place to stay in Carmel. Their guest rooms have private entrances making this a great option for people looking for more privacy.

The Stevenson Monterey – If you want to stay in Monterey, then this motel is a great budget option and is located just off Highway 1. They have a range of rooms available and their location is ideal for people that are only staying in the area for one night.

San Francisco

Axiom Hotel – If you’re looking for an upmarket place to stay, then this chic hotel is perfectly located right off Union Square.

Orchard Hotel – A boutique hotel, located in downtown San Francisco, they have several different types of rooms available and breakfast is included in the rate.

The drive along Highway 1 to San Francisco is absolutely one of the best trips that we have ever been on!

Are you planning on driving the PCH? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments below!

Like It? Pin It!