The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary
Of all the American road trips that exist, the Pacific Coast Highway in California is one of the most iconic, right behind Route 66 in terms of road trip Americana. And it was definitely on my bucket list! When I really think about it, it’s a bit silly that this road trip was so HIGH on my bucket list — I had already been to San Francisco, Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego on separate trips — aka, I had already visited a TON of major stops along the route! But still, there’s something so dreamy and idyllic about picturing yourself cruising aimlessly down the California coast. I wanted to weave all of my fragmented memories together into one cohesive, wind-in-my-hair bucket list experience. And while I’m slowly trying to ingrain a philosophy that values ‘the journey’ over a ‘checked box,’ I must admit that this coastal trip lived up to all of my unrealistically high expectations.
First things first, a little education. You’ll hear folks (and me, in this writeup) refer to the same stretch of highway in various ways. The Pacific Coast Highway, PCH, and California State Highway 1 are all the same thing! The Pacific Coast Highway is a ~655-mile stretch of road that runs along the Pacific Ocean from Leggett, California, in the northern part of the state down to Dana Point in the south. It passes through dense redwood forests, dramatic seaside cliffs, vast white sand beaches, and bustling city centers.
While you can travel along the PCH in either direction, most people travel south to north. That’s because some of the most breathtaking views are found in northern California; i.e., they want to save the best for last! In my case, I was already traveling south down the Pacific Coast from Oregon (since I’ve been living on the road for MONTHS), so it made sense for me to continue driving south in that direction. My itinerary starts in Leggett, California, but feel free to take my itinerary and reverse it!! The one BIG benefit of driving north to south is that you will always drive in the outer, coastal adjacent lane of the highway. This means better views, and this road trip is ALL about the views!!!
If you have more time to add-on to your PCH road trip, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND (did my repetitive caps effectively convey my passion here?) that you tack-on a drive further north up the coasts of Oregon and Washington state. The beauty around Cannon Beach, Oregon, and all the way up to the Olympic Peninsula, Washington is truly unrivaled!! It’s also a bit less traveled than California’s Highway 1, so it feels like a true expedition. I wrote a separate blog post solely about my time spent in that glorious Pacific Northwest region of the U.S.!!
The Pacific Coast Highway showcases some of California’s BEST views (and the United States, in general). If it’s not on one of your many bucket lists, it should be (I’m not the only one with multiple sub-bucket lists, right??)!! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope to convince you of that with my 10-day Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary below!!
10 days road-tripping one of America’s prettiest drives, the Pacific Coast Highway!
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Highlights:
Day 1-3: Northern Coast, California
Leggett — northern endpoint of the Pacific Coast Highway
Mendocino
Bodega Bay
San Francisco
Day 4-7: Central Coast, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Big Sur
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Day 8-10: Southern Coast, California
Los Angeles
Dana Point — southern endpoint of the Pacific Coast Highway
San Diego
Day 1-3: Northern Coast, CA
Leggett (northern endpoint of the Pacific Coast Highway)
Mendocino
Bodega Bay
San Francisco
When most people around the world think of California, they think of bleach blonde surfers and Hollywood celebrities. But in reality, that image is only reflective of a southern piece of the state! Northern California is largely forested, mountainous, and quite a bit chillier; make sure to pack some layers!
Top Things to See and Do on the Northern Coast:
Avenue of the Giants — Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile stretch of road that runs parallel to Highway 101 and is an entry point into Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Spend some time driving and hiking through Humboldt County, California, where you can marvel at old-growth redwood trees towering as tall as 30-40 story buildings. It’s tough to describe the overwhelming feeling that comes from standing next to these ~2,000-year old trees. It’s an instant recognition of our tininess and insignificance in the universe as a whole… heavy, I know. This entire area is the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left on the planet, so make SURE to get a taste of it when you’re around Leggett, California, starting your Pacific Coast Highway road trip adventure!
Coastal hiking — Take time to stretch your legs and take in the stunning northern California pacific views on foot! I particularly recommend stops at Mendocino Headlands and Russian Gulch State Parks near Mendocino, as well as around Goat Rock Beach in Jenner, California, which is near Bodega Bay. There are even MORE coastal hikes to come once you reach Big Sur!
Detour to Napa Valley — Only a couple of hours off-route from Highway 1 are some of the world’s BEST wineries and tastings!
Explore San Francisco — All of San Francisco in a day or two?! Aggressive, I know. But, the focus of this itinerary is the Pacific Coast Highway, and there are ~655 miles to cover!! Check out the Ferry Building Marketplace (especially Acme Bread Company and Cowgirl Creamery), walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, hike the Land’s End Trail from the historical Sutro Baths, picnic in Dolores Park with local eats like Mission-style burritos, walk around the legendary hippie district of Haight Ashbury, and check out the Muir Woods National Monument if you haven’t yet gotten your fill of redwood trees! I STILL haven’t gotten over the magic that is ancient redwood forests! Sound like a lot to tackle? Make sure to start your day with a caffeine fix from a small-chain favorite, Phillz Coffee!
Day 4-7: Central Coast, CA
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Big Sur
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
You’ve reached the main event!! The central coastline around Big Sur is made up of steep rocky cliffs that jut out and into the sea. It’s drop-dead gorgeous and a bit reminiscent of my travels to coastal Portugal and the islands of Indonesia! The beauty continues as you travel south down to Santa Barbara!
Top Things to See and Do on the Central Coast:
Carmel-by-the-Sea — Visit the unbelievably quaint town of Carmel-by-the-Sea! Take the iconic 17-mile Drive in nearby Pebble Beach at sunset, and then treat yourself to an upscale meal at Porta Bella or La Bicyclette. I stayed at the adorable boutique hotel, The Hotel Carmel, which had a cute courtyard for happy hours next to an outdoor fireplace. I would highly highly recommend this place! I’ve also heard amazing things about Ventana Big Sur and would love to stay there on my next visit! Looking to REALLY splurge? Stay at the uber-luxurious Post Ranch Inn!
Cruise around Big Sur — Probably the highlight of your entire Highway 1 road trip! Fill up on gas beforehand (it’s a LONG stretch without gas stations!) and expect to make TONS of stops. I pulled off to take pictures every 15 minutes or so! Some specific pull-offs you’ll want to check out include selfies in front of Bixby Creek Bridge, coastal hiking in Garrapata State Park, and McWay Falls!
Spot wildlife near San Luis Obispo — Referred to more commonly as SLO, San Luis Obispo and its neighboring towns really surprised me on my trip down the PCH, but only in the BEST way! For wildlife, I’d recommend heading to Morro Bay to see cute sea otters and San Simeon for hundreds of elephant seals lounging on the beach! Believe it or not, I also spotted ZEBRA from the Pacific Coast Highway in San Simeon, which I later found out were remnants from the Hearst Castle zoo! If you’re looking for a spot to rest your head, check out the Madonna Inn (self-proclaimed as “an unabashedly kitsch wonderland”) or some beachy hotels in Cambria, California, like White Water, Cambria Beach Lodge, or Oceanpoint Ranch.
Detour to Paso Robles — Another recommended detour for amazing California wineries and tasting rooms!
Explore Santa Barbara — Stroll down State Street and peruse the various boutiques, cafés, and wine tasting rooms. Take in some natural beauty at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Walk down Stearns Wharf pier and grab a fresh lunch from one of the local seafood shops. Admire the incredible Spanish-style architecture of the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara. It’s worth noting that that this part of American history was NOT rosy. The missions throughout California were set up to convert Native Americans to Catholicism. But, it’s an important lesson in American history, and the remaining buildings showcase gorgeous Spanish-style architecture. Similar to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Santa Barbara’s undeniable beauty and high-class accommodations make it an ideal place to SPLURGE on a hotel. Take a look at the Four Seasons Biltmore and Ritz-Carlton Bacara if you’re redeeming points, or the Kimpton Canary for a more boutique option. Opting for something a little less stuffy? Check out the Kimpton Goodland.
Day 8-10: Southern Coast, CA
Los Angeles
Dana Point (southern endpoint of the Pacific Coast Highway)
San Diego
Once you pass through Santa Barbara, you’ve reached the quintessential “SoCal” (southern California) region. The southern coast is the area most people think of when they imagine the typical California lifestyle, with endless sunny days, surfer dudes, and A-list celebs. And while those attributes are not NOT true, southern California offers so much more!
Top Things to See and Do on the Southern Coast:
Discover Los Angeles — Where to even start?! LA is a city that’s extremely spread out, which means that you can have a completely different experience staying in one neighborhood versus another. Here are some suggestions that give you a BRIEF taste of it all, but I could honestly write an entire blog post on each LA neighborhood! While driving south down Highway 1 through Malibu, make a pitstop for food at seafood landmark, Neptune’s Net, or opt for something upscale and romantic like Nobu Malibu! Ride the rollercoaster at the Santa Monica Pier and then walk the boardwalk down to Venice Beach. Stroll through the Venice Canals and hang out at the Venice Skate Park to take in all those California skater vibes! Spot celebrities while hiking Runyon Canyon and take in the views; you’ll be able to see the city skyline, Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood sign! Stroll down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and window shop for your luxury retail wish list. Take yourself on a taco truck tour around East LA and Boyle Heights. My personal favorites were Mariscos Jalisco and Tacos y Birria La Unica!
Catch some waves in Orange County — All those beachy Cali vibes you’ve dreamt about! I’d recommend a quick stop in this area between LA and San Diego to watch surfers at Newport Beach, visit Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach, and/or explore the sea caves near Dana Point. Wanting more culture? Stroll through the gorgeous Mission San Juan Capistrano and see what life was like here in the late 18th century; the manicured gardens are truly stunning!
Chill in San Diego — San Diego’s natural beauty is on display in La Jolla Cove; take a walk on the beach and amongst the tide pools while listening to the sea lions bark! Just be warned that this place can be a bit smelly as it is very much THEIR home! La Jolla also boasts some super luxe shopping options if you need some retail therapy after your long road trip! Want to escape the city for a hike? Check out Torrey Pines State Reserve, and if you’re up for a strenuous excursion, the famous Potato Chip Rock! San Diego is also known for its authentic Mexican cuisine, particularly given its proximity to Mexico; you’re only about half an hour from the border! Looking for somewhere to stay? Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island is a destination in itself, and the beachside cabanas vibe like Miami!!
And that’s a WRAP on my 10-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary!
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