Thanks for your points. Manage photos We will only have 7 days. Do you think we could do it in 7 days?? I wish I could remember the name of the mountain turnoff in Washington. 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). You'll feel far from it all as you pass through tiny towns and secluded beaches and wind around cliffs surrounded by yellowy beige grasses and cliffs. From the beach boardwalk to the lush redwoods, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway. Were taking the 5 to Seattle with a few stops on the way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD. Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway) 11 Adventure Tours from $24.99 per adult Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco 310 Bus Tours from $105.00 per adult Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco 584 Full-day Tours from $199.00 per adult (price varies by group size) I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. The most easily accessible and breathtakingly stark part of the PCH is a short drive (about 3 hours) sound of San Francisco, so many people in the Bay Area do it as an overnight or weekend trip. (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! We were 70s teenagers all around! As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. If you are short on time to drive the PCH, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. Pacific Coast Highway (1982)(Datasoft)(US)PlatformAtari 8-bitReleased1982Published byDatasoft,. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. Ill have to stop at these places, Thinking about a pch trip from San frans to LA.. suggestions on where to stop and how many days, I have this post that will help you plan your trip: https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Hi Valerie I am looking for a 1 day coastal trip from Anaheim back to San Francisco with 4 kids ranging from Teen to toddler. 9. After Crater lake we headed back to 238 towards HWY 101, we took an off road to hit the coast right at Brookings. There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! From Ventura. What do you think about making this drive in November? Is Yellowstone worth the long detour? Thank you, Archimedes. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! $23.99 $ 23. If youre not sure (or not loyal to any particular car rental company), consider using a tool like Kayak or TripAdvisor to compare a bunch of options (yes, TripAdvisor does rental cars!). Rudy. Youll see signs for Hoh Rainforest, a left turn that takes you inland to the forest. We will go from Seattle to San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide. November should be a good time, but you may experience some days where the Marine Layer rolls in be sure to pack layers in case its cooler/less sunny than expected! P.S. While driving southbound, youll approach Marshall first. Have a great trip! After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Download Pacific Coast Highway stock photos. Great read! We will be stopping to see the sights along the way but not for strenuous hikes. Start with a stop for fresh pastries at Caf Aquatica in the tiny town of Jenner (population: less than 200), 11 miles from Bodega Bay. Manny from Massachusetts. Here's an example PCH itinerary: Day 1: Seattle WA, to Forks, WA. The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. 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. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. 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! Sorry about the delay, Scott. Im nervous go excited. Do you have any recommendations or modifications while traveling with kids. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: As you might have guessed continue following California Highway 1 south! If I wanted to follow your trip but stop off a day at Yosemite what might the drive look like? Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. Whats the best time of year to do this? The ocean is my happy place. Day 2: Forks, WA to Cape Kiwanda, OR. Before launching into a bunch of details for where to stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, I need to define a few things: Now that you know the details, lets dig into the logistics of planning your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary! , Hi. So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. I know we wont see everything, but its the only time frame we have. Okay, now youve got your car, youve got your basic itinerary. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. Thanks for your comment, Patty! This sounds like a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon! Were using it to plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to LA. If I am going to follow your 10 day itinerary from Washington State to San Diego, how many overnight stays can I have? skip Santa Cruz, skip San Francisco Day 2 and just hit the highway) OR if you had a suggestion on swapping out one of the spots with a different one (ex. 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. to San Diego, CA. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. This information is great!!! We are so overwhelmed. I am starting from seattle 8/26 down to los angeles taking PCH. Great tips, Kathi! Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Have a great trip!! Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road. Blow your budget and stay the night at Fairmont San Francisco, one of the nicest hotels in town. Great post. What you suggested (Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay) is a great two-day itinerary. I didnt spend a ton of time on the Central Coast, but be sure to stop at Pismo Beach and drive through Carmel. Pinterest. 2. 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. We detoured at Reedsport to go to Crater lake, which turned out awesome, there was a ELK reserve on the way, it took about 3 hrs to get to Roseburg, where we stayed the night, the next day the drive to Crater lake was about 3 hrs, the drive was absolutely beautiful. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. Southern California. Are you planning to stay in bigger cities (Portland, SF, Santa Barbara), or smaller ones? I had lots of recommendations from a friend, specific to Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete. Starting at San Francisco ending San Diego. I will be driving from Dallas to Seattle. Thanks for reading, Thomas. Stop 3: Monterey and its aquarium. There are a few restaurants in town and 17 miles of beautiful beach to explore. San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Thank you! This guide is great, do you have a Google map itinerary to download with the stops? Thanks for reading, Laurie! Our partners offer one-way rentals from multiple locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Thanks for your comment, Kathy! We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. You might have even stopped to take a picture of the sunset from a beautiful lookout along the Pacific Coast Highway and can caption it with, "Just say the word and we'll go back." Every. Three police agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, crack down on motorists along the Pacific Coast Highway near Crystal Cove on Sunday, May 3, 2020. Homes similar to 20132 Pacific Coast Hwy are listed between $350K to $70M at an average of $2,795 per square foot. Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. We are coming from Pennsylvania. We took this trip several years ago. Love all the comments ideas and suggestion, will try and make this trip happen in about 2-3 years . The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! Glad to help, Dan! Thank you in advance! 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. I mapped it here so you can see the option to add in Crater Lake and what youll miss: https://goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5. Find and save ideas about pacific coast highway on Pinterest. I love road trips & he tolerates them so I am looking forward to all these sights to see! I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! Pacific Coast Highway 1 (PCH) - California. It's renowned as one of the most scenic road trips in America, and of course there are dozens of fun places to stop and check out along the way. Adrian, great to hear from you! I am planning a 10 day trip the last two weeks in May down the entire PCH from Seattle to San Diego. Thanks for reading, Dale. Thanks for reading, Kay. Thanks for reading though , Thanks so much for an in depth post. Your email address will not be published. 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. Also, about how many miles a day are you traveling on your 10 day itinerary? Scott, I replied to your email, so you should be all set! Its worth it! As the tallest lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is picturesque, and you can view it from several different angles along the nearby coastline. 8. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most famous and beautiful road trips on earth. Can you recommend where to spend time and in which cities to plan to spend the night? Thanks for reading, Tony! Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. 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. An unanticipated problem was encountered, check back soon and try again If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop. Its really up to you to decide where you want to end and figure out the closest rental car/airport option from there, but there are airports of all sizes throughout the region. do you have a printable version of this? Thank you for the pointers! Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Would there be a place where the rental could be left in those regions? 20520 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 - $540/sq ft larger lot 23 years older SOLD JUL 12, 2022 $1,830,000 F Sold Price 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,446 Sq. 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. Planning for 5-6 days of Seattle to San Diego. Great info . What would be a good hopping on point? This will be a great tool in planning. I love all the details and recommendations! A one-week Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary will allow you to see the highlights without feeling rushed. Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. Thank you for this wonderful review. Valerie I just came across this post. Officially, only the short, sun-loving stretch of Hwy 1 through Orange and Los Angeles Counties can legally call itself Pacific Coast Highway. You could do this road-trip in as little as five days, but I recommend taking at least seven or maybe 10 if you have the time! Great question, Judy. 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. My English is very very basic but if you write to me I can understand it. 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. 8. Thanks for reading, Lauren! 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. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? If you decide to drive the PCH, Im happy to give you any tips! I have suggestions on dates earlier in the article to help you figure out how long to do the trip and where to stop. Day 4: Redwood State Park, CA to San Francisco, CA. It looks so cute! Im assuiming youve read the whole post, as I do cover a 7-day suggested itinerary, and cover overnight stops along the Oregon coast. Hi, My wife and I are planning a 7-day drive from San Fran to Portland in late June of this year. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. (I used Roadtrippers Plus to create this route;you can get $5 off Plus byclicking this linkand using code BTR5QTP.). It connects the beautiful harbor town of Dana Point in southern California's Orange County to Leggett, California, in Mendocino County, home to some of the largest trees in the world. Again, thanks for great info and advice. It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! If I were going to recommend a route, Id do something like the National Parks in California or the Utah/Arizona/SoCal loop. Sorry, but theres no way to do the drive to Seattle and back along the PCH in just 7 days. Any recommendations will be appreciated! These stops are numbered to match my Roadtrippers map and trip above (click here to open the trip in a separate window). Ann, thanks so much for your comment. 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. I am going to plan for at least a 10 day trip, its once in a lifetime and truly dont want to rush it I cant wait to see his face when I announce at his local birthday party in July that I have saved for and planned this fantastic trip for September 2021!! Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! I will definitely use all the info youve provided. This post was so helpful! We want a mix of National/State Parks, cities, and coasts. We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching some of the beautiful beaches and state parks. Portland! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. Do you have a version that is just typed up not with pictures? Hey Valerie great name yourself! I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. Drive safely! 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? Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. Thanks for reading, Brian. Or, do you think one could just take a chance and stop and book a room when in need??? Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles. We are only going to be there once though and want to make the most of it. Thanks for reading, Jan. Is this going to be a big disappointment? It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do! I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. Heather, you saw the rest of the post, right? Im glad to surpass the AAA level. Thank you so very much. Hi, I love Portland and San Francisco. $2,785,000. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Here, waves are grand and harsh, and coastal cliffs are as breathtaking as it gets. The Pacific Coast Highway is the ultimate road trip - and it's certainly the best one in America. Portland? 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. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. No matter which you choose, youll enter SF by driving across the Golden Gate Bridge; you can either stay along the coast and drive down Ocean Beach or head east into the city. 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. Unsurprisingly, a private car is the absolute best way to make the most of a trip along the legendary PCH. Regarding I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! The Pacific Coast Highway is up there with the most beautiful drives in the world. While the glass is technically part of MacKerricher State Park and you cant take it home you can still spend time out of the car searching for different colors and shapes of beautiful sea glass that wash up from the Pacific Ocean. Have a wonderful trip! We are from Ohio. is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? 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. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. I am currently planning a road trip from Phoenix to Vancouver, WA to visit family and weve decided to come back home via the PCH. The most commonly driven part of the . Hope to rent a car there? Thanks, Id take those days and visit the San Juan Islands: https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, You could also give yourself more time in the cities: https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/ https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/ https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, Valerie, My husband and I are wanting to fly from Denver to California on December 27th. Such a thorough guide! The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! We always wanted to do an RV trip, but maybe the PCH is not the one to do that on?? Thanks again. Pacific Coast Highway Attractions, those must-see sights along PCH, include Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Golden Gate Bridge. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Newport. staying at decent places 3-4 star properties. To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. San Francisco has tons of cool neighborhoods, so its hard to choose which vacation rentals to recommend Check out this, Plan an overnight in Santa Barbara so you can soak in the charm. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). 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). 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. The skies are guaranteed to be blue, the weather begs for a convertible, and the passing sands are alive with . Our Pacific Coast Highway road trip is 575 miles of stunning coastal driving that's simply not to be missed. . haha. If youre a fan, make sure to stop in Aberdeen to see the house where he grew up. Silvia, not to minimize risks but I think the issue is not being represented realistically by the media. Santa Cruz. The longer you spend, the more youll get to see and enjoy. Other cool attractions include Hurricane Ridge (a popular hiking spot), Elwha River Valley, and Olympic Hot Springs. Day 3: Cape Kiwanda, OR to Redwood State Park, CA. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grants Pass, then turn southwest to Crescent City (#11).If you are taking a longer PCH drive, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. Sea the possibilities. I appreciate all the information! I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. Thanks again for this excellent resource. Thanks for reading, Heather! I appreciate this guide. These make perfect Instagram captions for dreamy sunsets or foggy mornings on the Pacific. Here are some different starting/ending points for a PCH road trip: As you can see, you have options! Sonja, glad to help! What a drive! Thanks, Larissa! 7 Stunning Viewpoints on the Pacific Coast Highway By Michael Hodson Updated on 06/03/19 At just over six hundred and fifty miles in length, and running along much of the coast of California, the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most popular road trip destinations in the United States. We are thinking Crescent City to Santa Barbara? Amazingly great article. I was, for the most part, ambivalent about the cities along the PCH. Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. I love all the details that you are recommended here. After about 15 miles, you will reach Highway 1. 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! Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options, How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway, Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions, this gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront property, plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego, https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Wandering the Olympic Peninsula - Valerie & Valise, https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip, https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/. In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. I didnt want to make all my reservations, but just go with it for one time in my life. Thanks for your comment, David! For bigger cities, there are probably enough options that you can wait until you arrive to book, even during that time of year. We are planning to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the 5th day. 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! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Amazing! Valerie, I am so glad I found your guide to the PCH! "Golden state of mind." 3. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. I wouldnt go all the way to Seattle, especially if you dont like big cities. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. 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. Is this time of year realistic for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else? That route looks good have you input all the drive times in Google to confirm that you want to be on the road that much each day? 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! Now we want to take our girls on the same trip. 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! Thank you! Thanks for reading, Angel! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue along CA-1 to San Diego, your final stop on this PCH road trip. I am planning a road-trip with my husband along the Pacific coast. 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! I also agree that Point Reyes (and the lighthouse) is spectacular and my top place to go when in North Ca. But all of those are just ways to say "The 1.". I hope this helps! The total distance is about 1,500 miles! Looking forward to follow your tips. Thanks for your comment, Manny. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! 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. Extremely informative. Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? I think its going to be a tough year fro travel! If you happen to do your PCH road trip in the winter, Pismo State Beach is also home to the largest colony of migrating monarch butterflies during the winter months. Tim and Janice. Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! I also downloaded the Roadtrippers app but I cant find it. 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. We are planning a trip in Sept 0f 2022, starting in Portland, ending in San Diego. It was a great help! Ive just started planning our trip for this autumn. 3. Victoria Beach has the famous pirates tower of Laguna Beach, which is was built to allow the resident down from their home to beach below. How do I do it? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? We booked a flight to San Jose to explore the citys economic hub and cultural traditions. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. Pacific Highway Route information Existed 1913-1926 [a] Major junctions South end San Diego, CA North end Vancouver, BC Location Country United States States California, Oregon, Washington, (also Vancouver in British Columbia) Highway system Auto trails Pacific Highway is the name of several north-south highways in the Pacific Coast region of the Western United States, either by . This will be tricky as there are no rental cars in Crescent City or anywhere near it. Santa Barbara was the biggest surprise I had on my PCH road trip in 2014.