LA - Big Sur 5d

Route: Los Angeles → Malibu Driving: Urban PCH, heavy weekend traffic. Start early.

5days
18stops
Day 1: Day 1 · Malibu Coast
3 stops
Santa Monica
09:00
Malibu Pier
10:30
El Matador Beach
16:00
Day 2: Day 2 · Ventura to Santa Barbara
4 stops
El Matador Beach
08:30
Ventura Harbor
10:30
Carpinteria Bluffs
14:00
Santa Barbara
17:00
Day 3: Day 3 · Solvang to Pismo Beach
3 stops
Santa Barbara
08:30
Solvang
11:00
Pismo Beach
16:00
Day 4: Day 4 · Morro Bay to Cambria
4 stops
Pismo Beach
08:00
Morro Rock
09:30
Piedras Blancas
12:00
Cambria
17:00
Day 5: Day 5 · Big Sur Finale
4 stops
Cambria
08:00
Hearst Castle
09:30
McWay Falls
14:00
Bixby Bridge
17:30

LA - Big Sur 5d

Route: Los Angeles → Malibu Driving: Urban PCH, heavy weekend traffic. Start early.

  1. Day 1 · Malibu Coast

    Highlight: Sunset at El Matador Beach. Note: Fill up in Santa Monica before PCH.

    • Santa Monica

      Iconic pier and beach start

    • Malibu Pier

      Classic surf spot and views

    • El Matador Beach

      Dramatic sea caves at sunset

  2. Day 2 · Ventura to Santa Barbara

    Highlight: Channel Islands ferry views. Note: Book island tours in advance.

    • El Matador Beach

      Morning light on rock formations

    • Ventura Harbor

      Ferry departure point for islands

    • Carpinteria Bluffs

      Clifftop seal rookery overlook

    • Santa Barbara

      Spanish architecture and harbor

  3. Day 3 · Solvang to Pismo Beach

    Highlight: Danish village architecture. Note: Try æbleskiver pastries mid-morning.

    • Santa Barbara

      Morning stroll on Stearns Wharf

    • Solvang

      Danish windmills and bakeries

    • Pismo Beach

      Classic surf town and dunes

  4. Day 4 · Morro Bay to Cambria

    Highlight: Morro Rock volcanic plug. Note: Elephant seals best viewed before noon.

    • Pismo Beach

      Sunrise over the pier

    • Morro Rock

      Ancient volcanic monolith

    • Piedras Blancas

      Thousands of elephant seals on beach

    • Cambria

      Agate-strewn beach at dusk

  5. Day 5 · Big Sur Finale

    Highlight: McWay Falls dropping to beach. Note: No cell service; download offline maps.

    • Cambria

      Morning tidepool exploration

    • Hearst Castle

      Grand estate tour reservation

    • McWay Falls

      80-foot waterfall to cove

    • Bixby Bridge

      Iconic arch bridge sunset