| Important Information about Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip | |
|---|---|
| Duration of Trip | 2-3 Days |
| Best Time to visit | Aug – Nov |
| Distance | 615 KM |
| What is Famous for | Beaches, Castles, Hiking |
California is possibly one of the best states to take a road trip, and what is more perfect than driving through the Pacific Coast Highway. Plan a scenic drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco and see beautiful places along the way. While you can complete the distance between the two cities via I-5 highway in just under 6 hours, but what is fun in that. Taking your time and exploring all the highlights of the PCH at your convenience is a great way to enjoy a road trip.
Wondering where to stop on a Los Angeles to San Francisco self-drive? Well, don’t worry, we have curated a list of places that you can explore along the PCH. All these stops combine a fantastic mix of beautiful nature, relaxed beach towns, vibrant cities, and major attractions. You need to rent a car before setting off on your Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip if you do not have one. Alternatively, you can also book a campervan for your drive.
Amazing Stops between Los Angeles to San Francisco
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a fantastic stop when driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco. It is a perfect beach town with plenty of things to do. Home to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, there are several great coffee shops and cute cafes. You can head to Main Street, which has a local Farmer’s Market or venture over to the Third Street Promenade for shopping. You can even spend some time at the Santa Monica beach and enjoy swimming and surfing.
Next up on this drive is the beautiful beach town of Malibu. If you fancy seeing over the multi-million dollar celebrity homes or want to check out some of the beautiful beaches such as Zuma Beach, then a stop in Malibu is worth it.
Santa Barbara
The city of Santa Barbara is a great place to enjoy the laid back California lifestyle. With Mediterranean-inspired architecture, Santa Barbara is often referred to as the American Riviera. Walk along the Harbour and explore the iconic Stearns Wharf for sweeping views of the ocean. You can even take advantage of the many water sports offered in the area like surfing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. There are also several hiking opportunities in the area. Also, make sure to take advantage of Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trails. There are over 28 tasting rooms scattered across the city with some of the best wine you will find in all of California.
Pismo Beach
Another beautiful stop on the California Coast is the surf town of Pismo Beach. Known as the Clam Capital of the World, Pismo Beach is a genuine city with many beaches, great seafood, wineries, and serene views of the coastline. Here, you can also visit Monarch Butterfly Grove that shelters thousands of monarch butterflies in the fall and winter. The region has many trails that offer year-round hiking. You can walk along the pier and spend some time watching surfers hitting the waves. Pismo Beach makes a good stop for lunch as there are several great independent cafes and restaurants to enjoy.
Elephant Seal Vista Point
San Luis Obispo County has a plethora of sea life throughout the coastal towns, including elephant seals. On your LA to SA road trip, make a stop at Elephant Seal Vista Point, which will allow you to see elephant seals relaxing on the beach and waddling in the ocean. Located about 8 km north of Hearst Castle, make sure to visit this vista for remarkable creatures. The seals spend the majority of the year living deep in the ocean and are fascinating to watch. You can easily spend a couple of hours walking along with the viewing platforms and seeing them from unique vantage points. The viewing platforms here are wheelchair accessible and free to visit.
Hearst Castle
A short detour outside of San Simeon is Hearst Castle- a unique stop. William Randolph Hearst’s monumental is one of California’s most popular tourist destinations. This Moorish-style castle has 165 rooms and sits amidst 127 acres of gardens, pools, terraces, and walkways, furnished with Spanish and Italian antiques and art, bordered by three large guest houses.
While driving to Highway 1, make sure to also keep an eye out for zebras and other animals as they live on the property of Hearst Castle and are a lineage of zebras that were part of Randolph Hearst’s private zoo.
Big Sur
Big Sur is arguably the highlight of the LA to San Francisco drive. From the dramatic coastline to beautiful waterfalls to lush redwoods, this area of California will blow you away. There are a plethora of state parks and short coastal walks in the area that you can access by pulling off Highway 1. You can also go hiking and enjoy many scenic vistas the area has to offer. You can even take the quick hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see the 80-foot McWay Falls cascading down to the Pacific. Also, make sure to stop at iconic sites such as Bixby Creek Bridge.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is one of California’s most adored and quirky beach towns, that boasts the longest pier, famous surf spots, a lighthouse, a beachfront amusement park, and much more. Beach Boardwalk is the most popular place to visit Santa. It is home to one of the oldest roller coasters in the USA. The region has been significantly upgraded 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. You can also walk along West Cliff Drive for spectacular views or stop by Natural Bridges State to watch the sunset.