Pacific Coast Highway California Road Trip + Map: Big Sur & Best Stops 🚗
If you’ve ever dreamed of a road trip where the Pacific is basically your co-pilot, this is the one. The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is famous for a reason, and Big Sur is the straight-up showstopper. I did this drive north to south(San Francisco down to Los Angeles), and I’m telling you, it just feels easier that way. Most of the epic viewpoints are on your side of the road, so you’re not doing stressful lane-crossing gymnastics every time you spot a pull-off.
Quick real talk though: Highway 1 around Big Sur can close after storms or landslides, sometimes with little warning. Don’t let that scare you off, just build in a little flexibility. Even with a detour, this road trip is still an absolute knockout.
I have added the FREE Google Map Itinerary lower down!
Pacific Coast Highway California Road Trip
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
✅ Best direction: San Francisco ➜ Los Angeles (north ➜ south for easier viewpoints)
✅ Ideal trip length: 5–7 days (7 if you like slow mornings and extra stops)
✅ Total driving time: roughly 10–14 hours of driving (but you’ll stop a lot, happily)
✅ Best months: late spring + early autumn for clearer skies and fewer weather tantrums
✅ Road type: coastal curves + narrow sections + occasional fog walls
✅ Overnight sweet spots: Monterey/Carmel (north), Big Sur/Cambria (middle), Santa Barbara (south)
✅ Car strategy: one-way rental is easiest (pick up SF, drop LA) via our recommended car hire
✅ Data tip: reception gets patchy in Big Sur, so grab an Airalo eSIM and download offline maps 📱
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Book accommodation early for Big Sur and weekends. Places sell out fast, and “I’ll wing it” can turn into “I’m sleeping in a petrol station car park” energy. Check options on Booking.com.
🚗 Recommended Car Rental: DiscoverCars
The Itinerary (links up perfectly, classic PCH route) 🗺️
Day 1: San Francisco ➜ Half Moon Bay ➜ Santa Cruz
Start with San Francisco as your launch pad: grab the car, grab snacks, try not to immediately panic at the first American multi-lane junction. Once you hit the coast, everything chills out. The cliffs start showing off, the air gets saltier, and suddenly you’re doing that thing where you keep pulling over “just for a quick photo” (lies, all lies). Overnight in Santa Cruz if you want beach-town vibes and an easy next day.
📍 Things to do
- Drive the coastal stretch past Pacifica and Half Moon Bay (classic pullovers)
- Walk the bluffs at Davenport for big waves and fewer crowds
- Hit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk if you want old-school funfair chaos 🎡
👉 Good to know: Fog is part of the PCH personality. Morning can be pea-soup city, then it clears like nothing happened.
🚗 Recommended Tour to get you started: San Francisco: Alcatraz ticket, with ferry and audio tour
🗺️ FREE Road Trip: Garden Route South Africa Road Trip + Map: Best Stops for Beaches & Safari 🚗
Day 2: Santa Cruz ➜ Monterey ➜ Carmel-by-the-Sea
Today is “cute coastal towns and sea creatures” day. Monterey and Carmel are close, so you can take it slow and still fit loads in. Monterey has that lively waterfront feel, Carmel is storybook-pretty, and both are brilliant bases for Big Sur tomorrow. Stay around Monterey/Carmel so you can start early and beat the Big Sur traffic.
📍 Things to do
- Monterey’s waterfront and Cannery Row (touristy, but fun)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium if you’re into otters being adorable professionals 🦦
- Sunset stroll around Carmel Beach
- Optional splurge: 17-Mile Drive for scenic stops
Day 3: Carmel ➜ Point Lobos ➜ Bixby Bridge ➜ Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)
This is the day you’ve been waiting for. Big Sur doesn’t ease you in gently, it goes straight to dramatic cliffs and cinematic views. Start early, because the best stops get busy and parking is limited in places. Keep your camera ready and your shoulders relaxed, because the driving is twisty and gorgeous.
📍 Things to do
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for coastal trails + wildlife vibes
- Photo stop at Bixby Creek Bridge
- Garrapata State Park for quieter cliff walks
- Pfeiffer Beach for purple sand and moody coastline
💡 Fact: Big Sur is one of those places where the views look edited… but it’s just California showing off.
🗺️ Recommended Read: All Our Guides to the USA
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
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Day 4: Big Sur ➜ McWay Falls ➜ Ragged Point ➜ Cambria/San Simeon
Big Sur’s southern stretch is where you start feeling like you’ve driven into a nature documentary. You’ll get viewpoints that make you stop mid-sentence. Keep the day flexible because parking and traffic can slow things down, and honestly, you’ll want time to just stare at the ocean like a slightly emotional sea otter.
📍 Things to do
- McWay Falls viewpoint at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Short hikes around Andrew Molera State Park (if you fancy stretching your legs)
- Ragged Point for a classic “pull over and gasp” viewpoint
- Overnight in Cambria (cosy seaside) or San Simeon (Hearst Castle access)
Day 5: Hearst Castle ➜ Morro Bay ➜ Pismo Beach ➜ Santa Barbara
Today shifts from wild cliffs to classic California beach towns. Hearst Castle is the big-ticket stop, then you coast south with plenty of easy food breaks and salty-air wander opportunities. Santa Barbara is a perfect overnight: pretty, walkable, and just the right amount of fancy.
📍 Things to do
- Hearst Castle tour (book ahead if you can) 🎟️
- Sea lion spotting on the coast near San Simeon
- Morro Bay for waterfront strolls and relaxed lunch
- Pismo Beach for sunset and that “holiday mode: on” feeling
- Overnight in Santa Barbara (great options on Booking.com)
🔹 Pro tip: If Hearst Castle is a must-do, treat it like a “buy tickets first, plan the rest after” situation.
🗺️ USA Guide: USA Travel Tips For First-Timers: Your Fun, Foolproof Guide 🇺🇸
Day 6: Santa Barbara ➜ Ventura ➜ Malibu ➜ Los Angeles
This stretch feels like the PCH doing a greatest hits montage. You’ll pass beaches, surfers, and scenic pull-offs that look suspiciously like every film you’ve ever watched. Malibu is the star stop, then you roll into LA with the ocean still on your left and the city slowly taking over.
📍 Things to do
- Breakfast and a wander along Santa Barbara waterfront
- Stop in Ventura for a chilled beach break
- Malibu viewpoints and a beach walk 🏖️
- Sunset at Santa Monica or a wander around Venice Beach
👉 Good to know: LA traffic is not your friend. Try to arrive mid-morning or after evening rush if you value inner peace.
🗺️ USA Flight Guide: United Airlines Baggage Allowance – Carry-On & Checked Rules Fully Explained
Day 7: LA flex day (and car drop)
Keep this day loose. You can go full tourist, full beach, or full “I’m tired, I need coffee and a lie down.” Drop your car and enjoy not driving for a bit.
📍 Things to do
- Griffith Observatory views (especially near golden hour)
- Hollywood area if it’s on your list
- Food crawl, beach day, or an easy tours option if you want someone else to handle the plan
🔹 Tinker’s tip: If you’re flying out, leave more time than you think for returns, queues, and general airport faff.
🗺️ Entry Worries?: ESTA Essentials: Your 15-Minute Guide to Hassle-Free USA Entry
Grab the Map
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
Pit Stops & Side Detours 🚗✨
If you’ve got extra time (or you’re a serial “just one more stop” person), these detours slot in nicely without wrecking the flow. Think of them as little bonus levels 🕹️
- Sausalito (quick hop from SF for pretty waterfront views)
- Año Nuevo State Park (seasonal elephant seal action)
- Capitola (colourful seaside village near Santa Cruz)
- Carmel Valley (wine country feel without going miles inland)
- Paso Robles (bigger wine detour, best if you add a night)
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
You don’t need a spreadsheet for food on the PCH. You just need a healthy respect for seafood, tacos, and “I’ll have one more coffee” logic ☕🌮
- Half Moon Bay: seafood shacks and coastal cafés
- Monterey: clam chowder and anything fresh off the boats
- Carmel: cute bakeries, bougie brunch, excellent pastries
- Big Sur: roadside bites and picnic-style snacks (pack something!)
- Santa Barbara: Mexican food is the move
- Malibu: beach cafés and “I’m paying for the view” lunches
🎶 Road Trip Playlist
This road deserves music that makes you feel like the main character (without getting too emotional at a viewpoint and missing the turn-off).
- Fleetwood Mac: Go Your Own Way
- The Eagles: Hotel California
- Red Hot Chili Peppers: Californication
- Lana Del Rey: West Coast
- Tom Petty: Runnin’ Down a Dream
- Kendrick Lamar: Money Trees
- The Beach Boys: Good Vibrations
- Lorde: Solar Power
👉 Good to know: Download offline. Signal can be patchy and your playlist deserves better. 📲
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
For when the fog rolls in and you want entertainment that isn’t just you narrating your own driving.
- Stuff You Should Know
- The Daily
- Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
- No Such Thing As A Fish
- Criminal
Road Trip Essentials (All Year Round) 🎒🚗
The PCH is stunning in every season, but it’s also got mood swings: foggy mornings, surprise wind, random cold snaps, and the occasional “why is it raining sideways” moment. Pack for comfort and flexibility, not just the Instagram dream.
- Light waterproof jacket (hood = your best mate)
- A warm layer you can throw on at viewpoints (coastal wind loves drama)
- Sunglasses + sunscreen (yes, even when it’s cloudy)
- Reusable water bottle + easy snacks (Big Sur services can be spaced out)
- Offline maps downloaded (signal drops happen, right when you’re feeling smug)
- Power bank + car charger (camera battery will not survive Big Sur)
- Microfibre cloth for windscreen + camera lens (fog and salty mist are relentless)
- Shoes with grip (clifftop trails + sandy steps = slip city)
- Small first-aid kit + motion sickness meds if you’re curve-sensitive
- Flexibility in your plan for roadworks, traffic, or closures (detours happen, vibes still survive)
👉 Must-do: If you’re renting a car one-way, sort it early so you get decent pricing and availability via our recommended car hire.
Rent a Car
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
Is it better to drive the PCH north to south or south to north?
North to south is easier for viewpoints because you’re pulling off on the ocean side rather than crossing lanes.
How many days do I need for Big Sur and the best stops?
Five days works if you keep moving, but seven is ideal if you want hikes, slow mornings, and fewer rushed stops.
Can I drive the whole route on Highway 1?
Not always. Big Sur closures happen, so you might need to detour inland via US-101 depending on conditions.
Do I need to book accommodation and activities in advance?
For Big Sur stays and popular tours, yes, especially weekends and peak season. Booking.com is your best friend here.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Author
Freddie Masters
I’m Freddie, a traveller who decided that life was a bit too short to spend it behind a desk. A few years ago, I packed a bag and set off to see what the world actually looks like, and I haven't really stopped since. From navigating the chaos of Southeast Asian markets to finding quiet corners in the Balkans, I’m all about those authentic, local experiences.
I started to write for TheTravelTinker.com to give you the real talk on travel. You won't find any glossy, staged nonsense here. Instead, I focus on practical tips, honest budget advice, and the truth about what happens when things don't go to plan. If I can figure out a local bus route or find a world-class meal for the price of a coffee, I want to make sure you can too.
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