Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)

Using major cities such as San Francisco or Los Angeles as a base, a trip up or down the PCH makes for excellent day trips. From beachside towns to national parks, there is plenty to do and see. If you’re going to drive the whole route, keep in mind that the Pacific Coast Highway is best suited for unhurried, leisurely driving. Leave enough time to make plenty of stops and to enjoy the scenic views along the way.

• Though many stops along the PCH are best visited spontaneously, there are a few notable places or tours—including Hearst Castle—that do best with advance reservations.

• Nature lovers and beachgoers will enjoy Highway 1. Be prepared for amazing coastal vistas alongside empty beaches, dense forests, and foggy mountains.

• Views are often regarded as best driving from north to south.

The Pacific Coast Highway runs from the California-Oregon border to Orange County, though most travelers begin in San Francisco and end in Los Angeles or San Diego. Speed limits and road types vary along the highway. In some locations it can be a twisting, slow-moving two-lane road, while in other spots, the PCH is and moves like a freeway.

The weather in California is famously sunny year-round, though it can get chilly once the sun has gone down, especially up north. If you’re planning your trip around any particular stops, be sure to plan your time and visit accordingly.

Besides the stellar ocean views, one of the great joys of driving the PCH is the number of beachside towns worth stopping in. From San Francisco, the towns of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey—home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach, and Cannery Row—are must-stops. Be sure to include a drive over the Bixby Bridge, a scenic spot just outside Big Sur. Santa Cruz (and its beach boardwalk amusement park), San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Pismo Beach, and Santa Barbara are more Central Coast highlights.

Hearst Castle, another favorite stop, stands in San Simeon, on the coast between Monterey and San Luis Obispo. Tours are required to visit the castle and can be purchased up to 56 days in advance—it is strongly recommended to do so. The state beaches in Oxnard and Ventura offer some of the best surfing in the US. And, of course, Malibu and Santa Monica are the jewels in the crown of classic California beach culture.

The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) runs right along the Pacific Ocean along most of the coast of California. It passes through beach towns like Monterey and Laguna, areas to see redwoods, and offers views of iconic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bixby Bridge near Big Sur.

The PCH heads most of California's west coast, covering more than 600 miles (965 kilometers). Depending on how much of it you want to see, and how much time you want to spend stopping at beaches and cities along the way will determine how much time it will take you to drive it.

Yes, there are self-guided audio tours of the Pacific Coast Highway. These help you navigate the road and offer anecdotes to keep you entertained. Great for road trips, they allow you to stop where you want, then pick up and go again when you’re ready.

Summer brings the warmest weather, a popular time to explore the Pacific Coast Highway. However, if you want to avoid summer crowds, go at other times of the year. Temperatures get colder the further north you go and the closer to winter, so remember to pack accordingly.

One of the most scenic parts is Big Sur, with its dramatic cliffs, forest, bridge, and beach. It’s worth stopping here to hike, camp, or stay in a flashier accommodation. Literature buffs might want to visit the Henry Miller Memorial Library for some history and a new read.

There are all sorts of tours of the PCT, lasting from a few hours to several days. Day tours from San Francisco can reach 17-Mile Drive and Carmel’s galleries. More extended tours cover more ground and last several days. Either drive yourself with an audio-guided tour or hire a tour with a driver.