Looking for the best route from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
We have driven back and forth dozens of times via different routes. When we lived in California, we often took I-5 for the most direct route. However, if you’re looking for scenic options or want to explore new parts of California, these are the options you should consider.
Last updated: April 20, 2026
With the World Cup just around the corner and matches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, now is the perfect time to explore other parts of California as you travel between cities. There are so many great stops along the way and different route options depending on your interest. Which route would you take?
This is the most beautiful route, which takes you largely along the coast, but also the windiest and most time-consuming route. Here are some highlights, but check out our full PCH guide here.
Pro tip: If you take Highway 1, we recommend driving south from SF to LA so you are closer to coastal views. It also makes disabling pull-outs easier.
See More: Your Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Guide in California
Highway 101
Highway 101 is further inland and takes you through vineyards, rolling hills and some coastal views. We recently visited Santa Maria Valley and Solvang, and they are so charming.
- Mile 0 – San Francisco
- Before leaving the Bay, we had a great time exploring Oakland! On our first visit we only made it to Pacific Pipe, the largest bouldering school in the US. This time we played pickleball at Pickle Athletics, walked through the Rockridge Neighborhood and hiked in the Sibley Volcanic Regional Reserve. We also visited Clio’s booksa bookstore bar. Our favorite food stops were Parche for their Colombian food and The Crown for an espresso flight.
- Mile 231 – San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
- Mile 263 – Santa Maria
- Things to do
- Where to eat
- Presqu’ile Winery – The chef’s mezze was my favorite meal of the trip. I would absolutely go out of my way to eat here. It’s extremely popular, so book in advance.
- The pull station – Famous for their BBQ steak, we tried their ribeye and scallops, and they were both delicious. Make a reservation because this place was full too. Please note that there was no cell service for us (don’t forget to download offline maps on Google Maps if you are bad with directions).
- Cups & Crumbs – Pick up pastries and coffee. They have a large terrace at the back. We got the breakfast bagel and avocado toast. I would order a latte or dessert coffee here with a cortado.
- Where to stay: Tartar Inn – a cute B&B-feeling spot with a tasting room downstairs. During our stay they had wine bingo and a food truck in the evening.
- Mile 299 – Solvang
- Mile 332 – Santa Barbara
- Thing to do
- Where to eat
- ‘Qua – Delicious barbecue. I loved the elote salad! It’s located in the Santa Barbara Public Market, which has a ton of dining options.
- Send coffee roasters – My favorite coffee spot in Santa Barbara.
- Dune coffee roasters – This was my second favorite. You can check out their fire setup at the Anacapa location.
- Where to stay: Canary hotel – We loved our corner room with a large balcony. It was within walking distance of pretty much everywhere we went except Godmother’s.
- Mile 427 – LA / Pasadena
Pro tip: There are several points where it meets Highway 1, so you could even do a hybrid of the PCH and 101 if there are stops along both that you want to visit.
See more: 7 Unique Things to Do in SLO
Our favorite route
Since we’ve driven all four routes multiple times, our favorite way to get from SF to LA is a hybrid of Highway 101 and Highway 1 if time isn’t a big issue. Even though Big Sur is one of my favorite places in the world, it has become so crowded lately. If you’ve never been, this is a must. If you’ve already had your Big Sur fix, I recommend heading to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea instead and then returning to the 101 for the remainder of the drive.
See more: Summary of our endless caravan
Essential tips
- Check for closures on Highway 1. Big Sur regularly experiences landslides, mudslides after rain, single-lane traffic controls and bridge repair delays. We almost missed our flight because of a marathon race.
- Download offline maps on Google Maps for routes without signal.
- Fog can ruin the view of the coast. Many summer mornings have a marine layer that sometimes burns off by midday. Fall and spring on the coast often bring clearer skies. March through May is the sweet spot.
- Rent a car. Instead of renting a regular car, we wanted something with more personality, so we got one bright Jeep from Turo. It was waiting for us at the airport when we arrived, and we dropped it back off at the parking deck before flying home.
Are you planning a drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles or vice versa? Which route would you take?
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Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city every year and are currently settling in Las Vegas.
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