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Pacific Coast Drive

A full 7-day West Coast road trip from California up through Oregon and into Washington, paced for scenic drives, good meal breaks, and no marathon days.

7days
22stops
DAY01

Depart → Santa Barbara

Overnight in Santa Barbara waterfront
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 11:00
    Malibu
  5. 13:00
    Santa Monica Pier
  7. 16:30
    Santa Barbara waterfront· overnight
Accommodation
Santa Barbara waterfront or downtown-adjacent area
DAY02

Depart → Big Sur coastline

Overnight in Big Sur coastline
  1. 08:00
    Depart· start
  3. 10:30
    San Luis Obispo
  5. 13:00
    Morro Bay
  7. 16:30
    Big Sur coastline· overnight
Accommodation
Big Sur area or nearby coast-facing lodging
Food
  • bakery breakfast · a bakery breakfast
  • casual seafood lunch in Morro Bay · a casual seafood lunch in Morro Bay
  • simple dinner near your stay · simple dinner near your stay since options get sparse farther south of Monterey
DAY03

Monterey → San Francisco

Overnight in San Francisco waterfront
  1. 10:30
    Monterey Bay· start
  3. 13:00
    Santa Cruz
  5. 17:00
    San Francisco waterfront· overnight
Accommodation
Fisherman's Wharf or north waterfront area
DAY04

Depart → Mendocino

Overnight in Mendocino
  1. 08:30
    Depart· start
  3. 10:00
    Point Reyes Station
  5. 13:00
    Bodega Bay
  7. 16:30
    Mendocino· overnight
Accommodation
Mendocino village area
DAY05

Avenue of the Giants → Crescent City

Overnight in Crescent City
  1. 11:00
    Avenue of the Giants· start
  3. 14:00
    Humboldt Redwoods
  5. 17:30
    Crescent City· overnight
Accommodation
Crescent City or nearby coast
DAY06

Depart → Portland

Overnight in Portland
  1. 07:30
    Depart· start
  3. 10:30
    Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
  5. 13:30
    Cannon Beach
  7. 17:30
    Portland· overnight
Accommodation
Central Portland or the eastside near a bridge crossing
DAY07

Depart → Seattle

  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 11:00
    Mount St. Helens viewpoint area
  5. 14:30
    Olympia
  7. 17:30
    Seattle waterfront
Accommodation
Seattle waterfront or downtown edge
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 1Ferry · Depart
  2. Day 7Ferry · Seattle waterfront
Heads Up
  • Day 5: 6h 13m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 6: 6h 20m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 7: 5h 27m driving — plan rest stops
  • Book the Big Sur and Mendocino nights early, because the best coastal stays are limited
  • keep parking in mind for San Francisco and Seattle
  • for the long Days 6–7, plan fuel and food stops in advance so you’re not shopping while tired