Pacific Coast Highway - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Things to Do in California
Pacific Coast Highway
5
About
Take a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic roads in the world. You'll be treated to stunning views of the rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches. You'll also pass by natural wonders like Big Sur and historic landmarks like the Bixby Bridge, so make sure you take your time to stop and admire the views. Hearst Castle and Monterey Bay Aquarium are fun stops too. To take the stress out of the trip, consider joining a driving tour from San Francisco. Spring is a great time to do the drive for pleasant weather, rolling green hills, and wildflowers. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • F W
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unbelievable beauty around every turn
    We covered the PCH between San Francisco & Big Sur and stopped at nearly every pullout. Unbelievable beauty lies around every turn with everything from jaw-dropping rock formations and cliffs to huge sand dunes. Lighthouses, seal lions, redwoods and agriculture are highlights as well. We were fortunate to arrive at the tail end of the "Superbloom" that happened this year and we were not disappointed. Get in your car with some snacks and leave your agenda behind and the road will show all it's secrets!
    Visited May 2023
    Written June 9, 2023
  • Petagal
    Regina, Canada35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must do! Build in some extra time for unexpected stops and exploring the beauty.
    Must do activity. Give yourself plenty of leisure time for stops and exploring. Views are amazing. From the unique Bixby bridge to the crashing waves of the ocean to the beautiful waterfalls and tidepools. Something for everyone.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 12, 2023
  • DontStopExploring
    Winnipeg, Canada1,051 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Scenic Drive
    We drove this highway from Cambria to Carmel by the Sea. It's so beautiful and a bit scary with the hairpin turns. It was a bit busier than I expected. We stopped at many spots along the way. We'll be back.
    Visited July 2023
    Written August 10, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,676 reviews
Excellent
1,428
Very good
193
Average
39
Poor
9
Terrible
7

DMSMD64
Chester Springs, PA507 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
I‘ve seen the PCH on TV and movies so I thought it would be a good motorcycle ride. I googled PCH and Wikipedia, that world renowned resource, stated that California 1 is the PCH and runs from Dana Point in Orange County in the south to Leggett in Mendocino County. I started in Dana Point and rode to San Francisco. In Dana Point it starts by the beach and quickly moves into town. Then multiple other towns. There are sightings of the water, but in Southern California it’s basically just a rode. As a matter of fact, it runs right through LAX airport. Not what I was expecting. Further north, above Los Angeles, there are spots where you may have been able to see the water before the homes were built obstructing the view. It gets even better when you reach the end to end trailers permanently parked on the service rode so all you can see are plastic outhouses, trailers and pickup trucks. The road is not incredibly well marked. It merges on and off with the 101. In Oxnard I actually took a 15-mile detour because I didn’t know I had to get on the highway. North of San Luis Obispo the views were a little better, but the road becomes a little sportier. The road becomes very steep with winding turns and (foggy, at least it was the morning I was riding it). There were not a lot of gas stations or places to eat in this section. To be clear the views you will see are not all beaches and coastal cliffs. I saw town after town, some nice some not so nice, houses, trailers, hills, crop fields, cities and an occasional glimpse of the ocean. Not to mention the 30 miles of road construction around Big Sur all the way to Carmel. Milled roads are not fun on a Motorcycle. Overall, I’ve had better coastal ride in Hawaii and Florida. Maybe north of California is worth a second trip but CA 1 is not.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HeardItBothWays
Easton, PA2,402 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
My husband and I drove the Pacific Coast Highway while making our way down the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego. This was the most beautiful drive we have ever taken.

The views of the coast and the Pacific are absolutely stunning. There are tons of vistas and beaches to stop at, and sometimes even the road itself is a sight to see. There was also so much to see along the way! We stopped at:

* Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
* Shelter Cove
* Glass Beach
* Bowling Ball Beach
* San Francisco
* Point Arena Lighthouse
* Davenport Pier
* Monterey
* 17- Mile Drive
* Bixby Bridge
* Big Sur
* Santa Barbara

I'd recommend trying to take in all of them because we enjoyed every single place we visited. Also, make sure to check for closures. We were fortunate in that the entire stretch was open when we visited. There were some minor areas of construction where we had to wait a bit before passing, but it wasn't a long wait.

I think everyone should experience this beautiful highway and every breathtaking mile it has to offer!
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Temac1970
Melbourne, Australia148 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Family
We drove LA to San Francisco over two days, stopping in San Simeon overnight. Found it an interesting and picturesque drive with lots of lovely, changing scenery. The driving does require concentration in some parts, as its pretty winding - but nothing too hairy. (even for an Aussie driver having to drive on the wrong side of the road!!!)
Two days was enough to comfortably drive and stop for lunches, coffees, etc.. but you’d probably need at least an extra day if you wanted to stop at various landmarks along the way for any length of time.
PS: If you love this drive, you really need to try the Great Ocean Road - Victoria, Australia.
Written December 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kayohh7
Monterey, CA136 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Family
We have driven this twice. Once from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. Once from Monterey to Big Sur and back. It is so beautiful and you see the most outrageous landscape and seascapes. Do NOT drive this at night. You can’t see anything and you will not be able to get off, basically stuck for 3 hours. We learned from that mistake the first time. Do check for closures before you go. Definitely worth it if you’re planning a trip.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ali A
Houston, TX7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I took the route from LA to SF but stayed overnight in Carmel Monterey as I had kids with me. I m glad I stayed over night and didnt drive to SF as in one day. The road is amazing and fun to drive. Its safe you just need to be alert as most of the parts are one way and you have to keep distance from the car infront of you.
I recommend families to stay over night in Monterey(I stayed in Red Lion Hotel). The last part before you reach Monterey is a bit curvy and through the mountains and you need to refuel in Bigsur before reaching there as there will be no fuel stations and if any found prices are very high. I filled in Chevron station just before Santa Maria and it was enough to keep me going all the way.
Next day I drove to SF through highway 154 and 101 to SF city.
Aamzing scenenic drive not to be missed if you are driving from LA to SF.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KLM1
Kitchener, Canada762 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Family
The drive along the PCH is magnificent. We started from Carmel, and headed south to San Simeon. I would recommend heading south, so that the view point parking lots are on your right, and easily accessible.

There are an endless number of places to stop, so I’ll just mention a couple of my favourites.

Before you cross the Bixby Bridge heading south, you can get a beautiful view from the mountain side of the highway. There is a small dirt road on your left, which has an incredible view of the bridge, with the ocean in the background. You can also go to Castle Rock Viewpoint, after crossing the bridge, and look back up the coast at the bridge.

Before you reach San Simeon, stop at the Elephant Seal Vista Point. The size and number of elephants seals is amazing. I could stand and watch them for hours. But don’t go down onto the beach to get close to them.

Take your time, and allow lots of time for stops along the way. Pack a picnic lunch so you can stop and eat anywhere you like.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JDZatSF
San Francisco, CA1,119 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Especially on sunny days, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is a privilege and pleasure every time. I never tire of it and I never take it for granted. It is some of the most beautiful stretch of amazing views anywhere in the world.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicolás B
Bogota, Colombia28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Couples
Great place to visit and many sites to go. Started from LA and went all the way up to SF. Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco were definitely the best places to hang out. Don’t miss Santa Barbara either!
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mini
Fremont, CA189,974 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We have driven the Pacific Coast Highway many times. So far in 2020, we have visited the Highway One (Pacific Coast Highway) in Ensenada, Mexico.

We have also drive from San Francisco to Cambria. Some of the highlights are of Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Carmel, Big Sur, and the elephant seals just north of Hearst Castle.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

purpleij
Sarasota, FL258 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
We drove from Napa Valley to San Diego mostly on Hwy 1 and it was worth it! The scenery breathtaking with lots of viewpoints and opportunities for places to eat and bathroom breaks. Along the way we stopped at Half Moon, stayed in Monterey (preferred Carmel), Pebble Beach, Cambria, stopped at Solvang, stayed in Santa Barbara and San Diego. We took our time and allowed extra time for each location (about an additional hour from what google map tells you). We felt the coastal roads were safe and easy to navigate.
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Pacific Coast Highway - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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