San Francisco to Los Angeles
This is leg 1 of 5, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Pacific Coast Highway
San Francisco to Monterey & Carmel
San Francisco and Monterey & Carmel sit about 139 km (86 mi) apart in a straight line, with Monterey & Carmel to the south. It is leg 1 of 5 on our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 139 km · 86 mi
- Est. road distance
- 166–194 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 45 min – 3 h
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 166–194 km (103–121 mi) of road and 1 h 45 min – 3 h behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Pacific Coast Highway guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links San Francisco and Monterey depends on the line — check timetables.
A car is the whole point here, and one shared vehicle keeps the group together. Plan to drive south to north or north to south and pick up or drop off a rental in the two big cities. Train and bus options exist for some legs but skip the scenic parts.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Monterey & Carmel
Give it a full day: aquarium and Cannery Row in the morning, Point Lobos and Carmel in the afternoon.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Kelp forest tank, sea otters and open-ocean exhibits on the edge of the bay.
Old Fisherman's Grotto
Family-run Fisherman's Wharf seafood house known for its clam chowder.
17-Mile Drive
Toll road through Pebble Beach past the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and golf links.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Granite coves, cypress groves and sea otters along easy coastal trails.
Hog's Breath Inn
Courtyard pub once owned by Clint Eastwood, with fire pits and murals.
Cannery Row
Former sardine-cannery street from Steinbeck's novel, now waterfront shops and restaurants.
Before you leave San Francisco
Spend a full day before heading south: bridge views, a waterfront food hall and North Beach for the evening.
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Walk partway onto the bridge from the south end for the classic span-and-bay view.
Lands End Trail
Cliffside trail with Golden Gate views, shipwreck remains and the Sutro Baths ruins.
Ferry Building Marketplace
Bayfront hall of local producers: oysters, cheese, bread and coffee under one roof.
On this curated route
Where San Francisco → Monterey sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Monterey & Carmel to San Francisco is the same 139 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in June, when Monterey & Carmel averages highs 3°C cooler than San Francisco.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco high | 13° | 15° | 16° | 17° | 19° | 22° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 22° | 17° | 14° |
| Monterey high | 15° | 15° | 15° | 16° | 17° | 18° | 19° | 20° | 21° | 20° | 17° | 15° |
| San Francisco rain | 100 | 102 | 82 | 42 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 29 | 62 | 138 |
| Monterey rain | 86 | 86 | 70 | 36 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 48 | 106 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Monterey & Carmel month guides.
San Francisco to Monterey: questions travelers ask
How far is San Francisco from Monterey & Carmel?
San Francisco is about 139 km (86 mi) from Monterey & Carmel in a straight line, with Monterey & Carmel to the south. By road, we estimate 166–194 km (103–121 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Monterey & Carmel?
An estimated 1 h 45 min – 3 h, assuming 166–194 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from San Francisco to Monterey & Carmel?
Our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary includes this leg. Pacific Coast Highway runs about 6 days across 6 stops, best in Apr – Oct.
Onward from Monterey
Guides for both ends
- San Francisco travel guide
- San Francisco weather best time to visit
- Monterey & Carmel travel guide
- Monterey & Carmel weather best time to visit
Monterey by month
- Monterey & Carmel in January
- Monterey & Carmel in February
- Monterey & Carmel in March
- Monterey & Carmel in April
- Monterey & Carmel in May
- Monterey & Carmel in June
- Monterey & Carmel in July
- Monterey & Carmel in August
- Monterey & Carmel in September
- Monterey & Carmel in October
- Monterey & Carmel in November
- Monterey & Carmel in December
Plan San Francisco → Monterey with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.