The California coastal roads are seriously great, and trust me, the San Francisco to LA drive is one of the best road trips in the nation. I’ve done it a ton of times, and honestly, you NEVER get tired of it. If you’re looking for some sweet ocean scenery, quaint little towns, or awesome eats, this trip has it all.
Planning on driving from SF to LA? Buckle up! I’ve got the inside scoop on the best road, my favorite spots to visit, where to get some grub, and some tips I learned the hard way (and for goodness’ sake, don’t even think about leaving out Big Sur).
Choosing Your Route: I-5 or the Pacific Coast Highway
Okay, so if you’re planning how to travel from San Francisco to LA, you really have two options: the really fast but sort of boring I-5 or the slower, but absolutely breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1). Seriously—if you’re a first timer, take Highway 1, no question. Sure, it’ll take longer, but the scenery will completely blow your mind.
The Pacific Coast Highway winds along the coastline, revealing cliffs, waves, redwoods, and adorable little beach communities. The drive is more than just a drive; it’s an atmosphere. You need to allow 2 to 4 days depending on how much you want to see.
Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey/Carmel
- Distance: ~120 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5–3 hours (without stops)
We set off fairly early, around 8 AM, coffee from Blue Bottle in hand and our road trip playlist ready. Getting out of the city and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge was simply wonderful — the fog lifting like a warm blanket as we headed south.
Come by Half Moon Bay
This laid-back beach town is basically the ideal spot to start road trip feels. We had breakfast at Cafe Mezzaluna, and honestly, their croissants are the flakiest you’ll ever have, and the ocean views are so calming. Something about morning fog near the beach just makes you wanna linger.
Santa Cruz for the relaxed California beach vibe
Santa Cruz is completely one of my favorite places. We parked near the Boardwalk and just walked around, looking at the rides and those cotton candy stands—all super cheesy, you know, in a good way? I need to get lunch at The Picnic Basket; they make the bomb turkey panini. And if you’re into surfing, you need to check out the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum at Lighthouse Point.
An Afternoon in Carmel or Monterey
By later in the day, you need to completely check out either Carmel or Monterey. Monterey has that whole tourist atmosphere with the aquarium and Cannery Row, but Carmel is like being in a fairy tale. The flower-filled walkways, the adorable little homes, and laid-back beaches — it’s really serene and dreamy. We stayed at the Carmel Mission Inn, and it was sleek but still felt homey.
We ate at La Bicyclette, and they had candlelit tables, and you could completely smell the wood-fired pizza floating through the air. We finished out the evening by taking a walk on Carmel Beach at sunset, all bundled up in sweaters.
Day 2: From Carmel to San Simeon (Driving through Big Sur)
- Distance: ~90 miles
- Drive Time: 2.5–4 hours
This is the day that gets burned into your memory. Big Sur isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling. Towering cliffs, wind-swept cypress trees, endless ocean views. We left Carmel with full coffee cups and hearts already full of anticipation.
Bixby Creek Bridge
Oh, certainly, you’ve seen it everywhere on Instagram, and for goodness’ sake, it is an awesome thing. It is amazing. We pulled over in a secure area and took about 50 photographs. The bridge is really neat, but in reality, the cliffs and the ocean below are the things that capture your attention.
Pfeiffer Beach: An Awesome Secret Place
Alright, so this place is sorta difficult to locate, tucked away on Sycamore Canyon Road. The road there is really narrow and winding, but honestly, it’s well worth it. The sand is this neat purple color and the rock formations are like something from another planet. We spent more than an hour just relaxing and seeing the waves hit the beach.
Lunch with a killer view at Nepenthe
If you’re going to pick one meal with an epic view for this trip, get it at Nepenthe. The restaurant is literally clinging to the cliffs, and you’ll have these incredible ocean views while you’re sipping wine or coffee. Seriously, the Ambrosia Burger is famous for a reason. Oh, and bonus tip: Café Kevah downstairs has a relaxed menu and those same stunning ocean views.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Just a short drive south, you can take a relaxing hike to McWay Falls, the adorable waterfall that drops onto a secret beach. There is just something about this location that is so enchanting — sort of a secret, although completely not.
Overnight stay in San Simeon or Cambria
We arrived in San Simeon just about at sunset and spent the night at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, where we cooked s’mores over the fire pits with the ocean literally in our faces. Cambria, a really adorable little town, is a short 10-minute drive and is really artsy, with vintage stores and some really cute B&Bs.
Day 3: From San Simeon to Santa Barbara
- Distance: ~140 miles
- Drive Time: 3.5–4.5 hours
Today combines some history, wine, and laid-back beach towns in a relaxing cruise.
Day trip to Hearst Castle
You need to wake up early and take one of those morning tours of Hearst Castle. It was built by that media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, and it’s absolutely amazing — indoor Roman pools, art galleries, and giant terraces. I’d recommend beginning with the Grand Rooms Tour, and the trip down? You’ll see some fantastic coastal scenery!
Lunch in Pismo Beach
So, we headed out to Pismo Beach. We got some clam chowder in a bread bowl at Splash Café, and really, it tasted great. You can walk it off on the pier, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you may want to go get an ATV and drive around those dunes.
Optional Detour: Wine Tasting in Santa Ynez Valley
We did a brief detour into Los Olivos, and I half felt as if we walked into a film. There were rolling vineyards, adorable small tasting rooms, and everybody was exceptionally friendly. We hung out at Sunstone Winery, lounging on a sunny patio and sipping rosé while snacking on some cheese.
Overnight in Santa Barbara
By night, we pulled into Santa Barbara — it was all Spanish tile, palm tree, and bougainvillea vibes. We crashed at The Wayfarer Downtown Hostel, a hip boutique spot that’s highly walkable to everything. For dinner, we went to The Lark, and wow, one of the top meals of the trip — imagine wood-fired vegetables, fresh local meats, and amazing cocktails.
Day 4: Traveling from Santa Barbara to LA
- Distance: ~95 miles
- Travel time: 2–3 hours
The final leg of the journey is equally breathtaking, without a doubt.
Chillin’ with coffee at Santa Barbara beach
I started the morning just chillin’ with some Handlebar Coffee Roasters coffee and walked along East Beach. I always like getting a little Santa Barbara in the morning — it’s got this laid-back, classy feel that’s tough to find anywhere else.
Scenic Drive Through Malibu
Santa Barbara to LA coast completely captures that quintessential California atmosphere. We rolled into Malibu around lunchtime and headed to the pier to Malibu Farm Café. Oceanfront and fresh eats? Absolutely! We even saw some dolphins hanging out in the waves.
Optional Detour: Topanga Canyon
Instead of going straight down the Pacific Coast Highway, we veered inland to Topanga Canyon — winding roads, redwoods, and quirky roadside cafés like Topanga Living Café. It’s a cool contrast to the polished Malibu vibe and feels more boho.
Welcome to LA!
We arrived in LA pretty late and finished off the adventure with a sunset at El Matador Beach, honestly the ideal place to bid farewell to the open road. We capped everything off with tacos at Guisados — I mean, seriously, you can’t end a California road trip without some amazing tacos.
6 Pro Tips for an Amazing Road Trip
1. Pack layers and comfortable shoes
Coastal California weather changes fast. One hour it’s sunny and 75°F, the next it’s foggy and chilly. Bring a warm hoodie or light jacket and walking shoes for impromptu hikes or beach stops.
2. Grab those offline maps
You will lose cell phone reception while you’re driving through Big Sur — it’s just how it is. So, don’t rely on Google Maps unless you’ve pre-downloaded your route.
3. Reserve your spots in advance
Santa Barbara, Carmel, and Big Sur are extremely busy during the weekend or holidays. I learned the hard way one summer and ended up at this motel that completely felt haunted.
4. Rise and shine, friend!
The sunrise is lovely, traffic is lighter, and you’ll have time for those spontaneous stops. You’ll also avoid arriving at the tourist attractions after the day-trippers arrive.
5. Bring a proper camera or a power bank
Your phone’s going to be really busy with GPS, music, photos, and videos. A power bank will literally save your day. And if you’re into photography, definitely take your proper camera — this trip’s going to be really photogenic.
6. Make an itinerary, but don’t get too hung up on it
Be prepared to switch things up. Some of the most memorable experiences are the unplanned ones — discovering a roadside stand, a secluded lookout point, or a small-town festival you just accidentally cross paths with.
Final Thoughts
If I only got to choose one road trip in the United States, this would be it, hands down. The drive along the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles is more about the journey, not the destination. It’s about taking in every moment, every mile, the stunning scenery, and those great little places you stop by along the way.
Relax when you’re driving, take breaks, get some great food, and just allow the coast to work its charm for you. It completely hooked me — and always will.