1 / 5

Pacific Coast Highway Explorer

A quintessential 5-day California road trip covering 700km of rugged cliffs, historic missions, and iconic piers.

5days
17stops
525km
DAY01

San Francisco → Bixby Creek Bridge

235 km · 3h 30m driving · Overnight in Bixby Creek Bridge
  1. 09:00
    San Francisco· start
  2. 120 km · 1h 30m
  3. 11:00
    Santa Cruz Boardwalk
  4. 75 km · 1h
  5. 13:30
    Monterey Bay Aquarium
  6. 40 km · 1h
  7. 16:30
    Bixby Creek Bridge· overnight
Accommodation
Big Sur Village
Food
  • Phil's Fish Market · Famous cioppino in a casual, bustling harbor setting.
  • Nepenthe · Clifftop dining with legendary views of the Big Sur coastline.
Costs
Gas
$45
Aquarium Tickets
$60
Lodging
$350
DAY02

Pfeiffer Big Sur → Hearst Castle

110 km · 2h 10m driving · Overnight in Hearst Castle
  1. 09:30
    Pfeiffer Big Sur· start
  2. 20 km · 30m
  3. 11:30
    McWay Falls
  4. 85 km · 1h 30m
  5. 15:00
    Elephant Seal Vista Point
  6. 5 km · 10m
  7. 16:30
    Hearst Castle· overnight
Accommodation
Cambria Moonstone Beach
Food
  • Big Sur Bakery · Fresh pastries and wood-fired pizzas in a cozy garden.
  • Sebastian's General Store · Great burgers and wine tasting near the Hearst pier.
Costs
Hearst Castle Tour
$30
Lunch
$25
Lodging
$220
DAY03

Morro Rock → Pismo Beach Pier

45 km · 50m driving · Overnight in Pismo Beach Pier
  1. 10:00
    Morro Rock· start
  2. 25 km · 30m
  3. 12:30
    San Luis Obispo
  4. 20 km · 20m
  5. 15:30
    Pismo Beach Pier· overnight
Accommodation
Pismo Beach
Food
  • Splash Café · Award-winning clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.
  • Firestone Grill · The best tri-tip sandwich in the state, a local SLO favorite.
Costs
Lunch
$20
Parking Fees
$15
Lodging
$200
DAY04

Solvang → Stearns Wharf

60 km · 55m driving · Overnight in Stearns Wharf
  1. 10:00
    Solvang· start
  2. 55 km · 45m
  3. 13:30
    Old Mission Santa Barbara
  4. 5 km · 10m
  5. 16:00
    Stearns Wharf· overnight
Accommodation
Santa Barbara West Beach
Food
  • Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery · Authentic Danish pastries and butter cookies.
  • Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. · Fresh local crab and lobster at the end of the pier.
Costs
Mission Entry
$15
Dinner
$60
Lodging
$300
DAY05

El Matador State Beach → Griffith Observatory

75 km · 1h 45m driving
  1. 10:00
    El Matador State Beach· start
  2. 40 km · 45m
  3. 13:00
    Santa Monica Pier
  4. 35 km · 1h
  5. 16:30
    Griffith Observatory
Accommodation
Santa Monica / Venice
Food
  • Malibu Seafood · Fresh fish and chips enjoyed on outdoor picnic tables.
  • Grand Central Market · A historic food hall in DTLA with dozens of global vendors.
Costs
Gas
$50
Parking
$25
Final Dinner
$70
Heads Up
  • Drive North to South to stay on the ocean side of the road
  • Cell service is non-existent in Big Sur
  • Book Hearst Castle tours weeks in advance
  • Day 2: hotel change (Big Sur Village → Cambria Moonstone Beach) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 3: hotel change (Cambria Moonstone Beach → Pismo Beach) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 4: hotel change (Pismo Beach → Santa Barbara West Beach) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 5: hotel change (Santa Barbara West Beach → Santa Monica / Venice) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer