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California Coast Pacific Highway Journey

Experience the ultimate 7-day American road trip along the legendary Highway 1. This route connects iconic landmarks from the fog-swept Golden Gate Bridge through the rugged Big Sur coastline to the glamorous palm-lined streets of Los Angeles.

7days
21stops
777km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in San Francisco · Carmel · Big Sur · Santa Barbara · Los Angeles · Beverly Hills — start in San Francisco, end in Los Angeles.

DAY01

Union Square → Fisherman's Wharf

22 km · 44m driving · Overnight in Fisherman's Wharf
  1. 09:00
    Union Square· start
  2. 8.4 km · 22m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Golden Gate Bridge
  4. 14 km · 22m
  5. 15:00
    Fisherman's Wharf· overnight
DAY02

Stanford → Carmel

196 km · 2h 23m driving · Overnight in Carmel-by-the-Sea
  1. 09:00
    Stanford University· start
  2. 62 km · 53m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Monterey Bay Aquarium
  4. 134 km · 1h 30m
  5. 15:00
    Carmel-by-the-Sea· overnight
DAY03

Point Lobos State Natural Res… → McWay Falls

24 km · 24m driving · Overnight in McWay Falls
  1. 09:0011:00
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve· start
  2. 6.6 km · 9m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Bixby Creek Bridge
  4. 18 km · 15m
  5. 15:00
    McWay Falls· overnight
DAY04

Solvang → Stearns Wharf

308 km · 3h 46m driving · Overnight in Stearns Wharf
  1. 09:00
    Solvang· start
  2. 257 km · 3h 2m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Old Mission Santa Barbara
  4. 52 km · 44m
  5. 15:00
    Stearns Wharf· overnight
DAY05

Santa Monica → Hollywood Walk of Fame

165 km · 1h 49m driving · Overnight in Hollywood Walk of Fame
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier· start
  2. 150 km · 1h 34m
  3. 12:00
    Getty Center
  4. 14 km · 15m
  5. 15:00
    Hollywood Walk of Fame· overnight
DAY06

Griffith Observatory → Beverly Hills

18 km · 32m driving · Overnight in Beverly Hills Sign
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Griffith Observatory· start
  2. 6.8 km · 16m
  3. 12:00
    Universal Studios Hollywood
  4. 11 km · 16m
  5. 15:00
    Beverly Hills Sign· overnight
DAY07

Venice Beach Boardwalk → Walt Disney Concert Hall

44 km · 58m driving
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Venice Beach Boardwalk· start
  2. 16 km · 28m
  3. 12:00
    The Broad
  4. 28 km · 30m
  5. 15:00
    Walt Disney Concert Hall
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf · Night 1
  2. Stay in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea · Night 2
  3. Stay in Santa Monica or West Hollywood · Nights 3-6
Heads Up
  • Check for Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1) road closures near Big Sur before departure.
  • Layered clothing is essential for the transition from chilly San Francisco fog to Southern California heat.
  • Book car rentals with drop-off at a different location early to avoid high seasonal surcharges.