A Pacific Coast Highway road trip is one of the most iconic drives in the United States. Stretching along California’s dramatic coastline, Highway 1 delivers rugged cliffs, charming beach towns, redwood forests, and some of the best ocean views in the country.

We’ve done this California road trip as a family, and this guide walks you through exactly how to plan your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary from San Francisco to Los Angeles — including the best stops, how many days you need, and where to stay.

If you’re ready for winding coastal views and classic California scenery, let’s hit the road.

Here is a very detailed road trip itinerary along the PCH from San Francisco to Los Angeles. You can start your very own California Road Trip here!

How Many Days Do You Need for a Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip?

• 3 Days – Fast highlights (SF to Big Sur to Santa Barbara to LA)

• 5–7 Days – Ideal pace with small coastal towns

• 10 Days – Slower, more scenic experience

Minimum recommended: 5 days

Pacific Coast Highway Route Overview

Start: San Francisco
End: Los Angeles
Distance: ~450 miles
Drive time (without stops): 10–12 hours

Major Stops:

• San Francisco

• Santa Cruz

• Carmel & Monterey

• Big Sur

• Cambria

• Morro Bay

• Pismo Beach

• Solvang

• Santa Barbara

• Santa Monica

• Los Angeles

Should You Drive North to South or South to North?

Drive north to south (San Francisco to Los Angeles).

You’ll be on the ocean side of the road the entire time, which makes pull-offs and scenic stops much easier.

San Francisco

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Start your trip along the Pacific Coast Highway here. If you have a few days to spend in quirky and fun San Francisco I recommend these things.

Why Stop:
San Francisco is the perfect starting point for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. It gives you iconic California landmarks, walkable neighborhoods, and a little city energy before you hit the slower coastal towns.

Time Needed:
2–3 days

Day 1: San Francisco

Start your adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway here. If you have a few days to spend in San Francisco, I recommend these things. The Golden Gate Bridge & Pier 39 are musts, but if you’re up for it, leave the car at home because this city is perfect for walking and taking public transportation which includes cable cars.

Cable cars are worth the money because you can see so much of this fabulous city without worrying about parking and traffic. Spend your time in style.

During your stay here take time to explore Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, visit The Mission, and Fisherman’s Wharf which has Pier 39 filled with shops.

Day 2: Visit Alcatraz

Alcatraz will take a large part of your day, but it is such a great tour that you don’t want to miss it. See the infamous prison that used to hold some of the most dangerous criminals in United States History. The tours are fantastic. Buy tickets ahead of time to make sure you can actually go.

Combine your trip to Alcatraz with a bike ride to the Golden Gate Bridge for one discounted price here.

Day 3: Muir Woods National Monument

This redwood forested area about an hour north of San Francisco can be reached by car or you can take public transportation (it’s cheaper). They only allow so many people per day inside so it pays to go early before they sell out of parking passes. If you’re driving, leave at least an hour before opening time because there is always traffic getting there, especially on weekends. You can also camp nearby if you have all of your gear. The trees here are some of the tallest in the world and some of them are thought to be over 1000 years old.

Santa Cruz

Photo Credit: A World in Reach

Why Stop:
Santa Cruz adds classic California beach vibes to your road trip. The boardwalk, ocean views, and laid-back atmosphere make it a fun and easy first stop south of San Francisco.

Time Needed:
2–4 hours (or overnight)

Santa Cruz is one of the best stops on a California Road Trip on the PCH for travelers who are looking for gorgeous views and fun things to do. Santa Cruz is under 2 hours from San Francisco, making it a great stop for people driving the entire length of the highway or who just want a quick taste of it on a day trip from San Francisco.

One of the top things to do in Santa Cruz is visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Open since 1907, the boardwalk has amusement rides, tasty fair food, games, and other attractions that are fun for both kids and adults. The boardwalk is right along Santa Cruz Beach, which is the perfect spot to enjoy a day in the sun.

For gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, plan a stop at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. This museum is an excellent spot for those with an interest in marine science, but you don’t have to visit the museum to access the views from Terrace Point. The nearby Natural Bridges State Beach is another spot with great views.

There are several excellent restaurants in Santa Cruz. Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Room is a great place for a casual lunch, and Vino by the Sea is perfect for a romantic seaside dinner.

By Sydney from A World in Reach

Carmel (Carmel by the Sea)

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Carmel feels like a fairytale village with storybook cottages, white-sand beaches, and charming courtyards. It’s one of the prettiest towns on the entire Pacific Coast Highway.

Time Needed:
Half day

A 2-hour drive from San Francisco is one of my favorite towns in California. “Carmel” as locals call it or Carmel-by-the-sea as it’s officially known, is old-world charming and the town is filled with Hansel & Gretel-esque cottages. It’s genuinely photogenic and to me is like walking through the pages of a fairytale. Besides cute cottages, Carmel is full of narrow passageways and sun-drenched courtyards, and the town doesn’t use street numbers so be mindful of losing your bearings!

Ocean Avenue is the best shopping street in town and has clothing boutiques, art galleries, quirky stores, and restaurants lining either side. Whilst here, you must visit Cottage of Sweets, which sells British candy and other goodies.

Walk just 10 minutes to the white-sand Carmel beach from town. For a beach so close to town it feels secluded, it is popular with locals, but you can’t swim here due to strong currents. Another fantastic beach nearby is China Beach at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a 10-minute drive away. Here you may spot sea lions and otters lazing on the rocks if you’re lucky.

 

 

Point Lobos State Reserve

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Point Lobos is often called the “crown jewel” of California’s state parks. Rugged cliffs, wildlife, and dramatic coastline views make it one of the most scenic stops on the entire drive.

Time Needed:
1–2 hours (longer if hiking)

One of the most scenic places along the PCH and in Monterey County area is the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, located just south of Carmel. This state park is a must-visit and stunning with its rugged coastlines, hidden beaches, and abundant wildlife and marine life in this nature reserve. Outdoor enthusiasts and photographers will love exploring the magnificent landscapes and wonderful hiking trails that skirt all the rim areas of the coastline through beautiful forested areas, headlands, and meadows that magically open up into wild and vast coastline areas lined with cliffs, rocky outcrops, and rugged rock terrain falling into coves, beaches and secret caves.

Big Sur

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Big Sur is the most iconic stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. Towering cliffs, winding roads, redwoods, and Bixby Bridge views make this the highlight of the entire road trip.

Time Needed:
Half day to full day (overnight recommended)

The drive along Big Sur is one of the most scenic parts of the PCH. Here, the rugged cliffs get higher and higher above the Indigo Pacific. As your car weaves around redwood forests and mountains, you’re rewarded with stunning views of the coastline.

Perhaps the most popular stop in Big Sur is Bixby Creek Bridge. Suspended between two cliffs overlooking the ocean, Bixby Creek Bridge is an architectural masterpiece.

You can pull over at numerous viewpoints for different views of the bridge, which happens to be one of the most photographed in the state. There’s a parking lot on either side of the road at the north end of the bridge. From there you can get a close-up look at the arch and capture your own stunning photos.

I recommend staying in The Big River Inn. It is a fabulous rustic-feeling spot that people return to year after year!

Cambria, California

Photo Credit: Road Tripping California

Why Stop: Cambria offers a quieter, charming coastal break after the dramatic Big Sur drive. It’s perfect for beach walks, sunset views, and a relaxed small-town feel.

Time Needed:
2–3 hours (or overnight)

If you are looking for a relaxing stop on your PCH road trip, consider Cambria! The tiny California Central Coast village is considered the southern gateway to Big Sur, but that’s not its only claim to fame.

Moonstone Beach is a pretty beach for strolling and beachcombing. Look for little polished stones here, and look for sea birds and marine life. It’s also a great place to watch the sun go down: bring a bottle of wine and a blanket, and enjoy the views.

Just above the beach, the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk Trail is a great walk if you want the water views but don’t want to venture onto the sandy beach. Another fabulous place to hike in Cambria is the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, where the bluff trail is a must.

There are many great places to eat in Cambria. Robin’s has an international-inspired menu that features fresh local ingredients. For a quintessentially Cambria dessert, head to Linn’s Restaurant for their famous olallieberry pie.

Dhara from Roadtripping California

Morro Bay

Pismo Beach

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Pismo Beach blends cute downtown charm, wineries, and wide sandy beaches. It’s a fun Central Coast stop with great food and easy ocean access.

Time Needed:
Half day

Pismo Beach is one of the best stops along the Pacific Coast Highway, California Road Trip. It is located along the California Central Coast, which is a fun reason to explore in itself. You could easily spend a few hours exploring Pismo Beach to a few days. The area is known for its gorgeous beach and abundance of wineries that surround the area.

The main area of Pismo Beach contains a super cute downtown area. It is here you can find some of the best cinnamon rolls at Old West Cinnamon Rolls. These delicious cinnamon rolls will melt in your mouth and have you craving more. Also in the downtown area you can find Splash Cafe which is a great spot for clam chowder lovers.

Los Alamos

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

SOLVANG, CA

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Solvang feels like a tiny European village in the middle of California. The Danish architecture and bakeries make it a unique and fun detour off Highway 1.

Time Needed:
1–2 hours

Just 20 minutes off the Pacific Coast Highway between Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara sits a charming little Danish village called Solvang. California might be the last place you’d expect such a town, but it was founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants looking to escape the harsh mid-Western winters. There are actually a lot of places in California that feel like Europe and Solvang is quite authentic and rich in history. Many of the shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels are built with that distinct Danish style.

Solvang is a delightful place to visit year-round because of the traditional Danish architecture and delicious food. If nothing else, it’s worth a quick 20-minute detour off the PCS to grab some pastries from the Solvang Bakery and snap a photo in front of the famous windmill.

Plus it is a great day trip from Los Angeles!

 

Santa Barbara

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Santa Barbara offers palm-lined beaches, Spanish-style architecture, and a strong food and wine scene. It feels polished but still relaxed.

Time Needed:
Half day to full day (overnight recommended)

On your road trip down the Californian coast, you will want to make time to visit Santa Barbara, a vibrant city on the American Riviera known for its palm-tree-lined beaches, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, and burgeoning food and wine scene. It’s worth spending a day in Santa Barbara to discover its unique spots.

Stop in at Goat Tree for an alfresco brunch or at Margerum for a delicious charcuterie snack. For dinner, make a reservation at the excellent farm-to-fork restaurant, The Lark.

If time permits, walk the beautiful paved pathway along the ocean to Santa Barbara pier and pick up some candies at the vintage candy store. The historic wharf is the oldest working wooden wharf in California.

Santa Monica

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Why Stop:
Santa Monica is the classic California beach ending — ocean views, the pier, shopping, and the symbolic end of Route 66.

Time Needed:
2–4 hours

You must stop in Santa Monica on any road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, even if you just stopped up the PCH in Malibu.  Santa Monica has numerous famous filming sites, a plethora of awesome restaurants, excellent shopping, a lively atmosphere, and beautiful scenery. Park the car in a lot, and walk this easy-to-get-around beach town as long as you can.

Stretch your legs with a stroll on the 1.6 mile green space, Palisades Park, that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Walkways offer the opportunity to hop over the PCH to the beach if desired. The park also has a view of the Santa Monica Pier. The pier, a movie star in its own right, has lots of eateries, amusement park rides, and at the end, the symbolic end to Route 66 sign.

If you’re here in the evening, make sure you catch a Santa Monica sunset from any place that you can see the ocean. For an Instagram-worthy shot with the ferris wheel behind, go to the balcony at Shutters, or the bike path down below it.

By Denise of Chef Denise

Los Angeles

Photo Credit: Travels With The Crew

Why Stop:
Los Angeles is the grand finale of your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Hollywood landmarks, beaches, theme parks, and cultural attractions make it worth several days.

Time Needed:
3 days minimum

You’ve made it to Los Angeles on your great California road trip and now you need at least 3 days to see LA well. The city is littered with showbiz landmarks and awesome cultural attractions.

LA has enough attractions in it itself to take up several days of time, but for this itinerary we suggest planning 3 full LA activities and 1 day trip or two. If you want to visit LA only we have a fabulous week long LA itinerary!

Day One: Hollywood & Beverly Hills

The most famous part of Los Angeles is home to Hollywood Blvd., Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Kodak Theater,  Walk of Fame, and Rodeo Drive shopping district in Beverly Hills. Your plan for this day should allow for time spent in Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame along with stargazing in front of the Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are held. Parking can be tough in this area, but it’s easier if you go to Hollywood & Highland where there’s a large parking garage or just pay one of the street-metered spots on Hollywood Blvd.

While you are there, you can visit the La Brea tar pits, go shopping on Melrose, and eat at some fabulous places in West Hollywood.

Day Two: Beverly Hills and Beverly Grove

This wealthy part of Los Angeles is home to many movie stars who live behind gated communities, so don’t bother trying to find them. There are more stores on Rodeo Drive than you can count, so window shop to your heart’s content. Beverly Hills is about 6 miles from downtown Los Angeles. I suggest getting lunch in Little Tokyo nearby before going into The Grove, another mall in LA that is always bustling with people and is next door to the open air Farmer’s Market.

Visit the Peterson Museum and see some awesome cars!

 

Day Three: Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is a fabulous place to visit. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the main attractions and is definitely worth seeing if you’re into that series. There are also studio tours that take you to Universal’s backlot. If you love movies and amusement parks, this is something you will want to do for sure.

Note: Make sure you buy tickets in advance online. It costs less and you’ll avoid long lines when you get there.

You can purchase Universal Studio Hollywood tickets here.

 

When choosing where to stay in Los Angeles with your family, you want to make sure you are in a great location. I wrote a post called “The best family-friendly hotels in Los Angeles.” I hope you love it!