Pacific Coast Highway: SF to LA in 7 Days
Cruise California's legendary Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles, weaving through Monterey's coast, Big Sur's cliffs, Hearst Castle, Danish-styled Solvang, and Santa Barbara's Riviera before landing in sunny Santa Monica.
San Francisco -> Half Moon Bay -> Santa Cruz -> Monterey -> Carmel -> Big Sur (Hwy 1) -> San Simeon (Hearst Castle) -> Morro Bay -> Solvang -> Santa Barbara -> Malibu -> Los Angeles
- Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
- 17-Mile Drive Lone Cypress
- Bixby Creek Bridge
- Hearst Castle
- Solvang Village
- Malibu Pier
- Griffith Observatory
San Francisco Coast to Santa Cruz
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, San Francisco, California, US
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach, Half Moon Bay, California, US
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero, California, US
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, US
Monterey Bay and 17-Mile Drive
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California, US
17-Mile Drive Lone Cypress
17-Mile Drive Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach, California, US
Carmel-by-the-Sea Old Town
Carmel-by-the-Sea Old Town, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, US
Big Sur Cliffs and Bridges
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel, California, US
Bixby Creek Bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur, California, US
McWay Falls Overlook
McWay Falls Overlook, Big Sur, California, US
Cambria Moonstone Beach
Cambria Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, US
Hearst Castle to Santa Barbara
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California, US
Morro Rock
Morro Rock, Morro Bay, California, US
Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf
Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, California, US
Santa Barbara and Solvang Wine Country
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, US
Solvang Village
Solvang Village, Solvang, California, US
Santa Barbara Funk Zone
Santa Barbara Funk Zone, Santa Barbara, California, US
Malibu Coast into Santa Monica
El Capitán State Beach
El Capitán State Beach, Goleta, California, US
Point Mugu State Park Overlook
Point Mugu State Park Overlook, Malibu, California, US
Malibu Pier
Malibu Pier, Malibu, California, US
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, US
Los Angeles Icons Finale
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Venice Beach Boardwalk, Los Angeles, California, US
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California, US
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, California, US
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, US
- Check Caltrans QuickMap before each leg: Highway 1 through Big Sur has recurring slide closures and may require detours via US-101.
- Book Hearst Castle tour tickets in advance; tours depart only at scheduled times from the visitor center.
- Fuel up in Carmel or Cambria before driving Big Sur; gas stations along the cliffs are sparse and notably pricey.
- Coastal mornings are foggy and chilly even in summer; pack layers and plan viewpoints for late afternoon light.