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 Sacramento takes 1h 37m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $28 for a 4h 00m 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 Greyhound or FlixBus. From Oakland, the bus ride to San Carlos takes 25 miles and will cost you around $9. From Reno, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 395 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 Sacramento takes 1h 37m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $28 for a 4h 00m 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 Greyhound or FlixBus. From Oakland, the bus ride to San Carlos takes 25 miles and will cost you around $9. From Reno, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 395 miles.

Airports near San Carlos

Airlines serving San Carlos

Lufthansa
Good (4,678 reviews)
KLM
Good (845 reviews)
SWISS
Good (950 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,622 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,257 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,582 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (488 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,601 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,109 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,434 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,983 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,996 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (812 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (934 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,169 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (837 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)
$178+
Hyatt Place San Carlos
3 stars
Excellent (9, 81 reviews)
$157+
Bay Landing Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1568 reviews)
$120+
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Carlos, CA
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 410 reviews)
$114+
Aloft San Francisco Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1615 reviews)
$154+
The Westin San Francisco Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, 1402 reviews)
$154+

Renting a car in San Carlos

Renting a car in San Carlos costs $57 per day, on average, or $114 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 21% 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 $57 per day, on average, or $114 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 21% 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.