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Pacific Coast Highway Explorer
A quintessential 5-day journey down Highway 1, blending rugged Big Sur cliffs, Danish villages, and the sun-drenched beaches of Southern California.
5days
19stops
513km
Day 1: Half Moon Bay → … → 17-Mile Drive
2h 10min · 155km4 stops
Half Moon Bay
09:30
1h · 75km
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
11:30
55min · 72km
Monterey Bay Aquarium
14:30
15min · 8.0km
17-Mile Drive
16:45
Day 2: Point Lobos State Reserve → … → Elephant Seal Vista Point
2h 25min · 145km4 stops
Point Lobos State Reserve
09:00
25min · 22km
Bixby Creek Bridge
11:00
45min · 38km
McWay Falls
13:30
1h 15min · 85km
Elephant Seal Vista Point
16:30
Day 3: Hearst Castle → … → Solvang Village
2h 10min · 165km4 stops
Hearst Castle
09:00
40min · 48km
Morro Rock
12:30
35min · 42km
Pismo Beach Pier
14:45
55min · 75km
Solvang Village
16:30
Day 4: Old Mission Santa Barbara → … → The Funk Zone
23min · 6.0km4 stops
Old Mission Santa Barbara
10:00
10min · 3.0km
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
12:30
8min · 2.0km
Stearns Wharf
14:30
5min · 1.0km
The Funk Zone
16:30
Day 5: El Matador State Beach → The Getty Villa → Santa Monica Pier
55min · 42km3 stops
El Matador State Beach
10:00
35min · 32km
The Getty Villa
12:30
20min · 10km
Santa Monica Pier
15:30
Heads Up
- 1. Check for Big Sur road closures before departing
- 2. Bring layers; the coast can be foggy and chilly even in summer
- 3. Book Hearst Castle tours at least 2 weeks in advance