San Francisco: Multi-day Trips and Tours from Los Angeles

San Francisco’s history extends as far back as the 18th century, with it really coming into its own during the California Gold Rush in 1849. Although nearly three-quarters of the city was destroyed during the 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco rebuilt, and over the years has become synonymous with counterculture and liberalism.

A multi-day trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, or one that includes the city in the itinerary allows you to experience the steep rolling hills, eclectic architecture, and cooler summer weather all while taking in the sights and sounds of a city that has endured and adapted through the years.

Here's all you need to know about visiting San Francisco, one of the most exciting multi-day trips from Los Angeles.

How to get to San Francisco from Los Angeles?

San Francisco is a Californian city located midway along the US state’s coastline.

From Los Angeles to San Francisco by car

The most direct route between Los Angeles and San Francisco is along the Pacific Coast Highway. The drive north along Highway 1 is 615 kilometers long and takes around 6 hours to drive non-stop.

From Los Angeles to San Francisco by public transport

You can choose to travel to San Francisco by bus. This option takes around 8 hours minimum. There is also the option of a train journey, but his option takes around 12 hours, and requires a connection in Oakland.

Guided tour to San Francisco from Los Angeles

The best way to sightsee in the US is by road, with many landmarks and attractions waiting along the major routes and off the beaten track. A guided tour provides visitors with the most convenient way of traveling between places of interest.

With long distances to travel and many places to see, a multi-day tour from Los Angeles lasting from 2 to 8 days is perfect for exploring California and its adjacent states.

What is the typical itinerary?

A typical tour departs Los Angeles from a central meeting point in the city, or a location close to the airport. Groups are usually limited in size, and you will travel by minibus or similar. Each group is accompanied by an experienced tour guide.

Shorter tours travel directly along the Pacific Highway to San Francisco, while longer tours will follow a meandering route, stopping at places such as Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park or the Grand Canyon along the way.

In San Francisco, you will be shown the city’s best known attractions and have some time for independent sightseeing before continuing on your trip or returning to Los Angeles.

What kinds of multi-day tours are available to go to San Francisco?

Multi-day tours may travel directly to San Francisco, or take a scenic route to visit the region’s top attractions. These are some of the most popular multi-day tour options:

Guided 2-day tour to San Francisco from Los Angeles

Join a small group guided tour that travels along the Pacific Highway directly to San Francisco. Along the route, your group will stop to appreciate the Pacific views at cities such as Carmel and Santa Barbara.

Oh this overnight tour from Los Angeles, you will enjoy a guided tour of the San Francisco's iconic attractions before returning to Los Angeles.

Private 2-day tour to San Francisco from Los Angeles

For a more exclusive experience, you can opt for a private tour that includes sightseeing tours in Los Angeles and San Francisco. This tour includes return hotel transfers in Los Angeles, the services of a professional photographer-guide and private transport.

3-Day tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Yosemite

A 3-day tour from Los Angeles is ideal for visitors with limited time who also want to see both the coast and some of the region’s wilderness areas.

Your guide will be on hand to tell you about the geographical and cultural history of the places you visit and there will be many photo-worthy opportunities as the tour snakes north from Los Angeles. Depending on the season, you may visit Hearst Castle rather than Yosemite National Park.

Five-Day Wild West tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Yosemite and Las Vegas

Get a taste of life in the Wild West on a 5-day tour of the American West. This guided tour travels through California and Nevada and visits sights that vary from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, to the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip and the masterfully constructed Hoover Dam.

Seven-Day tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Zion

On a trip that passes through four states, a 7-day tour from Los Angeles offers a guided experience that visits some of the most photographed landscapes in the region such as the Grand Canyon.

This tour includes a bay cruise in San Francisco that circumnavigates the infamous Alcatraz Island. In winter, Hearst Castle is visited rather than Yosemite National Park.

Eight-Day tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Sedona and Monument Valley

The ultimate week-long guided tour visits top attractions and destinations in the American West. In conjunction with a visit to San Francisco and Yosemite (or Hearst castle in the winter), this tour visits the Arizona Desert town of Sedona, close to Flagstaff, and Monument Valley which you will explore by jeep.

How much does a multi-day trip to San Francisco from Los Angeles cost?

Guided 2-day tours to San Francisco from Los Angeles start from US$385 per person on a small group basis, while private 2-day tours to San Francisco from Los Angeles start at US$3,500 per group of up to 10 people. These tours exclude accommodation.

A 3-Day tour from Los Angeles that includes San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Yosemite costs from US$370 per person sharing on a bed and breakfast basis.

Five-Day Wild West tours from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Yosemite and Las Vegas cost from US$865 per person in shared accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.

Seven-Day tours from Los Angeles visit San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park, and start from US$1,350 per person sharing. Six nights of accommodation with breakfast are included in the price.

An 8-Day, 7-night tour from Los Angeles travels to San Francisco, Yosemite, Sedona and Monument Valley and ends in Las Vegas. This itinerary costs from US$1,495 per person sharing, including breakfast.

The prices of 3, 5, 7 and 8-day tours are based on double room occupancy, and single occupancy may increase the per person price. Some tours require a minimum of 2 participants to operate.

What will you see and do?

San Francisco, the City on the Bay, is an undulating coastal city with a vibrant cultural scene. No visit to the city would be complete without a photo opportunity to capture the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Waterside attractions include Ferryman’s Wharf and the adjacent Pier 39, On a boat cruise you can depart from Fisherman’s Wharf and pass close to the historical maximum security prison on Alcatraz.

Other natural, cultural and historical landmarks and attractions in the City on the Bay include the San Francisco Museum of Modern art, the Exploratorium, the Palace of Fine Arts and Golden Gate Park.

When is the best time to visit San Francisco?

The best time to visit San Francisco is during spring or fall. September to November (fall) provide warm, clear days and cooler evenings as well as music festivals like the San Francisco Jazz Festival and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.

Spring (March to May) also provides mild temperatures and few rainy days. You'll find blooming flowers and greener parks. And to top that off, there's the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown.

San Francisco's summers are uniquely foggy and cool due to a phenomenon often referred to as "Karl the Fog." Winter can be quite rainy but less crowded and you’ll be able to spot holiday festivities and lights throughout the city.

Travel tips

• Check for local events or festivals before booking in case you wish to attend.
• Reserve popular restaurants in advance.
• If you are driving, consider taking the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) for scenic views, but allow extra travel time.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes, San Francisco is hilly!
• San Francisco is known for its microclimates, so it's a must to dress in layers.
• Always have a light jacket or sweater, even in summer.
• Avoid carrying large bags to expedite entry at attractions.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas.
• Avoid leaving valuables unattended in plain sight.
• Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, even on foggy days.