Any thoughts are greatly appreciated: Day 1: San Francisco (Arrive late in the evening) Day 2: San Francisco Day 3: Santa Cruz Day 4: Carmel-By-The-Sea Day 5: Big Sur Day 6: San Luis Obispo Day 7: Santa Barbara Day 8: Los Angeles Day 9: San Diego (leave early in the morning). San Simeon Drive for 45 minutes and start the day with a 15-minute excursion inland to San Simeon to tour the elaborate Hearst Castle. We plan on doing the 7 day trip June/July. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? Its not a long drive from Seattle to Olympia, so I recommend just making a waypoint stop here to stretch your legs before the rest of your driving today whether thats to Port Angeles or Portland. My overnight stop in Santa Barbara changed my mind. Where does the Pacific Coast Highway start and end? We want to make the best out of drive there. Is this possible? This is a 23km section of real roads on California Highway 1, one of the great all-American roads on the scenic West Coast, and is widely considered among the best driving roads in the world. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. Also known as Big Sur, the route winds along the rugged California coastline (from Cape San Martin to Ragged . Any recommendations will be appreciated! Pacific Coast Highway (@thepacificcoasthighway) - Instagram You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport (#9). The must-see sights definitely include places such as Hearst Castle and Big Sur. Those are my top recommendations! Learn more. So heading east eventually to round out the trip. We only wish to go South as far as Salinas (more family) or Santa Barbara the furthest. Im nervous go excited. I can't stop looking at that ocean. Next time I have a few days off, Ill have to change that! For flights, I recently heard theres a flight from the Bay Area to Crescent City check out Contour Airlines (they come up when I google OAK > CEC). I was, for the most part, ambivalent about the cities along the PCH. The 9 best places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway Hi, we are flying into Seattle 7/27 and out from San Diego 8/7, we are visiting colleges in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego for my daughter. Kavinsky - Pacific Coast Highway (Official Audio) - YouTube hi planing to do the PCH however we will be in Las Vegas and driving to San Francisco will be there for 2 or 3 days and dont know witch is better to do San Francisco to L A back to Vegas or go north San Francisco to Seattle and then drive to Vegas i will have a extra 3 to 4 days what is your thoughts, we are nature and wildlife lovers not to big into visiting towns. Have you seen these two posts? In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. Now Im going to lay out step-by-step directions for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip based on all my tips so far. Thanks so much, Lois and glad to help! We are planning our trip for the first half of April, SF to LA. Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! Thanks for reading, Brian. Basically, you cant start/end in Crescent City if you want to rent a car. Making the drive in 2 days. Maps of the Pacific Coast Highway Thanks for reading, Dave. Okay, now youve got your car, youve got your basic itinerary. Flew into Seattle and drove back. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. We were planning on a 7day road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June. Any additional thoughts? This is great information and very helpful! Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. 20132 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 - Redfin I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! You can choose the spots you want to stop at that way . Thank you for the comprehensive narrative! I wish I could remember the name of the mountain turnoff in Washington. Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. Also, you can probably get away with booking hotels/vacation rentals in the smaller towns only a few days in advance but if you want to stay in any of the big cities, I would book those 2-3 weeks in advance at the latest! Kim, December should be a pretty good time, but plan for classic marine layer weather (chilly and cloudy this is whats normal on the Pacific coast!). I was curious about which one you suggest if you were to slim down this itinerary by 1 day (ex. Be sure to stop at Nicks Cove in Marshall, CA for a meal or Hog Island Oyster if you love oysters! Pacific Coast Highway (@thepacificcoasthighway) Instagram photos and videos 2,612 Followers, 118 Following, 94 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Pacific Coast Highway (@thepacificcoasthighway) It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. Any ideas? My husband and I are both 62 in pretty good shape and planning to do this trip from Portland to San Diego in late September 2019 over 2 weeks. Pacific Coast Highway Attractions In Northern California, the best weather of the year happens between September and October. Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. Starting in San Francisco, you'll cruise south along the Pacific Coast of California, visiting vibrant cities, secluded beaches and stunning State Parks as you go. I was planning 10-12 days? You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road. Ive put together some tips on how to choose the right car for the PCH, but in short, I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! Is it worth waiting to do this trip in summer? As the title suggests, this music would make the perfect soundtrack for a drive up the California coast. Would love to do the northern parts of PCH though I loved Portland and Seattle, but would like to see more of the coastal regions! I hope this helps! Youll see signs for Hoh Rainforest, a left turn that takes you inland to the forest. But my priority for this trip is just going straight down the PCH so that should help me prioritize. Do you have any recommendations or modifications while traveling with kids. I did a quick search and heres how it breaks down: Newport > Crescent City (what I originally suggest) = about 5 hours of driving Newport > Crater Lake > Crescent City = about 8 hours of driving (and none of it is on the coast), If you chose to go from Portland > Crater Lake > Crescent City instead = 7.5 hours of driving. Planning a trip on PCH last week of July 2020. Have a great trip and drive safely! Thank you so much for passing on your wisdom and experience. I have looked up the different uses of the word and grammatically correct samples, and I believe you needed to use it in past-tense. Located on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, Crescent City is along part of the PCH where California Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101 overlap hence this guide refers to both Highway 1 and Highway 101 as the PCH in the different states. I recommend checking out California resources for the pandemic before you book anything. The weather also wasnt great for most of the route; after moving up out of SoCal, youre much more likely to experience clouds and/or the marine layer on the PCH. Thanks for all of this great information! Tickets & Tours - Highway 1, California - Viator Thoughts? Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Glad to help, Ashley! It probably means deviating from PCH for a bit and were ok with that. Old Highway 101 is now called the Avenue of the Giants, and I highly recommend slowing down to enjoy this 31-mile stretch through some of Californias oldest living and tallest! Fort Bragg is home to a beautiful glass beach, pictured above, where the entire beach is made of sea glass from past trash dumps. The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. When I drove the PCH in 2014, I drove a northbound San Diego to Seattle road trip, and lament that I wasnt on the outer side of the road. Aberdeen has one main claim to fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain. Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . If youve ever seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I mean. I would love to take this vacation but not fall short on money. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are doing a quick Pacific Coast Highway road trip, head south from Olympia along I-5 to Portland. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Great tips, Kathi! The total distance is about 1,500 miles! Thanks so much from a couple of Canucks! Its a little tough to guess without knowing the exact dates and which towns/cities you plan to stay in on any given night, but I hope this helps! Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. 14,685 Pacific Coast Highway Stock Photos, Images & Pictures Your email address will not be published. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the SF CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). What you suggested (Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay) is a great two-day itinerary. I would like to follow the route on the map. This is a great itinerary! Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! Is Yellowstone worth the long detour? We can only do a quick trip. Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). After about 15 miles, you will reach Highway 1. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. trees. Day 3: Cape Kiwanda, OR to Redwood State Park, CA. We are planning on a 7 days trip in Dec 2021. Located in the heart of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge is an iconic spot to stop and stretch your legs on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. Im planning a trip for end of this year most probably the California part only. Overwhelmed by the vastness of it all. Camp at Second Beach in Olympic NP Photo: Michael Matti I want to fly out to the NW and drive to Crescent city, then go inland to see the redwoods, Bend, and Mt. The ocean is my happy place. Free or royalty-free photos and images. Let me know if you have any other questions while planning or on the road! Now my only problem is trying to figure out how many extra days were going to need! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: As you might have guessed continue following California Highway 1 south! I am planning to start my road trip in Vancouver BC and ending in San Francisco. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Franke's first solo album is surprisingly melodic, highly accessible, and immaculately produced. Santa Barbara was the biggest surprise I had on my PCH road trip in 2014. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to weather? Also being from Colorado, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any recommendations on campsites? Pinterest. Pacific Coast, region, western North America, possessing two unifying geologic and geographic propertiesthe Pacific Ocean, which constitutes a natural western border, and the coastal mountain ranges that form the eastern border of the region. Los Angeles is the last major city on my list of Pacific Coast Highway stops, and though I have a guide to spending one day in L.A., you can and should spend as much time as you like. Also known as California Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California at just over 656 miles. Explore seaside scenery along the east coast, taking you off the beaten track to some of the most beautiful beaches including Mount Maunganui - voted as New Zealand's best beach. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! Life is made for the ocean. I dont feel we missed a lot of Oregon coast the views we seen before & after Crater lake were absolutely stunning. Do you think we could do it in 7 days?? Thanks for your comment, David! Karen, great question! In Washington, Oregon, and at the northern end of California, the Pacific Coast route follows US Highway 101. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the Seattle CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). I was considering driving from San Jose with overnight stops at Mt Shasta or Lassen NP, Crater Lake, Portland, and Seattle (maybe a few nights in the cities). By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. I was far more interested in the hundreds of miles of coastal roadways. We want a mix of National/State Parks, cities, and coasts. I hope this helps. The coast near Crescent City is dotted with the gigantic rock formations out at sea that characterize most of the northern and central California coastline. Weve spent time in SF already so dont need to stay there. Only question I have is how much money would you recommend someone having for a trip like this and staying in a 3 star hotel each night? Love all the comments ideas and suggestion, will try and make this trip happen in about 2-3 years . The Classic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip | ROAD TRIP USA Those little beaches overlooking the water below is freaking amazing. I had saved this resource to help me plan. If youre considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. The jagged coastline, infinite blue water, sunny days, gorgeous sunsets these are just a few of the reasons California Highway 1 became a popular route in the first place! In smaller towns though, Id recommend committing to those earlier you may find you have nowhere to stay and have to drive on another 100+ miles at some parts! From Bixby Creek Bridge to Mcway Falls to the sea lions of San Simeon, there are so many epic places to see and photos to snap in Big Sur along the Pacific Coast Highway that you'll find yourself exhausting your camera battery and filling up your. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). 0:42. The Pacific Coast Highway is the ultimate road trip - and it's certainly the best one in America. 5 Beds. So I am very, very thankful to have found THIS resource!! We will go from Seattle to San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide. Were using it to plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to LA. 21 Perfect Big Sur Captions for Instagram - California Crossroads Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. I hope you had a great drive, Mindy! How long is the Pacific Coast Highway? Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Seattle, head south along US Highway 101 to Olympia. 2. Just south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a laid back, quirky hippie town. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! My wife doesnt particularly like high bridges or steep drops (one reason we are driving north), so any advice on where we might avoid such things is appreciated. A road trip along the scenic route features beautiful beaches, waterfalls, natural rock formations, striking bridges, delicious seafood, art communities, surfer towns, and dramatic cliffside views - all along the PCH. I do have the same recommendations youll see A LOT of fellow bikers/trikers out on the PCH; its a great ride on 2-3 wheels as well as 4 wheels . Im saving this post to reference when I think about doing this trip, because that has to happen! 1. I havent been to Yellowstone so I cant say if its worth it, unfortunately. Are you hoping to do a one-way rental car for your PCH drive? Sep 26, 2017. ai traffic expansion highway 1 layout mod pacific coast pch. When I drove the PCH, I rented a car and drove it as a one-way rental (meaning I dropped it off in a different city than I picked it up). The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. Thanks again. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101. Thank you for great info This is exactly what I was looking for. I have suggestions on dates earlier in the article to help you figure out how long to do the trip and where to stop. Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. What are the reasons you really never got to enjoy using a convertible car? I do too (ish Im in Oakland!). I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? Travelling from Auckland to Napier, you'll experience lakes, wildlife, vineyards and a tranquil lagoon. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. Kavinsky - Pacific Coast Highway (Official Audio) - YouTube 0:00 / 6:18 Kavinsky - Pacific Coast Highway (Official Audio) Record Makers 225K subscribers Share 12M views 11 years ago #Kavinsky Question, if we were to add a stop, possible one night stay at Crater Lake, where would you suggest doing this from without missing much, (or any?) If youre planning a full 10-day west coast road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. Hi! Ft. 24615 Vista Cerritos, Calabasas, CA 91302 - $1182/sq ft larger lot 5 years newer View comparables on map Homeowner Tools Edit home facts Review property details and add renovations. Dont drive down to SD and back up to LA. Pacific Coast Highway Attractions, those must-see sights along PCH, include Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Golden Gate Bridge. Downtown is a series of taffy-colored storefronts filled with beach gear, kitschy coastal crafts, and the Funland Seaside Arcade, which harkens back to the heydays of coastal vacations. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing! Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? This information is great!!! We were planning on 10 days total for driving, site seeing and ending it with 2 days in Disneyland. Do you highly recommend the LONG route OR is thru Mendocino only enough? I do not plan to do any shopping at stores, so our money would be spent on a rental vehicle, hotels, gas, and food. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. Have a great drive! Sounds like it will be well worth it. For each spot, I share whether I consider it an Overnight stop (where you should spend a night) or a Waypoint stop (where you should stop to stretch your legs and/or see the sights). ENJOY the sightseeing trip of a lifetime. San Jose is a creative and thriving high-tech culture epicenter. We would be flying from GA, so I guess I go fling to Seattle, and the book one home for San Diego? Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. 15 Best Stops On Your Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip - California The Ultimate 10-Day California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary I will definitely use all the info youve provided. Day 3: Bodega Bay to Point Arena (62 miles) The highway continues north, skimming the Pacific Ocean for the entire length of today's journey, with several diversions along the way. More Buying Choices $18.53 (15 used & new offers) Kindle. Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. Have a wonderful trip! Id be happy to save the money and just drive with the windows down when I want some fresh air. One of the ultimate road trip destinations has to be the Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway One, which spans 600 miles of the California coastline from San Diego in the south to San Francisco in the north. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. Youve put together one awesome road trip! In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. We are thinking of taking this drive during the week of Christmas. The PCH begins south of Dana Point in Orange County and ends at US 101 in Mendocino County. Thank you for the pointers! Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. I would hate to plan a trip only to find out that things are shut down or there are big restrictions placed on free movement. As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. Heather, you saw the rest of the post, right? I have no idea what the case will be for forest fires next year, unfortunately! To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. Youd need to fly into. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. If you see an error, please contact me. About Us - Pepperdine University Malibu Campus Unsurprisingly, a private car is the absolute best way to make the most of a trip along the legendary PCH. Any suggestions. Have a great trip! Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. Bonus- Rent A Car To Drive The Pacific Coast Highway. March is a fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the Pacific Coast is pretty similar all year long! Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience - for good reason! Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. 1-2 days in Portland to visit college and check out Portland. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 5 days: If youre lucky to have a few more days for your PCH road trip, a week is a pretty fantastic amount of time to see all that the Pacific Coast Highway has to offer. If you know which car you want, I recommend renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt. Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! San Diego is known for its Zoo and was made Instagram famous for Potato Chip Rock. But there's something extra special about driving the Pacific Coast Highway as it approaches its southern end. Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? Weve daydreamed about a lot of different trips we would take one day, and a flight from the southeast US to Seattle and PCH drive to San Diego was one of them. I am not fond of the cold and a bit fearful of icy driving in the mountains. Thanks for reading, Angel! The route between Los Angeles and San Diego is not as popular as the classic long road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco on Highway 1.San Francisco is one of the most important cities in the United States and, thanks to its charm and favorable location on the way to visit the national parks, is often preferred over San Diego, which shares the Pacific Ocean with San Francisco and Los . Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip & Travel Guide - PCH1 Road Trip Top 10 pacific coast highway ideas and inspiration - Pinterest Ronald, I dont know for sure as I dont recommend people drive in an RV. For campsites, Im not super sure as Im not a big camper, but this might help: https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip. So, don't just rely on Google Maps, instead download an offline map in advance, so there's no chance of getting lost. You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). You should have no problem making it down the road in December. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip | Pacific Coast Highway Map - Visit SLO Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. I make all of my must see recommendations in this post, so I recommend checking out the section on California to find the ones that sound interesting to you. Once inPortland, its easy to spend a few days exploring; I have been to Portland repeatedly and there are so many experiences that can more than fill a stop on your road trip. The 17-Mile Drive between Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey Best trip ever! Let me know how it goes! This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022.

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