Driving California’s Highway 1—the Pacific Coast Highway—is the quintessential American road trip. Spanning dramatic sea cliffs, prehistoric redwood groves, historic Spanish missions, and world-famous oceanfront cities, this iconic highway delivers sensory overload around every hairpin curve.
This 10-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary guides you northbound or southbound (we recommend southbound from San Francisco to San Diego so you drive on the ocean side of the road with unobstructed coastal lookouts!).
⚠️ Big Sur Road Alert & Verification Tip
Days 1 & 2: San Francisco to Santa Cruz & Monterey
Pick up your rental car in San Francisco. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge for photos, then point your wheels south down Highway 1 through Half Moon Bay.
- Pigeon Point Lighthouse: Stop at one of the tallest lighthouses in the US, frequently surrounded by wildflowers and crashing surf.
- Santa Cruz: Grab fish tacos and walk the nostalgic 1907 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
- Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea: Visit the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row, then drive the famed 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach to see the Lone Cypress and Spanish Bay.
Days 3 & 4: Big Sur Coastline to San Simeon & Cambria
This is the most breathtaking stretch of coastline in North America. Leave early to savor every scenic vista.
- Bixby Creek Bridge: Pull off at the northern turnout to photograph this soaring concrete arch bridge suspended 260 feet above the ocean waves.
- Pfeiffer Beach: Known for its unusual purple sand and dramatic Keyhole Arch rock formation.
- McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: An 80-foot waterfall that cascades directly onto a pristine, untouched sandy beach cove.
- Elephant Seal Rookery (San Simeon): Watch hundreds of massive wild elephant seals basking, sparring, and napping along the sandy shores.
Days 5 & 6: Santa Barbara & The American Riviera
Continue through Morro Bay and the rolling vineyard hills of San Luis Obispo before arriving in sun-drenched Santa Barbara.
- Old Mission Santa Barbara: Founded in 1786, known as the “Queen of the Missions” for its graceful twin bell towers and rose gardens.
- The Funk Zone: An artsy, converted warehouse district packed with boutique wine tasting rooms, craft breweries, and farm-to-table eateries.
- Stearns Wharf: Stroll the oldest working wooden pier in California at sunset.
Days 7 & 8: Malibu & Greater Los Angeles
Cruise through Malibu along oceanfront bluffs. Stop at El Matador State Beach for sea cave photography and grab fresh lobster rolls at Broad Street Oyster Co.
- Santa Monica & Venice Beach: Ride bikes along the iconic Marvin Braude ocean bike trail, see the street performers on Venice Boardwalk, and ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier.
- Griffith Observatory: Catch golden hour overlooking the vast Los Angeles basin and the Hollywood Sign.
Days 9 & 10: Orange County Beaches to San Diego
Your final stretch winds through Laguna Beach’s secluded coves and San Clemente before arriving in vibrant San Diego.
- La Jolla Cove: Snorkel among bright orange garibaldi fish and observe wild sea lions sunning on the sandstone cliffs.
- Balboa Park: Explore 1,200 acres of lush Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, botanical gardens, and world-class museums.
- Gaslamp Quarter & Coronado Island: Celebrate the finish line with authentic Baja-style fish tacos and sunset drinks on Coronado Beach.