LA-BIG SUR 5D 5d

Route: Santa Monica → Malibu → Ventura Driving: Urban PCH with coastal traffic, 65mi/105km.

6days
26stops
Day 1: Day 1 · Santa Monica
3 stops
Santa Monica Pier
10:00
Malibu Beach
14:00
Ventura Harbor
17:00
Day 2: Day 2 · Channel Islands
4 stops
Island Packers
08:00
Santa Cruz Island
10:30
Sea Cave Kayak
14:00
Ventura Return
17:00
Day 3: Day 3 · Santa Barbara Wine
4 stops
Ventura Harbor
09:00
Santa Barbara Mission
11:00
Funk Zone
14:00
Solvang
17:30
Day 4: Day 4 · Big Sur Gateway
5 stops
Solvang
08:30
Hearst Castle
11:00
Elephant Seal Vista
14:00
McWay Falls
16:30
Big Sur Village
18:30
Day 5: Day 5 · Big Sur Deep
5 stops
Big Sur Village
08:00
Pfeiffer Beach
09:30
Bixby Creek Bridge
12:00
Garrapata State Park
14:30
Carmel-by-the-Sea
17:00
Day 6: Day 6 · Monterey Bay
5 stops
Carmel-by-the-Sea
08:30
17-Mile Drive
10:00
Monterey Bay Aquarium
13:00
Cannery Row
16:00
Santa Cruz
18:30

LA-BIG SUR 5D 5d

Route: Santa Monica → Malibu → Ventura Driving: Urban PCH with coastal traffic, 65mi/105km.

  1. Day 1 · Santa Monica

    Highlight: Classic SoCal beach culture. Note: Arrive early for pier parking.

    • Santa Monica Pier

      Iconic pier and Pacific views

    • Malibu Beach

      Stunning sea caves and cliffs

    • Ventura Harbor

      Sunset dining by the marina

  2. Day 2 · Channel Islands

    Highlight: Wilderness island adventure. Note: Book ferry 2+ weeks ahead.

    • Island Packers

      Ferry to Channel Islands

    • Santa Cruz Island

      Hike to Potato Harbor overlook

    • Sea Cave Kayak

      Paddle through painted caves

    • Ventura Return

      Ferry back to mainland

  3. Day 3 · Santa Barbara Wine

    Highlight: Mission architecture and urban wine scene.

    • Ventura Harbor

      Coastal morning departure

    • Santa Barbara Mission

      Queen of the missions

    • Funk Zone

      Urban wine trail tasting

    • Solvang

      Danish village overnight

  4. Day 4 · Big Sur Gateway

    Highlight: Castle grandeur to 80ft waterfall drop. Note: Highway 1 winding, slow pace.

    • Solvang

      Danish pastries to go

    • Hearst Castle

      Grand hilltop estate tour

    • Elephant Seal Vista

      Thousands of seals on beach

    • McWay Falls

      Waterfall plunges to ocean

    • Big Sur Village

      Redwood canyon lodging

  5. Day 5 · Big Sur Deep

    Highlight: Purple sand beach and iconic bridge.

    • Big Sur Village

      Morning in the redwoods

    • Pfeiffer Beach

      Purple sand and Keyhole Rock

    • Bixby Creek Bridge

      Most photographed PCH bridge

    • Garrapata State Park

      Coastal bluffs and wildflowers

    • Carmel-by-the-Sea

      Fairy-tale village finale

  6. Day 6 · Monterey Bay

    Highlight: Aquarium and 17-Mile coastal drive.

    • Carmel-by-the-Sea

      Storybook cottages morning stroll

    • 17-Mile Drive

      Scenic toll road past Lone Cypress

    • Monterey Bay Aquarium

      World-class marine exhibits

    • Cannery Row

      Steinbeck's waterfront district

    • Santa Cruz

      Classic beach town finale