Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upSan Francisco · Jul 9
Drop offSan Diego · Jul 12
Total miles572 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · San Francisco, CA
Hotel
San Francisco Overnight
Check-inThu, Jul 9
Check-outFri, Jul 10
First pitch9:45 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Thursday, July 9
First pitch at 9:45 PM ET — San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park tonight. Don't leave without Gilroy Garlic Fries.
Stop 01 of 03
San Francisco, CA · Thu Jul 9
Oracle Park
San Francisco Giants · MLB
9:45 PM ET
vs. Colorado Rockies
Must Eat at the Park
Gilroy Garlic Fries
Thick-cut fries aggressively tossed with Gilroy garlic, olive oil, and parsley. The smell reaches the upper deck. A California baseball institution.
Local Beer
Anchor Steam Beer
Brewed in San Francisco since 1896. The prototypical American craft beer revival.
Anchor Brewing Co.
Stay Tonight · San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Overnight
Check-inThu, Jul 9
Check-outFri, Jul 10
First pitch tomorrow at 9:10 PM ET. Leave by 12:14 PM.
Sat Morning
When to Depart
Leave by12:14 PM
Drive to Los Angeles431 mi · 7.4h
Game time9:10 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Los Angeles.
Breakfast Stop · San Francisco, CA
Before You Hit the Road
Mama's on Washington Square
North Beach since 1964. The line wraps around Washington Square. Monte Cristo French toast, fresh pastries made daily. One of the legitimate great American breakfasts. Bourdain ate here.
Monte Cristo French toast + fresh OJ
Open 8 AM Tue–Sun, closed Mon
Lunch Stop · I-5 S, Exit 334, Coalinga
Midway Fuel-Up
Harris Ranch Restaurant
Coalinga, CA on I-5 — the great Central Valley stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Harris Ranch beef is raised next door and served fresh. The burger here is the best on California's I-5 corridor. No contest.
Harris Ranch burger + onion rings
Open 6 AM–10 PM daily
San Francisco → Los Angeles
431 mi · 7.4h · regional run
DAY 3
Saturday, July 11
It's a 7.4h haul from San Francisco — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 9:10 PM ET — Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium tonight — Son Heung-min (LAFC) Bobblehead tonight.
Stop 02 of 03
Los Angeles, CA · Sat Jul 11
Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles Dodgers · MLB
9:10 PM ET
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Must Eat at the Park
Dodger Dog
A 10-inch steamed pork frankfurter in a steamed bun. The highest-volume hot dog in professional sports — over 10 million sold per season.
Local Beer
Golden Road Mango Cart
The mango wheat beer that became LA's most recognizable craft product. Light, tropical.
Golden Road Brewing
Stay Tonight · Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Overnight
Check-inSat, Jul 11
Check-outSun, Jul 12
First pitch tomorrow at 4:10 PM ET. Leave by 12:14 PM.
Sun Morning
When to Depart
Leave by12:14 PM
Drive to San Diego141 mi · 2.4h
Game time4:10 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Los Angeles, CA
Before You Hit the Road
Du-par's Restaurant
Open since 1938 at the Farmers Market on Fairfax. Pancakes made from scratch that have been ordered every morning for 85 years. The butter and maple syrup situation is serious. A Hollywood institution.
Buttermilk pancakes + coffee
Open 6 AM daily
Lunch Stop · I-5 S, Carlsbad Village Dr
Midway Fuel-Up
Fidel's Norte
Carlsbad. The fish tacos that make the LA–San Diego drive feel like a pilgrimage. Ocean view, cash bar.
Fish tacos + margarita
Los Angeles → San Diego
141 mi · 2.4h · easy leg
DAY 4
Sunday, July 12
The 2.4h drive from Los Angeles to San Diego is straightforward — leave after breakfast and you're there. First pitch at 4:10 PM ET — San Diego Padres vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Petco Park today — Poncho today.
Stop 03 of 03
San Diego, CA · Sun Jul 12
Petco Park
San Diego Padres · MLB
4:10 PM ET
vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Must Eat at the Park
Donut Bacon Cheeseburger
Beef patty, bacon, cheese between two glazed donuts — a national story when introduced. Randy Jones BBQ.
Local Beer
Stone Brewing IPA
Full tap program: IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, rotating seasonals. One of America's most influential craft breweries.
Stone Brewing
Shift 2 days to catch Black Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium.
• Black Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium
• Son Heung-min (LAFC) Bobblehead at Dodger Stadium
• Poncho at Petco Park
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 3 games (avg $46)$138
Hotels · 3 nights (avg $155)$465
Fuel · 572 mi at $0.18/mi$103
Ballpark food & drinks$150
Total Estimate$856
* Estimates only. Prices vary.
How This Trip Was Planned
Our Algorithm
We evaluate many stop orders (up to seven parks: every permutation; larger trips: smart samples plus nearest-neighbor paths from home) and keep the version that preserves the most ballparks on your list with the least driving between games, inside an expanded or standard date ...