Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip from LAX to San Francisco

The iconic Bixby Creek Bridge along California’s Big Sur coast is a highlight of the Pacific Coast Highway drive.

Intro: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is an ideal launching point for an epic coastal drive. This road trip from LAX to San Francisco via Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) treats travelers to California’s most spectacular ocean vistas and seaside towns. Starting amid L.A.’s sunny beaches, you’ll cruise through surf-friendly Malibu and classic coastal cities before winding along Big Sur’s dramatic cliffs. It’s a route famed worldwide for its scenery from golden sands and redwood forests to the Bixby Bridge and beyond making this journey special and absolutely worth doing.

Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco (Big Sur Route)

Approx. 450 mi / 725 km, 2–4 days recommended, ~8–9 hours one-way drive time
Route: From LAX, navigate to Santa Monica and hop on California Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) northbound. Follow this legendary coastal road through Malibu, Ventura, and Santa Barbara, hugging the shoreline as mountains meet the sea. Beyond San Luis Obispo, Highway 1 snakes up the Central Coast into Big Sur, where cliffside turns reveal towering bluffs and the Pacific below. You’ll cross the famous Bixby Bridge and pass by McWay Falls in Big Sur. Continue through Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, then rejoin Highway 1 (or US-101) for the final stretch into San Francisco, ending your journey near the Golden Gate.

Highlights:

Santa Monica Pier Kick off your trip at L.A.’s classic pier, with its Ferris wheel and oceanfront boardwalk (one of the most photographed spots in Santa Monica). Head a bit north for Malibu’s scenic beaches and surf breaks.
Santa Barbara (“American Riviera”) Stroll this elegant coastal city known for its Spanish mission architecture and palm-lined waterfront. Its mild Mediterranean climate has earned Santa Barbara the nickname “The American Riviera”.
Hearst Castle & Elephant Seals (San Simeon) Tour Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s lavish hilltop estate boasting 165 rooms, grand pools, and 8 acres of gardens. Along the nearby shore at Piedras Blancas, stop to see the elephant seal colony lazing on the beach.
Big Sur: Bixby Bridge & McWay Falls Experience the crown jewel of PCH. Snap a photo of Bixby Creek Bridge, an Art Deco arch towering 280 feet above the surf (one of California’s most photographed bridges). A few miles south, see McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall tumbling from cliffs onto a pristine beach below a rare “tidefall” pouring into the ocean.
Monterey & Carmel Enjoy the old Cannery Row area and world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium (home to mesmerizing jellyfish and sea otters). Drive the scenic 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach, cypress groves, and mansions every mile offers unforgettable coastal views. Artsy Carmel-by-the-Sea beckons with quaint cottages and galleries.
San Francisco Finale Conclude your road trip by cruising over the Golden Gate Bridge (or through the city streets if approaching from the south). San Francisco welcomes you with its iconic skyline, cable cars, and vibrant neighborhoods a grand finish at the City by the Bay.

Tips:

Check road conditions and weather: Highway 1 through Big Sur is prone to landslides and closures, especially in winter/spring. Always verify that PCH is fully open before you go, and have an alternate route (like US-101) in mind in case of closures.
Time your drive and stops: Start early from L.A. to beat commuter traffic and plan short drives (100–200 miles a day) to allow time for beach stops, photo ops, and hikes. Popular viewpoints like McWay Falls have small parking lots visiting on weekdays or early morning helps avoid crowds.
Book lodging in advance: Coastal towns on this route are popular. If you plan to overnight in Santa Barbara, Cambria, Big Sur, or Monterey, reserve hotels or campsites well ahead, especially in summer and on weekends.
Fuel and food: Keep your gas tank topped up; there are long stretches (Big Sur especially) with few gas stations. Fuel up in larger towns like Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo. Likewise, stock up on snacks and water roadside cafes can be far apart.
Drive cautiously on the coast: PCH’s scenery can be distracting designate a passenger as the photographer and use turnouts to soak in views. The road is narrow and winding along Big Sur’s cliffs, so obey speed limits and be prepared for tight bends. Fog is common near the ocean (morning and late afternoon), which can reduce visibility use low beams and take it slow if you encounter foggy conditions.
EV charging: Electric vehicle drivers should plan charging stops in advance. Public fast chargers are available in Santa Monica, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey. Big Sur itself has no chargers and very limited cell signal ensure you have enough range to reach the next town.
Pack layers: Even in summer, coastal weather varies. Mornings and evenings can be cool and breezy by the water, while inland afternoons get warm. Bring a light jacket and definitely carry sunscreen and sunglasses for top-down driving days.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip from LAX to San Francisco

The iconic Bixby Creek Bridge along California’s Big Sur coast is a highlight of the Pacific Coast Highway drive.

Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco (Big Sur Route)

Highlights:

Santa Monica Pier Kick off your trip at L.A.’s classic pier, with its Ferris wheel and oceanfront boardwalk (one of the most photographed spots in Santa Monica). Head a bit north for Malibu’s scenic beaches and surf breaks.
Santa Barbara (“American Riviera”) Stroll this elegant coastal city known for its Spanish mission architecture and palm-lined waterfront. Its mild Mediterranean climate has earned Santa Barbara the nickname “The American Riviera”.
Hearst Castle & Elephant Seals (San Simeon) Tour Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s lavish hilltop estate boasting 165 rooms, grand pools, and 8 acres of gardens. Along the nearby shore at Piedras Blancas, stop to see the elephant seal colony lazing on the beach.
Big Sur: Bixby Bridge & McWay Falls Experience the crown jewel of PCH. Snap a photo of Bixby Creek Bridge, an Art Deco arch towering 280 feet above the surf (one of California’s most photographed bridges). A few miles south, see McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall tumbling from cliffs onto a pristine beach below a rare “tidefall” pouring into the ocean.
Monterey & Carmel Enjoy the old Cannery Row area and world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium (home to mesmerizing jellyfish and sea otters). Drive the scenic 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach, cypress groves, and mansions every mile offers unforgettable coastal views. Artsy Carmel-by-the-Sea beckons with quaint cottages and galleries.
San Francisco Finale Conclude your road trip by cruising over the Golden Gate Bridge (or through the city streets if approaching from the south). San Francisco welcomes you with its iconic skyline, cable cars, and vibrant neighborhoods a grand finish at the City by the Bay.

Tips:

Check road conditions and weather: Highway 1 through Big Sur is prone to landslides and closures, especially in winter/spring. Always verify that PCH is fully open before you go, and have an alternate route (like US-101) in mind in case of closures.
Time your drive and stops: Start early from L.A. to beat commuter traffic and plan short drives (100–200 miles a day) to allow time for beach stops, photo ops, and hikes. Popular viewpoints like McWay Falls have small parking lots visiting on weekdays or early morning helps avoid crowds.
Book lodging in advance: Coastal towns on this route are popular. If you plan to overnight in Santa Barbara, Cambria, Big Sur, or Monterey, reserve hotels or campsites well ahead, especially in summer and on weekends.
Fuel and food: Keep your gas tank topped up; there are long stretches (Big Sur especially) with few gas stations. Fuel up in larger towns like Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo. Likewise, stock up on snacks and water roadside cafes can be far apart.
Drive cautiously on the coast: PCH’s scenery can be distracting designate a passenger as the photographer and use turnouts to soak in views. The road is narrow and winding along Big Sur’s cliffs, so obey speed limits and be prepared for tight bends. Fog is common near the ocean (morning and late afternoon), which can reduce visibility use low beams and take it slow if you encounter foggy conditions.
EV charging: Electric vehicle drivers should plan charging stops in advance. Public fast chargers are available in Santa Monica, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey. Big Sur itself has no chargers and very limited cell signal ensure you have enough range to reach the next town.
Pack layers: Even in summer, coastal weather varies. Mornings and evenings can be cool and breezy by the water, while inland afternoons get warm. Bring a light jacket and definitely carry sunscreen and sunglasses for top-down driving days.