Learn more. Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. If you do decide to spend an overnight in the area, I recommend stopping in the town of Mendocino first for late lunch, walking around the Mendocino Headlands, then continue driving south to spend the night at the beautiful Little River Inn for dinner at the Whale Watch Bar. I dont think you can do Yosemite in a day its a four hour drive from the coast to Yosemite (one-way) and youll probably want a full day in the park at minimum. Read more in my Privacy Policy. I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! But there's something extra special about driving the Pacific Coast Highway as it approaches its southern end. San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so Im again a bit short on recommendations here. Hope to rent a car there? Thats it! haha. If you go to the Big Sur Crater, you will be a full one mile (1.6 km) above sea level while remaining only three miles (5 km) inland from the ocean. Sounds like youre well on the way to it . We live in Colorado, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so 101 is ideal. Id look at September as an ideal time to catch autumn colors in the Pacific Northwest but admittedly its hard to predict since this part of the country isnt known for the same leaf colors as New England. Valerie, I am so glad I found your guide to the PCH! Or, do you think one could just take a chance and stop and book a room when in need??? Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Thank you! Thanks for reading, Oleg. Also, about how many miles a day are you traveling on your 10 day itinerary? You absolutely nailed it. Looking to fly into Crescent City Ive tried to locate flight from Oakland to Crescent City but havent been able to, do you have any info on this flight? Start in Seattle and end in San Diego. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. 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. Would be every much appriciate if you can provide tips and recomendattions where to stop, what to see/do and eat the drive on high 1 from San Diego to Santa Monica. Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. From Ventura. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. Do you have a version that is just typed up not with pictures? How long is the Pacific Coast Highway? ?? These are just ten of the many places off Highway 1 that you'll want to experience. I recommend researching/contacting each one individual to confirm theyll be open. Hello good morning my name is Cherie Carmona, Wealth to California a little over a year ago I love it I live in Dana Point California, my husband will be moving here in a few weeks and Im so excited my daughter lives in Seattle so we were considering a road trip to Seattle realistically how long do you think it would take thank you so much God-bless. Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. Doing this trip starting this weekend! I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose. Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. We then took that to the end. Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. Thanks for reading, Thomas. "Someone told me there's a girl out there, with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair." Led Zeppelin, "Going to California" 2. We are from Ohio. I hope that helps! Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, segments of California State Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway, parts of New Zealand State Highway 2 and all of New Zealand State Highway 25 and New Zealand State Highway 35. Adrian, great to hear from you! This was a 6 day trip. Please keep doing what youre doing. Drive Time: About 3.5 Hours. I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. 9. 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. One of the requests I get asked for is a Pacific Coast Highway map with all of the stops I suggest, so I used Roadtrippers to put together this one. Make sure you have enough guidance resources. Im thinking of a four day road trip for easter next year but thinking along the lines of vegas to grand canyon and so. taking my 13 and 17 year old with my wife. State Route 1. 1 question: weve booked hotels at both end (Seattle and LA) and would prefer not to book hotels until were on route and know how far were along and how long we want to stop in each place. We've driven sections of this coastline twice, between LA and San Francisco. Love it. Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road. 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. Portland is the only city on this list thatisnton the coast, and its definitely a trip extender if you want to visit Portland while driving the Pacific Coast Highway. Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . Day 3: Cape Kiwanda, OR to Redwood State Park, CA. Were driving south-to-north. 99. Appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. Here are my twenty five favorite stops on PCH from south to north. We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. Im planning a trip for end of this year most probably the California part only. Technically, it starts in Washington State, but it's best known for the stretch through California from the stunning redwood forests and wild, rugged coast down to the sun-drenched beaches of San Diego. Let me know if you need any extra tips whenever you start planning! Looking to travel with your recommendations southbound! Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? Hi, and thanks for this terrific resource. And it's hard to miss: you'll be driving right through, so when you see roller coasters, it's time to stop. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. Related posts: Stop 1: San Francisco. San Diego is known for its Zoo and was made Instagram famous for Potato Chip Rock. Im at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! March is a fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the Pacific Coast is pretty similar all year long! Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? WOW! Want to know more? Our partners offer one-way rentals from multiple locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Let me know how it goes! Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. We are planning a trip in Sept 0f 2022, starting in Portland, ending in San Diego. I was far more interested in the hundreds of miles of coastal roadways. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. 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! AI TRAFFIC - for Pacific Coast (0.95) 0.85. Where would you start and end if it is reasonable to go in December, and what might we expect weather wise? Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. 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. 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. Eileen, thanks for your comment, and for reading! You could see Canada and the river valley. Would you have any other suggestions since I am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in Vancouver? LA's vast size may seem daunting, but if you plan what you want to see and do, it can be a really rewarding place to visit. I have been reading your blog posts about the PCH and think I read where you mentioned a couple of crossover vehicles that would be good rental cars. I am planning a trip in late July. Thanks for reading and asking, Hunter! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south out of L.A. to avoid the citys notorious traffic as you make your way along the coast. Cherie, thanks for your comment. South of Seaside, be sure to stop in Cannon Beach to admire Haystack Rock. Just starting to think about a 1st time road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!?? To be honest, Id opt for the long route you only have one day, and Point Reyes is one of my favorite parts of California. Love all the comments ideas and suggestion, will try and make this trip happen in about 2-3 years . Im not sure there are many good airports to leave a rental car in the region youre suggesting you may end up driving into L.A. to do so and to fly home. We would be flying from GA, so I guess I go fling to Seattle, and the book one home for San Diego? Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. Its impossible to reduce all of the amazing things to do in San Francisco down to a small paragraph or overnight stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Ive never been to CA and I know the prices are high. Rainier, plenty of coastlines, and Redwoods. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Thanks for your comment, Pam, but Im a little confused its a 10-day itinerary, so its a 9-night trip. There are a number of epic hiking trails in the area, ranging from a 0.5-mile loop to 16-mile out-and-back trails. I am planning 14 days to take in the sights. , Hi. Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica. maybe to get a car, which adds about 6 hours of driving time. Have you heard any issues with the Covid and being able to rent places on the way down? (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!). The reason I recommend doing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip north to south is that youll be on the coastal side of the road. One of the longest state routes in California (after Interstate 5 and U.S. 101), California 1 sees some of the most . 01 of 04 I hope you have an amazing time! Thanks Teena. In Washington, Oregon, and at the northern end of California, the Pacific Coast route follows US Highway 101. Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. 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. This information is great!!! Similar to Haystack Rock, your experience stopping at Devils Punchbowl will depend on the tides. Have a great trip! So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! To answer your questions: 1. The must-see sights definitely include places such as Hearst Castle and Big Sur. We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. Thanks for reading, Jennifer. Sounds like it will be well worth it. If youre a fan, make sure to stop in Aberdeen to see the house where he grew up. Thanks for your comment, Terri! Portland? If I can make a recommendation? Where is the Pacific Coast Highway? Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Hey there! This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. Ft. 1553 S Monte Viento St, Malibu, CA 90265. If youve just stayed overnight in Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego, that may not make as much sense. I will be driving from Dallas to Seattle. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? Southern California has great weather year-round. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south its a meandering route, but if you follow it all the way until Muir Beach you can make an optional stop at Muir Woods if you want. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear! We figured booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip. Hood, Crater Lake, the Redwoods in much greater depth than I advise above you could also spend some time at Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or elsewhere in the Sierra Nevadas! The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials Explore More of California What do you think of Coos Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, seemed a good split between Seattle and San Francisco? You can look out over beautiful sea stacks that dot the northern part of the Pacific Coast and stroll along the sand covered with huge driftwood formations and seafoam. Sounds like a great trip either way drive safe! #addittothelist. This sounds like a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon! 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. Just south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a laid back, quirky hippie town. FREE delivery Sat, Jan 7 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. I love all the details and recommendations! Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? In Northern California, the best weather of the year happens between September and October. Should be pretty good it might be a bit rainy up in the Pacific Northwest, but the weather once you reach California should be great! The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. We are planning to spend Thanksgiving in San Diego. The journey down Highway 1 is the iconic California road trip, and this coastal route is a great choice whether you're in Northern California, the central coast, or in SoCal. 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! Im assuiming youve read the whole post, as I do cover a 7-day suggested itinerary, and cover overnight stops along the Oregon coast. Youd need to drive about 7-10 hours out of the way depending on the bridge, and miss major stretches of the road . We are thinking of taking this drive during the week of Christmas. Thanks for your comment, Kathy! Thoughts? We fly out of LA. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. From there we are planning on 4 days drive/stop on high 1 (PCH) up to Santa Monica/Malibu then flight out LAX. Let me know in the comments! We just did this trip in October 2019, We started in Portland to Cannons beach then headed south on HWY 101. ), this post will give you all you need to know. I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. Im glad to surpass the AAA level. I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. We are so overwhelmed. 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. The longer you spend, the more youll get to see and enjoy. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Seattle, head south along US Highway 101 to Olympia. Thanks for your comment, Catherine. As the title suggests, this music would make the perfect soundtrack for a drive up the California coast. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a whole article about the experiences I recommend in Santa Barbara! Thanks for reading, Kay. Heather, you saw the rest of the post, right? Is it worth waiting to do this trip in summer? I am flying into Portland to meet my niece and we will rent a car and drive down the coast to LA to meet another nephew. Also known as Big Sur, the route winds along the rugged California coastline (from Cape San Martin to Ragged . What is the average speed on the 101? Great post. I have tendency to suffer from analysis paralysis therefore navigating all the ins and outs what to do where to stay etc would be overwhelming to say the least. I travelled alone from San Francisco to LA while on a work trip years ago and havent stopped thinking about getting my husband out there. The Pacific Coast Highway traces the coast as closely as possible around the edge of Los Angeles, America's second largest city. This sounds like a great adventure. You can find the Cobain house at 1210 E 1st St, and right next door you can see a memorial to Cobain in Kurt Cobain Memorial Park (the house now a private residence, so dont disturb the owners!). And thanks for confirming what I thought (hoped) that southbound is the best way to go. I did drive it alone and I still recommend heading southbound. Top ways to experience Pacific Coast Highway See all Recommended Tours & Sightseeing Walking & Biking Tours Multi-day & Extended Tours Outdoor Activities Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco 310 Bus Tours from $105.00 per adult Monterey & Carmel Explorer 22 Full-day Tours from $105.00 Tim & Janice, what kind words! Solvang Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). 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! Thanks for your comment, David! My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. We can skip Napa and SF. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange . Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! We planned to start in Seattle and drive to San Diego. It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. Glad to help, Ashley! Thanks for sharing this great itinerary. Thanks for asking! Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. Here, California Highway 1 carves a sinuous path along steep cliffs; the road is beautiful at a price, since mudslides arent uncommon along this stretch of highway, and can close the highway for months. If you're in need of California trip ideas, consider driving up the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. The Pacific Coast Highway runs along two highways: In Washington and Oregon, the best weather of the year happens between June and September. Also known as California Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California at just over 656 miles. When you drive on the Pacific Coast Highway, you will see sheer cliffs straight down to the water. Dont drive down to SD and back up to LA. I havent been to Yellowstone so I cant say if its worth it, unfortunately. Your email address will not be published. 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. Drive safely! Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. Raynard, when are you going? From here on south, it's miles-upon-miles of beautiful sand beaches, palm-lined streets, and thriving coastal cities. I can't stop looking at that ocean. Thanks for your feedback, Alice, but I lived in California for several years and never heard anyone say Im going to drive PCH Ill be keeping the the if only because its proper English if Californians want to abandon that elsewhere, thats up to them . 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. I appreciate all the information! Im thinking of doing this trip from Seattle to San Diego. I would rather guess on the high side than the low side so Im prepared. I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). First thank you for all the work you put into this! Very nicely done thanks ever so much !! Hello Valerie & Valise, I love this trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful. The first time, we (I) had it all planned out. It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! Download Pacific Coast Highway stock photos. Thank you for the recommendation! Have a great drive! Chinquel, nice to hear from you! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: As you might have guessed continue following California Highway 1 south! Stop 2: Santa Cruz and its boardwalk. 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 reading, Heather! Thanks for reading, Tony! One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. You may encounter some rain up north near Portland and Seattle, but you shouldnt experience any snow! A few years ago I started saving (unbeknownst to my husband) for his 50th birthday this summer. Im glad you booked LA and Seattle, because those are the two you most need to have arranged! We were 70s teenagers all around! Homes similar to 20132 Pacific Coast Hwy are listed between $350K to $70M at an average of $2,795 per square foot. 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. Manny from Massachusetts. They all offer budget rentals, run regular deals and specials, and have one-way rental options. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Blow your budget and stay the night at Fairmont San Francisco, one of the nicest hotels in town. Any recommendations will be appreciated! However I actively lament that I was on the wrong side of the road in the present tense (as in, if you ask me today, I still lament it); I didnt really realize I was on the wrong side until after my trip was over and its not like you can change your route once you start! Thanks again for this excellent resource. The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. 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. Thanks so much for reading, Teresa! The Pacific Coast Highwayalso known as PCH or, more commonly, Highway 1runs north-south along most of the United States' West Coast. Crescent City is the first city youll enter when driving southbound into California along the Pacific Coast Highway (or last if youre headed northbound). My stop in Fort Bragg was relatively short, but it was worth it! We stay in San Diego on Pacific/Mission Beach a lot so no need to travel this far south for us. Thanks for your comment, Anthony! After about 15 miles, you will reach Highway 1. I hope you can make it happen sooner! Aretta, thanks for your comment! Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, segments of the U.S. Route 101: U.S. Route 101 in Oregon U.S. Route 101 in Washington Public transportation [ edit] Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! Best trip ever! When you hit the California coast, its like driving in a postcard. If you are connecting to Highway 1 from the Sacramento area, take I-80 West for about 50 miles, connect to US-101 S from there, and then connect US-101 North.

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