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Pacific Coast Highway Drive
A quintessential American road trip covering 700km of dramatic coastline, from the misty forests of the north to the sun-drenched beaches of the south.
Route: San Francisco → Monterey → Big Sur → San Luis Obispo → Santa Barbara → Los Angeles
✅ Current month (Apr) is in this region's prime season. PCH best Apr-May & Sep-Oct (clear, mild). Big Sur landslides occasionally close Hwy 1 Dec-Mar — verify daily.
5days
20stops
835drive km
Trip Highlights
  • Incredible ocean views the entire way
  • Diverse stops from nature to luxury estates
  • Well-maintained roads and clear signage
  • Bixby Creek Bridge
Estimated Cost
Total Mid-Range · Based on 2 people sharing hotels and a rental car$1,800
Money Savers
  1. 1Buy groceries at Safeway in SF or Monterey for picnic lunches in Big Sur
  2. 2Use the 'GasBuddy' app to avoid the $8/gallon traps in rural coastal areas
  3. 3Visit the free 'State Street' promenade in Santa Barbara instead of paid museums
  4. 4Look for hotels in San Luis Obispo or Cambria rather than Big Sur proper
  5. 5Book a rental car with a different drop-off location early to avoid 'one-way' surcharges
  6. 6Use the free shuttle at Hearst Castle if you just want to see the visitor center
Heads Up

Check for road closures in Big Sur before departing

Cell service is non-existent for long stretches of Highway 1

Always drive North to South to be on the ocean side of the road

Day 2: hotel change (Monterey / Pacific Grove → Cambria) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer

Day 3: hotel change (Cambria → San Luis Obispo) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer

Day 4: hotel change (San Luis Obispo → Santa Barbara) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer

Day 5: hotel change (Santa Barbara → Santa Monica) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer

Day 5: Santa Monica Pier → Los Angeles (LAX) flight transit only 2.5h — allow ≥5h door-to-door

1
San Francisco to Monterey
4 stops · 2h 45m · 195km
›
2
Big Sur Magic
4 stops · 3h · 150km
›
3
Castles and Vineyards
4 stops · 2h 15m · 160km
›
4
The American Riviera
4 stops · 2h 30m · 175km
›
5
Malibu to Los Angeles
4 stops · 2h 30m · 155km
›

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Pacific Coast Highway Drive | Roadigo