LA-BIG SUR 5D 5d

Route: Los Angeles → Santa Barbara Driving: Urban escape to relaxed coastal towns, PCH traffic before Malibu.

5days
20stops
Day 1: Day 1 · LA to Santa Barbara
4 stops
Santa Monica Pier
09:00
Malibu Coast
11:30
Ventura Harbor
14:00
Santa Barbara
17:00
Day 2: Day 2 · Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
4 stops
Solvang
09:30
Los Olivos
12:00
Pismo Beach
15:30
San Luis Obispo
18:00
Day 3: Day 3 · SLO to Big Sur Gateway
4 stops
Morro Bay
09:00
Hearst Castle
11:30
Elephant Seal Beach
14:30
Ragged Point
17:00
Day 4: Day 4 · Big Sur Heart
4 stops
Julia Pfeiffer Burns
09:00
Bixby Bridge
11:30
Point Lobos
14:30
Carmel-by-the-Sea
17:00
Day 5: Day 5 · Carmel to Monterey Loop
4 stops
17-Mile Drive
09:00
Monterey Bay Aquarium
12:30
Cannery Row
15:00
Old Fisherman's Wharf
17:30

LA-BIG SUR 5D 5d

Route: Los Angeles → Santa Barbara Driving: Urban escape to relaxed coastal towns, PCH traffic before Malibu.

  1. Day 1 · LA to Santa Barbara

    Highlight: Coastal highway start. Note: Stop at Malibu for sunset photos.

    • Santa Monica Pier

      Iconic pier, Pacific Coast Highway start

    • Malibu Coast

      Sea caves and rock formations

    • Ventura Harbor

      Marina stroll, fresh seafood

    • Santa Barbara

      Spanish architecture, waterfront dining

  2. Day 2 · Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

    Highlight: Wine country detour. Note: Book Solvang bakery early.

    • Solvang

      Danish village, windmills, pastries

    • Los Olivos

      Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting

    • Pismo Beach

      Classic surf town, sand dunes

    • San Luis Obispo

      Bubblegum Alley, Thursday farmers market

  3. Day 3 · SLO to Big Sur Gateway

    Highlight: Elephant seal rookery. Note: No gas for 100km past Hearst Castle.

    • Morro Bay

      Ancient volcanic plug, otter spotting

    • Hearst Castle

      Art-filled hilltop estate tour

    • Elephant Seal Beach

      Thousands of seals on the beach

    • Ragged Point

      Cliff-top sunset, Big Sur gateway

  4. Day 4 · Big Sur Heart

    Highlight: McWay Falls. Note: Highway 1 closures check required.

    • Julia Pfeiffer Burns

      McWay Falls, 80ft waterfall to ocean

    • Bixby Bridge

      Most photographed bridge on PCH

    • Point Lobos

      China Cove, sea lion colonies

    • Carmel-by-the-Sea

      Fairy-tale cottages, art galleries

  5. Day 5 · Carmel to Monterey Loop

    Highlight: 17-Mile Drive. Note: $12 entry fee, worth every penny.

    • 17-Mile Drive

      Scenic loop, Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach

    • Monterey Bay Aquarium

      World-class kelp forest exhibit

    • Cannery Row

      Steinbeck history, waterfront dining

    • Old Fisherman's Wharf

      Seafood feast, harbor seals