Road Trip from San Francisco To Carmel-by-the-Sea
If you want to take a short getaway, consider a road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea. This short road trip will keep you entertained from the first minute, you might even be surprised how much is on offer.
A road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea will take you 3 hours to drive, covering 120 miles. Highlights on the way include San Jose, Henry W. Coe State Park, Half Moon Bay, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.
If you want to begin planning your weekend getaway, read on for more information about the best routes, where you should stay, and the best time of year to go.
How far is Carmel-by-the-Sea from San Francisco and how long will the road trip take?
| Route | Distance | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Coastal Route | 158 miles | 3 hours |
| The Bay Area Route | 119 miles | 2 hours |
The road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea will cover 120 miles and take you about 3 hours to drive. You could drive it in less than a day, but we recommend splitting the journey with an overnight stop.
The bay area route is even quicker, taking only 2 hours to drive. This route has much less to see compared to the coastal route. We only recommend taking this route if you need to get to Carmel quickly.
The coastal route encompasses some stunning scenery and, if you have the time, is the recommended route. It includes some pretty towns, beautiful beaches, and trendy cities. You could easily spend a few days enjoying this route if you have the time.
There is the potential for bad traffic in San Francisco and Santa Cruz on the coastal route. If you choose the bay area route, you may encounter heavy traffic near San Jose. Try to avoid traveling through these places at rush hour by using a traffic app to monitor congestion.
The driving on both routes is very easy, mostly following highways the whole way. This makes it easy to stop along the way on your road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Best road trip route from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea
The best road trip route from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea would have to be the coastal one - most of California's finest attractions are located by the Pacific, and this route is a good example of that.
That said, if you want to keep things interesting, you can always take the quicker route on the way back to change up the scenery.
The Coastal Route
Leave downtown San Francisco and travel south on Interstate 280. The interstate will take you to the coast, joining the Pacific Coast Highway, or Route 1.
From Route 1, the driving is very straightforward. The highway will lead you along the coast, passing through Half Moon Bay, Big Basin Redwoods, and Santa Cruz.
After passing through Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway, you will cruise alongside Monterey Bay. The highway will take you through Monterey, after which you will detour on 17 Mile Drive.
17 Mile Drive will take you directly to Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Beach. While it is a short trip, it's a perfect distance for a weekend getaway.
The Bay Area Route
If the coastal route doesn't interest you, have a look at this route that will take you through the metropolis of the bay area.
It starts the same way as the coastal route, heading south on Interstate 280. At San Bruno, leave the interstate and merge onto Highway 101, which will lead you past San Mateo Bridge and then to Redwood City.
Pass through Redwood City and leave Highway 101 for Route 85, allowing you to travel around the edge of San Jose. Near Los Gatos, join up with Route 17, which will lead you through the hills and towards the coast.
You will pass Bear Creek Redwoods before reaching Santa Cruz - from there, The Pacific Coast Highway will take you around Monterey Bay. At the city of Monterey, leave the highway for 17 Mile Drive that will lead you into Carmel.
Best places to stop on your road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea
While it is a short drive, you should really consider stopping at least once during the road trip from San Fransisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea. To help you plan your trip, we have recommended two fantastic resorts below.
Recharge at the Chaminade Resort & Spa
The Chaminade Resort and Spa is just outside Santa Cruz, tucked away in the gently rolling mountains - if you are looking for a place to relax in tranquility (not to mention in the fanciest rooms on the Pacific Coast), you have to book a night at this resort.
The place has a year-round outdoor pool and is home to an amazing spa. Make sure you book yourself in for one of the many treatments available if you are thinking of spending a night here.
On top of the pool and spa, the resort has a great gym and fitness center, where you could take part in one of many regular classes. There is a lot on offer at the resort to keep you entertained during your stay if you want a break from sightseeing for the day.
The rooms are stylishly designed to be very spacious and clean. They come equipped with everything you could need during your stay, ensuring you will be comfortable. The hotel itself is very tasteful and sophisticated.
The on-site restaurant is called The View, and it lives up to expectations. It's set on a beautiful terrace with picturesque views of the forested hills surrounding the resort. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it has a great bar for you to enjoy a drink in.
The resort is only a short drive from downtown Santa Cruz, opening up more opportunities for dining and entertainment. They also offer free parking, making it perfect for your road trip.
Stay in luxury at Monterey Bay
The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort and Spa is in a perfect location to explore your final destination, all while enjoying spectacular views of the resort and an unprecedented level of service.
In addition to being so close to Carmel, it is also in an area known for great golf and countless other fun activities in the Monterey Area. Pebble Beach and the Old Fisherman's Wharf give you plenty to do on your visit to this area, so you may need to spend more than a day here.
The resort itself also offers a great range of things to keep you entertained, boasting a spa, gym, tennis courts, and two hot tubs - if you enjoy getting active, you're guaranteed to find something to do here.
The Sea Root is one of the on-site restaurants. Their chefs serve Mediterranean-inspired food that uses locally grown produce. There is also a bar that serves a great selection of wine, beer, and cocktails.
The Sea Root is a more upmarket restaurant - if you are looking for something more casual, try the Knuckles Sports Bar. They serve up American classics like burgers and wings, which you can wash down with a draft beer.
The rooms at the resort are spacious and nicely furnished. They also have great views of the surrounding area and its tranquil golf courses. Add to that the stylish, modern décor, and you have a hotel that's next to impossible to top.
Things to see on a road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea
Even though it doesn't cover much ground, there is still plenty you can see on the road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea. To make sure you don't miss anything, here is a list of some of the top attractions.
- Gray Whale Cove State Beach - If the weather is on your side, consider a quick stop at the beach.
- Half Moon Bay - Half Moon Bay has a nice coastal trail if you feel like stretching your legs.
- Pigeon Point Lighthouse - Not far from Half Moon Bay is this pretty lighthouse sitting on a rugged stretch of coast.
- Pacific Coast Beaches - From Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz, there are numerous stunning beaches, why not plan to spend the day relaxing at one.
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park - This park is located near San Francisco and is best known for its Redwood trees.
- Redwood City - Filoli Historic House, Pulgas Water Temple, and the Baylands Nature Preserve are all in the Redwood City area.
- San Jose - This iconic city is one of the crowning jewels of California and a must-see along the inland route.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Visit the iconic Santa Cruz boardwalk, and maybe one of the nearby beaches like Seabright Beach.
- The Mystery Spot - Just outside of Santa Cruz, this roadside attraction is a confusing visual illusion.
- Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail - Another great coastline trail for you to explore and snap some amazing photographs of the surrounding nature.
- Old Fisherman's Wharf - Located in downtown Monterey, this is a pretty spot to get a bite to eat or do some shopping.
- Point Lobos State National Reserve - Just south of Carmel, this reserve is on par with Big Sur in terms of sweeping ocean scenery and amazing nature hikes.
Best time of year to go on a road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea
You can go on a short road trip from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea at any time of year. The coast of California won't experience any extreme weather that will prevent you from traveling in a certain season.
Winter is typically the wettest time of year, and temperatures are also at their coldest. However, it will be a quieter time to travel and one where hotels may be discounted. If you like to get active outside, it's probably best to consider another time of year.
Spring and fall, also called the shoulder seasons, are probably the best time to travel. They allow you to strike a balance between nice weather, lower prices, and fewer tourists that will ensure you enjoy your road trip.
While summer may be the first time of year you consider your road trip, it does bring some disadvantages -most notably, hotels are at their most expensive, and there are lots of tourists around, so this isn't the best time to visit if you want to keep things quiet.
However, if you're looking for good weather, then summer is the best time of year to go. California summers are hot with plenty of sunshine, something that almost any road tripper can get behind.
Overall, you can go at any time of year. Try to decide what factors are most important to you and plan on going in a season that works for you.
