The Pacific
Coast Highway
Five days down California's coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles: fog-wrapped headlands, Big Sur's cliffs, elephant seals and a beach-town finish. About 720 km if you stay on Highway 1 and US-101 the whole way.
San Francisco to Monterey
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take Highway 1 south along the coast, with fog common on summer mornings. Santa Cruz makes an easy first stop for a boardwalk walk and a coffee before you continue around Monterey Bay.
Monterey is the natural overnight: Cannery Row, the aquarium, and the 17-Mile Drive in nearby Pebble Beach are all within a short drive.
Big Sur
South of Carmel the road climbs onto cliffs above the Pacific. Pull over at Bixby Creek Bridge for the classic photograph, and plan a short walk at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see McWay Falls drop onto the beach.
Services are few and far apart, so fill the tank and bring food and water before you leave Carmel.
Check the road before you go
Highway 1 through Big Sur has been closed for slides and repairs more than once. Check the Caltrans road conditions page the morning you drive, and keep an alternative via US-101 in mind.
San Simeon to Santa Barbara
Piedras Blancas, just north of San Simeon, has a free viewing area for elephant seals, and Hearst Castle offers guided tours of the hilltop mansion. From there Highway 1 and then US-101 carry you south through Morro Bay and the Santa Ynez foothills to Santa Barbara.
Malibu and Los Angeles
Follow the coast through Ventura and Malibu, where Highway 1 runs right beside the beach. Leave time for a stop at one of the state beaches before the traffic of Greater Los Angeles takes over.
Bixby Creek Bridge
The most photographed span on the California coast.
Cannery Row, Monterey
Seafood and the aquarium on the old sardine-canning street.
Santa Barbara
A good last overnight before Los Angeles.
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