California’s highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, ranks in the top ten of every list as one of the most scenic drives in the USA. Although the highway technically extends the length of California, the portion from Los Angeles to San Francisco is beyond a shadow of a doubt the best and most spectacular section of the drive. Los Angeles is known for its sunny beaches and San Francisco for its unique vibe, in between is the sparsely populated central coast with incredible scenery. From quaint seaside towns and great beaches to cliffs diving down to the ocean and redwood forests, The Pacific Coast Highway is a beautiful, most do, road trip.
I’ll start South and head North beginning at Pismo Beach just North of Los Angeles and give you a understanding of why the Pacific Coast Highway ranks as one of the best drives in the USA.
Pismo Beach
Let’s begin this journey North at the charming town of Pismo Beach. If you head up from Los Angeles, you will pass Santa Barbara and then head inland until you finally reach the coastline again at Pismo Beach. Pismo is a popular destination for many reasons. The weather here is typically warmer than the rest of the central coast making it a great spot to relax at the beach. You can also take a stroll on the pier and when you get hungry, head into town where many fine options await you. First there is the famous Splash Cafe which always has a long line but with a clam chowder well worth the wait. Head into San Luis Obispo for their only other location if you want indoor seating and more of a sit down experience. Other options include Brad’s which rivals Splash Cafe with their seafood or, if seafood isn’t your thing, go next door to Mo’s BBQ for another great option. If you’re here for breakfast or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, hop on over to the legendary Old West Cinnamon Rolls for perhaps the best cinnamon roll you have ever eaten. Pismo is a great place to camp as well. You can spend the night at North Beach Campground which is just a short walk from the beach.
Avila Beach
Head North from Pismo a few miles and you’ll reach my favorite beach in California, Avila Beach. Much of the ocean front town was demolished in the 90’s in order to clean up an oil spill but the oceanfront businesses have all been rebuilt resulting in a modern setting. Although the food scene is a slight downgrade from Pismo Beach, Avila has a fantastic shaved ice and coffee spot at Al’s. The beach at Avila is the main attraction with soft sand and tame waves, its a great spot to relax away the day.
Morro Bay
Continuing along highway 1 You will then head inland to the cool college town of San Luis Obispo before making your way back to the coast at Morro Bay. If you’re on a tight schedule and more want to enjoy the Pacific Coast Highway’s famous dramatic coastline, I would skip Morro Bay and head straight to Cambria and Moonstone Beach, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do here. Pismo Beach and Avila Beach both have great beach town vibes and Morro Bay has its own charm but sitting on the namesake Bay (very creative names here). The biggest feature of Morro Bay would be Morro Rock (literally and figuratively). The north side of the rock was actually mined back in the day which gives it its characteristic scars which surprisingly give it a more photogenic look than its more naturally sloped southern side. Along the coastline here the fog will ebb and flow so be prepared for chilly weather, even in the summer.
If you have a day to spare, you can spend it strolling the town or go kayaking in the bay! I’ve always wanted to go kayaking and finally had the chance to go here and it exceeded my expectations! You can glide amongst Sea Otter’s relaxing on the kelp forest or observe the Sea Lions jousting for positioning on a floating dock. As far as food goes, my favorite place to get fish and chips here is at the Lil’ Hut. It’s takeaway only and quite expensive but if you want really good fish and chips, this is the place to go.
Cayucos
Heading North from Morro Bay along the Pacific Coast Highway, the next town you will come to is Cayucos. Cayucos is a small town with a beach and pier but there isn’t much more here. Their one advantage is that fires are allowed on the beach. If you’re not interested in having a bonfire, then just keep driving through because the beach here is pretty bad as the sand is full of sticks and rocks and other towns and beaches have a lot more to offer.
Cambria
Highway 1 will curve inland for a few miles and the next town you will approach is Cambria. There’s a debate whether its pronounced CAME-bree-uh or KAM-bree-uh. So take your pick and cross your fingers you don’t offend the locals. This is the last real town until Big Sur so be sure to top up with gas here and grab a bite to eat as your options will become seriously limited. You won’t want to stop for gas in Big Sur and pay for what I believe is the most expensive gas in the nation. There are plenty of accommodations just North of downtown along Highway 1 along with two campgrounds just North of town, the San Simeon Creek Campground and the Washburn Campground. Along Moonstone Beach Drive there is a boardwalk along the bluffs which is a nice place to stretch your legs and take in the ocean air. There is also a neat beach here of pebbles and small rocks which is enjoyable to meander along and look for the namesake Moonstones.
Hearst Castle
In the early 1900’s, William Randolph Hearst was born to wealthy parents and often went camping to his family’s estate at San Simeon. When his mother died, he inherited this property and built a large estate. Hearst eventually became a massive success in media and built up an impressive media empire. With his immense wealth he hired architect Julia Morgan and together, they constructed this vacation “castle”. William Randolph Hearst also had a love for art so he housed a large collection at this estate. After his death he gave the estate to the State of California so now it is a museum that is open to the public.
There are multiple tours you can do at Hearst Castle each costing $25 for adults and $12 for children. The main tour is the Grand Rooms tour which will take you through the main rooms of the castle. There is also an upstairs suites tour and a cottages and kitchen tour. The main draw of Hearst Castle is the incredible architecture and varied art. It seems that every facet of the building is from some exotic location or of historical significance. From woodwork from Siam to paintings from the Renaissance, the entire building and grounds are covered in history. Unless you are interested in art, architecture, or history, then I wouldn’t recommend visiting as $25 is a lot of money to see a nice house. If you choose to visit, be sure to give yourself plenty of time because after the tour you can wander the grounds at your own leisure which I’m sure you will want to do. I spent probably 3 hours there and I could’ve stayed longer.
Hearst also had a private zoo for many years until he began liquidating his properties. At some point some of the Zebras escaped from the pen and now hundreds roam the estate so keep your eyes out for them!
Elephant Seal Vista Point
This stop is a great quick stop to take in some unique wildlife. Elephant Seals could easily be described as ugly but they are fascinating to watch. If you come in late winter you might be lucky enough to spot some pups! Elephant seals are very odd creatures and can be entertaining to watch. There are usually some volunteers around who have in depth knowledge of the Elephant Seals so if your curiosity is piqued, ask any questions you want about the seals.
This is the last stop before the shore gets steeper and the roads begin to curve sharper. From here until Big Sur is perhaps the most beautiful part of the drive. The road balances on the cliffs as the mountains dive into the ocean which give the Pacific Coast Highway it’s famed reputation. So take your time as you cruise highway 1 and take advantage of the many vista points for incredible sights and beautiful photographs. There are a couple of hiking spots from here until Limekiln State Park but I wouldn’t recommend any of them especially if the weather’s hot. If do you want to walk along the bluffs or meander on the beach, the best spot before Limekiln would be at Plaskett.
DON’T STOP – Salmon Creek Falls
Stopping here is absolutely not worth it. It is impossible to get a good view of the waterfall. If you are able to get a view, it’s quite underwhelming anyway. If you’re thinking of simply doing some hiking, continue on until Limekiln State Park.
Plaskett
Plaskett Creek Campground is a great spot to camp with plenty of shade and about a five minute walk away from Sand Dollar Beach. There are also trails along the bluffs for good views of the coastline. Although I wouldn’t make this a stop if you are driving through, I would recommend the campground as there is plenty of shade, beach access, and at a good location between San Luis Obispo and Big Sur.
Limekiln State Park
There are numerous campsites up and down the Pacific Coast Highway, and although I didn’t stay here, it looked like a fabulous place to camp. Even if you don’t camp here, I would highly recommend stopping and hiking amongst the towering redwoods. Right off the highway along a few creeks and many trees, there are a couple miles of trails, all in a serene beautiful setting. You can hike to the three massive limekilns that have long since fell into disarray or hike along a creek to an imposing waterfall. The hike to the waterfall crosses the stream multiple times so be prepared for wet, cold feet. Numb toes are a small price to pay though for this waterfall. It’s very tall with two streams cascading down the cliff. If you happen to be here in the winter or spring when the flow will be at its highest, this is a fantastic stop.
There is also beach access in this state park if that suits you although I didn’t walk to it, it seemed decent. Since it is a State Park, you will have to pay $10 to park which is the case with every State Park along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Mcway Falls
Seeing Mcway Falls was one of my primary motivations when I traveled the Pacific Coast Highway and it lives up to the hype. The color of the water in this small cove is a beautiful turquoise as a perfect waterfall cascades right onto the beach. There is a singular path that goes around the cove above the waterfall and the beach. Since access to the beach is strictly prohibited, the scenery is consistently spectacular. Mcway Falls resides within the Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park, so parking in the lot will cost $10. However, there is plenty of room along the road to park which can be done for free. When I visited the path was closed before the best view of the falls so simply viewing from the side of the road is spectacular. The road being right next to the waterfall can diminish the ambiance but with an unobstructed view, the scene is still astounding. Come at Sunset for the best views as the midday shadows can diminish the view.
DON’T STOP – Partington Cove
I saw the rating on Google and thought I might have discovered an under-the-radar gem. I was greatly disappointed. You hike down a completely exposed gravel road, go through an eerie tunnel, and it opens to disappointment. It’s an ugly cove filled with seaweed and ocean scum.the view on the ocean is unimpressive and the limited tidepools have nothing of interest. Once you’ve realized you’ve wasted your time and want to head back to the car, you have an uphill hike through ugly terrain back to the road. Just don’t even bother.
Big Sur
Set among a forest of redwoods, Big Sur is a town that is representative of the surrounding area and the Pacific Coast Highway. Being in this location, it gets a lot of attention as a place to visit but the town itself is simply a tourist trap. The gas prices here are two and a half dollars a gallon over the state average and a small latte will set you back $6.25. Despite this, the scenery here is spectacular and it is a good base to venture from and take in the views along highway 1. I stayed at the campground in Big Sur which was a good campground with plenty of space. Although the forest was so dark and dense it was almost stifling, I imagine that in the summer it would be a pro instead of a con.
Pfieffer Beach and Keyhole Arch
Near the town of Big Sur sits Pfieffer beach on the edge of the Big Sur suburbs. This beach is known for two significant reasons. The first is keyhole arch. Sitting in the ocean right off the beach is a large rock and right in the center is a narrow arch resembling a keyhole. The second is the pink sand, yes, I said pink. It really incredible to see. These two unique features make Pfieffer beach a must visit on the Pacific Coast Highway. Getting here can be challenging as the road is difficult to find off of highway 1 but if you use a GPS that poses no serious problem. It does take a bit of skill to drive down to the beach as the road is winding and very steep and can be muddy if rain has recently fallen. There is a $10 cost to park so be prepared with cash on hand.
Bixby Bridge
The next must stop is Bixby Bridge. There are number of cement arch bridges like this one along the highway but Bixby Bridge is most easily observed along the road. The great vantage point to observe it as well as being placed a stunning height above the Ocean make this a must stop. Being so accessible and picturesque make this bridge one of the most famous spots along the Pacific Coast Highway as well as a true highlight.
Garrapata State Park
This is the last spot that I would recommend stopping along the Pacific Coast Highway which provides spectacular sights of the coastline along the bluffs. There are two other trails that I didn’t take, because one was closed and the other looked bland and exposed, hardly comparative to the beautiful coastline. One feature that I loved at this location is the color of the water. The water has a beautiful aqua blue color as opposed to the dark blues and grays that are frequent further South near Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. Somewhere along the drive the water changes color which provides a dazzling display as the water crashes against the rocks. There are many opportunities to hike along the bluffs throughout the Pacific Coast Highway but, in my estimation, this place surpassed them all.
Point Lobos – Don’t Stop
I don’t think i can properly communicate the level that this place is overrated. I am thoroughly thankful that I parked along the road instead of driving in and paying $10 to park. Not to mention that even if you spend $10, you aren’t guaranteed a parking spot where you wish as the parking in different parts is limited. But I digress, Point Lobos is not only overrated, but a stop not even worth taking. The views from the trails are average and when you can walk down to the water, they are thoroughly beaten down without the character nor life that I usually expect along ocean coastline. I will concede that China Cove was pretty and the best place to stop if you make the mistake of visiting this park. The greatest downside, however, is the poison oak. Covering the sides of the trails, you are at risk of getting the Poison Oak’s oil on your legs around every turn and inflaming your skin for weeks. Definitely be VERY careful. Though perhaps that’s not the most dangerous part of the park. Ticks are prevalent along the central california coastline, although I didn’t see any on my trip, but they have been observed at Point Lobos. The only thing that creeps me out about ticks more is the Lyme disease that they can carry. Yes, i am biased against Point Lobos, even though I avoided both Poison Oak and ticks, but I think my objections to this state park are duly deserved.
Monterrey
Monterrey marks the end of this guide, and whether you decide to cut the trip short here, or continue on to San Francisco, I hope this guide has given you a true understanding of the Pacific Coast Highway and why it is ranked as one of the most scenic drives in all of America.
