Its really up to you to decide where you want to end and figure out the closest rental car/airport option from there, but there are airports of all sizes throughout the region. Located just off the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, this campsite is sandwiched between a gorgeous beach and a redwood forest. In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. I would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as familiar with whats inland though. One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. We are coming from Pennsylvania. You could do this road-trip in as little as five days, but I recommend taking at least seven or maybe 10 if you have the time! These are just ten of the many places off Highway 1 that you'll want to experience. Also, I will have 3 weeks to do this, I like small towns, Vegan food, and too out of shape for extended hikes. Overwhelmed by the vastness of it all. Gov. You might have even stopped to take a picture of the sunset from a beautiful lookout along the Pacific Coast Highway and can caption it with, "Just say the word and we'll go back." Every. Starting in San Francisco, you'll cruise south along the Pacific Coast of California, visiting vibrant cities, secluded beaches and stunning State Parks as you go. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. I am heading to LA in March and have a day to drive around and wanted to drive from LAX up HW 1 to around Malibu, maybe further! Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. Though I have visited a few cities in California over the years, I (we) are looking forward to that California coastal drive. I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! I hope you have a great trip whenever you can make it! I am planning 14 days to take in the sights. Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide) by Ian Anderson | Dec 20, 2022. Your help is appreciated. This was more expensive than a round-trip rental, but I didnt want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway both ways! What time of year would be best to do this. Thank you for great info This is exactly what I was looking for. Well, now we will have to wait to see how this Covid-19 progresses. Pacific Coast Highway 1 (PCH) - California. My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. The Pacific Coast Highway, also called California State Route 1, Coast Highway, or shortened by locals to be "PCH," is 650 miles of road. I was curious about which one you suggest if you were to slim down this itinerary by 1 day (ex. The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). I love all the details that you are recommended here. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. You should have no problem making it down the road in December. From Ventura. Best Quotes about the West Coast There are many quotes that sing praises and are written as an ode to the beauty of the West Coast. Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop. Valerie, I am so glad I found your guide to the PCH! Do you highly recommend the LONG route OR is thru Mendocino only enough? I wish I could remember the name of the mountain turnoff in Washington. I have a few questions. Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? Thanks Valerie. A frequent Cali traveler warned me of smog in the late summer and recommended late Sept. early Oct. What are your thoughts? The skies are guaranteed to be blue, the weather begs for a convertible, and the passing sands are alive with . Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Be sure to plan your trip on a day the lighthouse is open for tours, so you can climb the steps down to the lighthouse and lookout beneath the clouds across the sea. Thank you in advance! Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. Your website is very helpful. It was so helpful as I planned and traveled cross country this summer starting with the PCH. Sounds like a great trip, Rudy! This post was so helpful! So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Bonus- Rent A Car To Drive The Pacific Coast Highway. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options, How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway, Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions, this gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront property, plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego, https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Wandering the Olympic Peninsula - Valerie & Valise, https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip, https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/. There are a number of epic hiking trails in the area, ranging from a 0.5-mile loop to 16-mile out-and-back trails. The Pacific Coast Highwayalso known as PCH or, more commonly, Highway 1runs north-south along most of the United States' West Coast. We are just looking to site sea on our way back home from Disneyland I was looking at Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Vista Point but dont see much reviews on them with kids. I would love to receive the PDF version of this, please. memory cards before you know it. Youre very welcome, and have a great road trip!! Those are my top recommendations! Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. My question is: how to best use our time? Were staying just outside of Long Beach, in cute little Ilwaco, WA, at Salt Hotel & Pub. With colorful historic seaside homes and great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Mendocino is good for at least an overnight stop dont be surprised if you want to spend even longer here once you arrive! You should have no problem finding vegan options! Take a road trip along California's Pacific Coast Highway for a look at some of America's most dramatic coastal vistas. If you would like a customized itinerary, I offer that for a fee to help cover the time it takes me to put those tips together. Drive Time: About 3.5 Hours. Sorry, but theres no way to do the drive to Seattle and back along the PCH in just 7 days. We will only have 7 days. Start here. Thanks for your comment . I do not plan to do any shopping at stores, so our money would be spent on a rental vehicle, hotels, gas, and food. Ronald, I dont know for sure as I dont recommend people drive in an RV. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. The PCH is on my bucket list since my daughter did it with Teens Westward Bound over 10 years ago. Karen, great question! We are doing the PCH this July and August coming from Yellowstone, Glacier and Teddy Roosevelt NP it has been on our Bucket list for quite some time after this trip we only have Alaska to visit and we will have visited all the States !! After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in Washington and California, Ive put together this comprehensive guide to the great stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway. That said, there are plenty of nice ones depending on which part of town you want to stay in. Kavinsky - Pacific Coast Highway (Official Audio) - YouTube 0:00 / 6:18 Kavinsky - Pacific Coast Highway (Official Audio) Record Makers 225K subscribers Share 12M views 11 years ago #Kavinsky You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. Manny from Massachusetts. Make sure you have enough guidance resources. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. AND, I did it in November in a PT Cruiser with the top down.all bundled up with the heat on full..but man, what a view! Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . Hey Valerie great name yourself! The longer you spend, the more youll get to see and enjoy. is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? Would love to do the northern parts of PCH though I loved Portland and Seattle, but would like to see more of the coastal regions! On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. I travelled alone from San Francisco to LA while on a work trip years ago and havent stopped thinking about getting my husband out there. If I were going to recommend a route, Id do something like the National Parks in California or the Utah/Arizona/SoCal loop. OPEN SUN, 1PM TO 4PM. Sounds like youve got a great itinerary planned! Raynard, when are you going? September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! We are planning our trip for the first half of April, SF to LA. Lane closure lasting 5 hours on Conventional Hwy for Electrical Work affecting #3, R T Lane #1, Right Shoulder, Bike Lane, Sidewalk lane(s) in District: 12 From: MAIN ST (DOWN TOWN) Huntington Beach to Beach Blvd, Rte 39 Huntington Beach End 300ft going SB on Rte 1 after Beach Blvd intersection We definitely want to visit the redwood forest, which is the main reason we want to go so far north. Right, Mel? Amazing! Sorry, I dont have any special suggestions for kids! Thank you. We want to spend 5 days for PCH and not sure where to fly in or out of. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. The Pacific Coast Highway has long been considered a "dream drive" and the ultimate road trip. do you have a printable version of this? If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. If you dont have the time, plan an overnight stop and make a late start after brunch at one of Portlands many amazing restaurants. Cant say enough how appreciative we are. We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. We will probably book Airbnb if cost effective. The 17-Mile Drive between Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey Hey there! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south its a meandering route, but if you follow it all the way until Muir Beach you can make an optional stop at Muir Woods if you want. Three police agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, crack down on motorists along the Pacific Coast Highway near Crystal Cove on Sunday, May 3, 2020. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Awesome, Tim! Thank you! hi planing to do the PCH however we will be in Las Vegas and driving to San Francisco will be there for 2 or 3 days and dont know witch is better to do San Francisco to L A back to Vegas or go north San Francisco to Seattle and then drive to Vegas i will have a extra 3 to 4 days what is your thoughts, we are nature and wildlife lovers not to big into visiting towns. Is there any river rafting or boating along the way? My husband and I are planning a Spring Break trip with our girls March 2020. After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue along CA-1 to San Diego, your final stop on this PCH road trip. Explore the beach then hit the trails to find waterfalls, massive redwoods, and an abandoned limekiln. Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. Nice ride. No matter which you choose, youll enter SF by driving across the Golden Gate Bridge; you can either stay along the coast and drive down Ocean Beach or head east into the city. The reason I recommend doing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip north to south is that youll be on the coastal side of the road. When I drove the PCH in 2014, I drove a northbound San Diego to Seattle road trip, and lament that I wasnt on the outer side of the road. I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . A weekend of sea, sand, and sunscreen. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. BEST PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY STOPS Sun, sand, and surf. It was a great help! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101 to Crescent City always stick to the coast! I have been reading your blog posts about the PCH and think I read where you mentioned a couple of crossover vehicles that would be good rental cars. I do have OCD though, and Im having a really hard time getting past your use of the word lament in the paragraph suggesting to drive on southbound. Congrats on finishing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Here are my twenty five favorite stops on PCH from south to north. Great article. After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose. https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica. Did you try searching my site using the search in the sidebar? As we will be married 40 years! Im pretty confident theyll be wowed by these sights. Waves, waves, and more waves. Should we go down the coast only (plus say Portland & Crater Lk), or head inland given how much time we have? The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. From here on south, it's miles-upon-miles of beautiful sand beaches, palm-lined streets, and thriving coastal cities. We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. We are from Ohio. You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! ?? Also, I love your pictures! I havent been to Monterey but its high on my list! 4,329 Sq. May 16, 2022 by Allison Green. The Pacific Coast Highway is the ultimate road trip - and it's certainly the best one in America. The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. These make perfect Instagram captions for dreamy sunsets or foggy mornings on the Pacific. Thank you so much for creating this itinerary! I dont think you can do Yosemite in a day its a four hour drive from the coast to Yosemite (one-way) and youll probably want a full day in the park at minimum. I was, for the most part, ambivalent about the cities along the PCH. Your email address will not be published. Hi Valerie, Great tips! If we have 10 days to do this and could skip San Francisco, because we just did that 2 years ago, could we drive from Seattle to either Los Angeles or San Diego in an RV? I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. The Pacific Coast Highway traces the coast as closely as possible around the edge of Los Angeles, America's second largest city. Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. Its a very winding cliff-side road and doing it in an RV is going to be laboriously slow and probably make you a bit nervous at times.
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