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Road Trip

Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA Road Trip — Best Stops Along the Way

The best attractions, restaurants, and scenic stops between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA. 381 mi, approximately 5 hours 56 mins of driving. Real drive times, real ratings, real photos.

Los Angeles, CASan Francisco, CA

381 mi · 5 hours 56 mins drive · 12 stops found

12 stops along the way

Griffith Park, CA 90027, USA
1

Griffith Park

CA 90027, USA

11 min from Los Angeles4.7 (69,495)NatureAttraction
Squirrel Kingdom, 1339 CA-1, Santa Monica
2

Squirrel Kingdom

1339 CA-1, Santa Monica

21 min from Los Angeles4.6 (29)Attraction
Hollywood Sign, CA 90068, USA
3

Hollywood Sign

CA 90068, USA

21 min from Los Angeles4.6 (13,865)Attraction
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Los Angeles, CA 90036
4

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Los Angeles, CA 90036

22 min from Los Angeles4.6 (15,058)HistoryAttraction
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA 91302, USA
5

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

CA 91302, USA

40 min from Los Angeles4.7 (7,256)Nature
Topanga State Park, Topanga, CA 90290
6

Topanga State Park

Topanga, CA 90290

46 min from Los Angeles4.7 (1,873)NatureAttraction
Prime Desert Woodland Preserve, Lancaster, CA 93536
7

Prime Desert Woodland Preserve

Lancaster, CA 93536

1 hr 12 min from Los Angeles4.7 (1,120)NatureAttraction
Fort Tejon State Historic Park, Lebec, CA 93243
8

Fort Tejon State Historic Park

Lebec, CA 93243

1 hr 17 min from Los Angeles4.5 (1,270)HistoryNature
Magic of Water tower, Mettler, CA 93313
9

Magic of Water tower

Mettler, CA 93313

1 hr 33 min from Los Angeles5.0 (6)Attraction
Flight Adventure Park Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA 93308
10

Flight Adventure Park Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA 93308

1 hr 49 min from Los Angeles4.8 (3,062)Attraction
Wind Wolves Preserve, Bakersfield, CA 93311
11

Wind Wolves Preserve

Bakersfield, CA 93311

1 hr 52 min from Los Angeles4.8 (543)Nature
Yokuts Park, Bakersfield, CA 93309
12

Yokuts Park

Bakersfield, CA 93309

1 hr 52 min from Los Angeles4.3 (906)NatureAttraction

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA?

The drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA is 381 mi, taking approximately 5 hours 56 mins without stops. With stops for food, gas, and sightseeing, plan for a full day.

What are the best stops between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA?

The best stops include scenic overlooks, state parks, historic towns, and local restaurants along the route. Check the stop cards above for top-rated options with real drive times and ratings from Google.

Is the Los Angeles to San Francisco drive scenic?

Yes. The route between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA passes through several interesting areas. The stops listed above highlight the best scenic, cultural, and food destinations along the way.

Should I make the Los Angeles to San Francisco trip a road trip or just drive straight through?

We recommend making it a road trip. The stops between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA are worth the detour. Most add less than 30 minutes to your total drive and offer experiences you won't find at highway rest stops.

Don't know where to go?

Tell us your interests, budget, and how far you want to drive. We'll find the perfect trip for you.

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