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Pacific Coast Highway Magic

A scenic journey along the iconic California coastline, featuring dramatic cliffs, charming beach towns, and vibrant cities.

7days
22stops
961km
DAY01

Depart → Monterey

197 km · 2h 41m driving · Overnight in Monterey Bay Aquarium
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  2. 93 km · 1h 13m
  3. 11:30
    Gray Whale Cove State Beach
  4. 71 km · 55m
  5. 15:00
    Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
  6. 32 km · 33m
  7. 17:30
    ⭐ Monterey Bay Aquarium· overnight
Accommodation
Monterey Bay
DAY02

Depart → Elephant Seal Vista Point

123 km · 1h 51m driving · Overnight in Elephant Seal Vista Point
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  2. 38 km · 36m
  3. 10:30
    Bixby Creek Bridge
  4. 77 km · 1h 7m
  5. 13:00
    McWay Falls
  6. 8.1 km · 8m
  7. 16:00
    ⭐ Elephant Seal Vista Point· overnight
Accommodation
San Simeon or Cambria
DAY03

Depart → Stearns Wharf

326 km · 3h 42m driving · Overnight in Stearns Wharf
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  2. 174 km · 1h 53m
  3. 10:00
    Hearst Castle
  4. 55 km · 44m
  5. 14:30
    Solvang
  6. 97 km · 1h 5m
  7. 17:30
    ⭐ Stearns Wharf· overnight
Accommodation
Santa Barbara
DAY04

Depart → Griffith Observatory

148 km · 2h 27m driving · Overnight in Griffith Observatory
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  2. 38 km · 38m
  3. 11:30
    El Matador State Beach
  4. 40 km · 42m
  5. 15:00
    Santa Monica Pier
  6. 70 km · 1h 7m
  7. 17:30
    ⭐ Griffith Observatory· overnight
Accommodation
West Hollywood or Santa Monica
DAY05

Depart → Laguna Beach

138 km · 1h 45m driving · Overnight in Laguna Beach
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  2. 17 km · 23m
  3. 11:00
    Huntington Beach Pier
  4. 7.6 km · 8m
  5. 14:00
    Crystal Cove
  6. 114 km · 1h 14m
  7. 17:00
    ⭐ Laguna Beach· overnight
Accommodation
Laguna Beach
DAY06

Depart → Mount Soledad National Vetera…

29 km · 31m driving · Overnight in Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  2. 5.4 km · 12m
  3. 11:30
    San Juan Capistrano Mission
  4. 23 km · 19m
  5. 15:00
    La Jolla Cove
  7. 17:30
    ⭐ Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial· overnight
Accommodation
La Jolla
DAY07

Depart → Coronado

  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 10:30
    Balboa Park
  5. 14:30
    San Diego Zoo
  7. 17:00
    ⭐ Coronado Island
Accommodation
San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Heads Up
  • Bring a light jacket even in summer; the "June Gloom" fog can make the coast chilly until noon.
  • Download offline maps for the Big Sur stretch (Day 2) as GPS will likely cut out.