Where should I stop on the California coast road trip?
12 Road Trip Stops on California’s Pacific Coast Highway
- Crescent City. Start your journey in the calm and serene coastal town of Crescent City.
- Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
- San Francisco.
- Half Moon Bay.
- Santa Cruz.
- Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Big Sur.
- San Simeon.
Where does the California coast drive start?
Recommended Route down the California Coast
- Stop 1: San Francisco, California.
- Stop 2: Half Moon Bay.
- Stop 3: Santa Cruz.
- Stop 4: Monterey/Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Stop 5: Big Sur.
- Stop 6: San Simeon.
- Stop 7: San Luis Obispo/Pismo Beach.
- Stop 8: Solvang.
How many days does it take to drive the coast of California?
To drive the entire coastal CA Highway 1 takes 10-12 hours without stops. But this road trip is all about the stops! Plan on a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights. However, a 5-day itinerary is ideal for the San Francisco to LA trip with the first and last night spent in each city.
Can you drive up the coast of California?
Highway One runs from southern California, at Dana Point in Orange County, all the way up the California coast to Mendocino county. In this PCH road trip itinerary, you’ll be starting in Los Angeles – a bit north of the southern point of Highway One – and continuing along the 101 a bit after the 1 ends.
Where does Pacific Coast Highway start and end?
The PCH begins in Southern California at Interstate 5 south of San Juan Capistrano, and it ends at U.S. 101 in Leggett in Mendocino County.
Where should I stop between Big Sur and Santa Barbara?
The top cities between Big Sur and Santa Barbara are Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay. Paso Robles is the most popular city on the route — it’s 2 hours from Big Sur and 2 hours from Santa Barbara.
Is Big Sur along PCH?
Big Sur is by far the most remote area of the Pacific Coast Highway. The only gas stations along a 50-mile stretch in Big Sur are in the town of Big Sur.
Is Big Sur in between LA and San Francisco?
The Big Sur region is located about halfway between LA and San Francisco. This region in Central California features a rugged coastline and the famed Pacific Coast Highway.
Where to stop on California coast road trip?
Your first official stop on your California coast road trip (unless you wanna make a few stops in Pacifica /Pescadero – I’ve got a whole road trip guide from San Francisco to Santa Cruz here )! Say goodbye to the city and venture on over to Half Moon Bay, a cozy little seaside village right on the coast.
Where does the Pacific Coast Highway start and end?
The Pacific Coast Highway has long been considered a “dream drive” and the ultimate road trip. Technically, it starts in Washington State, but it’s best known for the stretch through California from the stunning redwood forests and wild, rugged coast down to the sun-drenched beaches of San Diego.
When is the best time to drive down the California coast?
When to Drive Down the California Coast Keep in mind that the summer months (June, July, and August) are usually rather foggy in San Francisco and down the California coast. Because of this, some mornings will be pretty damp and misty. For best weather and best chance of sunshine, plan for a road trip in either late September or October.
Is the Pacific Coast Highway a Dream Drive?
Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. The Pacific Coast Highway has long been considered a “dream drive” and the ultimate road trip.