Driving from San Francisco to L.A...

[AussieAngel]

In 2 months and 9 days, my BF and I will be arriving in USA! Look out!!

We're going to lots of different cities in the US, and most places we're flying between, because it's quickier and easier. But we've decided to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, because we thought it might be a fun drive, with lots of coastal scenery, etc...

So we're renting a car, and hope to leave San Francisco by about 7am the morning we leave, and drive all the way to LA that day. I've spoken to a few people about this, and most people suggest staying overnight somewhere along the way, so we don't drive all day.

Problem being... we've already booked our accommodation, and we're happy to do a huge day of driving, if it means we have more time in LA. We only have 4 days in LA to start with, so we don't want to cut more time out of that.

So we'd like to drive along Highway 1, which is good for coastal scenery (we think!). But we hear that might take 10 hours. Is that right? Or should we allow longer?

Is there a way we could cut that driving time down? Like drive on Highway 101 for a while (like from SF to Monterey), then joining with Highway 1? Would that still be pretty?

Basically, we want to see lots of nice coast and be able to take lots of pretty photos along the way, but we don't want to be driving for 86 hours! (I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean. Teehee!)

If anybody has done this drive, or is a bit of an expert on California, your help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1, or as they call it, PCH) is a beautiful drive, and it can take between 8-10 hours. I'll get a more accurate estimate on the time from my mother (she has done it a few times). If you leave San Fran at 7:00 like you said you should still be able to have dinner in LA.

 

[barbeml]

We drove from San Francisco (actually Redwood Shores) to Disneyland in about 12 hours. We did the Monterey scenic loop and then "cut through the mountains" around Carmel via DH's famous "shortcut." The shortcut took us higher and higher into the mountains and was very scary. Finally wound up in a cow pasture before descending. We laugh now.

But we still made it to Anaheim in time for dinner, so I'm sure you can get to LA within your timeframe.

(We made the drive back in 8 hours...no shortcuts!)

 

[AussieAngel]

KingsFan, thankyou for your advice! Let me know what your mother says!

Barbeml, that's hilarious about your shortcut! I don't think we'll try that one... When you drove back though, which took 8 hours, did you drive all the way on Highway 1? Did you have stops?

Thanks guys!

 

[barbeml]

KingsFan, thankyou for your advice! Let me know what your mother says!

Barbeml, that's hilarious about your shortcut! I don't think we'll try that one... When you drove back though, which took 8 hours, did you drive all the way on Highway 1? Did you have stops?

Thanks guys!

I am not good with route numbers, but as I recall, there is a coastal route, then the mountains run down the center of the state, then there is another major inland route east of the mountains. We took the coastal route to Monterey before the infamous shortcut to the inland route which we took all the way to LA/Anaheim. On the way back, we stayed on the inland route and probably just stopped for lunch and a couple of bathroom breaks. We were able to do 85 most of the way back, not much traffic (it was a weekday).

 

[goodeats]

The shortest route between LA and San Fran is to take the 5 freeway, but it's definitely not very scenic. At most this will take six hours, but we usually do it in five.

Another option is to take the 101 all the way. This is a very pretty highway and even when you are inland it's still beautiful. We did this recently from San Jose and including an hour stop for lunch and some bad traffic in Santa Barbara took us 10 hours (11am to 9pm).

Highway 1 north of SLO (San Louis Obispo) is gorgeous. This is what California is about , and I highly recommend you take it. Big Sur is incredible! But I'd stick with the 101 south of SLO. If you leave LA early in the morning to avoid traffic, you could get to the 101 by late morning then have a nice drive to San Fran. I think this could take 12 hours, but if you break it up wouldn't be too bad.

If I were you I'd try to change your San Fran hotel reservation and spend the night in SLO, but if that's not possible just be prepared for a long day of driving.

 

[challada]

FYI...you CANNOT get to highway 1 right now from San Fran. Devil's Slide is closed so Pacifica is as far as you can get from San Fran at this time. You will HAVE to go further south inland to then get over to highway 1, which WILL add time to your trip...probably at San Jose you will want to cut over.

It is a LONG drive down. Especially if you choose to go down the coast on Highway 1. However, if you are two adults sharing the driving and determined to get it done, it IS possible.

Have fun!