San Carlos travel guide

San Carlos Tourism | San Carlos Guide

You're Going to Love San Carlos

With a population of 28,406, San Carlos is a must-see destination in California, United States. San Carlos deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in San Carlos

If you’re looking for affordable options, Town (716 Laurel Street) and Creola (344 El Camino Real) are great picks.

When to visit San Carlos

San Carlos in February
Estimated hotel price
$128
1 night at 3-star hotel
San Carlos in February
Estimated hotel price
$128
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to San Carlos

Plane

When flying to San Carlos, you’ll arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO), which is located 10 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to San Carlos include American Airlines, Air France and Aeromexico. The shortest domestic flight to San Carlos departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to San Carlos. The train journey from San Carlos to Los Angeles takes 0h 38m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Santa Clara, expect to pay about $18 for a 1h 01m trip.

Car

Another option to get to San Carlos is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 21 miles from San Carlos. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

You can travel by bus to San Carlos using FlixBus or Greyhound. From Fresno, the bus ride to San Carlos takes 265 miles and will cost you around $34. From Los Angeles, the ticket costs about $81 for a journey of 425 miles.

Plane

When flying to San Carlos, you’ll arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO), which is located 10 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to San Carlos include American Airlines, Air France and Aeromexico. The shortest domestic flight to San Carlos departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to San Carlos. The train journey from San Carlos to Los Angeles takes 0h 38m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Santa Clara, expect to pay about $18 for a 1h 01m trip.

Car

Another option to get to San Carlos is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 21 miles from San Carlos. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

You can travel by bus to San Carlos using FlixBus or Greyhound. From Fresno, the bus ride to San Carlos takes 265 miles and will cost you around $34. From Los Angeles, the ticket costs about $81 for a journey of 425 miles.

Airports near San Carlos

Airlines serving San Carlos

Lufthansa
Good (4,673 reviews)
KLM
Good (842 reviews)
SWISS
Good (950 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,643 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,245 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,575 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (487 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,595 reviews)
Air France
Good (982 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,107 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,424 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,988 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (6,010 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (855 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (810 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (935 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,168 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (838 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of San Carlos

Most booked hotels in San Carlos

Residence Inn by Marriott Redwood City San Carlos
3 stars
Excellent (9, 143 reviews)
$177+
Hyatt Place San Carlos
3 stars
Excellent (9, 81 reviews)
$155+
Bay Landing Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1565 reviews)
$121+
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Carlos, CA
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 412 reviews)
$114+
Aloft San Francisco Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1617 reviews)
$138+
The Westin San Francisco Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, 1406 reviews)
$156+

Renting a car in San Carlos

Renting a car in San Carlos costs $67 per day, on average, or $134 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 3% cheaper than airport locations in San Carlos.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in San Carlos (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in San Carlos is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Nissan Altima or similar) are, on average, 67% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in San Carlos costs $67 per day, on average, or $134 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 3% cheaper than airport locations in San Carlos.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in San Carlos (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in San Carlos is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Nissan Altima or similar) are, on average, 67% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.