One of the most iconic road trips in the United States is a California Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway. You have everything you need for your road trip, your kids have enough to keep themselves entertained, and know you just need to plan a road trip with stops.

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!

San Francisco

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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.

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

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

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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.

Back in town, the stunning San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission is well worth spending a couple of hours. This mission was founded way back in 1771. If you’re an adventurous traveler, then why not consider renting a motorbike from town and driving the Pacific Coast Highway it’s truly a unique way to get a sense of this gorgeous area.

The Mission Ranch Restaurant, a drive from town, is a great place for dinner and is owned by Clint Eastwood! For a more casual dining experience, try La Bicyclette on Dolores Avenue for French-Italian-inspired dishes.

 

Point Lobos State Reserve

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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.

Considered the crown jewel of California State parks, Point Lobos delivers with excellent views, hikes, abundant marine-life and unspoiled beauty that is perserved for everyone to enjoy. Even though this is mostly hiking terrain, you can take short drives around the park and just enjoy the vista points if time is more limited than exploring the entire park area. But definitely mark out some of the most scenic hiking trails that covers the coastline areas and you will be glad that you spent time outdoors and visiting the natural habitats of harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating whales along with a slew of many different birds and migrating birds that rest in the area on their long journeys.

Big Sur

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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.

Unfortunately, the beach below is inaccessible due to high cliffs on either side. But the view from above won’t let you down. You might find the bridge familiar if you’re a fan of the HBO show Big Little Lies. The main characters are often shown driving over the scenic bridge.

You’ll find a selection of restaurants about 15 minutes away, including the Restaurant at Big River Inn. A little further down you’ll find Nepenthe, a restaurant with a big ocean-facing deck.

Big Sur is a great place to stop for the night if you are stopping at all the places along the way.

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

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.

Cambria’s charming little downtown is a great place to shop for gifts or antiques, whether you are looking for beautiful glass pieces, wood sculptures, or art. You will also find lots of wine tasting rooms if you would like to sample local wine.

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

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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.

Another fun thing to do in Pismo Beach is to hike in the Pismo Preserve. The preserve takes up 880 acres and has 10 miles of hiking trails. Some of the trails offer fabulous views of the ocean and surrounding area.

Right next to Pismo Beach lies Avila Beach and Pirates Cove. Pirates Cove is a great spot to watch a sunset or have a picnic lunch. Avila Beach has many cute beachfront shops to browse in and a small pier that offers great views of the ocean. No matter what, you get a ton of awesome views in this area.

Los Alamos

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SOLVANG, CA

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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.

The best time to visit is during the month of December. You might be surprised to learn that despite the lack of snow, Time Magazine actually dubbed Solvang one of the “most Christmassy towns in America” thanks to its month-long Christmas celebration called Julefest. The Solvang Christmas Market happens every Thursday-Sunday in December and is a great place to get your holiday shopping done. Throughout the month, you can see the Christmas Market light show choreographed to music, hunt for gnomes hidden throughout town, visit Santa’s Village, listen to carolers, ride in a horse-drawn trolley, and take a candlelight tour of the town led by a costumed guide.

But even if your road trip doesn’t coincide with the Christmas season, 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

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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.

First explore the hip Funk Zone, a former warehouse district that has historically been a base for artists. You will find plenty of trendy boutiques, restaurants, wine-tasting rooms and breweries in the area. If you are a wine lover you may want to consider spending a night in this lively city so you can visit multiple wine tasting rooms. A must visit tasting room is Riverbench for its wine bottles bedazzled with sparkles. If you buy a bottle you can get it sparkled in silver, rainbow or gold colours.

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

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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.

Just a couple of blocks up from the pier is the shopping area Santa Monica Place where on the top level you’ll find restaurants and wonderful ocean and city vistas. If you are hungry, the views and food are even better at the Penthouse Restaurant on top of the Huntley Hotel, just a short walk away.

Santa Monica Place is the anchor for the famous 3rd Street Promenade. Street performers entertain tourists and locals on this pedestrian portion of the city which also houses more restaurants and  more shops.

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

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!