Pacific Coast Highway
Tupac said it best: "California knows how to party."
The Sunshine State is not only an absolutely breathtaking place-- with everything from beaches to mountains to wine country to world-class cities-- it also happens to be where I'm from!
If you're planning a drive along the California Coast, there are so many spots you don't want to miss. Gas up the car and hit the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for the most gorgeous road trip you'll ever take.
About the Pacific Coast Highway
The PCH is the CA-1 highway that runs along most of the California coastline. From the south at Interstate 5 (I-5) near Dana Point in Orange County to U.S. Route 101 in Mendocino County, it is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The PCH takes about 10 hours to drive at a leisurely pace without stops-- but we definitely recommend stopping along the way!
What To Do
Below is our recommended itinerary that covers all the highlights, starting from the south and finishing in the north. This itinerary is broken down into 5 days, which is enough time to see everything at a fairly active pace. You can definitely move faster or slower, so adjust as needed. You could technically get a solid overview of the PCH in 2-3 days! The places in bold are the ones you should prioritize if you're on a tight schedule.
DAY 1
Dana Point-- Halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles, Dana Point is the whale watching capital of the West and offers wine cruises, luxury spas, surfing, golfing, and incredible views.
Laguna Beach-- Home of the TV show and to beautiful beaches! It also offers boutique stores, art galleries, and great restaurants.
Newport Beach/ Huntington Beach-- Newport Beach is between Laguna and Huntington. It is also close to Balboa Island and Catalina Island and a great home base for various day trips. Huntington Beach is a little busier, but is great for surfing, swimming, and walking along the pier. There are so many activities in this area you could easily make a whole day of it.
Long Beach-- Long Beach made the list because it's a well known city on the way, and it's worth checking out if you have a lot of time. Otherwise, I personally recommend going to the other beaches on the list and heading right to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles-- It's not on the PCH, but it's L.A., baby! How could it not make the list? A few honorable mentions worth seeing are the Griffith Observatory, the Greek Theatre, the Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, plus tons of shopping and great food. Spend at least a day in L.A. if you can.
DAY 2
Beverly Hills/ Santa Monica-- Go shopping along Rodeo drive, try to spot a celebrity, and check out the fancy houses in Beverly Hills, then head to the Santa Monica boardwalk and pier. Upscale restaurants and shops, rollerblading paths, and an amusement park on the famous pier await you. For a more laid-back, hippie vibe, bike over to Venice Beach (my personal fave!)
Malibu-- Malibu is great for fishing, surfing, shopping, and spectacular views of the Pacific! If you are short on time I personally prefer Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, but Malibu is lovely for a more laid back day.
Santa Barbara-- Santa Barbara is a cute city with great restaurants, shopping, and beaches. It's definitely worth checking out if you have the time, or you can head straight up to SLO county. (Tip: CA-1 merges with US 101 and turns inland, so you won't see the beach again until you hit Pismo Beach.)
DAY 3
Pismo Beach/ Avila Beach-- Here's where I get biased. The Central Coast is where I'm from! Pismo Beach is one of my favorite beach cities, and is quieter than the beaches further south. Avila Beach is also great, with a pier and great shops nearby. Close to Avila is a somewhat hidden nude beach called Pirate's Cove, if that's your thing. You do have to hike down a short ways to access the nude beach, so be prepared for that!
San Luis Obispo-- SLO is a quaint city full of charm! Relax along the beach, go shopping, and check out Firestone Grill for a great pulled pork sandwich!
Morro Bay-- Known for the Morro Rock out at sea, Morro Bay is worth seeing if you have the time. Personally, I think other beaches on the list are better if you're short on time.
Paso Robles-- My hometown! Technically, this takes you off the PCH and a little inland, but one of the best wine-countries in the world awaits you! You'll see wines from Paso Robles on wine menus around the world. With over 300 wineries and vineyards, this relatively small town is absolutely perfect for wine lovers. Here are the top 10 wineries to hit up. If you like Thai food, stop by Basil's in downtown Paso. And if a day on the lake sounds appealing, Lake Nacimiento is a short drive away!
DAY 4
Cambria-- Cambria is known for the indigenous moonstone found on it's beaches, and is home to cute shops and beautiful beaches.
San Simeon-- San Simeon is another beautiful beach town. It's worth stopping by primarily for the famous Hearst Castle.
Ragged Point-- Stop by this scenic viewpoint if you have the time. Ragged Point is absolutely gorgeous, but it's close to Big Sur which is definitely the highlight.
Big Sur-- Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the United States." Rugged and mountainous, Big Sur offers plenty of hikes and natural beauty.
Carmel-by-the-Sea-- Another quaint town with lovely shops and beaches, Carmel is a great place too unwind after a day of exploring Big Sur.
Monterey-- If you're looking for a city day, stop in Monterey. It's home to a fantastic aquarium and great for kids.
Yosemite-- This is another cheat spot, because Yosemite is much further inland and not on the PCH. But if National Parks are your thing, Yosemite is absolutely breathtaking. Spend a few days camping there, or keep driving along the PCH further north.
DAY 5
San Francisco-- A classic! Check out the famous hills, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the unique cable cars. Go see the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf, stop by the Haight-Ashbury district for a bohemian scene, and eat all of the delicious food the city offers.
Napa-- If you're a wine lover, definitely check out the famous Napa Valley! You can't go wrong with wineries, vineyard, and wine tour, although I personally would pick Paso Robles over Napa if I had to!
Tips and Tricks
Stay filled up on gas. There are no gas stations available for up to 40 miles in some stretches.
If you are driving CA-1 in only one direction, go from south to north if you can. You will be driving on the insides of the curves and views are clearer toward the north.
Allow plenty of time if you can. Assume you will average about 30 miles per hour.
If you are short on time, it's ok to speed it up! Hit a handful of spots that are most appealing to you. You'll still see plenty of amazing views as you drive along the PCH.
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