San Francisco To Los Angeles Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 383 miles of the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes around 5 hours and 54 mins of driving without stops.

This article shares the 18 top tips that turn your Los Angeles trip into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Way From San Francisco To Los Angeles

On the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the San Francisco – Los Angeles route!

1. Executive Inn & Suites, Oakland: Executive Inn & Suites, Oakland is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the San Francisco – Los Angeles route. Driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles might take around 18 mins. Oakland’s most unique waterfront hotel is located in the heart of the Bay Area and features a fitness center and pool. In the evening, guests can relax with a drink in the Bayside Lobby Lounge. Check the Executive Inn & Suites, Oakland, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Modesto: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Los Angeles from San Francisco is DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Modesto. The hotel is 88.7 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 1 hour and 31 mins to drive. The Hilton DoubleTree Hotel Modesto is located in the heart of downtown, near dining, shopping, entertainment, and cultural venues such as the Gallo Center for the Arts and Bass Pro Shop – Outdoor WorIn addition, there here is an outdoor pool and a fitness center on-site. If you want to learn more about the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Modesto, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Fresno North: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Fresno North. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Fresno North is 184 miles away from San Francisco, and you can arrive there with 3 hours and 5 mins of non-stop driving. The Fresno Convention Center has a heated indoor pool and a great location just 10 minutes from downtown. Family-friendly amenities include a heated indoor pool and a great location just 10 minutes from downtown. Spend an afternoon shopping at River Park, live performances at The Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts, or let your kids get their hands on at The Fresno Discovery Center. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Fresno North, for more information.
4. The Darling Hotel: The next hotel suggestion is The Darling Hotel, 228 miles from San Francisco. Located in the heart of downtown Visalia, the former Tulare County courthouse annex has been reimagined and redesigned to reflect today’s lifestyle. The boutique hotel features tastefully designed accommodations and a rooftop restaurant and lounge. If you need more info about the price and availability of The Darling Hotel, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Best Western Plus Hill House: Our next hotel is Best Western Plus Hill House. It will take 4 hours, and 24 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from San Francisco. The Best Western Plus Hill House is a pet-friendly hotel close to popular attractions in Bakersfield, including Rabobank Arena. They have an in-house fitness room so you can keep up your workout routine while on the road. Check the Best Western Plus Hill House on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Plus Hill House for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Hotel Lexen Newhall & Santa Clarita: Another hotel you can accommodate on the San Francisco – Los Angeles route is Hotel Lexen Newhall & Santa Clarita. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel within 5 hours 26 mins drive from San Francisco. The Lexen Hotel celebrates the historical culture of Old Town Newhall while embracing the elegance of contemporary travel. It offers an unforgettable experience from the moment you arrive, with modern and stylish hotel rooms that are a haven of peace. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the same San Francisco to Los Angeles route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from San Francisco to Los Angeles. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Way To Los Angeles From San Francisco

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip. In this section, we list the six different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Belotti Ristorante E Bottega: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list from San Francisco to Los Angeles with Belotti Ristorante E Bottega. It is 12.5 miles from San Francisco and would take 18 mins of driving. Belotti is a relaxed and casual space that offers diners a chance to escape from any hectic day. The restaurant features traditional Italian cooking with a modern touch, and the staff will take care of preparing your meal. For more information about Belotti Ristorante E Bottega, you can visit TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Belotti Ristorante E Bottega.
2. Skewers Kabob House: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Los Angeles from San Francisco is Skewers Kabob House. The restaurant is 88.7 miles from San Francisco and would take 1 hour and 31 mins of driving. Skewers Kabob House is a restaurant that was established in 2003. It specializes in Persian-inspired Mediterranean cuisine and offers three private dining rooms for your family’s most significant celebrations. If you want to learn more about Skewers Kabob House, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Pismo’s Coastal Grill: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Pismo’s, Coastal Grill. It will take 3 hours of car drive to take 185 miles from San Francisco. The coastal theme is represented by an open-air feel with unique roll-up windows, Adirondack-style booths, Santa Barbara rock columns, and a handcrafted wooden boat at the entry. You can check Pismo’s Coastal Grill for more information n TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
4. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant: Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant deserves to be on our list. The brewery has a variety of beers, good food, and friendly service. The menu has many options at reasonable prices. It is an excellent spot for socializing in downtown Visalia. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant is 228 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 3 hours and 36 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Black Angus Steakhouse – Bakersfield: If you enjoy dining, Black Angus Steakhouse – Bakersfield would be an excellent choice. It’s 282 miles from San Francisco and would take 4 hours and 21 mins of car driving. Black Angus cattle are the best at producing meat, and like a first match on the grill every evening, their flavor is unforgettable. If you want to learn more about Black Angus Steakhouse – Bakersfield, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Egg Plantation: Another restaurant we recommend you to visit on the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles is Egg PlantationIt will take 5 hours and 25 mins of driving to reach Egg Plantation from San Francisco. The restaurant specializes in breakfast and serves specialty espresso beverages and a full bar with the best Bloody Marys around. Saturdays and Sundays, they offer guests the opportunity to listen to sweet guitar music performed by Marco Tulio out on their patio. For more information about Egg Plantation, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 383 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Los Angeles road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Way From San Francisco To Los Angeles

A unique experience awaits you in Los Angeles. However, there are also some unique destinations on the road trip. Therefore, we want to explain the top six destinations we recommend on the Los Angeles route.

• Oakland Museum of California: Oakland Museum of California will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip. Oakland Museum of California is 13.4 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 20 mins to drive. The Oakland Museum of California provides a variety of exhibits, events, and educational opportunities to explore the state’s environment, history, art, and people. If you want to learn more about the Oakland Museum of California, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• McHenry Mansion: McHenry Mansion is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the San Francisco to Los Angeles route. It’s 92.2 miles from San Francisco, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 33 mins to drive. The McHenry Mansion, located in Modesto, California, has been open to the public as a tourist destination since 1983. It is a historic house built in 1883 and offers free, family-friendly tours. If you want to learn more about McHenry Mansion, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Forestiere Underground Gardens: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles is Forestiere Underground Gardens. You can arrive at Forestiere Underground Gardens after 2 hours and 50 mins of driving. Visitors can explore a hand-built network of underground rooms, courtyards, and passageways that look like ancient catacombs. This architecture is reminiscent of the Roman Empire and its rich history. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Forestiere Underground Gardens for more information.
• Sequoia National Park: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Sequoia National Park on the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Sequoia National Park is 262 miles from San Francisco, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 15 mins of drive. The place is breathtaking, but you will need to spend half a day driving from one spot to another. The views are beautiful but are prepared for steep climbs up with the car. A shuttle bus is provided to take you to the General Sherman World Tree- Sequoia called. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Sequoia National Park before going there.
• Kern County Museum: Kern County Museum ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Los Angeles road trip. You must take 4 hours 25 mins of driving to arrive at Kern County Museum. The Kern County Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history of Kern County, California. The museum has a collection of historical objects that provide an interpretive experience of significant events and people in Kern County’s past. If you want to learn more about Kern County Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain: Another attraction you can visit on the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip is Six Flags Magic Mountain. Six Flags Magic Mountain is 348 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 5 hours and 18 mins to drive. This theme park is large and has a variety of attractions for all ages, making it an excellent choice for families. It’s easy to get to Los Angeles, and the parked worth the trip. For more information about Six Flags Magic Mountain, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From San Francisco to Los Angeles

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the San Francisco to Los Angeles drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From San Francisco To Los Angeles?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 5 hours and 54 mins to drive. The distance between San Francisco to Los Angeles is 383 miles.
• If you want to make the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day and 18 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the San Francisco-Los Angeles route, you will have to walk for five days and 23 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From San Francisco To Los Angeles?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Los Angeles. Here we list six of them. For more information about the best places on the San Francisco to Los Angeles journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Way From San Francisco To Los Angeles part.

1. Oakland Museum of California: 13.4 miles / 20 mins to drive from San Francisco | 371 miles / 5 hours 44 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
2. McHenry Mansion: 92.2 miles / 1 hour 33 mins to drive from San Francisco | 314 miles / 4 hours 56 mins of moving to Los Angeles.
3. Forestiere Underground Gardens: 179 miles / 2 hours 50 mins to drive from San Francisco | 227 miles / 3 hours 35 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
4. Sequoia National Park: 262 miles / 4 hours 15 mins to drive from San Francisco | 205 miles / 3 hours 35 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
5. Kern County Museum: 283 miles / 4 hours 25 mins to drive from San Francisco | 115 miles / 1 hour 57 mins of moving to Los Angeles.
6. Six Flags Magic Mountain: 348 miles / 5 hours 18 mins to drive from San Francisco | 37.4 miles / 47 mins of driving to Los Angeles.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From San Francisco To Los Angeles?

There are many excellent hotels during your San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Los Angeles From the San Francisco section.

• Executive Inn & Suites, Oakland: 13.9 miles / 18 mins to drive from San Francisco | 370 miles / 5 hours 42 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Modesto: 88.7 miles / 1 hour 31 mins to drive from San Francisco | 314 miles / 4 hours 56 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Fresno North: 184 miles / 3 hours 5 mins to drive from San Francisco | 226 miles / 3 hours 35 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• The Darling Hotel: 228 miles / 3 hours 35 mins to drive from San Francisco | 191 miles / 3 hours 4 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Best Western Plus Hill House: 284 miles / 4 hours 24 mins to drive from San Francisco | 114 miles / 1 hour 57 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Hotel Lexen Newhall & Santa Clarita: 353 miles / 5 hours 26 mins to drive from San Francisco | 31.5 miles / 38 mins of driving to Los Angeles.

Where To Eat Between San Francisco to Los Angeles?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your San Francisco to Los Angeles journey, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From San Francisco To Los Angeles.

1. Belotti Ristorante E Bottega
   : 12.5 miles / 18 mins to drive from San Francisco | 374 miles / 5 hours 45 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
2. Skewers Kabob House: 88.7 miles / 1 hour 31 mins to drive from San Francisco | 314 miles / 4 hours 56 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
3. Pismo’s Coastal Grill: 185 miles / 3 hours 0 mins to drive from San Francisco | 228 miles / 3 hours 37 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
4. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant: 228 miles / 3 hours 36 mins to drive from San Francisco | 191 miles / 3 hours 5 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
5. Black Angus Steakhouse – Bakersfield: 282 miles / 4 hours 21 mins to drive from San Francisco | 113 miles / 1 hour 51 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
6. Egg Plantation: 353 miles / 5 hours 25 mins to drive from San Francisco | 32.1 miles / 39 mins of driving to Los Angeles.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the way. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.