🌅 San Francisco to LA: Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Drive Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles — Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, and Santa Barbara. 600 km of the world's most dramatic coastal road.
Trip Highlights
- Big Sur — the most dramatic 150 km of coastline in North America
- Bixby Creek Bridge — the most photographed bridge on the PCH
- Santa Barbara's Spanish Colonial architecture and wine country
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Itinerary — 6 Stops
Santa Cruz, CA
2 hoursSanta Cruz, CA
Beach Boardwalk, surfing at Steamer Lane, and the redwoods of Henry Cowell State Park just inland.
Monterey, CA
3 hoursMonterey, CA
Cannery Row, the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium, and 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach.
Big Sur, CA
3–4 hoursBig Sur, CA
The crown jewel of the PCH — Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Pfeiffer Beach's purple sand.
San Luis Obispo, CA
2 hoursSan Luis Obispo, CA
Bubblegum Alley, Mission San Luis Obispo, and the famous Madonna Inn — a great overnight stop.
Santa Barbara, CA
2–3 hoursSanta Barbara, CA
The American Riviera — red tile roofs, State Street wine tasting rooms, and East Beach.
Los Angeles, CA
1+ dayLos Angeles, CA
Finish on the Santa Monica Pier — the official western end of Route 66.
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Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: San Francisco to Los Angeles Day 1 Stop 1: Santa Cruz, CA Stop 2: Monterey, CA Day 2 Stop 3: Big Sur, CA Stop 4: San Luis Obispo, CA Day 3 Stop 5: Santa Barbara, CA Stop 6: Los Angeles, CAOpen in TripNav →
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the san francisco to la: pacific coast highway road trip take?
Driving time alone is typically 3 days. With stops at all 6 points in the itinerary, plan for 3 days.
What's the best time of year for this road trip?
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer the best temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.
How do I navigate this itinerary?
Click the "Navigate This Trip in TripNav" button above. TripNav will load all 6 stops and let you open the full route in Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps in one tap — no manual typing required.