What is the best way to drive from LA to San Fran?

Someone needs to tell "Tommy" that Hwy 1 does run along the West Coast. I guess that some people refer to 1 as the "Pacific Coast Highway", but I grew up calling it 1, and the other one 101. At some points 1 and 101 intermingle, 1 is the most scenic, breathtaking views of the ocean and at times sheer drops. 101 is scenic but cuts inland at some points.101 is roughly based on the old Franciscan Monk, Father Junipero Serra's foot trail which paved the way for the chain of Spanish Missions up and down California. 101 does not follow it exactly, but The Father Junipero Serra Trail was the foundation for traffic up and down the coast side of California. You can see old Spanish style bells hanging along areas that follow the original path.

When you leave LA and head north, you should plan a visit to Santa Barbara. SB is a beautiful town right on the coast. After leaving SB there are so many things to see. Mission La Purisima in Northern Santa Barbara County, west of Santa Ynez is a wonderfully preserved and restored old Spanish mission. It is a part of the state park system with historic recreations of the mission life which includes the Native American slave quarters and many other interesting displays. Solvang is near as well, off 101, a pseudo Danish village. Quite touristy, but a nice stop. There is also a miniature horse ranch in Los Olivos. This is wine country, so you might want to visit a few wineries and vineyards. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/losoliv.html

There are many places to camp along the way, including Grover Beach, where you can drive onto the beach, south of Pismo Beach. You probably would like to stop in San Luis Obispo and visit the downtown, which is centered around the old mission and San Luis Obispo Creek. SLO is a college town but very family oriented and friendly. If you are there on a Thursday, the downtown is closed off for its weekly farmer's market and quasi festival starting at about 5pm. From SLO you can cut out to the coast to Morro Bay. Hwy 1 runs parallel to a chain of extinct volcanoes which ends with Morro Rock, the core of an old volcano. There are places to camp and visit in Morro Bay. From there you can take 1 up the coast. Cambria is a cute little town to visit, Moonstone Beach, San Simeon, where you can visit and tour Hearst Castle. If you would like to do that I have heard that you need to reserve ahead of time. You are not allowed to drive right up to it, but they bus you up the hill instead. From there you can take 1 up to Big Sur where there are more camping spots, then Carmel, Monterey, Santa Cruz. You can visit many beaches and find many camping spots around Santa Cruz, but I have heard that Big Basin has some beautiful campgrounds. After Santa Cruz there is Half Moon Bay, then Pacifica, then SF. I know that I have left out many things and places but there are too many to go into detail. It takes about seven hours on Hwy 1 between SLO and SF. 101 takes four, but for the real tour of California you will miss out on a lot. That section of 101 basically goes through an agricultural valley, there are more missions along the way, but not directly off 101, minus Mission San Miguel, but I believe that it may be closed due to earthquake damage. There are two lakes around that part of Northern SLO Co. Lake San Antonio and Nacimiento. I honestly think that you will have a much more enjoyable drive if you take the coastal Hwy. I left out so many beaches and places to visit, but you will have to plan another trip.

http://www.santabarbaraca.com/

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=598

http://www.sanluisobispocounty.com/

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594

http://www.hearstcastle.com/

http://www.bigbasin.org/

http://www.lakesanantonioresort.com/

http://www.nacimientoresort.com/

If you were to take I-5, basically you would miss out on all of what I described and your drive would have a lovely view of endless cattle fields. Not exactly that pleasant.

I hope that this info helps. Enjoy your visit.

Interstate 5 is the faster south-north alternative to the PCH and Route 101.

- If you just want to get there as quickly as possible, Interstate 5 is the only option. But I've never heard of anyone covering the 400 miles between Los Angeles and San Francisco in less than 5 hours. And even that entails no traffic and speeding most of the way there (80 MPH). There's very little to see on this boring road through the farm belt. On the plus side, however, the city will look like a wonderful mirage after several hours in purgatory.

- If you want jaw-dropping scenery, then you need to stick with the Pacific Coast Highway. It'll take at least 12 hours though, and you should have a good driver at the helm. You will encounter lots of high cliffs and extremely narrow stretches. You will receive the reward of cruising along California's most exciting and romantic road.

There are many motels and campgrounds along the highway, but you should always call before leaving Los Angeles. PCH to San Francisco is a very popular roadtrip for Southern Californians, and lodging tends to fill up quickly.

- Route 101 shares a part of its journey with PCH, but it goes somewhat inland after San Luis Obispo. At around 8-9 hours, it's a nice trade-off between nice scenery and time. You'll get to see Santa Barbara at least.

However, the downside is you'll miss some of the most spectacular attractions along the Central Coast (Hearst Castle, Big Sur State Park, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk).

We took the PCH from San Diego to just south of San Francisco, where the Laguna Seca racewat is. It is definitely a much better drive than the 5, but it is also much longer. There are great views all along the way and great little towns to stop by at and get things to eat, etc. As for campsites, I have not idea, sorry.

Just as others have said, the fastest route, time wise, is Interstate 5 to Interstate 580. This highway goes through the western edge of the California central valley. It is mostly savanna / desert like with little to see. There few towns. Most of it is straight and boring. It is the route used by big trucks (lorrys) Ca-1 / Ca-101 is more coastal, and much of it follows the Pacific Ocean coastline. It goes through many towns and cities. Most of it is 4 lane divided highway, but some parts are two lanes and curvy (around the Big Sur area). It is a much more scenic and interesting route, but it is about 100 miles (160Km) further than I-5 / I-580.. If you choose this route bring LOTS of film for your camera. Welcome to our country and enjoy your trip.

I live in SoCal and went to SFSU for 3 years...

I agree with the earlier poster about taking the 5 north to the 152 west, to the 101 north....I always went this way when driving back up to SF after being at home during my school breaks. It was the fastest and not as boring as just taking the 5 all the way up.......

If you wanna get there fast, I'de take the 5 north to the 152 West, to the 101 North, it'd take about 51/2 hours versus taking the 101 North which takes about seven and a more scenic route, it's up too you.

Take 5 to 101, follow 101 all the way up to SF

If you possibly can, take California State Route 1 (also known as Hwy 1). Big Sur might be a good place to camp: http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/camping.html

Someone needs to tell Robert above that US 1 runs on the East Coast from Maine to Florida. I suspect he may be referring to US 101

Personally, if I were driving it, I would go the coast hwy (US1). I have driven that road from the WA area, all the way to LA. There isn't an unpleasant area anywhere.