Pacific Coast Highway Roadtrip

Driving the Iconic Pacific Coast Highway 1

The Pacific Coast Highway 1 Roadtrip is along a major north-south state highway that runs along most of the coastline of the U.S. state of California. At a total of just over 656 miles, it is the longest state route in California. The highway is designated as an All-American Road. In addition to providing a scenic route to numerous attractions along the coast, the route also serves as a major thoroughfare in the Greater Los Angeles Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and several other coastal urban areas. The best time to take this drive is in the summertime. This is when you will have ideal weather conditions and more sunny skies. There is fog many times in the morning that usually clears up mid-day, so be cautious while driving. Regardless of where you start and end your Highway 1 journey, be sure to pull over at these must-see spots along the way, listed in order of North from San Jose, CA to South ending at Los Angeles,CA. This trip can also be done vise-versa from South to North.

Stops on the Pacific Coast Highway Roadtrip

1. Natural Bridges State Park

Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65-acre California state park in Santa Cruz, California. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. It is also well known as a hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations. The park is typically open 9 am-4 pm and there is 20 minutes free parking for the scenic overlook.

2. Barn fresh produce

Located off the roadside in Moss Landing, CA, this is a great spot to grab some snacks, located in a rural farming area. You can find lots of local produce including fruits, nuts, and more for great prices and great quality. There is a free parking lot.

3. Monterrey Old Fisherman’s Warf

Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterrey, CA is an iconic waterside complex with Pier 39 including a ton of restaurants, shops, and plenty to do. This place is usually bustling with lots of people. It’s a great place to stop for lunch with plenty of seafood options. I highly recommend getting the famous clam chowder soup! Metered parking is available in the lot however it is usually hard to find a spot.

4. Monterrey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium located in Monterey, California, is renowned for its focus on marine conservation. It’s located on a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row. The aquarium showcases a wide variety of marine life native to the Monterey Bay area, including sea otters, jellyfish, sharks, and numerous species of fish and invertebrates. This is a great place for the family with interactive and educational exhibits. One of its notable exhibits is the Kelp Forest, a towering exhibit that replicates the underwater ecosystem of giant kelp found along California’s coast. The Outer Bay exhibit features a massive open ocean tank with species such as tunas, sea turtles, and pelagic rays. Be sure to book tickets online in advance especially during its busiest months in the summer and get there early in the weekends because there tends to be a line! Open 10am-5pm & 6pm on Wednesday & Sunday

5. Perkins Park in Pacific Grove

Located along Oceanview Blvd., the Pacific Grove is a beautiful place along the coastline filled with flowers! This wasn’t on my original list, however, seeing all the flowers in bloom definitely will make you want to pull over and admire the view. The month of May had an area known as the ‘Magic Carpet’ with a sea of purple flowers covering the cliffside. There are lots of easy walking trails along the path and limited parking along the street.

6. 17-mile drive

The 17-mile drive is a scenic toll road along the Pacific Ocean most notable for its golf course and landmarks. The Lone Cypress is a stop along the way with a Cypress tree and Pebble Beach is another great stop along the way. There is an admission fee of $10.75 per vehicle.

7. Carmel by the Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is overflowing with fine wine and dining, luxury hotels and sweeping golf courses, and outdoor activities. It’s also worth visiting for the charming, laid-back village vibes. Carmel beach is located along the way here for a quick stop and don’t forget to stop at the Caramel sweet shop.

8. Garrapata State park

Garrapata State Park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federal marine protected area. The park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes Point. This park is free and there is limited parking along the street.

9. Bixby Creek Bridge

This is one of my favorite stops along the PCH! Bixby Creek Bridge can be found along the roadside in the Monterrey area. There is limited parking on either side of the road. The iconic bridge is popular from the intro of the show Big Little Lies. You can walk the cliffside for breathtaking views of Big Sur and the California Coastline.

10. Pfieffer Big Sur State Park

Pfieffer Beach located at Pfieffer Big Sur State Park is a serene beach known for its purple sand, large rock formations & scenic views with fewer crowds. Keyhole Arch is the massive rock formation found on this beach. Day-use fee is $10 per vehicle, open 8 am -sunset. There is a small bumpy/narrow road to get to this park and options for overnight camping.

11. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a four-square-mile park offering a short hike to a waterfall McWay Falls, the main feature of the park. McWay Falls, which drops over a cliff of 80 feet into the Pacific Ocean is not accessible to go to the base, however, this can be viewed from the McWay Falls trail. There is also a tunnel that opens out to the falls area which is pretty cool. The park is also home to 300-foot redwoods which are over 2,500 years old. There is a $10 fee per car.

12. Lucia Lodge

Lucia Lodge is a historic cliff-side resort located in the heart of the Big Sur coast. The lodge was built in the 1930s and was completed even before Highway 1. This is a great place to grab food and there are also room accommodations. You can’t beat lunch with a view you’ll be getting.

13. Sand Dollar Beach

Sand Dollar Beach is a less-populous beach with glorious rock formations. It is a short walk from Plaskett Creek Campground to get to the shore and you take a long stairway framed in the cliffside to get down to the beach. There is also the option to take a short trail to the edge of the cliff.

14. Treebones Resort

The Treebone Resort is a one-of-a-kind treehouse glamping resort found right at the edge of the coastline with a mix of options from luxury camping, glamping, and outdoor tent camping. There is plenty to do here including strolling through the garden, morning yoga, and massage services. There are many chairs and benches dotted throughout the property, perfect for reading or quiet relaxation. Dining options are available at the Wild Coast Restaurant or the Oceanview Sushi Bar, which was incredible! There is an option to reserve the Omakase Sushi experience, on available at 3 times during the evening which I highly recommend!

15. Ragged Point

Ragged Point is a landmark considered the gateway to Big Sur and only 15 miles from Hearst Castle. Often called the ‘Million Dollar View’. The stretch of highway between San Simeon and Ragged Point is some of the most picturesque areas of Big Sur and a great place to stop. The roadway follows where the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, with jaw-dropping views around every twist and turn. As you drive, plenty of turnoffs offer moments for taking in the region’s grandeur.

16. Elephant Seal Vista Point

Elephant Seal Vista Point is exactly what it means. This is located about 5 miles north of Hearst Castle along the coast of San Luis Obispo County. There are areas of observation decks over a shoreline known for elephant seal sightings in birthing & breeding seasons. When I visited in May, there were a ton of seals bathing in the sun and helpful signage to provide information on the elephant seals.

17. Morro Bay

It’s known for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock Beach. The rock sits within Morro Bay State Park, home to lagoons, trails, and a bird-rich saltwater marsh. Morro Bay is an incorporated waterfront city in San Luis Obispo County, California located along California State Route 1 on California’s Central Coast.

If you have the time some larger cities worth stopping along your drive to LA include Santa Barbara and Malibu. These are both places that you can easily spend an entire weekend, stop for a great meal, or just end with enjoying an epic sunset on your Pacific Coast Roadtrip

Joy to the

World