The 9 Best Routes From San Diego to San Francisco
There’s a lot of ground to cover in California, and you can spend days on the road exploring different towns and cities. From San Diego to San Francisco, there are several incredible stops and breathtaking sights to take in.
Whether you’re driving, flying, or taking the train, we’ve laid out the best 9 routes to take from San Diego to San Francisco.
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway From San Diego to San Franciso
The 101 up the California coast is the ultimate adventure offering rugged beaches and sleepy surfer towns. But before you get in the car, plan to have some extra time to capture the full beauty and battle some potential traffic.
Our favorite and top recommendation is to make it a multi-day road trip from San Diego to San Francisco. If you drive the PCH along the coast, you should expect to spend at least 12-15 hours on the road, depending on how many times you stop. There are so many amazing little towns on the coast along the way that you must experience! One of those places we recommend is Santa Barbara. Our Beach Hostel is located in downtown Santa Barbara and offers travelers affordable accommodations with great amenities.
Another easy stop along the way from San Diego to San Francisco is Ventura. Less than thirty miles south of Santa Barbara, the city of Ventura is a great place to stop once you get through Los Angeles. It’s an easy day trip from our Santa Barbara Beach Hostel, too. With great beaches and a walkable downtown strip, Ventura has plenty of things to do and see. We recommend swinging by Ecugreen to check out some of their imported goods from Ecuador and then grabbing a cup of coffee or a tasty latte at Singing Sun before making your way north.
Race Up The 5
The most direct and fastest route on the road is to take I-5 through central California. If you only take a few quick stops for gas and snacks, you can make the trip in under 10 hours. Although this is the quickest route, we recommend slowing down and finding a more scenic route.
One town that’s worth stopping in along I-5 is San Clemente. This coastal city is roughly 60 miles north of San Diego and 60 miles south of Los Angeles, making it a perfect rest stop along the way. With how busy Los Angeles traffic gets, San Clemente can be a perfect place to rest and grab a bite while you wait for rush hour to die down.
Bikepack From San Diego to San Franciso
This is a cyclist’s dream. The California Coastline is beautiful, but even more magnificent when explored by bike! Along the way, you will find incredible state parks to camp at and loads of fellow bicyclists making a similar trip. For those with the time and ambition to make the 700-plus mile trip by bicycle, this is a unique opportunity to see California in an unparalleled way.
Find a cheap flight from San Diego to San Francisco
Finding flights from San Diego to San Francisco is super easy. There are multiple flights each day between the two cities and you are looking at about a 1 hour and 15-minute ride. If you book early enough, you should be able to get a one-way ticket for around $69, and United is one airline that offers cheap one-way flights from San Diego to San Francisco. We also recommend looking at Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar, since this airline lets you fly with two free bags.
Travel On A California Group Tour
If you love exploring with world travelers like we do, then consider joining us on our overnight adventure up the coast. There are several companies, such as Tourradar which service tours from San Diego to San Francisco. On a tour like this, you’ll be treated to stops like Yosemite National Park and Carmel. While this option is costly, taking a group tour can be an incredible way to see all the top attractions in Southern and Central California.
Take the Amtrak Train Along the Coast
California is known for having some beautiful train routes. Amtrak services several cities and towns along the California Coast, and this is a great way to see the coastline like no other. Amtrak does not have direct service from San Diego to San Francisco, so you will need to transfer at least once. But there are plenty of routes that service San Diego to San Francisco. This option is perfect for remote workers and digital nomads since Amtrak has free wifi and a cafe car. Whether you plan to work on a big project or relax with a book and watch the scenery unfold, we highly recommend taking the train from San Diego to San Francisco.
Ride The Bus
If you need to find the cheapest way to travel between these two cities, check out the Flix Bus. If you book far enough in advance, you can pick up a ticket for cheap. Amtrak Thruway buses are also an option, and they offer a comfortable ride with spacious seats and bathrooms on the bus.
Relax on a cruise
For the traveler with lots of time and a bigger budget, taking a cruise from San Diego to San Francisco can be the sort of experience you’ll always remember. The ride is beautiful and you will pass by Catalina Island and the Channel Islands. Websites like this one can be a great resource for finding cruise packages that can take you not only through California but all the way up the West Coast!
The ultimate Adventure from San Diego to San Francisco
As a passionate sailor, I recommend looking for some options for sailing from San Diego to San Francisco. The weather is a huge factor with this option. I recommend sailing during the summer months while the Pacific Ocean seas are calm.
