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 16 km 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 34 km 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 Sacramento, the bus ride to San Carlos takes 201 km and will cost you around $19. From Fresno, the ticket costs about $34 for a journey of 265 miles.

Plane

When flying to San Carlos, you’ll arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO), which is located 16 km 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 34 km 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 Sacramento, the bus ride to San Carlos takes 201 km and will cost you around $19. From Fresno, the ticket costs about $34 for a journey of 265 miles.

Airports near San Carlos

Airlines serving San Carlos

Lufthansa
Good (4,679 reviews)
KLM
Good (842 reviews)
SWISS
Good (952 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,650 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,241 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,578 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (488 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,598 reviews)
Air France
Good (983 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,108 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,422 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,993 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (6,016 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (858 reviews)
LOT
Good (678 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (808 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (931 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,170 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (840 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, 82 reviews)
$154+
Bay Landing Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1568 reviews)
$121+
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Carlos, CA
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 411 reviews)
$114+
Aloft San Francisco Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1620 reviews)
$136+
The Westin San Francisco Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, 1409 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.