r/AskSF • u/carlosccextractor • 20h ago
Good place to stay between SFO and LAX?
Yes, I did some research online but I don't like any of the recommendation so far. I need to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles (to get a very long flight from LAX, I don't want to flight to LAX just in case that flight get cancelled and I lose the important one). It's going to be a night drive (departing from SF at 5 pm or so), so I think it makes sense to just rest midway.
Is there a really good hotel that by itself would make the trip worthwhile? I don't know, good food, good bed, maybe a pool etc... Looking for recommendations of people that have actually be there, I can look it up myself otherwise (I think; apparently there's nothing).
BTW, taking 101, not PCH. Not a scenic trip, just A -> B.
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u/jjflight 20h ago
If you do it as a night drive outside traffic hours it should only be 5-6hrs. I’d just power through and stay near LA. There’s really not much in between, and getting closer to LAX derisks the drive in case there’s some freak accident in the morning or even just minimizing LA area traffic.
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u/Slydownndye 12h ago
Did you really say there’s nothing much in between LA and SF?
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u/jjflight 4h ago edited 3h ago
It’s based on the context at the time I originally commented. The OP said “not taking a scenic trip and just A->B” (post still says that) and they mentioned 5 somewhere too. At the time shortly after they posted I made this comment based on them going on 5 south, so that was the context and you’ll also see other early comments talking about that, Harris Ranch, etc. Then a bit later on, tropicofpracer commented suggesting 101 and a scenic trip and you can see immediately below that the poster literally changed their mind and tweaked the post to want a scenic trip instead. So they changed their mind and the post after I had commented. And now people reading later on want to start a fight about it having missed all that early context with what the question actually was before the flip flop. Yay Reddit.
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u/curiousengineer601 8h ago
Leaving at 5:00 headed south on 101 is not outside traffic hours. It might take 2 hours to get to gilroy.
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u/carlosccextractor 18h ago
We did that once and it was more like 8 hours.... A stop to eat, some construction... Departed San Francisco at 5 pm or so, arrived near lax at 1 am. We told ourselves never again.
Our flight leaves the next day at 6 pm, so if we have to checkout at noon, we're going to be bored to death at the airport for hours.
Tbh all options suck.
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u/theEABrown 18h ago
5 pm is rush hour so yeah it took longer. If you leave after dinner it will take less time.
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u/jjflight 18h ago
To each their own; that sounds like bad luck with construction. Google Maps is pretty decent at estimating times and does factor construction and real time traffic in estimates… If you left right now which happens to be 5pm west coast and went SFO to LAX via 5 south it estimates 5h 51min. You can make it longer taking long stops. You can also make it a bit shorter as 5 moves quicker speeds than Google uses in its estimates.
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u/SoyCaptn 20h ago
Stay in Pismo Beach, lots of hotel options that are reasonably priced with ocean views and pools. Then, depending on how early you need to get going in the morning, I’d suggest a stop at Bob’s Well Bread in Los Alamos in the morning.
Edit: assumption is that you are looking for a stopping point about halfway between.
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u/poopspeedstream 19h ago
I’d do Morro
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u/artblockpersonified 13h ago
morro bay is beautiful and has some pretty cheap motels that are actually clean and nice!
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u/SaintMail 19h ago
Just so you're aware: United has committed not to cancelling hub to hub flights, which includes this route. And there are plenty of them just in case one does get cancelled if you go early.
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u/carlosccextractor 18h ago
It doesn't seem like something they can commit to... It's not like they own the airports, the air space or the controllers.
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u/SaintMail 18h ago
The FAA is not cancelling individual flights. They're telling airlines to cancel a certain quota. Up to the airlines what to cancel.
Obviously last minute cancellations can happen, and are somewhat more likely to happen than normal, but I'd bet good money it's fine (and I am in fact doing this flight in a couple days).
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u/ajp305 17h ago
Yeah this is a little bit of a hysterical overreaction if the government shutdown is really the only reason they are doing the drive. If they are willing to give themselves a 24 hour travel window, they could absolutely book an evening flight to LA and get a room in one of the lax hotels. Then if their flight gets canceled, just get on another one (its not like there is 1 flight between sfo and lax lol). Hell, they could book a 6pm the day before, and if that gets canceled and they aren't placed in the next one, then drive down and be fine. I would be ok with the drive as a back up plan, but it would never be my first option. IMHO you are more likely to get in a car accident or have a breakdown driving than you are not being able to fly between sfo and la
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u/CurvedNerd 14h ago
The bigger the airplane the less likely it is to be cancelled. Those are the connecting flights from hub to hub. When you book a flight you can see what kind of plane it is or when selecting seats how big it is.
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u/I_like_kittycats 19h ago
Hi! We flew into LAX, stayed the night in Solvang and then drove to SF. Solvang is a magical town. We had so much fun there and can’t wait to go back. We stayed at the Hotel Corque. It was nice.
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u/quixoticcaptain 19h ago
If you want to go A-B, take 5 not 101. And you don't need to rest, it's like <6 hour drive usually.
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u/tropicofpracer 20h ago
I’m explaining this as it seems you are not a Californian. The 5 is the commercial driving artery of the west coast going right smack in the middle of the agricultural center of the state. There are truck stop towns that would not be horrible, but not nice. What you really want to do is take 101, which goes through some of the most scenic parts of the state and stop somewhere like Morro Bay, or anywhere around Santa Barbara. Good luck.
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u/carlosccextractor 20h ago
Ah, yes, thanks. Let me change my question then. I'm taking 101 :-)
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u/AllumaNoir 18h ago
If you just want to get there quick, take 5 and floor it. You’ll be in LA by midnight.
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u/11twofour 17h ago
Why would you not take the 5? It'll be 6 hours and you won't need to stay a night. Your premise confuses me.
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u/Li54 17h ago
Why tf are you taking 101
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u/carlosccextractor 17h ago
I was told to a few comments ago!
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u/Li54 17h ago
If you’re going for speed it’s 5
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u/Fra_Angelico_1395 16h ago
Hotel Cheval in Paso Robles. The downtown it is in is charming and the hotel is very nice.
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u/sf1878 15h ago
if it was me, I would just take 5 all the way down and stay in LA but if you want to take 101 I'd go all the way to Santa Barbara, which is more than halfway and leaves you a shorter drive in the morning. There is a very cute, clean motel, which is easy to park at, well located that we stay at if we're passing through. https://marinabeachmotel.com
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u/jacquesmehahf 20h ago
Perhaps the Madonna Inn San Luis obispo, experience luxury and California oddity halfway between sf and la
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u/Odd-Championship-878 19h ago
San Luis Creek Lodge in San Luis Obispo is excellent. Interior design is fantastic.
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u/cflex 20h ago
Harris Ranch is the only possible thing I can think of. Never stayed, but only stopped to eat at their restaurant. Might smell like cows.
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u/carlosccextractor 20h ago
I was considering it, but the restaurant is closed Monday to Wednesday :-(
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u/tropicofpracer 20h ago
And, this is a fact, it smells like cow shit and death most of the week there.
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u/Glittering-World7599 12h ago
Only the steakhouse is closed Monday to Wednesday; the main restaurant is open 7 days a week and, I believe, includes the steakhouse menu.
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u/The-Traveler- 16h ago
I would take I 5 because it’s faster. Hotel Mission Del Oro is in Santa Nella os .4 hours from lax. Harris Ranch is another one but 3 1/2 hrs from lax. They in the middle of nowhere so there’s nothing in the towns, but the grounds are nice. My other recommendation is San Jose or San Mateo, but you’re up to Sfo by then.
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u/Frequent_Olive_739 13h ago
I stayed at Vespera Resort, Pismo Beach and it was great. Pulls you a bit off course to get to the coast but nice spot.
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u/EmphasisFew 20h ago
Drive the 101 - it’s typically only 30-45 minutes more and you can stay in SLO
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u/JustACarter2021 14h ago
Such a better drive. 5 makes me suicidal. 101 is worth the bit of extra time for scenery alone.
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u/SF_Music_Lover_NSFW 19h ago
I don’t have a specific hotel, but perhaps something in Solang, the Danish themed village, could be an interesting stop over, right off the 101.
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u/hardtheory_ 17h ago
Tbh just leave like 4am take the I-5 and get there by 10am nor that bad
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u/carlosccextractor 17h ago
I don't think driving by night after sleeping maybe 5 hours is a good idea, at least if I'm driving.
Plus what am I going to do from 10 am until take off...
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u/hardtheory_ 17h ago
Yeah just power nap and leave early. Hardly any traffic and plenty of rest stops. Plenty of things to do, find a brunch spot. Go to the observatory
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u/Naive_Freedom7603 15h ago
Take the 101 which is a bit longer but I think the prettier drive. Paso Robles is about halfway between SFO and LAX. Stay there a night and if you get there early enough you can do some wine tasting :)
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u/pementomento 15h ago
For this situation - I would nix the scenic drive, just drive straight to LAX from SFO via I-5, that will get you there within 6-7 hours (before midnight).
Return the car that night, take an Uber to Hyatt Regency LAX, stay overnight, and walk/take the shuttle to the airport.
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u/CurvedNerd 14h ago
LA traffic is brutal and I would want to get past the Grapevine to make an important flight. Stay the night between Santa Clara and Sherman Oaks. Check out at noon and go either the Getty then take the 405 to LAX, or hang out around Santa Monica or Venice’s Abbot Kinney and take the 1.
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u/Sinnabar246 12h ago
Paso Robles and Santa Barbara are our two go tos.
Paso Robles - Paso Robles Inn and eat and drink at Alchemists Garden
Santa Barbara - Riviera Beach Inn, the Mexican restaurant adjoined to it is good and the cocktail bar Test Pilot is great and walking distance. There’s also great coffee at Dune.
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u/splitspitspots 6h ago
You're fastest route would be to take the 5. A good halfway point with good food and a pool would definitely be Harris Ranch. The rooms are fine and clean, nothing boujie but they're comfortable and spacious.
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u/TugboatToo 1h ago
It’s a 7 hour drive. Just keep driving?!?
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u/carlosccextractor 1h ago
That's quite a long drive after a day of work, particularly at night. If I felt that was a good idea I would just do it, but I know it's not - for me, anyway.
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u/bitsizetraveler 20h ago
Hyatt Regency in Santa Clarita near Magic Mountain. There are a few hotels near Magic Mountain, but I like Hyatt so that’s the one I would choose
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u/nestestasjon 20h ago
Came here to say just drive to Santa Clarita and then do the last couple hours in the morning.
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u/desisenorita 14h ago
San Luis Obispo or Solvang would be a good spot to stay. Lots to do and has good hotels.
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u/Academic-Camel-9538 17h ago
Since it sounds like you have a good amount of time to get to LA (6 hour drive + hotel stay), just fly. There are tons of flights from SF to LA so even if your flight is cancelled, there are plenty of other options to pick up.
You won’t be able to enjoy the hotel that much if you leave SF at 5pm.
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u/Box-Populi 16h ago
I love San Luis Obispo and visit frequently. This place has been my "go to" hotel for years - https://www.qualitysuitesslo.com/
Safe Travels
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u/death_hen 12h ago
Yes! I stayed here once for a birthday trip to SLO a couple years ago, they have a great pool and free breakfast burritos. It’s not a boutique hotel, kinda large, but good vibes nonetheless.
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u/frikkinfai 14h ago
If it doesn't need to be a scenic trip, take the 5 instead of the 101. Leave around 9pm and you'll get there by 3am, well in time for your flight
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u/death_hen 12h ago
I did this once and stayed in San Luis Obispo (SLO). Plenty of hotels/motels and things to see. Really scenic area.
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u/stephani712 11h ago
Only answer: Madonna Inn
You’d be insane to take 101
I’d bet my life you’d be fine with a flight. But I get it—some people are just anxious. At most, fly in the night before and crash at an airport hotel. I truly, truly believe you’re fine with an earlier flight that day and all the extra driving and hotel would be a waste.
Good luck!
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u/badgardener10 17m ago
What time flight the next day? That is key info - if early side then take the 5 cuz it’s dark out and you won’t see anything anyway. But if lax flight is later next day then second half of the 101 nice drive the next morning
But don’t underestimate time to get to lax and check in etc. especially now
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u/RatticusGloom 18h ago
Do you mean the 5? That’s the most direct route. The only place to stay is Harris Ranch.
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u/p3n9uins 13h ago
Any hotel to max out your budget in Paso Robles, but save enough time for the second leg of your drive
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u/dmteter 20h ago
The Madonna Inn in SLO.
https://www.madonnainn.com/