LA-BIG SUR 5D 5d

Route: Santa Monica → Santa Barbara Driving: Urban PCH, scenic Malibu cliffs, easy day.

6days
25stops
Day 1: Day 1 · LA to Santa Barbara
4 stops
Santa Monica Pier
09:00
Malibu Pier
10:30
Ventura Harbor
12:30
Santa Barbara
15:00
Day 2: Day 2 · Santa Barbara to Pismo Beach
3 stops
Santa Barbara
09:00
Solvang
11:00
Pismo Beach
14:00
Day 3: Day 3 · Pismo Beach to San Simeon
5 stops
Pismo Beach
08:30
Morro Bay
10:30
Cayucos
12:30
Piedras Blancas
15:00
San Simeon
17:00
Day 4: Day 4 · San Simeon to Big Sur Village
4 stops
San Simeon
08:00
Ragged Point
12:00
Julia Pfeiffer Burns
15:00
Big Sur Village
17:30
Day 5: Day 5 · Big Sur Heart
5 stops
Big Sur Village
09:00
Pfeiffer Beach
10:30
Bixby Bridge
13:00
Garrapata State Park
15:30
Andrew Molera
17:30
Day 6: Day 6 · Big Sur to Carmel
4 stops
Andrew Molera
08:30
Point Lobos
11:00
Carmel Mission
14:30
Carmel-by-the-Sea
16:30

LA-BIG SUR 5D 5d

Route: Santa Monica → Santa Barbara Driving: Urban PCH, scenic Malibu cliffs, easy day.

  1. Day 1 · LA to Santa Barbara

    Highlight: Classic PCH coastal drive. Note: Start early to beat traffic.

    • Santa Monica Pier

      Iconic pier, PCH starting point

    • Malibu Pier

      Surfer beaches, celebrity coastline

    • Ventura Harbor

      Seaside lunch, harbor stroll

    • Santa Barbara

      Spanish architecture, wine country edge

  2. Day 2 · Santa Barbara to Pismo Beach

    Highlight: Danish village charm. Note: Try æbleskiver in Solvang.

    • Santa Barbara

      Morning stroll, mission visit

    • Solvang

      Danish bakeries, windmills

    • Pismo Beach

      Classic beach town, clam chowder

  3. Day 3 · Pismo Beach to San Simeon

    Highlight: Volcanic rock and elephant seals. Note: Best seal viewing Oct-May.

    • Pismo Beach

      Morning beach walk, dunes

    • Morro Bay

      Giant volcanic rock, otter spotting

    • Cayucos

      Old West beach town, saltwater taffy

    • Piedras Blancas

      Thousands of elephant seals on beach

    • San Simeon

      Base for castle visit tomorrow

  4. Day 4 · San Simeon to Big Sur Village

    Highlight: Hearst Castle and dramatic cliffs. Note: Book castle tickets ahead.

    • San Simeon

      Hearst Castle tour, hilltop estate

    • Ragged Point

      Lunch with cliff views, gardens

    • Julia Pfeiffer Burns

      McWay Falls, waterfall to ocean

    • Big Sur Village

      Redwoods, evening in canyon

  5. Day 5 · Big Sur Heart

    Highlight: Bixby Bridge and canyon hikes. Note: Limited cell service, download maps.

    • Big Sur Village

      Morning in redwood canyons

    • Pfeiffer Beach

      Purple sand, Keyhole Rock arch

    • Bixby Bridge

      Most photographed bridge on PCH

    • Garrapata State Park

      Wildflower trails, rocky shores

    • Andrew Molera

      Wide beach, Big Sur River mouth

  6. Day 6 · Big Sur to Carmel

    Highlight: Point Lobos wildlife and fairy-tale village. Note: Carmel has no street addresses.

    • Andrew Molera

      Morning hike, river crossing

    • Point Lobos

      Sea lions, cypress groves

    • Carmel Mission

      Historic mission, gardens

    • Carmel-by-the-Sea

      Fairy-tale cottages, art galleries