San Diego to San Fran with child
 

Hello. I have been looking at some posts. I don't see any mention of kids. Is the drive -- while stopping in 2 places (LA and somewhere else -btwn LA and SF- ideas?) then going onto San Fran too much for a child?
How far is Oakland from SF? We are thinking of taking 5 days from LA to SF (including staying in SF).
Would love feedback.

Thousands of families do drive every year with kids so unless your child has special requirements you should be okay.

You could stop in Santa Barbara (closer to LA), Cambria, Carmel/Monterey.

Oakland is 15 miles from SF (just across the Bay Bridge).

I made this drive many times with my parents when I was a kid. Unless your kid is prone to car sickness, I say go for it. There are plenty of good things to see along the way. I'd probably stop in Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, or Morro Bay the first night and then the Monterey Area the second.

Thanks for the replies. Our child is under 1. No problems. Where should we stay in Santa Barbara? Great ideas.

Thanks.

No specific Santa Barbara hotel recommendations from me but just be aware that if you stay in SB and then plan to drive up to SF in a day it will be a long day...about 6-7 hours straight up 101 or 9-10 hours if you decide to go coastal through Big Sur up CA-1.

You say you have 5 days from LA to SF including your stay in SF (I'm assuming this doesn't include your time in LA). With 2 days of travel that will leave 3 days in SF which is a decent amount time to see a good portion of the city (major attractions).

We've done the trip with our two kids many times, at ages from 4 months to 17 yrs.. Easy with an overnight or two on the way to SF.

Ok. Maybe not staying in Santa Barbara. Open to suggestions.

We may change the route- head inland from San Diego. Ideas?

We have a week.

I'd drive from LA to SF taking the inland route #5. Its about a 6 hr drive. Not pretty...its the central valley and agricultural..but you'll be able to spend more time in either LA or SF, and you'll come into SF through Oakland......which is East of SF on the other side of the Bay. Or you could cut across from #5 and come out to #101 near Salinas, which is on the way to Carmel/Monterrey... about 2 hrs. south of SF.

Thanks for those ideas. I think we are not going to drive all the way up--we've both been to SF. Thinking SD and maybe LA but basing ourselves in SD-- any places around there?
Thanks.

I love La Jolla/San Diego and there are some pretty decent hotels for under $150-200 a night that has great ocean views or oceanfront..
Best to you!

ljshoreshotel.com
hotellajolla.com
thegrandecolonial.com

georgesatthecove.com