California isn’t just a backdrop for the 2026 tournament—it’s the stage where soccer and culture collide. With Los Angeles hosting the U.S. Men’s National Team opener and the Bay Area welcoming fans to Levi’s Stadium soon after, the Golden State offers the perfect excuse to turn match days into a full-blown journey. This isn’t just about watching games; it’s about experiencing California’s iconic cities, exploring the coast between them, and soaking up the unique soccer culture that thrives in each place.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get from LA to the Bay and what to see along the way. Plus, we’ll give you a sample itinerary so you can plan your trip like a pro—balancing stadium energy with California adventures.
Step 1: Pick Your Mode of Transportation
There are three main ways to cover the 380 miles between Los Angeles and San Francisco/San Jose:
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Flying: A quick hop from LAX to SFO or SJC takes just over an hour in the air, with summer fares averaging $90–$130 round-trip if booked early. It’s the fastest choice if you’re all about maximizing city time.
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Renting a Car: Expect $60–$80/day for a mid-size rental. Driving lets you turn the trip into a rolling tour of California, with plenty of spots worth pulling over for. The direct inland route (I-5) is about 6 hours, while the scenic coastal route (Highway 1) can take 8–10 depending on how many stops you make.
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Train (Amtrak’s Coast Starlight): Slower at around 11 hours, but this option trades speed for views—rolling vineyards, Pacific cliffs, and towns you’d otherwise breeze past. Tickets average $70–$120 one-way, making it a relaxed alternative if you want the scenery without the driving stress.
Bottom line:
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Short on time? Fly into SJC for the closest airport to Levi’s Stadium. Use Crewfare Flights to find the best deals.
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Want the classic California experience? Drive the coast and build in a night or two.
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Prefer to skip traffic? Train it—treat the ride like a moving viewpoint.
Step 2: Pick Your Stops
Rather than “point-A to point-B,” connect matchdays with a string of short hops. Here’s how the main stops fit together, with added time (beyond an I-5 dash) to help you plan.
Santa Barbara
About a two-hour drive north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara feels like a European seaside town dropped into Southern California. This is an easy first stop, especially if you’re leaving LA in the morning. Grab breakfast burritos, walk the palm-lined waterfront, and maybe fit in a quick tasting at a nearby vineyard before continuing north. It’s a pause that feels luxurious without stealing too much time from the journey.
Top Places to Stop:
- Stearns Wharf – walk the pier for ocean views and seafood snacks.
- Santa Barbara Public Market – great for a quick, local lunch.
- Funk Zone – a cluster of urban wineries and breweries, perfect if you want to sip before heading back on the road.
San Luis Obispo & Pismo Beach
Roughly three hours north of LA, San Luis Obispo (“SLO” to locals) is a laid-back college town worth stretching your legs in. Just off Highway 1 sits Pismo Beach, where surfers and seafood shacks line the shore. It’s not a long detour—only about 20 minutes off the highway—but it’s an easy way to break up the drive.
Top Places to Stop:
- Bubblegum Alley – quirky photo stop covered in thousands of pieces of chewed gum.
- Pismo Beach Pier – watch surfers or grab clam chowder at Splash Café.
- Madonna Inn – famous for its over-the-top themed hotel rooms (worth a look, even if you’re not staying).
Big Sur
Big Sur is less of a stop and more of an experience. Taking the Highway 1 coastal route adds several hours compared to I-5, but the trade-off is jaw-dropping scenery: cliffs dropping into the Pacific, bridges hugging the coastline, and redwoods towering overhead. If you have the time, spend the night here. Think of it as trading stadium roars for crashing waves before you rejoin the soccer madness up north.
Top Places to Stop:
- Bixby Creek Bridge – one of California’s most photographed landmarks.
- Pfeiffer Beach – purple-tinted sand and dramatic rock formations.
- Nepenthe – cliffside restaurant with unbeatable views over the Pacific.
Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea
Continue a bit farther north, about five hours from LA without stops, and you’ll hit Monterey and Carmel. Monterey’s world-famous aquarium and Cannery Row make it a family-friendly stop, while Carmel offers boutique art galleries, storybook cottages, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach. Spending half a day here won’t derail your Bay Area arrival—and it’s one of the state’s most charming pit stops.
Top Places to Stop:
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – world-class, especially if traveling with family.
- Cannery Row – historic waterfront district with shops and restaurants.
- Carmel Mission Basilica – one of California’s most beautiful Spanish missions.
- 17-Mile Drive – famous coastal route past Pebble Beach and Lone Cypress.
Wine Country (Napa & Sonoma)
Once you’re in the Bay Area, carve out a couple of days if you can. Napa and Sonoma sit about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, making them easy to tack on before or after your match at Levi’s Stadium. A wine country escape is a perfect contrast to gameday: vineyard tours, Michelin-starred dining, and sun-soaked landscapes where the only competition is between Cabernet and Chardonnay.
Top Places to Stop:
- Castello di Amorosa (Napa) – a full medieval-style castle winery.
- Artesa Vineyards – modern architecture with panoramic views.
- Sonoma Plaza – historic square with tasting rooms, cafes, and boutique shops.
BOOK YOUR NAPA STAY
BOOK YOUR SONOMA STAY
Step 3: Put Together Your Itinerary
We know that this adventure will take some planning, but that’s what we’re here for! We’ve included a sample itinerary for the trip between LA and the Bay Area so you can copy and paste it to your notes.
Day 1 – Los Angeles Arrival & Opening Match
Touch down in LA and dive straight into the action. Fan zones, watch parties, and then the U.S. opener at SoFi Stadium. The city will feel electric—stick around for post-match celebrations in Downtown or Koreatown.
Day 2 – Explore Los Angeles
Spend the morning hiking up to Griffith Observatory or the Hollywood Sign, then head west to Venice Beach and Santa Monica for boardwalk strolls and tacos. Wrap up the day with a night out in Koreatown or West Hollywood.
Day 3 – LA to Santa Barbara
Pick up a rental car and make the two-hour drive north. Explore Stearns Wharf, grab lunch in the Funk Zone, and enjoy the coastal vibes before continuing up to Pismo Beach for an overnight stop.
Day 4 – Big Sur & Monterey
Drive the legendary Highway 1. Stop at Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, and grab lunch at Nepenthe. Overnight in Monterey with time to walk Cannery Row or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Day 5 – Monterey to the Bay Area
Take the scenic 17-Mile Drive in the morning before heading up to San Jose. Check into your hotel and get ready for match day at Levi’s Stadium. Expect international fans, tailgates, and one of the most diverse soccer crowds in the country.
Day 6 – San Francisco Exploration
Hop on a ferry to Alcatraz, wander Chinatown and North Beach, and end the day with sunset at Crissy Field under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 7 – Napa or Oakland
Choose your vibe: wine tasting in Napa Valley (about 90 minutes north) or a dive into Oakland’s soccer-loving culture and food scene.
Day 8 – Final Day in the Bay
Morning in the Mission District for murals and tacos, then wrap up your trip with one last view over the city before flying home.
Why This Trip Works
California is a state where soccer has deep roots and global influence. Los Angeles has been shaping U.S. soccer for decades, from the Galaxy and LAFC to international exhibition matches that brought world-class talent to SoFi Stadium. The Bay Area continues that legacy with the San Jose Earthquakes, Levi’s Stadium, and a fan base that reflects the city’s international diversity. This trip allows you to experience both sides of that history—catching the U.S. opener in LA, soaking in the coastal culture along the way, and diving into the Bay Area’s soccer scene and neighborhoods.
With Crewfare, you can book hotels early and secure your spot close to the action, turning this trip from a series of matches into a full-on California adventure. From Santa Barbara’s beaches to Big Sur’s cliffs, Monterey’s coastline, and Napa Valley’s vineyards, the journey between gamedays becomes just as memorable as the matches themselves. This is more than just seeing the tournament—it’s living it, with every city and stop offering a taste of California’s unique soccer culture, history, and lifestyle.
