How long is the Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from San Francisco, California to Los Angeles, California in California, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is April to October, spring and autumn are clearest.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Nature, Classic road trip.

Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles

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The route · 7 stops

San Francisco

2 nights

The starting point of the southbound drive. San Francisco rewards a full day of exploration before the road begins: the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Mission District are all walkable or accessible by historic cable car. Collect the hire car on the morning of departure.The starting point of the southbound drive. San Francisco rewards a full day of exploration before the road begins: the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Mission District are all walkable or accessible by historic cable car. Collect the hire car on the morning of departure.

Recommendations

2h · 121 km drive to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

1 night

A laidback surf town 75 miles south of San Francisco via the scenic coastal Highway 1 route through Half Moon Bay. The Victorian-era Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been in continuous operation since 1907, and Natural Bridges State Beach offers good tide-pooling at low water.A laidback surf town 75 miles south of San Francisco via the scenic coastal Highway 1 route through Half Moon Bay. The Victorian-era Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been in continuous operation since 1907, and Natural Bridges State Beach offers good tide-pooling at low water.

Recommendations

1h 30m · 80 km drive to Monterey

Monterey

2 nights

One of the finest stops on the entire route, Monterey combines the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium on historic Cannery Row with the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea five miles south. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach are both within easy reach.One of the finest stops on the entire route, Monterey combines the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium on historic Cannery Row with the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea five miles south. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach are both within easy reach.

Recommendations

50m · 48 km drive to Big Sur

Big Sur

1 night

Big Sur is not a single town but a 90-mile stretch of Highway 1 where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the Pacific. Bixby Creek Bridge, the McWay Falls overlook at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Pfeiffer Beach's purple-tinged sand are the three essential stops. Lodging is scarce and books out months ahead.Big Sur is not a single town but a 90-mile stretch of Highway 1 where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the Pacific. Bixby Creek Bridge, the McWay Falls overlook at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Pfeiffer Beach's purple-tinged sand are the three essential stops. Lodging is scarce and books out months ahead.

Recommendations

1h 30m · 105 km drive to San Simeon

San Simeon

1 night

A small coastal town best known for Hearst Castle, the extravagant 165-room mansion that newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst built above the shore between 1919 and 1947. Just north of town, the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a free stop with seals numbering in the hundreds or thousands depending on the season.A small coastal town best known for Hearst Castle, the extravagant 165-room mansion that newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst built above the shore between 1919 and 1947. Just north of town, the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a free stop with seals numbering in the hundreds or thousands depending on the season.

Recommendations

2h 30m · 209 km drive to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

2 nights

The American Riviera deserves two nights. White-sand beaches, Spanish Colonial architecture, the beautifully preserved Old Mission founded in 1786, and the Funk Zone wine-bar district near the waterfront make Santa Barbara the most polished stop between Big Sur and Los Angeles.The American Riviera deserves two nights. White-sand beaches, Spanish Colonial architecture, the beautifully preserved Old Mission founded in 1786, and the Funk Zone wine-bar district near the waterfront make Santa Barbara the most polished stop between Big Sur and Los Angeles.

Recommendations

2h · 153 km drive to Los Angeles

Los Angeles

1 night

The end of the road, where Highway 1 merges into the city at Santa Monica. The pier at Santa Monica marks the unofficial finish line for most PCH drivers. Use the final day to explore Malibu's surf beaches, Venice Beach's boardwalk, or the Getty Center before returning the hire car.The end of the road, where Highway 1 merges into the city at Santa Monica. The pier at Santa Monica marks the unofficial finish line for most PCH drivers. Use the final day to explore Malibu's surf beaches, Venice Beach's boardwalk, or the Getty Center before returning the hire car.

Recommendations

Route highlights

Viewpoint
Bixby Creek Bridge
One of the tallest single-span concrete arch bridges in the world, Bixby Creek Bridge soars 79 metres above its canyon and frames a perfect slice of Pacific coastline. Pull into the small north-side car park for the classic wide-angle photograph. Stopping on the bridge itself is prohibited.
Viewpoint
McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
An 80-foot waterfall tumbles year-round directly onto a jade-green cove at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The easy Overlook Trail (half a mile return) delivers one of California's most photographed viewpoints with very little effort. No swimming is permitted in the cove below.
Scenic Drive
17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
A scenic toll road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, with cypress-lined clifftop views, the famous Lone Cypress tree, and several whale-watching pull-outs. The vehicle entry fee (around $10.75) includes a printed map of all the named stops along the loop.
Activity
Monterey Bay Aquarium
One of the finest marine aquariums in the world, with live kelp-forest tanks, jellyfish galleries, sea otters, and open-sea shark exhibits. Allow three to four hours and book tickets at least a week in advance during summer, when it regularly sells out.
Culture
Hearst Castle, San Simeon
William Randolph Hearst's extraordinary hilltop mansion features 165 rooms, two outdoor pools, and a collection of European art assembled over decades. Daily guided tours depart from the visitor centre below the castle; the Grand Rooms Tour is the best starting point for first-time visitors.
Culture
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Founded in 1786 and nicknamed the Queen of the Missions, this Franciscan church sits above downtown Santa Barbara with a cactus garden and working friars still in residence. Self-guided tours are available daily; the rose garden is at its best between April and June.
Activity
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
California's oldest surviving amusement park sits directly on the beach, with the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller-coaster as its centrepiece. The boardwalk itself is free to enter; rides are ticketed individually or by all-day wristband. Summer evenings bring free concerts on the beach.

Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles