23 Spots to Stop by on the Popular California Longitudinal Course Pacific Coast Highway!
Hello! I'm KAREN from the SoCalization Marketing Department .
This may be a bit sudden, but how do you spend your days off? In America, many people go on road trips, especially on long holidays!
A "road trip" is a journey by car that covers hundreds or thousands of kilometers. The appeal is that you can stay wherever you want for as long as you want, and enjoy the freedom to go wherever you want!
I've been in San Diego for a little over a year now and have been on a few road trips, including to San Francisco, Arizona, and Utah.
I just got back from San Francisco and Yosemite National Park during Thanksgiving Break! I took the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and went to the places I'm introducing today!
Without further ado, I would like to introduce 23 recommended spots to visit on the Pacific Coast Highway, which is a very popular road trip route, from San Francisco to our holy land, San Diego!
About the Pacific Coast Highway!
Road Trip Name: Pacific Coast Highway
States served: Washington, Oregon, California
Road Number: US-101, CA-1, I-5
Starting point: Washington State / Seattle Olympic National Park
End point: San Diego, California
Distance: Approximately 1,650 miles (2,655 km) along the coast
Main area: San Francisco to San Diego
Distance: 580-600 miles (933-966 km)
Drive time: Approximately 12 hours
Main activities: photography, relaxing on the beach, exploring small towns and major cities
Where does the Pacific Coast Highway begin and end?
The highway I would like to introduce to you today is the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs along the beautiful Pacific coastline from its starting point in Seattle to its end point in San Diego.
First of all, the PCH is not a single highway, but is made up of several highways and main roads. US-101, which starts near Seattle, Washington, goes around Olympic National Park and extends to Leggett in Northern California.
From there, the road branches off to become CA-1, which heads south to Dana Point between Los Angeles and San Diego, before changing over to I-5, which hugs the coastline for the final few miles.
Driving the entire length of the Pacific Coast Highway starting in Washington state is a lot of fun, but it takes so long that most people only drive the popular San Francisco to San Diego California section!
Pacific Coast Highway Q&A!
- How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to San Diego on the California Pacific Coast Highway?
- The CA-1 can be completed in 10-12 hours if you drive nonstop, but we recommend taking at least 10 days to fully enjoy this amazing road trip, as it would be a waste not to make some detours along the way!
- Is the Pacific Coast Highway safe?
- If you have been on a road trip in other parts of the United States, you probably won't find this road dangerous. There are some narrow, winding roads, but most of them are straight, so few people would find it extremely difficult to drive. If I had to say one thing, it would be the traffic jams in July and August, which tend to occur during the summer tourist season.
- What is the best season to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?
- The best season to visit depends entirely on your travel preferences.
- Of course, the weather is great in the summer, but the roads are jammed every day... Hotels are expensive, and restaurants in popular towns are likely to be full in the evenings.
- Spring or fall are the best times to visit, when the crowds are minimal, the weather is pleasant, hotels are often more affordable, and you won't have any trouble finding parking.
23 recommended spots to visit between San Francisco and San Diego:
- 1. San Francisco
- 2. Golden Gate Bridge
- 3. Alcatraz
- 4. Half Moon Bay State Beach
- 5. Pigeon Point Lighthouse
- 6. Shark Fin Cove
- 7. Natural Bridges State Beach
- 8. Monterey
- 9. 17 Mile Drive
- 10. Pebble Beach Golf Club
- 11. Carmel-by-the-Sea
- 12. Bixby Creek Bridge
- 13. Point Sur
- 14. Partington Cove
- 15. McWay Falls
- 16. Morro Bay
- 17. San Luis Obispo
- 18. Pismo Beach
- 19. Solvang
- 20. Santa Barbara
- 21. Los Angeles
- 22. Warner Bros Movie Studio Tour
- 23. San Diego
1. San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most popular American travel destinations thanks to its world-famous bridges, infamous prison on the bay and cable cars running through the city. This walkable, quirky city is a must-see when visiting California.
SF (San Francisco) is a great city filled with unique sights, great food and a relaxed atmosphere. Explore the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Mission District and more!
Time required: At least 2 days, 3 days is better!
Tip: The two must-see sights are Twin Peaks and Coit Tower.
Where to Stay: Chancellor Hotel on Union Square - Great value boutique hotel in a great location in the heart of the city
2. Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most photographed bridge on earth, instantly recognisable for its cosmopolitan orange colour and, with a bit of luck, appearing to pierce the mist above San Francisco Bay.
There are many places around SF where you can see the bridge, but there are a few places that offer special views: Battery Spencer and Marshalls Beach, which offer great angles for photographing the bridge.
Duration: 2-3 hours to see the bridge from all the best viewpoints
Tip: Start on the Marin Headlands side of the bridge and cross back to San Francisco!
Where to stay: Fairmont Heritage Ghirardelli Square - Luxurious bay view hotel
3. Alcatraz
With any historical monument or landmark, the quality of the tour can sometimes be disappointing, but fear not - this isn't the case with Alcatraz Island!
The tour of Alcatraz Prison is packed with unique information about the island, including stories of past prisoners who attempted to escape and the secure locking system.
You can board the ferry to Alcatraz Island from Pier 33, but be sure to make a reservation in advance as it may sell out! This tour is highly recommended as you can listen to Japanese commentary through audio headsets.
Duration: 3-4 hours if you want to take your time to explore and attend the talk session, including the ferry shuttle bus
Tip: Find out in advance which talks will be held and plan your audio tour around them!
Where to Stay: Hotel Zephyr San Francisco – Right next to Pier 33
4. Half Moon Bay State Beach
A great first stop out of SF is Half Moon Bay State Beach, a 4 mile stretch of beach where you have to pay US$10 to park your car.
This is a common occurrence on the Pacific Coast Highway!
If you leave SF in the late afternoon or early evening, enjoy the sunset on the beach! However, if this is just the start of your day, there's plenty of beach to explore, so you don't need to spend too much time here.
Distance from previous destination: 30 miles (about 48 km) from downtown San Francisco
Duration: Less than 1 hour
Tip: Parking is limited on the road leading to the beach, so arrive early to secure a spot.
Where to stay: Beach House Half Moon Bay - Luxury suites right on the beach
5. Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the U.S. Built in 1871, the 115-foot white lighthouse towers over the rocky coastline, making it an incredibly picturesque sight.
This lighthouse is just like the ones in New England and still helps sailors today!
Also, if you're leaving SF at the end of the day, it's a great place to watch the sunset! There's a hostel inside the lighthouse, so you can stay the night.
Distance from previous destination: 21 miles (about 34 km) from Half Moon Bay State Beach
Time required: 30 minutes to 1 hour (if passing through)
Tip: The best time to photograph Pigeon Point Lighthouse is at sunset.
Recommended place to stay: Pigeon Point Lighthouse – Inside a lighthouse!
6. Shark Fin Cove
Shark Fin Cove is one of many outstanding rock formations you'll pass on your drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. The huge, interesting fin-shaped rock formation is a great place to visit when traveling with kids.
Explain to your kids that the world's biggest shark lives here, then take them down to the beach to see its fins fringing a small cave!
Calm days and low tides are perfect for long exposure sunset photographers to frame the giant fin-shaped rock.
Distance from previous destination: 18 miles (29 km) from Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Time required: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Tip: Seacave is also a great place to capture a beautiful California sunset.
Where to stay: Inn at Depot Hill, near Santa Cruz
7. Natural Bridges State Beach
There's a parking fee at Natural Bridges State Beach, but it's worth it if you arrive before sunset. At low tide, you can explore the rock pools and find starfish and crabs, watch otters and seals frolic offshore, and if you're lucky, you might even see migrating whales.
The beach is small but well maintained, and the highlight of Natural Bridge is a free-standing rock structure with an arched door-like cave just a few meters into the ocean.
As the ocean flows calmly with the glorious orange sky at sunset, dozens of shore birds arrive on the beach.
Distance from previous destination: 9 miles from Shark Fin Cove
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour, longer if you want to see the sunset
Tip: End your first day on Pacific Coast Highway 1 here, or head to Monterey next.
Recommended place to stay: Santa Cruz Inn at Depot Hill (luxury)
8. Monterey
Monterey is your first stop outside of SF, and this charming town is perfect for a morning stroll. Don't miss Cannery Row, once the hub of sardine-packing factories now home to restaurants, galleries and shops.
Monterey Bay's biggest attraction is widely known as the home of one of the best aquariums in the US, the first in the country to house and exhibit great white sharks and a recreated kelp forest.
Further around the headland are Lovers Point Park and Point Pinos Lighthouse, both worth a quick stroll around before continuing on to your next destination.
Distance from previous destination: 45 miles (72 km) from Natural Bridges State Beach
Duration: 2-3 hours total, more if you stop for breakfast in town.
Tip: If you have the time and budget, it's worth spending an extra night in the Monterey area.
Where to stay: Monterey Plaza
9. 17 Mile Drive
17 Mile Drive is a gorgeous coastal road with beaches, rocky headlands and super-sized mansions, all owned by the Pebble Beach Corporation. Pebble Beach is a gated community and 17 Mile Drive is part of it, so you have to pay US$10.50 to drive on the road.
You may be wondering, is it worth it? Of course it is!
There are plenty of attractions to stop at along the road to enjoy the scenery, sea life, golf courses and more.
Its most famous tourist attraction is the Lone Cypress Tree, which stands alone on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Distance from previous destination: 2 miles from Monterey Bay Aquarium
Duration: 2-4 hours total depending on whether you like golf or not
Tip: Near Pebble Beach you can see luxurious mansions that you wouldn't normally get to see.
Recommended place to stay: Carriage House Inn near Carmel-by-the-Sea
10. Pebble Beach Golf Club
Pebble Beach has hosted the U.S. Open six times, the last time in 2019 when Gary Woodland won his first major championship. With the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, it's easy to see why this venue is so popular.
Widely known as one of the best golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach is actually open to members, even if you are not a hotel guest. All you need is a spare 525 dollars plus a caddie fee of $92.50.
A more practical plan would be to visit the museum and stroll around the club grounds - it's definitely worth a visit.
Distance from previous destination: End of 17-Mile Drive
Duration: 1 hour to explore the museum and grounds
Tip: You can go to the observation deck inside the Pebble Beach clubhouse and on the 18th hole.
Recommended place to stay: Carriage House Inn near Carmel-by-the-Sea
11. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is simply amazing: you can stroll through the fabulous shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants before walking down Ocean Avenue towards Carmel Beach.
Stop at a café, enjoy an ice cream and enjoy the scenery in this idyllic town.
Note: If you're traveling from north to south, there are few hotel options between Carmel and San Simeon, Cambria, or Morro Bay, so make sure you leave no later than lunchtime or you'll be driving 30-40 miles in the dark.
Distance from previous destination: 2.5 miles (about 4 km) from Pebble Beach Golf Club
Duration: 2 hours to explore the beautiful little town, 3 hours including a visit to the beach
Tip: Carmel Beach is just under a half mile from the town center and is an easy walk.
Recommended place to stay: Carriage House Inn near Carmel-by-the-Sea
12. Bixby Creek Bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most popular stops along the California Pacific Coast Highway in California and offers great photo opportunities. Expect it to get busy here with lots of selfie-takers!
There is one small parking lot, but it fills up quickly, so you'll likely have to use the dirt road parking lot, which is difficult to get in and out of and requires patience.
The relaxing views of the bridge and the Pacific Ocean in the background make it all worth the effort.
Distance from previous destination: 15 miles (24 km) from Carmel-by-the-Sea
Duration: Less than 1 hour to enjoy the scenery and take photos
Tip: When checking your map or GPS, plan to stop at Castle Rock Viewpoint.
Recommended Places to Stay: Near Big Sur - Ventana
13. Point Sur
Point Sur is a California State Parks and Navy facility located in the heart of the Big Sur coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Erosion over the years has formed a beach between the mainland and Point Sur, which can be walked on guided tours on Wednesdays and weekends throughout the year for US$15 per person.
Beyond Point Sur stands a huge volcanic rock formation and is home to the Point Sur Lighthouse, completed in 1889 after several shipwrecks.
The lighthouse continues to play an important role today in preventing undersea shipwrecks.
Distance from previous destination: 6.6 miles from Bixby Creek Bridge
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour (without a guided tour)
Tip: After sunset, strong sunlight shines directly behind Point Sur, so it's best to see it early in the day.
Recommended Places to Stay: Near Big Sur - Ventana
14. Partington Cove
Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most tranquil beaches to stop at between San Francisco and San Diego, but it is popular and has a separate entrance fee. You can either spend an hour relaxing at one of California's best family beaches or continue on to your next destination, Partington Cove.
Partington Cove is home to the only popular hiking spot along California's Pacific Coast Highway. Park at the bend in the road and round the bend to find the metal gated entrance.
A short, but fairly steep, well-maintained trail leads down into the canyon.
At the first intersection, turn right and then immediately left over a wooden bridge and within seconds you'll be at the entrance to a 60-foot wooden tunnel.
Once you exit the tunnel, Partington Cove opens up before you and, if you feel safe and confident, you can climb over the rocks to find the best spot to watch the waves crashing into the cove.
Distance from previous destination: 18 miles (29 km) from Point Sur
Duration: 2 hours including descent, walk and return to car
Tip: Wear shoes with good grip as you will be climbing around rocks.
Recommended place to stay: About 89km south, Castle Inn
15. McWay Falls
McWay Falls is a popular natural attraction on California's Pacific Coast Highway road trip. It's not often you see a waterfall with water cascading so perfectly from rocks onto a beach!
As the Pacific Ocean tides gently wash over the sandy beaches of tiny McWay, McWay Falls crashes into the water, leaving a trail of sand behind. It's a beautiful sight.
To get to the viewing point, you need to enter the parking lot and walk along a path that goes under Highway 1, rather than from the main road. Then you will arrive at the observation terrace, which is bustling with tourists.
Distance from previous destination: 2 miles from Partington Cove
Duration: 1 hour to enjoy the falls
Tip: If you visit during the day, bring an ND filter to capture clear, clear water photos.
Recommended place to stay: About 89 km south Castle Inn
16. Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a small waterfront town named after the 580-foot-tall volcanic rock formation known as Morro Rock. The quaint harbor is protected by the massive rock formations, and the waters are calm, making it perfect for paddling.
The marina is frequented by river otters who often frolic in the shallow waters, and Moro Rock is a magnificent sight, especially at dawn and dusk when it attracts swirling, colorful clouds.
Distance from previous destination: 81 miles from McWay Falls
Travel time: 1 hour in front of the port of Morro Bay, more if visiting nearby state parks
Tip: The hand-carved beef sandwich at Hofbrau der Albatross is a must-try.
Where to Stay: Masterpiece Hotel – Love the Roman spa hot tub in the basement!
17. San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo (or SLO CAL for short) is one of the oldest European-founded cities in California.
San Luis Obispo's main attraction is its alleyways that are so covered in bubblegum that you can't see the concrete.
SLO CAL is home to California Polytechnic University, a popular farmers market, and the Spanish mission of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
By the way, SLO CAL is the northernmost limit of Southern California as defined by SoCalization, and Paso Robles is a famous wine-producing region, so be sure to check out the wines they carry.
Distance from previous destination: 14 miles from Morro Bay
Duration: 1 hour to explore the town
Tip: Scout Coffee near Bubblegum Alley has great coffee!
Where to stay: Garden Street Inn - French country boutique hotel
18. Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is a laid-back beach town where a traditional California wooden pier stretches more than 1,000 feet across golden sand into the Pacific Ocean.
Like everywhere along the Pacific Coast Highway, the Pismo Beach Pier is best seen at sunset. Hopefully, time can stop at sunset on this road trip! LOL
Nearby is Dinosaur Caves Park, which overlooks the pier and beach, and also has a eucalyptus grove that's home to monarch butterflies from November to February.
My personal recommendation is Splash Café . Not only is it cute, but the delicious clam chowder is also very popular! If you have time, please go there.
Distance from previous destination: 12 miles from San Luis Obispo
Duration: 1 hour walk around the beach and pier
Tip: The Oyster Loft is a great seafood restaurant.
Where to stay: Inn at the Pier - Pool, fitness center, and meters from the beach
19. Solvang
Solvang is a picturesque little town that offers a taste of Denmark in sunny California. It's the best stop along the Pacific Coast Highway and shouldn't be missed.
Traditional Danish architecture, windmills and rows of boutique shops will keep you busy for hours - don't miss Mortensen's bakery (try the croissants!), the Copenhagen Sausage Garden, coffee shops and chocolate shops.
The whole city is wonderful, so be sure to explore each and every street.
Distance from previous destination: 64 miles (103 km) from Pismo Beach
Duration: 2 hours to explore this unique and wonderful town
Tip: If you turn down a side street there is free parking.
Where to stay: Mirabelle Inn - beautiful boutique hotel
20. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is known as the "American Riviera," and with its Spanish colonial influences and Mediterranean climate, it's easy to see why!
Upscale, elegant and a popular tourist destination, Santa Barbara is the perfect place to park the car and relax for a day or two.
Stroll down State Street, enjoying world-famous wines and fine dining, to the Santa Barbara Pier and beachfront.
When planning your trip, be sure to consider a day trip to Channel Islands National Park, located just 20 miles off the Santa Barbara coast.
If you're traveling with children, the Santa Barbara Zoo is highly rated and located a few miles outside of town.
By the way, Santa Barbara also carries wines in SoCalization, so be sure to check them out too!
Distance from previous destination: 46 miles (74 km) from Solvang on US-101 or 33 miles (53 km) on CA-154
Duration: Half a day to two full days depending on time slot
Tip: If you drive on CA-154 to Santa Barbara, you'll get a great view of the city.
Recommended places to stay: Near Santa Barbara - Harbor House Inn or Harbor View Inn
21. Los Angeles
Everyone loves Los Angeles, which is a well-known tourist destination!
The City of Angels, Los Angeles, is world famous for Hollywood and movies, but there's so much more to it that you'll need at least two full days to explore it.
There are plenty of things not to miss in Los Angeles, including Hollywood, Santa Monica, Downtown, movie studio tours, live game and talk show screenings, the Hollywood Sign, and Griffith Observatory.
After a few days of driving, it's nice to park and discover the glitz of Tinseltown.
Although it's not wine, SoCalization also carries Los Angeles craft beer , so be sure to check that out too!
Distance from previous destination: 100 miles from Santa Barbara
Duration: 2 to 4 full days depending on time
Tip: Driving around LA can be tedious and time-consuming, so use the subway wherever possible.
Recommended places to stay: Near Hollywood - Hotel Hollywood (cheap) Kimpton Everly (luxury)
22. Warner Bros Movie Studio Tour
The movie studio tours are a quintessential attraction on the tourist trail for first-time visitors to Los Angeles and the perfect break from a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway.
In addition to Warner Bros., there are studio tours for Sony, Paramount and Universal.
Typically you'll see familiar exterior sets, studio lot sets from currently airing TV shows, costumes, sound stages, exhibits and props.
Popular exhibits at Warner Bros include DC, Batman, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Harry Potter.
Distance from previous destination: Varies
Duration: Warner Bros. Studio Tour takes 2-3 hours in total
Tip: Book early to avoid disappointment on the day.
Recommended places to stay: Near Hollywood - Hotel Hollywood (cheap) Kimpton Everly (luxury)
23. San Diego
We've arrived in our home town of San Diego ! What better place to end an epic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway?
We recommend allowing at least two full days to explore San Diego and the surrounding area.
San Diego's laid back vibe and perfect weather will have you coming back for more, so make it a must-visit after your Pacific Coast Highway vacation.
Balboa Park, Gaslamp, Coronado, La Jolla, Old Town, and all the beaches from Torrey Pines back into town are some of the final not to be missed attractions in San Diego.
SoCalization of course carries San Diego craft beer ! We also have lots of cute and colorful designs, so be sure to check them out!
Distance from previous destination: 120 miles (about 193 km) from Los Angeles on I-5
Time required: You can see the highlights of San Diego in 2-3 days.
Tip: Take the coastal road through Laguna Beach and Newport Beach towards Orange County.
Recommended places to stay: Staypineapple (budget), Pendry San Diego (luxury)
This was a rather long blog, but what did you think?
Road trips are very popular in the United States! There are many destinations on the Pacific Coast Highway alone! You can go from San Francisco to San Diego in one day, but if you're not in a rush, try taking a few days to get there. Why not take it easy and drive at a leisurely pace?
I also went on a road trip during Thanksgiving holidays to the Golden Gate Bridge, 17 Mile Drive, Bixby State Bridge, Point Sur, Pismo Beach, and other places I've introduced in this blog! It was a long journey, but I was able to see some beautiful scenery, so it was a painless and memorable experience.
There are countless road trips like this in the United States, so feel free to plan your "what if" plans for places you'd like to visit while sipping a SoCalization beer or wine!
