2 weeks around California by public transport

Question

Hello we are coming to LA in July - 2 adults and one 14 year old girl.

Few questions where we would really value tips/support:

We are not sure if to hire a car or public transport as my friend traveled by car in LA and SF and said it's understandably very busy/hectic:

1. Any recommendations for good 3 star LA or San Francisco accommodation ideally central if we on public transport? Midrange equivalent to UK premier inn etc

2. Best/cheapest way to get from LA to San Francisco by public transport?

3. Good trips to Yosemite Park - from SF if next from SF?

4. We fly in and out of LA so any suggested stops en route from LA to SF? We are thinking LA 3 or 4 nights stop somewhere else (1 or 2 nights nice beach area), SF (3 nights) Yosemite (2 nights) and back to LA?

Thanks so much 🙏👍

Answer

California is a fantastic place for a two-week trip, and traveling without a car is definitely possible, though you’ll need to plan around public transport options which are limited in some areas. Below are detailed recommendations for your trip.

1. Accommodation in Los Angeles and San Francisco

Since you plan to rely on public transport, staying in areas with good access to Metro lines or central neighborhoods is best. Midrange options similar to a UK Premier Inn include:

Los Angeles: Downtown LA or Hollywood are convenient for public transit. Consider hotels like The LINE Hotel in Koreatown, or Hotel Indigo Downtown LA, which are central and accessible.
San Francisco: Union Square and the Financial District are best for first-time visitors. Hotels such as Hotel G or Handlery Union Square offer midrange comfort and easy access to cable cars and buses.

Staying in these central areas reduces the need for frequent taxis or ride-shares, especially with a 14-year-old.

2. Traveling from LA to San Francisco by public transport

The main options are:

Amtrak: The Coast Starlight route or Pacific Surfliner/connecting trains can get you from LA to SF. This is scenic but takes around 12-14 hours. You can also take a train to Oakland and then BART into SF.
Bus: Megabus or Greyhound services run from LA to SF. These are cheaper than Amtrak, but slower and less comfortable for a long journey.
Flights: Although technically not public transport, budget airlines like Southwest, Alaska, or Spirit often have cheap tickets and are much faster than trains or buses.

3. Trips to Yosemite National Park

From San Francisco, there are a few ways to visit Yosemite without a car:

Yosemite Tours: Several companies offer 1- or 2-day guided tours from SF, including transport. This is hassle-free and ideal if you want to see the highlights like Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.
YARTS Bus: Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System provides bus services from Merced or other nearby towns into Yosemite. You can take Amtrak or Greyhound to Merced, then YARTS to the park. It requires early planning and overnight stay inside or near the park for full experience.

4. Suggested Stops En Route Between LA and SF

Since you fly in and out of LA, consider this itinerary:

Los Angeles (3-4 nights): Explore Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Griffith Park, and possibly a studio tour.
Beach Stop (1-2 nights): Santa Barbara or Pismo Beach are nice midway points. Santa Barbara is more upscale, walkable, and has good buses. Pismo Beach is smaller, quieter, and great for coastal relaxation.
San Francisco (3 nights): Visit Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and ride the cable cars.
Yosemite (2 nights): Arrange either a tour or YARTS transport. Stay near Yosemite Valley or Mariposa for convenient access.
Return to LA: Either retrace your route via train/bus or consider a short flight back from SF.

Public transport in California works best within cities, along certain coastal corridors, and with guided tours for national parks. If flexibility or spontaneous stops are important, renting a car for part of the trip (especially between SF and Yosemite) could save time, but it’s not strictly necessary.

July will be warm, and SF mornings/evenings can be cool. Pack layers and plan for early bookings for Yosemite as accommodations fill fast in summer.