RoadAtlas
Pacific Coast Hwy — United States — Scenic
North America

Pacific Coast Hwy

United States

Point-to-point
Golden Gate Bridge Santa Monica Pier

In short: Pacific Coast Hwy is a 1,055 km scenic road trip in United States, typically driven over 4–7 days, best in Summer / Fall. Highlights: Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Distance
1,055 km
Duration
4–7 days
Best Season
Summer / Fall
LegendaryEasyScenicEV-friendly

California Highway 1 hugs the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles, cliffs, redwoods, Big Sur, and beaches that look designed for film shoots.

~1 refuel
~3 charges
Practical notes
Highway 1 can close for landslides, wildfire work, or winter storm damage, especially in Big Sur and around post-fire slopes. Fog, wind, and narrow two-lane sections make driving slower than the map suggests, so keep fuel topped up and check closures before committing to long stretches between towns.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1San Francisco to Monterey Peninsula

Lands End · Bean Hollow State Beach · The Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Day 2Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur coastline

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve · 17-Mile Drive · Old Fisherman's Grotto

Day 3Big Sur to Morro Bay

Hearst Castle · Morro Rock · Big Sur Bakery

Day 4Santa Barbara to Santa Monica

Santa Barbara Mission · Malibu Lagoon State Beach · Malibu Farm Restaurant

Stops along the route

Golden Gate Bridge — Departure — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Departure
Golden Gate Bridge
Start at the Golden Gate. Fog, hills, and the Pacific all greet you before you leave the city.
Hotels
Half Moon Bay — City — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
City
Half Moon Bay
Quiet coastal town famous for giant pumpkins and dramatic winter surf competitions at Mavericks.
Hotels
Santa Cruz Boardwalk — City — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
City
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
The iconic Boardwalk, surf culture, and sea lions lounging all over the wharf.
Hotels
Carmel-by-the-Sea — City — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
City
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A fairytale village with no street addresses, a white sand beach, and Clint Eastwood as a former mayor.
Hotels
Morro Bay — City — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
City
Morro Bay
A 23-million-year-old volcanic plug dominates the harbor. Best clam chowder on the central coast.
Hotels
Santa Barbara — City — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
City
Santa Barbara
The American Riviera. Spanish colonial architecture, wine country, and near-perfect weather.
Hotels
Show 2 more
Malibu — City — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
City
Malibu
27 miles of celebrity beaches, legendary surf breaks, and the Getty Villa above the Pacific.
Hotels
Santa Monica Pier — Arrival — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Arrival
Santa Monica Pier
End at the pier. The Pacific, a Ferris wheel, and a golden California sunset.
Hotels

Things to Do

Monterey Bay Aquarium — Landmark — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Landmark
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Cannery Row and a world-class aquarium. Sea otters float in the kelp forest outside.
Bixby Creek Bridge — Landmark — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Landmark
Bixby Creek Bridge
The most photographed spot on the PCH. Sheer cliffs, a graceful arch, turquoise water below.
McWay Falls — Nature — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Nature
McWay Falls
An 80-foot waterfall drops straight onto a pristine cove beach. One of the most striking sights on the coast.
Hearst Castle — Landmark — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Landmark
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's mountaintop palace. 165 rooms, three pools, and a private zoo.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve — Nature Reserve — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Nature Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Scenic coastal reserve with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and picturesque coves.
Hearst Castle — Historic Site — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Historic Site
Hearst Castle
Opulent estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, offering guided tours.
Show 3 more
Santa Barbara Mission — Historic Site — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Historic Site
Santa Barbara Mission
Historic Spanish mission known as the 'Queen of the Missions' with museum and gardens.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach — Beach — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Popular surfing spot with a lagoon, wetlands, and the historic Adamson House.
Santa Monica Pier — Amusement Park — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Amusement Park
Santa Monica Pier
Iconic pier featuring an amusement park, aquarium, and eateries overlooking the Pacific.

Where to Eat

Nepenthe — American — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
American
Nepenthe
Cliffside restaurant offering classic American fare with panoramic ocean views.
The Sardine Factory — Seafood — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Seafood
The Sardine Factory
Historic restaurant serving fresh seafood in an elegant setting on Cannery Row.
Old Fisherman's Grotto — Seafood — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Seafood
Old Fisherman's Grotto
Renowned for clam chowder and harbor views, a staple on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf.
The Hitching Post II — Steakhouse — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Steakhouse
The Hitching Post II
Famous for Santa Maria-style barbecue and local wines in Buellton; use it only as a preplanned inland detour before the Santa Barbara leg.
Malibu Farm Restaurant — Organic — Pacific Coast Hwy — United States
Organic
Malibu Farm Restaurant
Farm-to-table dishes served on a pier with stunning ocean vistas.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Pacific Coast Hwy drive?

The Pacific Coast Hwy covers 1,055 km from start to finish.

How long does the Pacific Coast Hwy take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4–7 days on the Pacific Coast Hwy, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Pacific Coast Hwy?

The recommended season for the Pacific Coast Hwy is Summer / Fall.

Where does the Pacific Coast Hwy start and end?

The Pacific Coast Hwy runs from Golden Gate Bridge to Santa Monica Pier.

What are the main stops on the Pacific Coast Hwy?

The Pacific Coast Hwy passes through Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

How difficult is the Pacific Coast Hwy to drive?

The Pacific Coast Hwy is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Pacific Coast Hwy in a regular car?

Yes — the Pacific Coast Hwy is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Pacific Coast Hwy?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 3 EV charges) along the Pacific Coast Hwy, based on its 1,055 km length.

Is the Pacific Coast Hwy EV friendly?

Yes — the Pacific Coast Hwy has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Pacific Coast Hwy safe to drive?

Highway 1 can close for landslides, wildfire work, or winter storm damage, especially in Big Sur and around post-fire slopes. Fog, wind, and narrow two-lane sections make driving slower than the map suggests, so keep fuel topped up and check closures before committing to long stretches between towns.

What scenic tier is the Pacific Coast Hwy?

The Pacific Coast Hwy is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.