The Best of Pacific Coast Highway’s road Trip in California

So many travellers have a dream to drive down the California Pacific Coast Highway or State Route 1. Many drive only a part of it, but you can also do a longer version. While living in California, we drove parts of PCH from time to time, and I have written articles about each place we visited. Now it is time to wrap them all up into one post which tells you everything you need to know about California Pacific Coast Highway.

Most of my travels in Southern California happened when I didn’t have a blog yet. But in recent years, we have driven the northern parts a few times, so here is some information about them. I added the San Francisco Bay Area as a separate section since so many people stay here for a few days. Once I get down to Southern California again, I will add more articles on the list. And please, post some questions and wishes about what I should cover!

Things to see along the Pacific Coast Highway

Northern California

Many people start their drive on Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco or they end their trip there. Don’t under estimate the north parts of PCH though. There is still plenty to see if you drive up north from San Francisco. Enjoy the redwood forests, national parks or Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. State Route 1 merges into 101 in Leggett, but if you continue your drive it will follow the coastline soon again, and you can drive all the way up to the Oregon border. The views are great! Along the way is the Avenue of Giants, Redwood National Park, and right after the city of Eureka, a place that was disturbed by many tsunamis, Crescent city.

• Chandelier Tree
• Glass Beach
• Mendocino
• Point Arena Lighthouse
• Bodega Bay
• Point Reyes National Seashore

Stay at:

Great places to stay at are the town of Eureka or Crescent City.

Eat at:

San Francisco Bay Area

For a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area you want to reserve multiple days. Like any big city, there is plenty to see. There are of course the most known sights that everyone should see, but there are also many other places worth a visit. Because San Francisco is located right by the bay, you can hike along the coastline with amazing views, or rent bicycles and ride along the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. All this is part of the national park system, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

• Muir Woods
• San Francisco
• Santa Cruz
• Half Moon Bay

Stay at:

Eat at:

Central California

Monterey has many great things to do with kids, the most famous of them being the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

• 17-mile Drive
• Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Monterey
• Point Pinos Lighthouse
• Bixby Bridge
• Big Sur
• McWay Falls
• Elephant Seal Vista Point
• Hearst Castle
• Morro Bay
• Pismo Beach

Stay at:

When we have driven down from San Francisco Bay Area we have often stayed in San Simeon and Morro Bay. Our favourites there have been

However, if you start your drive from south, I would recommend to stay the night either in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea. And they both should be on your list to visit no matter what!

Monterey is known for its adorable Inns like Victorian Inn and The Jabberwock Bed & Breakfast. There are also some ocean views hotels such as Monterey Bay Inn and Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa that are close to downtown and beach. With a budget, the Holiday Inn Express at Monterey Bay is great.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea we have stayed in Hofsas House Hotel which is a family owned business and just adorable. It is in a walking distance from both; the downtown and the beach.

Southern California

• Channel Islands
• Laguna Beach
• Santa Monica Pier

Stay at:

If you are planning to visit Channel Islands National Park, then the best place to stay at is Ventura. This way you wont have to drive from far to catch the boat that leaves early in the morning. We stayed at XXX, but the XXX is also great.

Have you driven Pacific Coast Highway? How was your experience?