San Francisco to Los Angeles driving

Find the best route from san francisco arrive Los Angeles?

We have driven back and forth a dozen times using different routes. When living in California, we often chose Interstate 5 as the most direct route. However, if you're looking for scenic options or want to explore a new area of ​​California, you should consider these.

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Last updated: April 20, 2026

This is the most scenic route and follows the coast for most of the way, but it is also the windiest and most time-consuming. Here are some highlights, but see our The complete PCH guide is here.

Pro tip: If you are taking Highway 1 we recommend taking the SF Express arrive Los Angeles Closer to the coast view. It also makes closing the pull-out easier.

See more: Your Ultimate Guide to California's Pacific Coast Highway

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Route 101

Highway 101 is further inland, taking you through vineyards, rolling hills and some coastal scenery. We recently visited Santa Maria Valley and Solvang and they were so charming.

• 0 miles – san francisco
  • We had a great time exploring Auckland before leaving the Bay! On our first visit we only went to the Pacific Pipeline, The largest bouldering gym in the United States. This time, we played pickleball at Pickle Athletics, walked in the Rockridge neighborhood, and Sibley Volcanic Area Reserve. We also passed by Cleo's booka bookstore bar. Our favorite food stop is parche Their Colombian food and crown Espresso flights.
• 231 miles – San Luis Obispo/Paso Robles
• Mile 263 – Santa Maria
  • things to do
  • where to eat
    • Presquier Winery – The Chef’s Side Dish was my favorite meal of the trip. I would definitely go out of my way to eat here. It's very popular, so book in advance.
    • hitching post – Famous for their BBQ steaks, we tried their rib eye steak and scallops, both were delicious. Be sure to make a reservation as this place gets packed too. Please note that we do not have cell service (if you are new to the route, don't forget to download the offline map on Google Maps.
    • cup and crumbs – Pick up baked goods and coffee. They have a huge patio in the back. We had bagels and avocado toast for breakfast. I would order a latte or dessert coffee here instead of a cortado.
    • Where to stay: Tartar Inn – A lovely B&B feel place with a tasting room downstairs. During our stay they hosted wine bingo and food trucks in the evenings.
• 299 miles – Solvang
• Mile 332 – Santa Barbara
  • things to do
  • where to eat
    • Que – Delicious BBQ. I love the ellote salad! It's located inside the Santa Barbara Public Market, which has a lot of food options.
    • HandleBar Coffee Roaster – My favorite coffee shop in Santa Barbara.
    • Dune Coffee Roasters – This is my second favorite. You can see their baking equipment at the Anacapa location.
  • Where to stay: Canary Hotel – We loved our corner room with a great balcony. Almost everywhere we went was within walking distance, except Godmother's.
• 427 miles – Los Angeles / pasadena

Pro tip: It intersects with Highway 1 at several points, so you can even mix PCH and Highway 101 if you want to visit both PCH and Highway 101. There are stops along the way.

See more: 7 unique things about SLO

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Our favorite route

Having driven all four routes multiple times, this is our favorite mode of transportation SF Express arrive Los Angeles is Highway 101 and Route 1 If time is not a major issue. Although big sur One of my favorite places in the world and it's become so crowded lately. If you've never been, it's a must. If you already have your big sur To fix, I recommend jumping to Monterey and carmel by the sea Instead, then return to 101 for the remainder of the drive.

See more: Our Endless Caravan Review

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Basic tips

• Check if it is closed On Highway 1, Big Sur is prone to landslides, mudslides after rain, single-lane traffic restrictions and bridge repair delays. We almost missed our flight due to a marathon.
• Download offline maps View stretches of road without signal on Google Maps.
• Fog can ruin coastal landscapes. There is a marine layer on many summer mornings that sometimes disappears by midday. Fall and spring on the coast usually bring you clearer skies. March to May is the best time.
• Rent a car. We didn't want to rent a regular car, but something with more personality, so we rented a Bright Jeep by Turo. It was waiting for us at the airport when we arrived and we put it back in the parking lot before flying home.

Are you planning on driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles or vice versa? Which route will you choose?