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San Francisco to Monterey · 2 days
Experience the quintessential California coastline on this short but stunning drive. From the rugged cliffs of Half Moon Bay to the historic charm of Monterey, this route captures the best of the Pacific Coast Highway.
2days
6stops
217km
DAY01
Golden Gate Bridge → Santa Cruz
135 km · 1h 25m driving · Overnight in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- 09:00Golden Gate Bridge· start
- 86 km · 54m
- 12:00Pigeon Point LighthouseMust-see
- 49 km · 31m
- 15:00Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk· overnight
DAY02
Monterey → Bixby Creek Bridge
82 km · 57m driving
- 09:00Monterey Bay Aquarium· start
- 8.4 km · 10m
- 12:0017-Mile Drive
- 26 km · 17m
- 15:00Bixby Creek BridgeMust-see
Heads Up
- Check for Highway 1 road closures south of Big Sur if extending the trip.
- Book Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets in advance as they often sell out.
- Expect morning fog (June Gloom) even in late summer and autumn.
- 17-Mile Drive requires a small per-vehicle entry fee.