The Complete Pacific Coast Highway Guide: 3 Itineraries & 27 Stops to Make (2024)

My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.
If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. Read more in my Privacy Policy.

I think we can all agree: the Pacific Coast Highway is 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!

If you’re considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in both Washington and California, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway.

Whether you’re planning to drive from San Diego to San Francisco, Seattle to San Francisco, Seattle to San Diego, or any start/endpoints in between (Los Angeles! Portland! Crescent City!), this post will give you all you need to know. After reading, you’ll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary.

Note (November 2023): As of the latest update to this post, California Highway 1 (the PCH) is closed between Limekiln State Park and Lucia in the Big Sur area of the route; you’ll need to bypass this closure inland on US-101. Be sure to check the California DOT website (Enter “1” in the field) for the latest updates.

In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land.

This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated most recently in November 2023.

Pacific Coast Highway Basics: Map & More

One of the requests I get asked for is a Pacific Coast Highway map with all of the stops I suggest, so I used Roadtrippers to put together this one. I used to use Google Maps to do this, but I find that the numbered stops and waypoints are much easier to understand, and this Roadtrippers map also has other points of interest (“Extraordinary Places”) you might want to stop at too.

(I used Roadtrippers Plus to create this map;you can get $5 off Plus byclicking this linkand using code BTR5QTP.)

Where is the Pacific Coast Highway? How Long is it?

How long is the Pacific Coast Highway? Before launching into a bunch of details for where to stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, I need to define a few things:

1. The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California.
2. The Pacific Coast Highway runs along two highways: US 101 in Washington, Oregon, and parts of California and California Highway 1 in the majority of California.
3. From end to end, the Pacific Coast Highway is 1,675 miles long from Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA.

Now that you know the details, let’s dig into the logistics of planning your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary!

Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway?

The most important thing you need to decide first when driving the Pacific Coast Highway 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 southbound!

The reason I recommend doing your 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 PCH in 2014, I drove a northbound San Diego to Seattle road trip, and lament that I wasn’t on the “outer” side of the road.

Pacific Coast Highway Start & End Points

Your second choice is where to start your road trip. The traditional definition of the Pacific Coast Highway is to drive California Highway 1 from San Diego, CA, to Leggett, CA (or vice versa); you can extend by adding on U.S. Highway 101 through Northern California to drive up the Oregon and Washington coasts. (Or in reverse if you’re headed southbound as I recommend).

Depending on whether you drive the PCH as a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide.

Here are some different common starting/ending points for a PCH road trip:

• Seattle to San Diego (or vice versa) –the whole Pacific Coast Highway
• Crescent City to San Diego (or vice versa) –just the California portion of the Pacific Coast Highway
• San Francisco to San Diego – a great California coast road trip, but only the Central California and Southern California portions

As you can see, you have options! Now let me break down a few itineraries to choose from, based on how much time you have to do your Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options

The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries.

Over time, I’ve learned that people generally have three lengths of time to make their PCH road trip: just five days (a long weekend), 7 days (a full week), and 10-days (a week and the weekends) or longer. Usually this length of time is determined by things like lifestyle, work, PTO, and your budget –so you may already know exactly how long you have and that duration isn’t flexible. Don’t worry though: no matter how long you have (as long as it’s at least 5 days), you can still drive the Pacific Coast Highway!

• If you only have five days to drive the PCH: if you are short on time, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. You won’t have as much time to spend in each city, or to take a few of the “long drives,” but you’ll see it all in a short span of time.
• If you have a week for your PCH road trip: if you’re lucky to have a few more days for your PCH road trip, a week is a pretty fantastic amount of time to see all that the Pacific Coast Highway has to offer, though you will have a few longer days of driving and no opportunities for longer or multi-day stops.
• If you have 10+ days to drive the PCH: 10 days is, in my opinion, the optimal length of time to drive the PCH – you can see it all without rushing or having too long of driving days. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to.

Here’s what I recommend for your 5-day, 7-day, and 10-day Pacific Coast Highway road trip:

I also have dedicated posts to each of these itineraries:

• The Perfect 5-Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary for 2024
• The Ultimate 7-Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary for 2024
• The Best 10-Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary for 2024

Obviously, this little table is lacking in details. Below, you’ll find more tips on driving the PCH plus some of my favorite stops along the PCH which you can choose for each day of your drive.

Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions

Now that you have all the basics you need to plan a PCH road trip, you need to know which destinations are worth a stop along the Pacific Coast Highway. Now I’m going to lay out step-by-step directions for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip based on all my tips so far. These stops are numbered to match my Roadtrippers map and trip already shown above (click here to open the map in a separate window).

Start: Seattle

Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Therefore, it’s an amazing place to start your Pacific Coast Highway trip! Technically, Seattle is not on the Pacific Coast Highway, but you can fly into Seattle and drive one hour south to Olympia to start your PCH road trip.

Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above.

Briefly, here are some of the other must-see attractions in Seattle:

• The recently renovated Space Needle with its all-new glass floor and paneling
• The Fremont neighborhood and its resident Fremont Troll
• Gas Works Park or Kerry Park, both with stunning views of the Seattle skyline
• The Ballard neighborhood and the Chittenden Locks and Fish Ladder

If you want to spend a few days in Seattle, consider purchasing the Seattle CityPass. You’ll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price including the Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less.

Accommodation Suggestions: Seattle’s most famous hotel, The Edgewater, is right along the waterfront, and a perfect way to relax before a long multi-day drive. Rooms from $159/night (depending on the season), book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Browse other hotels or vacation rentals in Seattle.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Seattle, head south along US Highway 101/I-5 to Olympia. It’s a 1-hour drive from Seattle to Olympia.

Stop 1: Olympia

It’s not a long drive from Seattle to Olympia, so I recommend just making a ‘waypoint’ stop here to stretch your legs before the rest of your driving today – whether that’s to Port Angeles or Portland. There’s a nice public parking area near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building. You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions:
If you are doing a quick Pacific Coast Highway road trip, head south from Olympia along I-5 to Portland, a 1-hour, 50-minute drive.
If your PCH road trip includes the Olympic Peninsula, follow U.S. 101 west and then north along the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula toward Port Angeles, a 2-hour, 30-minute drive.

Stop 2: Port Angeles

If you’re planning a full 10-day PCH road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop.

There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! Other cool attractions include Hurricane Ridge (a popular hiking spot), Elwha River Valley, and Olympic Hot Springs.

Accommodation Suggestions: If you decide to spend a night in Port Angeles, my #1 recommendation is Colette’s Bed & Breakfast. Rooms from $315/night, book directly on their website. Browse other Port Angeles hotels and vacation rentals.

Meal Suggestions: For dinner, book a table at Alder Wood Bistro in nearby Sequim. I had an amazing four-course meal there on my last trip to the peninsula.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. You’ll see signs for Hoh Rainforest, a left turn that takes you inland to the forest. It’s a 2-hour drive from Port Angeles to the Hoh Rainforest.

Stop 3: Hoh Rainforest

Can you believe there’s a rainforest in Washington? Okay, maybe that’s not a surprise given Seattle’s reputation for rain…

Located on the Pacific side of the Olympic Peninsula, Hoh Rainforest qualifies as a rainforest due to the amount of precipitation that occurs each year. In this incredibly verdant forest, you’ll find amazing old-growth trees, some over 500 years old!. It’s a great spot for a short hike to stretch your legs.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. It’s a 1-hour drive from the rainforest to Ruby Beach.

Stop 4: Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but it’s the most picturesque beach on Washington’s Pacific Coast. You can look out over beautiful sea stacks that dot the northern part of the Pacific Coast and stroll along the sand covered with huge driftwood formations and seafoam.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. It’s a 1-hour, 40-minute drive to Aberdeen.

Stop 5: Aberdeen

Aberdeen has one main claim to fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain. If you’re a fan, make sure to stop in Aberdeen to see the house where he grew up. You can find the Cobain house at 1210 E 1st St, and right next door you can see a memorial to Cobain in Kurt Cobain Memorial Park (the house is now a private residence, so don’t disturb the owners!).

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. It’s a 90-minute drive from Aberdeen to Long Beach (Washington).

Stop 6: Long Beach

Long Beach is – and always will be – one of my favorite destinations in Washington. The little set of communities on the Long Beach peninsula is at the lower-left corner of the state and is home to cozy accommodations and surprisingly delicious restaurants. There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop!

Accommodation Suggestions: For accommodation, you can splurge on a stay at the historic but recently renovated Shelburne Hotel (from $78/night) – or choose an alternative option by booking a trailer at the Sou’wester (from $128/night). Browse other hotels and vacation rentals in Long Beach.

Meal Suggestions: The Depot is great for delicious home-cooked dishes in the old railroad depot, followed (or preceded) by a stop at North Jetty Brewing Company which sometimes has a taco food truck next door.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: It’s a short 30-minute drive south and a little east along U.S. 101 from Long Beach to cross the Columbia River into Oregon and visit Astoria.

Stop 7: Astoria

Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. If you’ve ever seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I mean. After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregon’s northwest-most town.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions:
If you are on a quick PCH road trip, turn inland along the Columbia River and then south on I-5 to Portland, which is a two-hour drive.
If your Pacific Coast Highway road trip includes the Oregon Coast, skip “Portland” below and drive south along U.S. 101 to Seaside & Cannon Beach, a 30-40 minute drive.

Stop 8: Portland

Portland is the only city on this list thatisn’ton the coast, and it’s definitely a trip extender if you want to visit Portland while driving the Pacific Coast Highway. The city has changed a lot since I first moved to the Pacific Northwest over a decade ago, but there’s still nowhere like Portland.

Once inPortland, it’s easy to spend a few days exploring; here’s my Portland city guide to help you if you have the time. I have been to Portland repeatedly and there are so many experiences that can more than fill a stop on your road trip.

If you don’t have the time, plan an overnight stop and make a late start after brunch at one of Portland’s many amazing restaurants.

Accommodation Suggestions: Portland has loads of great hotels, but my favorite is theHotel DeLuxenear downtown. Their themed lobby and movie nights make my inner movie nerd happy, and the “lobby bar” is so good that locals frequent it.From $115/night, book on Hotels.com. Browse other Portland hotels and vacation rentals.

Meal Suggestions: Portland is a foodie’s heaven. Most of my favorite spots have closed recently, so I don’t have specific suggestions – but don’t miss Portland’s famous food trucks too, for lunch or dinner.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions:
If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grant’s Pass, then turn southwest to head back out to the coast at Crescent City, a 6-hour drive.
If you are taking a longer PCH drive and drove inland to Portland, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport, which is a 2.5-hour drive.

Stop 9: Seaside & Cannon Beach

Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim – but it’s great for a stroll in the surf. Downtown is a series of taffy-colored storefronts filled with beach gear, kitschy coastal crafts, and the Funland Seaside Arcade, which harkens back to the heydays of coastal vacations.

South of Seaside, be sure to stop in Cannon Beach to admire Haystack Rock. One of the most famous sea stacks on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Haystack Rock is picture perfect while you stretch your legs.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Lincoln City, which is a 2.5-hour drive. If you’re feeling hungry along the way, stop at the Tillamook Creamery for an incredible meal or treat.

Stop 10: Lincoln City

On my most recent trip down the Oregon Coast as part of the PCH, I stopped in Lincoln City for a quick stop. Specifically, I had heard that this small community had a really fun activity: glassblowing! I decided to take a class and learn more about how this art form has flourished in this part of Oregon, and the cool programs they offer for both arts and education –as well as the “Finders Keepers” program.

I made a beautiful votive holder at Lincoln City Glass Center, and best of all, they shipped it home to me so I didn’t have to worry about waiting for it to cool/cure or picking it up –not something you can stick around to do as part of your Pacific Coast Highway road trip when you’re making a short stop!

I’d love to return and make an overnight stop in Lincoln City at some point, as I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what this community has to offer.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Devils Punchbowl, a 25-minute drive.

Stop 11: Devils Punchbowl

Sort of the “opposite” of sea stacks like Haystack Rock,Devils Punchbowlis another beautiful natural rock formation along the Oregon Coast. It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole and arch offer a beautiful view of the relentless power of the Pacific.

Similar to Haystack Rock, your experience stopping at Devils Punchbowl will depend on the tides. While you can no longer hike down to the Punchbowl (to protect the area and bird species that nest on this part of the cliffs), you can have a picnic up top and try to spot whales further out from the coast.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101 to Newport, which is a short 15-minute drive.

Stop 12: Newport

Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours – or longer, depending on your itinerary. I most recently visited Newport in late 2023, and I recommend this as an overnight stop for both my 7- and 10-day PCH itineraries, so it was about darn time I spent a night here myself!

The community of Newport sits on either side of Yaquina Bay, with the bay’s iconic and namesake bridge spanning the two. As such, Newport strikes a balance of working marine-industrial town and tourist destination: there’s lots to do for visitors, but you might just find yourself admiring the boats in the harbor and spotting sea lions resting on the docks.

In terms of things to do in Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is a great option for families or curious travelers of all ages as it focuses specifically on the marine ecosystems of this part of the Pacific Coast. You can also head to the Newport Historic Bayfront which is lined with shops, restaurants, docks/boats, and fish processing plants. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is also a must-see.

Accommodation Suggestions: There are lots of delightful places to stay in Newport, but I spent my one night aboard the Newport Belle. This is an adults-only accommodation, but if that fits your travel group, you’re in for a real treat aboard this restored and converted sternwheeler in the harbor. Rooms start from $189 per night; book on Hotels.com. Browse other hotels in Newport and vacation rentals, too.

Meal Suggestions: For dinner, there are lots of choices in the Historic Bayfront; I went with dinner at Clearwater Restaurant as they have great views of the harbor and sea lions love to loaf up on the docks outside their windows. (As such, the patio might be tempting but can often be quite stinky, so I recommend sitting inside even if the weather is great!)

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101. It’s a one-hour drive to Sea Lion Caves, though you might also stop at Thor’s Well or Heceta Head Lighthouse if you want even more coastal sights along the way.

Stop 13: Sea Lion Caves

I’ll be honest: I almost drove right by Sea Lion Caves, but I’m so glad I didn’t! This is an iconic stop on the Oregon Coast, and one that even Mr. V visited as a kid when his family drove down the Pacific Coast Highway for a vacation. (As I am a kid raised in Alaska, my family never made this drive!)

Even if you’re visiting during the “off” season (when the sea lions aren’t in the caves), I highly recommend taking an hour or more to stop here, explore the coastal views, and descend down to the largest sea cave on the North American continent. The views inside and out are beautiful, and you can get a fantastic –iconic! –shot of Heceta Head Lighthouse (which is the most-photographed lighthouse in the world, probably because of this view!).

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101, as usual. It’s a 4-hour drive to Crescent City from Sea Lion Caves; you will probably want to stop for gas at some point along this route before crossing into California – to save money, and because this stretch is a bit more inland and less stimulating!

Stop 14: Crescent City

When you hit the California coast, it’s like driving in a postcard. The jagged coastline, infinite blue water, sunny days, gorgeous sunsets… these are just a few of the reasons California Highway 1 became a popular route in the first place!

Crescent City is the first city you’ll enter when driving southbound into California along the Pacific Coast Highway (or last if you’re headed northbound); it is my favorite town in ALL of California, I’ve visited four times and Mr. V and I almost moved there! If Crescent City doesn’t look like much, that’s because the town was almost entirely rebuilt in 1964 following a tsunami – almost all of the historic homes and buildings were destroyed. I still love it though!

Located on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, Crescent City (get the name now?) is along part of the PCH where California Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101 overlap – hence this guide refers to both Highway 1 and Highway 101 as the “PCH” in the different states. The coast near Crescent City is dotted with the gigantic rock formations out at sea that characterize most of the northern and central California coastline.

Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. If you have the time, be sure to stop in Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park (part of Redwoods National Park), and explore the town. If you can, walk out to Battery Point Lighthouse (at low tide only) and Ocean World is a good stop for families.

Accommodation Suggestions: On one trip, Mr. V and I stayed atthis gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront propertyon Pebble Beach Drive. It was huge and fully stocked, perfect for a family or for a couple who just want space to escape.From $295/night;book on VRBO. Browse other vacation rentals and hotels in Crescent City.

Meal Suggestions: My must-stop on every trip is Seaquake Brewing; I love their kombucha and their food menu is fantastic. Other places we’ve eaten on past trips include the Chart Room (great water views) and Port O’ Pints for some local color.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: At this point in Northern California, the PCH is U.S. 101/CA-1. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast; it’s a 2-hour, 15-minute drive to the Humboldt Redwoods.

Stop 15: Humboldt Redwoods State Park

See Also

The Classic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip | ROAD TRIP USA

After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of California’s natural wonders: the Redwoods. It’s easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity –especially if you didn’t stop at Jed Smith Redwoods near Crescent City

Old Highway 101 is now called the Avenue of the Giants, and I highly recommend slowing down to enjoy this 31-mile stretch through some of California’s oldest living – and tallest! – trees.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: South of Humboldt Redwoods, there’s a junction where California Highway 1 (CA-1) begins. At this point, you should take that exit to CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway, leaving US-101 behind. It’s a two-hour drive to Fort Bragg.

Stop 16. Fort Bragg (Glass Beach)

Over the course of living in California for four years, Mr. V and I had a chance to explore more deeply many of the coastal communities I breezed through on my first PCH road trip –Fort Bragg was one of those spots. During our trip in 2021, I discovered a lot more that made it one of my recommended overnight stops for those following my 7-day or 10-day itinerary suggestions.

The primary attraction in Fort Bragg is actually trash… specifically, broken glass. Fort Bragg Glass Beach is part of MacKerricher State Park and you can’t take it home – but you can still spend time out of the car searching for different colors and shapes of beautiful sea glass that wash up from the Pacific Ocean.

There’s also so much more to do in Fort Bragg if you decide to stop here for an overnight*, including riding railbikes or the historic Skunk Train up into the coastal mountains, visiting the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, and hiking along the many headlands in the area.

*I’m only torn in my recommendations about whether to stay overnight in Fort Bragg because I also love Mendocino (next stop) for an overnight stay. You really can’t go wrong with either one!

Accommodation Suggestions: There are definitely options in Fort Bragg, but I really enjoyed our stay at the Noyo Harbor Inn, down near the marina. You’ll definitely get Newport vibes if you stay here! Rooms start from $266 per night; book onBooking.com or Hotels.com. Browse all hotels and vacation rentals in Fort Bragg.

Meal Suggestions: If you only have time for one meal in Fort Bragg, it’s gotta be at Princess Seafood which is also in Noyo Harbor; this woman-owned fishing company and restaurant has some of the best chowder and fresh fish/shellfish you can find on the entire coast!

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. It’s a short 15-minute drive between Fort Bragg and Mendocino, which is why they’re both good overnight options at this point on the PCH.

Stop 17: Mendocino

I’ll be honest: I didn’t stop at Mendocino on my first Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Instead, I made a trip up from the Bay Area and fell in love with this small town. With colorful historic seaside homes and great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Mendocino is good for at least an overnight stop – don’t be surprised if you want to spend even longer here once you arrive!

If you do decide to spend an overnight in the area, I recommend stopping in historic downtown Mendocino first and walking around the Mendocino Headlands to stretch your legs before heading to my recommended overnight accommodations (which is also where you can eat).

Accommodation Suggestions: A few minutes south of the main part of Mendocino, the Little River Inn is one of my favorite hotels along the PCH. It’s self-contained with a spa, golf course, and everything else you need –don’t be surprised if you want to stay more than one night. Rooms start from $240 per night; book directly on their website. Browse other Mendocino hotels and vacation rentals.

Meal Suggestions: Even if you’re not staying at the Little River Inn, Ole’s Whale Watch Bar is hands-down my favorite place to eat in the area. You can sit in the pub area, eat incredible food, and keep an eye out for whales making their way up/down the coast –what more do you need?!

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along California Highway 1. It’s a 2-hour, 45-minute drive to Marshall, and another 45 minutes out onto Point Reyes.

Stop 18: Marshall & Point Reyes

Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway – and that is saying something as it’s really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline!

While driving southbound, you’ll approach Marshall first. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. Next, you’ll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road.

In particular, plan a long foray out to Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse. This 20-mile (one-way) detour will take you out on Point Reyes, and has a stark and beautiful landscape because it’s so far out “at sea.” Additionally, you’ll get a sense of the magnitude of the San Andreas fault line, which comes inland along the northern part of Point Reyes.

Be sure to plan your trip on a day the lighthouse is open for tours, so you can climb the steps down to the lighthouse and look out beneath the clouds across the sea. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is open daily, but be sure to check the NPS site for specifics.

Meal Suggestions: If you’re hungry, stop for lunch at Nick’s Cove (pictured above). If you really love oysters, swing by Hog Island Oyster Company and purchase some to shuck and eat right then.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south – it’s a meandering route, but if you follow it all the way until Muir Beach you can make an optional stop at Muir Woods if you want. In total, it’s a 1-hour, 45-minute drive between Point Reyes and San Francisco if you stay on CA-1 the whole way.

Stop 19: San Francisco

It’s impossible to reduce all of the amazing things to do in San Francisco down to a small paragraph or overnight stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Now that I’ve moved to this part of California, I know this is true.

If you’re planning a PCH trip and want to pass through San Francisco, you can either skim over along the side of the city as you drive down the coast, take a detour inland to visit Yosemite National Park or dive in for one night knowing it will only make you want to come back for more… Like other major cities on this route, making a one-night stop is not nearly enough!

No matter which you choose, you’ll enter SF by driving across the Golden Gate Bridge; you can either stay along the coast and drive down Ocean Beach or head east into the city. In the city, the San Francisco CityPass is a good pro-tip to help you enjoy the city in a short time; as of 2024, you can choose three or four attractions including the Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, SFMOMA, and take a cruise on the San Francisco Bay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Blow your budget and stay the night at the Fairmont San Francisco, one of the nicest hotels in town. This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. Rooms start from $179/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Browse other San Francisco hotels and vacation rentals.

Meal Suggestions: Gosh, where do I begin?! There are some great options in the San Francisco Ferry Building (Cowgirl Creamery is my favorite), Boudin Bakery near Fisherman’s Wharf is an essential stop for great bread and chowder, and I love Li Po Lounge for drinks in Chinatown.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: When you’re ready to continue on your PCH road trip, make your way back to California Highway 1 and head south. It’s about an hour’s drive from San Francisco to Pigeon Point, depending on where you start in the city.

Stop 20: Pigeon Point

Pigeon Point can be a fun rest stop along the Pacific Coast Highway or a quirky one-night stop depending on your itinerary.

As the tallest lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is picturesque, and you can view it from several different angles along the nearby coastline. Unfortunately, you can’t climb the lighthouse steps as it has been closed for restoration since 2001.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Carry on south on CA-1, the PCH. It’s an 80-minute drive from Pigeon Point to Monterey

Stop 21: Monterey

While I only recommend an overnight stop in the Monterey/Carmel area if you’re on my suggested 10-day PCH itinerary, you can absolutely stop in either or both of these communities if you have the time during a shorter route.

Starting with Monterey, you probably recognize the name of this community for its iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium which is named for the Bay on which you can take a whale-watching cruise. It’s also worth taking a stroll on Cannery Row, even though it’s really touristy, because it gives you a sense of this community’s maritime history.

Accommodation Suggestions: TheSpindrift Innis located right on Cannery Row and has a classic design with waterfront views.From $199/night; book onBooking.comorHotels.com. Browse other Monterey hotels and vacation rental options.

Meal Suggestions: Technically, Beach House Restaurant + Bar at Lovers Point is located in Pacific Grove (which is a cute town between Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, but it’s a nice spot for a good meal with a great view.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you’re planning to also stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, take a detour to cruise 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. It’s a 50-minute drive but iconic, and worth stopping at the Lone Cypress; if you take CA-1 instead, it’s a short 15-minute drive to Carmel.

Stop 22: Carmel-by-the-Sea

While they might be neighboring communities, Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are really quite different. Monterey has deep roots in the maritime industry, while Carmel is more artsy and has deep roots in the California missions movement. As such, I love visiting both and think they’re both worth a stop… as for which one you stay overnight in (if you’re on my 10-day itinerary), it’s really up to you!

If you do stop in Carmel, be sure to visit the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo to learn about missionary history in California. You can also stroll on Carmel Beach, which is picturesque and explains why so many artists are inspired by this part of the California coast. Another popular activity is wine tasting and window shopping in Carmel’s historic and quirky “downtown.”

Accommodation Suggestions: Every time I’ve visited Carmel, I stay at the Hofsas House Hotel; it’s a little further from town, but has historic charm and the rooms are delightfully cozy. Rooms start from $135 per night, book onBooking.comorHotels.com. Browse other Carmel hotels and vacation rentals.

Meal Suggestions: Two of my favorite spots in Carmel are Cultura Comida y BebidaandBrophy’s Tavern. We’ve had great meals at both of those places during our visits.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Keep following California Highway 1 southbound. Big Sur is more of a region than a specific destination, but it’s a 45-60 minute drive depending on where you stop once you get out of town. You might also decide to skip Big Sur since it ads a few extra hours to your PCH drive due to the closure between Limekiln State Park and Lucia.

Stop 23: Big Sur

When you picture the Pacific Coast Highway, it’s Big Sur that comes to mind. The most easily accessible and breathtakingly stark part of the PCH is a short drive (about 3 hours) sound of San Francisco, so many people in the Bay Area do it as an overnight or weekend trip.

Big Sur is defined as the stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon. Here, California Highway 1 carves a sinuous path along steep cliffs; the road is beautiful at a price, since mudslides aren’t uncommon along this stretch of highway, and can close the highway for months.

If you want to spend part of one day during your Pacific Coast Highway road trip beachcombing or hiking, Big Sur is the place to do it.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Unfortunately, due to the closure of the PCH between Limekiln State Park and Lucia, you’ll need to backtrack north, turn inland to US-101, and then return to the coast by way of San Luis Obispo. This is a 3-hour, 10-minute drive.

Stop 24: Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco between Santa Barbara (or reverse). On my Pacific Coast Highway road trip, I stopped here to eat a to-go lunch I had purchased earlier in the drive, with my toes in the sand.

Pismo is a popular camping destination, so the most common amenities you’ll find if you decide to stay longer than a few hours are camping-oriented. There are a few restaurants in town and 17 miles of beautiful beach to explore. If you happen to do your PCH road trip in the winter, Pismo State Beach is also home to the largest colony of migrating monarch butterflies during the winter months.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. It’s a 90-minute drive from Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara.

Stop 25: Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara was the biggest surprise I had on my PCH road trip in 2014. I was, for the most part, ambivalent (or didn’t know much) about the cities along the Pacific Coast. I was far more interested in the hundreds of miles of coastal roadways; my overnight stop in Santa Barbara changed my mind.

In particular, I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return; Mission Santa Bárbara is a must-visit. I haven’t made a return trip yet to update my recommendations, but when I do, I look forward to writing a dedicated article with more tips.

Accommodation Suggestions: Plan an overnight in Santa Barbara so you can soak in the charm. For accommodation, try a small hotel like the Eagle Inn. Rooms start from $115/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Browse hotels and vacation rentals in Santa Barbara.

Meal Suggestions: Try to make it to Happy Hour at Enterprise Fish Company. Oysters, calamari, and other fresh seafood small plates are on sale!

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: As you might have guessed – continue following California Highway 1 south! It’s a 90-minute to 2-hour drive to Los Angeles, depending on where you go in the City of Angels.

Stop 26: Los Angeles/Venice Beach

Los Angeles is the last major city on my list of Pacific Coast Highway stops, and though I have a guide to spending one day in L.A., you can and should spend as much time as you like. Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.’s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles –that link will help.

Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. If you’ve just stayed overnight in Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego, that may not make as much sense.

Accommodation Suggestions: If you decide to stay in L.A., check out if the budget-friendlyWave Manhattan Beach Hotel is available.Rooms from $113/night, book onHotels.com. Browse the many, many Los Angeles hotels and vacation rentals you can choose instead.

Meal Suggestions: Venice Ale House is a good spot with waterfront views and plenty of people watching opportunities, if you’re in that part of the city. You can then walk on Venice Beach to stretch your legs after so many long driving days.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south out of L.A. to avoid the city’s notorious traffic as you make your way along the coast. Roughly speaking, it’s a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach, if you follow the coast the whole way.

Stop 27: Huntington Beach

If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop.

I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the Huntington Beach Pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. You can also hit up the theInternational Surfing Museumand theSurfing Walk of Fame if you enjoy the sport.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue along CA-1 to San Diego, your final stop on this PCH road trip if you’re headed southbound. It’s a two-hour drive from Huntington Beach to San Diego.

End: San Diego

San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end if you follow my suggestions for driving southbound.

San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so I’m again a bit short on recommendations here. San Diego is known for its Zoo and was made Instagram famous for Potato Chip Rock. Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, there’s plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego.

Pacific Coast Highway Directions: None! Congrats on finishing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

When to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway

While I’ve left it to the end, one of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. Here are my suggestions:

• In Washington and Oregon, the best weather of the year happens between June and September.
• In Northern California, the best weather of the year happens between September and October.
• Southern California has great weather year-round.

Therefore, the best month to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is September, when you’re most likely to have great weather along the entire length of the road trip.

How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway

Last but not least: before you hit the road, you’ve gotta figure out your car situation! Maybe you are planning to drive your own vehicle to the start of your Pacific Coast Highway road trip and home afterward – or maybe you don’t want to put that mileage on your vehicle. In that case, you’ll need to rent a car.

When I drove the PCH, I rented a car and drove it as a ‘one-way rental’ (meaning I dropped it off in a different city than I picked it up). This was more expensive than a round-trip rental, but I didn’t want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway both ways!

I’ve put together some tips on how to choose the right car for the PCH, but in short, I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity – but skip the convertible or SUV. Both of these vehicle types will either slow you down or you won’t get the use out of it for the extra cost.

That’s it! PCH bucket list road trip… done! Have other questions about driving the Pacific Coast Highway? Let me know in the comments!