There are some places in the world where travellers can easily reach their destination in just a few hours by plane, yet many still prefer to take a road trip.
When it comes to the world’s most scenic drives, the San Francisco to Los Angeles Road trip is often mentioned first. If you want to travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles, you’ll find many non-stop flights that will get you there in just a few hours.
However, after reading this article, there’s no doubt you’ll prefer to take the iconic coastal drive instead. So, read it carefully and completely.
The beautiful road from San Francisco to Los Angeles is known in California as Highway 1. This route is more than 650 miles long, but don’t worry—you won’t feel bored at all on this journey.
The joy of driving along the coast is incredible, and you will definitely experience this during this scenic Highway 1 journey. But during this scenic journey, you will also see many other wonderful sights along the way that will make your trip even better.
During the drive, you will see cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and hidden beaches that you may have never seen before. In addition, during the California Highway 1 journey, you will also see the world-famous redwood forests, which are incredibly beautiful and peaceful.
When you’re on this California coastal drive and want to stop at a beautiful beach, be careful, as wild animals are sometimes seen on these shores.
There are many curves on this road, so don’t drive too fast; instead, enjoy the beauty of this scenic route.
1) San Francisco — The Perfect Starting Point
If you want to begin your San Francisco to Los Angeles Road trip, San Francisco is the perfect place to start. It is a large and beautiful destination, so don’t forget to explore it before setting off on your journey.
Here, you’ll see cable cars running on steep streets, which is a truly amazing sight. The area also has a famous viewpoint called Twin Peaks. If you’re there in the evening, don’t miss the breathtaking sunset view from this spot.
To the south lies a famous waterfront area, considered one of the most popular tourist destinations. In my opinion, you should definitely visit the waterfront and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before continuing your journey.
Walking hand-in-hand with your girlfriend or wife here will be an experience you’ll cherish forever.
You’ve probably heard of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. If you plan this road trip between June and August, you’ll often find the bridge shrouded in fog. Travelers from all over the world come to witness this magical sight.
Crossing it will mark the true beginning of your road trip.
Note: Parking is very difficult, so, if possible, book a rental car to get around easily.
2) Santa Cruz and Monterey — Where the Coast Comes Alive
When you embark on the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip, the first stop will be Santa Cruz.
If you’re traveling with your family and children, you absolutely must stop in Santa Cruz because it’s home to the oldest and most historic amusement park on the coast, famous throughout California as the “Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.”
Entry to the Beach Boardwalk, located on Santa Cruz’s beautiful coastline, is completely free, so you should definitely visit.
This amusement park is filled with classic and modern rides and a variety of fun games. No matter who you’re with, you’re guaranteed to have a great time.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a major tourist attraction, and many visitors come here with their families on weekends. Don’t forget to experience the “Giant Dipper” roller coaster!
After having your fill of fun in Santa Cruz, a little further down the road, you’ll find a beautiful and unique city called Monterey, known worldwide for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
This San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip becomes even more beautiful as you approach Monterey.
This city is unlike any other; its coastline is historic and charming, and if you look closely, you’ll see the deep blue ocean waters. The atmosphere here is peaceful and calming.
Whether you see anything else in Monterey or not, don’t miss the 17-Mile Drive, which offers some of the most stunning coastal views in California.
The breathtaking scenery along the 17-Mile Drive will make you want to stop and take pictures at every turn.
If you’re a photography enthusiast, there’s probably no better place for this than here.
3) Big Sur – A road trip you’ll remember for a lifetime
During your road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles on Highway 1, after Monterey, you’ll reach a place that will undoubtedly leave you completely mesmerized.
This is the most breathtaking part of the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip.
This beautiful place is called Big Sur. The vast Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon on one side and towering cliffs on the other make this place even more stunning. When the roads become narrow, you’ll know you’ve arrived in Big Sur.
Many travellers say the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip feels unforgettable when passing through Big Sur.
Full of breathtaking views, Big Sur is a place where you can take countless photographs, but you’ll never get enough.
As you leave Big Sur and head towards Los Angeles, you’ll see a very old bridge, famous as the Bixby Bridge.
If you have plenty of time, pull your car over and stand on this bridge. The strong winds and the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean will undoubtedly fill you with joy.
A short distance from the Bixby Bridge, you’ll find a dense forest known as the Redwood Forest. As your car passes through this dense forest, roll down your windows and experience the tranquillity of the woods.
However, be sure not to stop your car and get out in the forest.
As you continue along the small road winding through the tall trees of the forest, you’ll come across a beautiful waterfall.
When you see this waterfall for the first time from a distance, it will seem so surreal that you might think it’s an illusion.
When you look closely at this waterfall, you’ll realize that it’s actually a beautiful waterfall that flows into a cove called Turquoise Cove, and the waterfall is named McWay Falls.
Note: Fill up your car with fuel before reaching Big Sur. This is a place where you are likely to find very few services.
4) San Simeon – Where Nature Takes Centre Stage
After admiring the beautiful views of Big Sur, as you continue along Highway 1, you’ll reach a place brimming with natural beauty: San Simeon.
San Simeon is a quiet but very small town. It boasts beautiful beaches, but you can’t access them because they are home to elephant seals.
When you view the San Simeon coastline from a distance, you’ll see many types of wild animals, including elephant seals, resting on the sand. Approaching these wild animals is extremely dangerous, so maintain a safe distance.
Are you interested in seeing a historic castle that is a masterpiece of architecture? If so, don’t miss visiting Hearst Castle, located on a hill a short distance from San Simeon.
5) Santa Barbara — A Place to Change Your Mood
After spending some time in San Simeon, as you continue towards Los Angeles, you’ll arrive in a city that will make you feel warm and comfortable. This beautiful coastal city is called Santa Barbara.
This city has many tourist attractions that you can visit. Tall palm trees and beautiful white buildings with red tile roofs constantly enhance the city’s charm.
You will undoubtedly love the beautiful view of the tall mountains behind the city. The peaceful atmosphere here is sure to bring you peace and tranquillity.
Don’t forget to visit the cafes on State Street; otherwise, your trip to Santa Barbara will be considered incomplete. Many travellers consider this a relaxing break during the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip.
If you want to explore this place, you certainly can, but I believe that instead of spending all your energy sightseeing, you should enjoy the beautiful moments here with the person you’re traveling with.
6) Malibu to Los Angeles — Classic California Scenery
The last stop on your San Francisco to Los Angeles Road trip will be Malibu. This is a beautiful city with a calm and serene coastline.
If you’re planning to stay overnight in Malibu, be sure to visit the nearby famous attraction in the evening, also known as “Pacific Park” at Santa Monica Pier.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities for entertainment at Santa Monica Pier. If you’re traveling with your children or your spouse, don’t forget to ride the Ferris wheel.
If you’re on this trip with your children, there’s also a beautiful aquarium nearby that you shouldn’t miss. After visiting the aquarium, you can enjoy the popular Venice Beach, which is one of the main tourist attractions in this area.
Most travellers then head towards Los Angeles in the evening to visit the Griffith Observatory, which is located on a hill. The Griffith Observatory is one of the main tourist places that you should definitely visit.
The special reason for visiting the Griffith Observatory in the evening is that you can see the entire city sparkling below from above, which is a truly amazing sight.
This amazing view from the Griffith Observatory will undoubtedly be the most wonderful experience of your San Francisco to Los Angeles Road trip.
Practical Tips for a San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip
- When taking this scenic Highway 1 drive, you should start early in the morning. Otherwise, you might face difficulties due to fog along the way. Starting early also helps you avoid city traffic.
- There is no mobile phone signal in Big Sur, so download offline maps on your phone before starting the trip so you don’t get lost along the way.
- Fill up your car with fuel in Monterey and, if possible, get your car thoroughly checked at a good garage so you don’t face any problems during the journey. Fuel stations and car service options become less frequent after Monterey.
- If you see a beautiful view during your road trip, don’t stop your car in the middle of the road. Use the designated turnouts on the side of the road to enjoy the amazing scenery.
- This road trip is very long, so be sure to pack snacks. You will find many snack shops along the way, but if you prefer not to eat outside food, bring your own snacks from home. You already know that you should always carry water on a long road trip, right?
- This road trip is very crowded during the summer months, so if you want to have a beautiful experience on this coastal adventure, plan your trip during the spring or fall.
- Always remember not to plan this road trip during the winter months because the roads are often closed due to heavy storms. If you plan this trip during the winter season, you could get stuck somewhere along the way, so keep this in mind.
Final Thoughts:
When you embark on a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery along the way that you wouldn’t have even imagined. This trip is long, but it’s full of amazing sights.
If you enjoy this trip, please let us know in the comments what your experience was like. We hope you’ll share all the good and bad experiences you have during your road trip so that other travellers can benefit from your insights.
It’s said that you haven’t truly seen California until you’ve taken a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Is that true?
