Take a scenic drive across California's beautiful landscape, taking in cool cities, beach towns and nature-rich preserves, all the while soaking up sunny vibes on the epic road trip from San Jose to Los Angeles. On the way, you can also visit the famed national forests of California. Show
The 380-mile road trip from San Jose to Los Angeles takes 7 hours to drive. Highlights include Santa Cruz, Malibu, Santa Monica, Fresno and Los Banos, plus Ventura, Big Sur, Pismo Beach, Monterey, Sequoia National Forests and Yosemite National Park. There's so much to see on this cool trip. Whether you're after urban or beach vibes, forests or epic national parks, this trip from San Jose to the City of Angels has you covered. Read on to find out the best routes, times to visit and our favorite things to see along the way. How far is Los Angeles from San Jose, and how long will the road trip take?Comparison of road trip routes between San Jose and Los AngelesRouteDistanceDriving TimeThe Inland Route380 miles7 hoursThe Coastal Route400 miles8 hours 30 minutesThis California dream trip is a relatively short one, meaning that it is ideal if you're pressed for time. The quickest option of our two recommended routes from San Jose to Los Angeles takes you inland via Fresno, covering 380 miles it'll take just under 7 hours to complete. If time isn't an issue, a slightly longer route taking you along the Californian coast is another fantastic option. This Coastal Route spans a distance of 400 miles but will take slightly longer, with a drive time of 8 hours and 30 minutes. The above drive times don't take into account for stops along the way, which on this scenic route, you'll definitely want to plan in. We'd therefore recommend you take between three and four days to complete this trip, giving you plenty of opportunities for memorable stops. Virrage Images/Shutterstock.com Best road trip route from San Jose to Los AngelesBoth of our recommended routes from San Jose to Los Angeles offer great views, awesome attractions and cool towns to explore. There's no better route to follow, so the choice will entirely depend on what you'd like to get out of this great trip. For incredible coastal scenery and a huge array of beach towns, our Coastal Route is a fantastic option. Taking you through some of the best places, including Santa Cruz, Monterey and Big Sur, you'll get the rugged coastline, wildlife spotting opportunities and stunning views. This is an ideal route if you love the beach and all the activities it has to offer. Go surfing at Ventura, enjoy a stroll on the beach at Pismo, or go celebrity spotting in Malibu - this is the ideal beach vibe trip! Though you will be missing out on the beautiful national forests of California. If you'd like a quicker drive to LA, then our Inland Route might suit you better. A slightly more direct route, this option will take you via national reserves and inland towns, offering incredible detour options to Sierra, Inyo and Sequoia National Forests through Fresno. As well as having the option to make a long detour to the Yosemite National Park if you have time on your hands, the Inland Route also includes visits to Los Banos, Santa Clarita and Bakersfield. While rich in forests and parks, this route doesn't offer coastal scenery. The Inland RouteTo follow the Inland Route, leave San Jose on US-101 South, and drive past Henry W. Coe State Park towards San Luis Reservoir. Drive through Los Banos and head towards Fresno past Fairmead. Here, you will have the opportunity to make detours to visit Yosemite National Park, Sierra National Forest, Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. Otherwise, keep driving towards Bakersfield, where you will get the opportunity to visit Bear Valley Springs. Head past Castaic Lake State Recreation Area and Santa Clarita, keeping Angeles National Forest on your left. You will soon arrive at your destination in Los Angeles. Rudy Balasko/Shutterstock.com The Coastal RouteHead towards Santa Cruz as you leave San Jose. Following the coastal CA-1 highway will take you to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Drive past Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and keep following the highway into Pismo Beach. After your visit, head towards Santa Maria and Los Alamos. Heading southeast, drive through Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. You will soon arrive in Santa Barbara. If you have time, you can make a detour to the Pine Mountain here. If not, keep following the signs for Los Angeles as you drive past Los Padres National Forest and through Ventura and past Point Mugu State Park into Malibu. Driving past Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will take you into Los Angeles. CG3/Shutterstock.com Best places to stop between San Jose and Los AngelesWhether you're after a woodland retreat or a beachfront resort, the road trip from San Jose to Los Angeles has you covered. Of all the spectacular hotels you'll pass en route, here are the ones we think you should keep an eye out for: Stay in the heart of BakersfieldConveniently located just 2 hours and 30 minutes away from LA, Bakersfield is an ideal overnight option if you decide to follow our Inland Route. Not only is it a great stop to rest up before your final destination, but it also has a great range of indoor and outdoor activities. photosounds/Shutterstock.com For those looking for luxurious accommodation after a day of exploration, the Duniya Hotel is an outstanding option. This 4-star hotel boasts an outdoor Olympic-sized pool set in a tropical courtyard and a beautiful lounge area for you to relax in. This stylish hotel boasts comfortable rooms and an onsite restaurant, The Highway 99 Cafe, which doubles as an entertainment center with a billiards table and karaoke. Located in the heart of Bakersfield, you're only just a short walk from its amenities too. Just some of the city's highlights include the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, where you can learn about geology and palaeontology, and the California Living Museum where you can get to know the plants and animals of California. For something more outdoorsy, the Kern River Ranger District offers opportunities to hike through the mountainous ranger district which is part of Sequoia National Park. Stunning beach views in Pismo BeachFor a great location on our Coastal Route, Pismo Beach is perfect. Situated halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles, this is a great stop if you're looking to split your drive over a couple of days. Aside from that, it's an incredible resort city that's a destination in its own right. Gabriele Maltinti/Shutterstock.com Known for its stunning beaches and local wineries, Pismo Beaches blends natural beauty with surfer charm. Just some of the things you should do while visiting include a walk to its iconic pier where you can catch a stunning evening sunset, or simply enjoy the coastal views. If you're visiting between October to February, then you'll be treated to a spectacular view of migrating butterflies who head to Pismo Beach to escape the cold Mexico winters. Forming dense clusters in a Eucalyptus grove, it's quite an unforgettable sight. To really make your stay memorable, you could include a stop at the Inn at the Pier. This beautiful hotel is just 100 yards if Pismo State Beach, offering unrivalled views of the sea, there's no better place to stay if you'd like to fully immerse yourself in the beach lifestyle. As well as incredible sea views, this 4-star resort features an onsite restaurant, outdoor pool and popular bar. There's also a shared lounge area. If you can pull yourself away from this great resort, you'll find the bustling shopping center and city amenities just a short walk away. Dream of Hollywood in Los AngelesThe iconic City of Angels of the nation's center of film and television industry, packed full of studios including Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers, it also has beautiful beaches, and incredible nightlife as well as the iconic and much-loved Hollywood sign. Chones/Shutterstock.com You can't explore LA in a day, there's just too much to see. So, a great option would be to stop at one of its many fantastic hotels and enjoy exploring the great city at a leisurely pace. Of all the great nearby hotels, Dream Hollywood will offer a truly authentic experience. Close to attractions such as the Hollywood walk of fame, the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory and Capitol Records Building, this hotel also offers fantastic amenities including a spectacular rooftop swimming pool and several dining options if you want to unwind after a long drive. Just a short drive from Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, you'll be able to explore much of the city before parking your car back at the hotel's onsite parking and relaxing for the night in its modern, stylish and comfortable rooms, while dreaming and breathing of Hollywood. Things to see on a road trip from San Jose to Los AngelesThis relatively short but stunning road trip offers a huge choice of attractions, towns and cities to visit as you drive across California either inland or via its stunning coast. To help you plan your stops along the way, we've set out some of the highlights that this trip has to offer: Kara Jade Quan-Montgomery/Shutterstock.com The Inland Route
Ken Wolter/Shutterstock.com The Coastal Route
Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock.com Best time to go on a road trip from San Jose to Los AngelesKnown for its busy crowds and heavy air, the best times to visit LA are the shoulder seasons (when temperatures are around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit) and the air is more breathable and the crowds less intense. That said, this part of California can be a year-round destination. Summers in LA are hot and dry during the day, with highs of 90 degrees, but comfortable in the evening. Longer days give you plenty of time to see and do all the brilliant things this city has to offer, though be prepared for heavy air, busy crowds and expensive hotels. In contrast, winters in this part of California are cool and often wet (expect temperatures around 60-65 degrees). That said, it still offers enough sunshine to enjoy the outdoorsy LA lifestyle and you'll be treated to quieter beaches, parks and better hotel prices. Spring and fall are especially good times to visit. You'll get comfortable temperatures, better air quality and less crowded attractions, making this the ideal season to visit Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. The spring blossoms and stunning fall foliage make the Inland Route particularly stunning too. Los Angeles comes alive in the summer with an endless list of music and culture festivals that you could time your trip with. Highlights include Coachella (April), Cinco de Mayo, Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival (August) and Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival (June). How long is a car ride from San Jose to Los Angeles?The direct drive from San Jose to Los Angeles is 340 mi (547 km), and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 20 mins in normal traffic.
How long is San Jose to LA?Distance from San-Jose to Los-Angeles
The shortest distance (air line) between San-Jose and Los-Angeles is 305.82 mi (492.17 km). The shortest route between San-Jose and Los-Angeles is 340.10 mi (547.33 km) according to the route planner. The driving time is approx. 6h 26min.
What city is halfway between Los Angeles and San Jose?Halfway between San Jose, CA and Los Angeles, CA
The best city between San Jose, CA and Los Angeles, CA to meet is Tulare, California which is about 37 miles from the exact midpoint. The town that marks the exact halfway point is actually Kettleman Station, California. The closest zip code to the midpoint is 93239.
How far is San Jose from Los Angeles by plane?Direct flights take on average 1h 25m to travel the 308 miles between San Jose and Los Angeles.
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