Pacific Coast Highway (San Francisco to Los Angeles) The Ultimate Coastal Journey

Distance & Time: ~500 miles if you follow the scenic coastal route. Plan at least 2–3 days one-way for a relaxed trip (it’s technically drivable in ~10 hours without stopping, but why rush?).

Route: Begin in San Francisco and head south on Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). You’ll hug the Pacific shoreline through Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel. The most famous stretch begins south of San Luis Obispo, where Highway 1 winds along the cliffs of Big Sur all the way to San Simeon. Continue through Cambria, Santa Barbara, and Malibu, ultimately ending in the Los Angeles area. This is often called one of the most beautiful drives on Earth, so factor in plenty of pullover time.

Highlights:

As you enter Big Sur, get ready for jaw-dropping views. The road clings to cliffs above the ocean, with redwood forests on one side and the Pacific on the other. Don’t miss the famed 17-Mile Drive detour around Pebble Beach near Monterey you’ll see the iconic Lone Cypress tree perched by the sea (one of the most photographed trees in the world) and multimillion-dollar seaside estates. In Big Sur, pull over at Bixby Creek Bridge for an iconic photo of this graceful arch span hugging the canyon. Farther south near San Simeon, watch colonies of elephant seals basking on the beaches of Piedras Blancas (an official vista point lets you observe these giants year-round). Nature continues to awe at McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, a delicate waterfall pouring onto a tucked-away beach. History and art await at Hearst Castle in San Simeon media tycoon William Randolph Hearst’s lavish hilltop estate. By the time you reach Santa Barbara, you’ll notice a Southern California vibe with swaying palms and Spanish architecture; it’s a great place to overnight, tour the historic mission, or enjoy the urban wine trail. The final leg through Malibu offers sweeping coastal panoramas (and maybe a celebrity sighting) before you roll into the Los Angeles area. Every twist of this highway reveals something new no wonder drivers from around the world flock to Highway 1.

Tips:

Take your time and plan stops: Consider 1–2 overnight stops so you’re not driving all day. Popular choices are Monterey/Carmel (before Big Sur) and Cambria (after Big Sur), since lodging within Big Sur itself is limited and often pricey. This lets you experience Big Sur’s best sights by day and relax each evening.
Check road conditions: Landslides sometimes close parts of Highway 1, especially in winter or after heavy rains. Before you go, check Caltrans or local travel advisories for any closures on Highway 1 in Big Sur. (If a section is closed, you can detour inland via US-101 to bypass it, but you’ll miss some scenery.)
Fuel up beforehand: Fill your gas tank in Monterey or Morro Bay. Gas stations are very sparse along the Big Sur stretch, and those few exist have exorbitant prices. Running low on fuel on a remote cliffside highway is no fun, so top off when you can.
Be prepared to disconnect: Cell phone service will be extremely limited on the remote sections of this route. Download offline maps and any music or podcasts beforehand. That way your navigation will still work via GPS, and you can enjoy entertainment without streaming. Consider it an opportunity to truly unplug and savor the scenery without distractions.
Drive leisurely and enjoy: Especially in summer, traffic can be slow-moving RVs and sightseers abound. Embrace the slower pace and use turnouts to let faster cars pass so you can soak in the views. Don’t rush this journey is as much about the drive as the destination. Pull over at designated vista points, snap photos, breathe the ocean air. By taking it easy, you’ll understand why people call Highway 1 through Big Sur one of the world’s great road trips.

Pacific Coast Highway (San Francisco to Los Angeles) The Ultimate Coastal Journey

Distance & Time: ~500 miles if you follow the scenic coastal route. Plan at least 2–3 days one-way for a relaxed trip (it’s technically drivable in ~10 hours without stopping, but why rush?).

Highlights:

Tips:

Take your time and plan stops: Consider 1–2 overnight stops so you’re not driving all day. Popular choices are Monterey/Carmel (before Big Sur) and Cambria (after Big Sur), since lodging within Big Sur itself is limited and often pricey. This lets you experience Big Sur’s best sights by day and relax each evening.
Check road conditions: Landslides sometimes close parts of Highway 1, especially in winter or after heavy rains. Before you go, check Caltrans or local travel advisories for any closures on Highway 1 in Big Sur. (If a section is closed, you can detour inland via US-101 to bypass it, but you’ll miss some scenery.)
Fuel up beforehand: Fill your gas tank in Monterey or Morro Bay. Gas stations are very sparse along the Big Sur stretch, and those few exist have exorbitant prices. Running low on fuel on a remote cliffside highway is no fun, so top off when you can.
Be prepared to disconnect: Cell phone service will be extremely limited on the remote sections of this route. Download offline maps and any music or podcasts beforehand. That way your navigation will still work via GPS, and you can enjoy entertainment without streaming. Consider it an opportunity to truly unplug and savor the scenery without distractions.
Drive leisurely and enjoy: Especially in summer, traffic can be slow-moving RVs and sightseers abound. Embrace the slower pace and use turnouts to let faster cars pass so you can soak in the views. Don’t rush this journey is as much about the drive as the destination. Pull over at designated vista points, snap photos, breathe the ocean air. By taking it easy, you’ll understand why people call Highway 1 through Big Sur one of the world’s great road trips.