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Pacific Coast Highway: 6-Day Classic
The complete Pacific Coast Highway: redwood cathedrals, Big Sur's cliffs, elephant seals, wine country, and LA's golden hour. Six days, 1,400km of America's most scenic drive.
Route: SFO ✈ → Golden Gate → Muir Woods → Point Reyes → Bodega Bay → Fort Ross → Mendocino → Avenue of the Giants → Ukiah → Big Sur → Piedras Blancas → Hearst Castle → Paso Robles → Solvang → Santa Barbara → Malibu → LAX ✈
✅ 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.
6days
24stops
1410drive km
Trip Highlights
- Redwoods to coastline to wine country—maximum diversity
- Big Sur and Mendocino: two iconic drives, not just one
- Paso Robles value vs. Napa pricing
- Elephant seals: free, wild, year-round
Estimated Cost
Lodging (5 nights) · Mid-range mix: $190-450/night$1,345
Rental car + gas · 6 days, 1,400km, mid-size SUV$580
Food & dining · Mix of casual and one splurge$720
Activities & entry · Parks, castle, tastings$165
Total mid-range · $470/day for 2 people$2,810
Money Savers
- 1Skip Nepenthe: pack Big Sur Bakery picnic, save $40
- 2Paso Robles weekday tastings: many waive fee with purchase
- 3Ferndale vs. Mendocino lodging: $80/night less, 20min north
- 4Hearst Castle Evening Tour: $10 less, fewer crowds
- 5Grocery run in Ukiah: Big Sur markets charge 40% premium
- 6Free alternatives: Salt Point tide pools vs. paid aquariums, Griffith vs. Getty parking fees
Heads Up
1
Golden Gate to Marin
4 stops · 1h 45m · 85km
2
Sonoma Coast to Mendocino
4 stops · 3h 36m · 220km
3
Avenue of the Giants
4 stops · 6h 1m · 477km
4
Big Sur's Heart
4 stops · 2h 53m · 121km
5
Elephant Seals to Paso Wine
4 stops · 3h 42m · 257km
6
Danish Village to LA
4 stops · 3h 34m · 251km
Plan your trip with Roadigo
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