The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience – for good reason!
Sunny days, sandy beaches, incredible surf. The Pacific Coast Highway, part of California’s State Route 1, may be the best road trip out there—here are incredible places to stop on your ultimate California driving adventure.
The most important thing you need to decide first is which direction you prefer to travel the Pacific Coast Highway (northbound or southbound). If I can make a recommendation? You should drive the Pacific Coast Highway from North to South! The reason I recommend doing you Pacific Coast Highway road trip north to south is that you’ll be on the coastal side of the road. Driving south on the right-hand side of the road, you’ll have a great view of the ocean and coastline. When I drove the Pacific Coast Highway in 2015, I did a northbound: from Los Angeles to San Francisco (from south to north) road trip, and lament that I wasn’t on the “outer” side of the road. Two years later I drive from north to south and it was much better.
Top Stops Along the Pacific Coast Highway
It doesn’t get more exhilarating than cruising along California’s cliff-hugging coastline, so it’s no surprise that the Pacific Coast Highway is considered one of the most scenic drives anywhere in the world, with no shortage of beaches, seaside towns, mountains, forests, parks, and cities to explore along the way. Driving non-stop from San Francisco to San Diego takes about ten hours, but customizing this iconic drive with stops to suit your personal tastes is half the fun. So strap yourself in and get ready for the ride of your life.
Spanning nearly the entire length of California, the Pacific Coast Highway is the perfect way to see the West Coast in all its glory. Starting north of San Francisco and working your way down the coast, you’ll hit all the highlights of the Golden State!
Point Bonita Lighthouse
For a world-class view of the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, and the nearby cliffs, come discover the natural beauty surrounding this striking lighthouse. Built in 1855, Point Bonita was the third lighthouse built on the West Coast and help shepherd ships through the treacherous Golden Gate straights!
SanFrancisco
Needing no introduction, the City by the Bay is home to the world’s greatest mashup of cultures. From the new age to the high tech, San Francisco has everything you have ever dreamed of and countless things you’ve never even imagined.
Here, you can experience many iconic and famous landmarks. Here are some places to see while in San Francisco:
See the sunrise at the Golden Gate Bridge
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
Take a boat under Golden Gate Bridge
Stop By The Painted Ladies
Take a ride to see Twin Peaks
Read More: San Francisco, California🌁. Travel🧳 guide📔
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a small city on the California coast, south of San Francisco. A string of beaches along the bay includes Half Moon Bay State Beach. The Coastside Trail leads north to Pillar Point, near the huge waves of the Mavericks surf spot. An idyllic oasis, this quiet city has it all. Thirty miles south of San Francisco, the small town of Half Moon Bay is a quaint and pretty place centred around Main Street, which is packed full of lovely bakeries, cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. If you’re coming straight from San Francisco along the Pacific Coast Highway you’ll pass the stunning Half Moon Bay – make sure to get out and take a moody pic from the cliff edge before you press on. You’ll soon find yourself at the Ano Nuevo State Park where you can go and visit the Elephant Seals in the marine park, and take a look at a San Francisco Garter Snake too.
Santa Cruz and Natural Bridge State Park
Ninety minutes later (with no stops) you’ll find yourself in Santa Cruz. The 60s live on here, especially along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with its old-school Americana vibe. Get out the car and check out the lighthouse on the beach, the Big Dipper along the boardwalk and the beautiful beach. The Mystery Spot – a collection of strange phenomena from the last 70 years – also makes for an entertaining few hours. After you need to see a NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH. See a stunning rock formation, and spy monarch butterflies
With its signature natural bridge standing just offshore capped by dozens of flapping and squawking pelicans and cormorants, this waterfront parkland makes a lively and beautiful destination. Add nearby grasslands with trails snaking through tall milkweed plants that naturally attract more than 100,000 monarch butterflies each year (usually October through February) and you’ve got a junior naturalist’s delight.
Shark Fin Cove
Shark Fin Cove is a beautiful California coast beach located south of San Francisco – in Davenport, California. It’s named for its rock formation just off the shore that resembling a shark’s top fin.
You can see the beach from the top, but you aren’t able to see this cove from the road, which makes finding access a little difficult. There are no signs indicating the location, so you must rely on Google Maps to help guide to you the parking lot off the California Coast Highway 1.
This place provides absolutely stunning views from above AND below. Start your visit at the top and walk along the trails near the cliffs (but be careful!). Finally, climb down into the cove via a steep trail to find beach access.
Big Sur
When you think of driving down the California Coast, Big Sur is the making of dreams. Sunny coastline, winding roads, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful bridges are scattered along 90 miles of this beautiful West Coast drive.
Big Sur is by far one of my all-time favorite places in the world. There are some killer ocean views along the highway and countless State Parks just waiting to be explored. For outdoors lovers, be sure to spend at least a full day at one of Big Sur’s California State Parks for amazing hiking and some serious natural beauty.
There are many beautiful sights along the Big Sur – Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Point Sur State Historic Park, Ragged Point – it’ll be hard to get any driving done with all the lookout points. If you have time, take a few days to relax along the route, soak up some of the scenery and just generally chill the hell out.
Bixby Bridge
To get to the Big Sur you’ll travel over the Bixby Bridge – one of the tallest single span concrete bridges in the world and one of the most photographed bridges on the West Coast. It’s 714 feet long and 280 feet high.
This is a must stop section of the Pacific Coast Highway, and one of my favourite photography spots of the whole journey. It’s only a small park, with beautiful redwood forests on the mountain side, but the main event here is McWay Falls. An 80 foot waterfall that cascades down onto a golden sandy beach, and a beach closed off to all those pesky humans that are going to try and ruin your shots.
It must have taken ages to think up the catchy name of Waterfall Overlook Trail, but this is the aptly named half mile trail that takes you from the parking lot, under the highway to an overlook, which overlooks the waterfall. This view is stunning. The golden sand, the clear turquoise waters, the rocky outcrops and the waterfall cascading over the cliff face onto the sand is just perfect. *By the way, it's the best place to spend a night on the beach, of course illegally;)
Pismo Beach
Whether you’re driving from the north or south on U.S. Highway 101, there’s an unforgettable moment as you reach Pismo Beach. The coastal hills open up to reveal shimmering turquoise waters and long stretches of the San Luis Obispo County coastline, with glimpses of this vintage beach town hugging the shore. Work your way toward the sands, through streets of beach cottages, surf shops, and clam chowder joints.
Don’t miss the historic 1,200-foot-long Pismo Beach Pier. Built in 1928, the pier is the closest thing to a town square for Pismo Beach. Take a walk out over the waves to watch the surfers, or maybe try your hand at fishing (no license required) for red snapper, ling cod, or even the occasional thresher shark. From the pier, stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk, or just hike along the hard-packed sands; the broad, flat expanses make this one of the most walkable beaches in all of California. Pismo Beach is another place for an incredible sunset.
Speaking of sunsets, stay at one of Pismo Beach’s oceanfront resorts or hotels and you won’t even have to leave your room to watch the sky come aglow over the Pacific.
Inn at the Cove Hotel
Santa Barbara
Promoted as the “American Riveria,” Santa Barbara is the perfect blend of beach and glitz, lying between the steep Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With red-tile clay roofs, white stucco walls and adobe homes, nods to the city’s Spanish colonial history are plentiful. Travel back in time to Santa Barbara’s earliest days with a trip to the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara, then head to State Street for cute shops, top-rated restaurants, and sidewalk cafes galore.
Out of all the beautiful beaches around Santa Barbara, Butterfly Beach is one of my top picks. With smooth sand and a laid-back vibe, this is just the place to relax and watch the waves. When you’re ready to get your blood pumping, head to Santa Barbara Harbor to rent paddle boards, kayaks, and bikes.
Malibu
Malibu is only 15 miles of incredible state beaches and the open road from Ventura. Follow the signs to Point Dume and you’ll find a beautiful sandy beach, headlands, cliffs and rocky coves. Take a walk around Malibu and you’ll find piers, sickeningly beautiful weekend homes and super healthy restaurants. Exit Malibu via the stunning Topanga Canyon – a popular weekend hideaway for Hollywood superstars for years. Stay on Route 27 and you’ll come across offbeat stores, diners and ramshackle saloons along the roadside. Get out at the top for an awesome view over the San Fernando Valley at the top of Topanga Overlook.
Stop at the Malibu and eat lunch or dinner at Geoffrey's Restuarant. Amazing food with epic views of the ocean.
Santa Monica
Do you know this movie? :)
The Santa Monica Pier is visited by 3 million people every year, making it a hot spot for tourists and locals alike. On either side of the pier, wide expanses of sand greet sun worshipers ready to enjoy a classic Southern California beach.The two-mile stretch of beach features volleyball courts, basketball courts, a bike path, and exercise equipment. The people watching is always top notch.
Just fine miles from Malibu you'll hit Santa Monica. This idyllic oceanfront city, bounded by a 3.5-mi/5.6-km-long beach, feels more like a weekend getaway spot than a city just a few minutes west of downtown Los Angeles. Hang out on the city’s broad beach or lively Pacific Pier (complete with its own amusement park). Or rent cruiser bikes to follow the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, aka “The Strand.” The paved, multi-use path follows the oceanfront for roughly 22 miles/35 kilometers, from Santa Monica south to Torrance. Santa Monica is also a place for serious shopping. Pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade is lined with big-name brands, galleries, movie theaters, and comedy shows, including open-air Santa Monica Place.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city in California's Los Angeles County. Home to many Hollywood stars, it features the upscale shopping street of Rodeo Drive. The expansive Beverly Gardens Park has fountains and rose gardens, plus an illuminated Beverly Hills sign.
Los Angeles
Nestled between the mountains, the desert, and the sea, L.A. beckons locals and travelers alike to engage in an active and healthy lifestyle. Avocado is always on the menu, a yoga class is always about to start, and a celebrity sighting is just around the corner.
If there’s one thing you should do in L.A., it’s get up above the city. The easy hike to Griffith Observatory ends in panoramic views of the L.A. skyline, landscape, and landmarks, which helps to put the sprawling city in perspective.
Snap a photo of the Hollywood sign from there or do the famous Hollywood sign hike. (If you want a photo of the front of the sign, though, your best choice is the former; the Hollywood sign hike takes you up and behind the letters.) Finish your Griffith hike with a picnic, or head to neighboring Los Feliz or Silver Lake for coffee, juice, and a bite to eat.
San Diego
Swami's Beach
La Jolla Secret Swings
Mission Beach
The last stop is sunny San Diego, and although it’s not as flashy as L.A., there’s still plenty to see and do in California’s second largest city. This town is one of my faves on the Pacific coast, and it has something for everyone. Old Town is its historic heart and was California’s first settlement. The downtown Gaslamp Quarter is where you’ll find premier dining, nightlife and shopping. Make sure to visit beautiful 1,200 acre Balboa Park, the largest urban park in the U.S., with 15 museums, a miniature railroad, and the world famous San Diego Zoo.
The End 🎥
Born to Fly 🕊
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