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Iconic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

Experience the ultimate California road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This 7-day journey follows the winding Highway 1, featuring dramatic Big Sur cliffs, historic mansions, Mediterranean-style coastal towns, and legendary Southern California beaches.

7days
21stops
485km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in San Francisco · Monterey · Big Sur · Cambria · Santa Barbara — start in San Francisco, end in Los Angeles.

DAY01

Golden Gate Bridge → Union Square

14 km · 34m driving · Overnight in Union Square
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Golden Gate Bridge· start
  2. 12 km · 24m
  3. 12:00
    Ferry Building Marketplace
  4. 2.2 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Union Square· overnight
DAY02

Half Moon Bay → Monterey

111 km · 1h 28m driving · Overnight in Monterey Bay Aquarium
  1. 09:00
    Half Moon Bay· start
  2. 48 km · 43m
  3. 12:00
    Shark Fin Cove
  4. 62 km · 45m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Monterey Bay Aquarium· overnight
DAY03

Bixby Creek Bridge → McWay Falls

49 km · 49m driving · Overnight in McWay Falls
  1. 09:00
    Bixby Creek Bridge· start
  2. 32 km · 33m
  3. 12:0014:00
    Pfeiffer Big Sur
  4. 17 km · 16m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ McWay Falls· overnight
DAY04

Elephant Seal Vista Point → Moonstone Beach Park

85 km · 1h 16m driving · Overnight in Moonstone Beach Park
  1. 09:00
    Elephant Seal Vista Point· start
  2. 77 km · 1h 8m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Hearst Castle
  4. 8.1 km · 8m
  5. 15:00
    Moonstone Beach Park· overnight
DAY05

Morro Rock → State Street

81 km · 1h 8m driving · Overnight in State Street
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Morro Rock· start
  2. 38 km · 32m
  3. 12:00
    Pismo Beach Pier
  4. 43 km · 36m
  5. 15:00
    State Street· overnight
DAY06

Old Mission Santa Barbara → Shoreline Park

5.2 km · 15m driving · Overnight in Shoreline Park
  1. 09:00
    Old Mission Santa Barbara· start
  2. 0.8 km · 3m
  3. 12:00
    Stearns Wharf
  4. 4.4 km · 12m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Shoreline Park· overnight
DAY07

Malibu → Los Angeles

140 km · 1h 41m driving
  1. 09:00
    Malibu Pier· start
  2. 122 km · 1h 20m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
  4. 18 km · 21m
  5. 15:00
    Los Angeles City Center
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea · Nights 1-2
  2. Stay in Cambria or San Simeon · Nights 3-4
  3. Stay in Santa Barbara · Nights 5-6
Heads Up
  • Check for Highway 1 road closures in the Big Sur region, as winter storms can cause occasional landslides.
  • Book Hearst Castle tour tickets at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend visits.
  • Pack layers; the coastal 'marine layer' fog can make mornings significantly cooler even in summer.