I also downloaded the Roadtrippers app but I cant find it. ), Valerie, My wife and I are planning this very trip you outlined. Thanks for your comment . I will definitely use all the info youve provided. In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. Thanks for your comment, Patty! I would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as familiar with whats inland though. Thanks so much. I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! Have a safe trip!! 3 days trip to Joshua Tree/stay at Twentynine Palms, then swing to San Diego. Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway) 11 Adventure Tours from $24.99 per adult Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco 310 Bus Tours from $105.00 per adult Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco 584 Full-day Tours from $199.00 per adult (price varies by group size) You can find the Cobain house at 1210 E 1st St, and right next door you can see a memorial to Cobain in Kurt Cobain Memorial Park (the house now a private residence, so dont disturb the owners!). Hi there, I am desperate to do the road trip next year however, I am not keen on driving over bridges (I am fine on coastal roads/cliff edges), so are there any places that i definitely need to avoid or that you cant get through/past without crossing a bridge? I already have the vista points where we will stop for photos and eating. "In America, the colors sing, they don't just glower at you. We were planning on a 7day road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June. We are planning a trip in Sept 0f 2022, starting in Portland, ending in San Diego. It is best known for the stretch along the Californian coast, with spectacular ocean views and awesome attractions as you travel. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. We will only have 7 days. Those little beaches overlooking the water below is freaking amazing. As the tallest lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is picturesque, and you can view it from several different angles along the nearby coastline. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: At this point in Northern California, the PCH is still U.S. 101. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. However I actively lament that I was on the wrong side of the road in the present tense (as in, if you ask me today, I still lament it); I didnt really realize I was on the wrong side until after my trip was over and its not like you can change your route once you start! Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. Hi Valerie, Great tips! Do you happen to know or can you suggest a source with info about the road conditoin in the light of recent terrible weather in California. Have a great trip!! Im thinking of doing this trip from Seattle to San Diego. Such a thorough guide! We then headed to San Fran, our ending point. (As of July 2018, the PCH reopened after a 2017 mudslide!). Thanks for your comment, Kathy! Angie, thanks so much for your comment! To be honest, Id opt for the long route you only have one day, and Point Reyes is one of my favorite parts of California. Amazingly great article. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Weve daydreamed about a lot of different trips we would take one day, and a flight from the southeast US to Seattle and PCH drive to San Diego was one of them. We will be stopping to see the sights along the way but not for strenuous hikes. San Diego is known for its Zoo and was made Instagram famous for Potato Chip Rock. If you are planning to cruise along that part of the Californian coastline, then here's our magnificent seven! Crater lake was amazing!! We are only going to be there once though and want to make the most of it. Thanks for your comment, Jorge! There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). Thanks for reading, Heather! One of the longest state routes in California (after Interstate 5 and U.S. 101), California 1 sees some of the most . I am planning a trip in late July. FREE delivery Sat, Jan 7 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Day 2: Forks, WA to Cape Kiwanda, OR. skip Santa Cruz, skip San Francisco Day 2 and just hit the highway) OR if you had a suggestion on swapping out one of the spots with a different one (ex. Also, further north, you could fly to Portland and do the Oregon coast too. After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town. Aretta, thanks for your comment! Then flying back to Michigan. This time I plan to take a friend and start in Portland. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. Southern California has great weather year-round. The Pacific Coast Highway has long been considered a "dream drive" and the ultimate road trip. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). You can get a printable version by signing up on the forms in this post. Im definitely going to try to do it sometime! Hello, my name is Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico. We want to spend 5 days for PCH and not sure where to fly in or out of. Unsurprisingly, a private car is the absolute best way to make the most of a trip along the legendary PCH. 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. Los Angeles is the last major city on my list of Pacific Coast Highway stops, and though I have a guide to spending one day in L.A., you can and should spend as much time as you like. The rest of time will hopefully be in small towns all along the coast. Nate, thanks for your comment. Thank you so very much. We want to make the best out of drive there. I was a truck driver for 29 years and could not drive that road. If you know which car you want, I recommend renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt. What type of car would you rent for 4 of us? Homes similar to 20132 Pacific Coast Hwy are listed between $350K to $70M at an average of $2,795 per square foot. You absolutely nailed it. What you suggested (Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay) is a great two-day itinerary. We are planning to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the 5th day. In smaller towns though, Id recommend committing to those earlier you may find you have nowhere to stay and have to drive on another 100+ miles at some parts! Thanks for asking, Helen! What do you think about making this drive in November? I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience - for good reason! Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. Your article was just what I needed!! Mendocino Your Pacific Coast Highway road trip begins at Leggett, so naturally, the first stop is the wonderful Mendocino. Thanks for reading, Brianna! . Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles. Great article! For flights, I recently heard theres a flight from the Bay Area to Crescent City check out Contour Airlines (they come up when I google OAK > CEC). Want to know more? Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide - Brian Eagen 2016-09-23 A stunning visual guide for a road trip along the entire United States pacific coast. The PCH begins south of Dana Point in Orange County and ends at US 101 in Mendocino County. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. do you have a printable version of this? This information is great!!! If youre not sure (or not loyal to any particular car rental company), consider using a tool like Kayak or TripAdvisor to compare a bunch of options (yes, TripAdvisor does rental cars!). Do you have any tips? I have no idea what the case will be for forest fires next year, unfortunately! These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: As you might have guessed continue following California Highway 1 south! My wife and I are planning an 18 day trip in the coming months to fly into San Diego and then make the drive up to Seattle. You have the same recommendations? Related posts: Stop 1: San Francisco. Thank you, Archimedes. Thank you for sharing! We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. Thanks so much for reading, Teresa! , Hi. I was wondering if you could suggest a place for stargazing. Ime hoping the trip will run about $10k. 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? This is such a great article. An unanticipated problem was encountered, check back soon and try again I hope that helps! Thanks for your comment, Anthony! Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). We were 70s teenagers all around! Day 3: Bodega Bay to Point Arena (62 miles) The highway continues north, skimming the Pacific Ocean for the entire length of today's journey, with several diversions along the way. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. I appreciate this guide. I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. We are thinking of late September of 2022 doing a two week drive from north to south. Our partners offer one-way rentals from multiple locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. You can look out over beautiful sea stacks that dot the northern part of the Pacific Coast and stroll along the sand covered with huge driftwood formations and seafoam. Thanks for sharing. Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Hi, My wife and I are planning a 7-day drive from San Fran to Portland in late June of this year. If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop. Question, if we were to add a stop, possible one night stay at Crater Lake, where would you suggest doing this from without missing much, (or any?) Thank you. Thanks Teena. 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. My overnight stop in Santa Barbara changed my mind. Technically, it starts in Washington State, but it's best known for the stretch through California from the stunning redwood forests and wild, rugged coast down to the sun-drenched beaches of San Diego. Drive safely! Kim. Appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. ENJOY the sightseeing trip of a lifetime. This will be a great tool in planning. My husband are I are planning 20 days to do the PCH(starting in Seattle and ending in San Diego) We are using your the ultimate pacific coast road trip itinerary as a guide. This is a great itinerary! 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. Thinking of Seattle to San Diego on US 1 in late September or early October, is the weather still good for a 10 day driving trip? Have a great trip! I was far more interested in the hundreds of miles of coastal roadways. Yes, we intend to stay a couple of nights in Portland and 2 or 3 in San Francisco but well probably look for hotels on the outskirts and travel in to the cities by car or public transport each day. Waves, waves, and more waves. The Outdoor Blueprint team pieces together an incredible guide featuring all the best coastal stops from Vancouver, B.C. Drive safe in between those beer stops! I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. We booked a flight to San Jose to explore the citys economic hub and cultural traditions. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south out of L.A. to avoid the citys notorious traffic as you make your way along the coast. Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: When youre ready to continue on your PCH road trip, make your way back to California Highway 1 and head south. Have other questions about driving the Pacific Coast Highway? I appreciate all the information! Sounds like it will be well worth it. Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! Amazing, Melanii! If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! Also known as California Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California at just over 656 miles. Any other advise you could give us. Your website is very helpful. Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! maybe to get a car, which adds about 6 hours of driving time. Pismo is a popular camping destination, so the most common amenities youll find if you decide to stay longer than a few hours are camping-oriented. Stay safe. I will be driving alone and he thought I would be able to enjoy the view better looking to my left than to my right while driving. Are you planning to stay in bigger cities (Portland, SF, Santa Barbara), or smaller ones? 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! Theres a link to that at the end of the post. 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 am going to plan for at least a 10 day trip, its once in a lifetime and truly dont want to rush it I cant wait to see his face when I announce at his local birthday party in July that I have saved for and planned this fantastic trip for September 2021!! Here are my twenty five favorite stops on PCH from south to north. We just did this trip in October 2019, We started in Portland to Cannons beach then headed south on HWY 101. Hi, we are flying into Seattle 7/27 and out from San Diego 8/7, we are visiting colleges in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego for my daughter. Hood. "Someone told me there's a girl out there, with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair." Led Zeppelin, "Going to California" 2. Sorry about the delay, Scott. There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! Here, waves are grand and harsh, and coastal cliffs are as breathtaking as it gets. Thanks, Id take those days and visit the San Juan Islands: https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, You could also give yourself more time in the cities: https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/ https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/ https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, Valerie, My husband and I are wanting to fly from Denver to California on December 27th. One of the most famous sea stacks on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Haystack Rock is picture perfect while you stretch your legs. So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. The PCH is Highway 1 in California, though sometimes Highway 1 and 101 overlap which is what causes the confusion! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Newport. Have a great trip! And other than his military time at Ft Lewis many years ago, we have never lived nor toured the west coast at all. If your PCH road trip includes the Olympic Peninsula, follow U.S. 101 west and then north along the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula toward Port Angeles. I didnt spend a ton of time on the Central Coast, but be sure to stop at Pismo Beach and drive through Carmel. There and back that is? Okay, now youve got your car, youve got your basic itinerary. So the verb lament is correct in the present tense, and the tense of recommend earlier in the paragraph. The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. Ive just started planning our trip for this autumn. Click on the image to learn more about the stop. Thanks for reading, Brian. Id like to make a 10 day trip with a couple days in San Francisco and San Diego. If youre considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? What would be a good hopping on point? Glad to help, Dan! Also, I will have 3 weeks to do this, I like small towns, Vegan food, and too out of shape for extended hikes. Have a great trip! Most head to the Hollywood area and its movie-related attractions. I can really tell that you love traveling, Valerie . We then took that to the end. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Carry on south on CA-1, the PCH. Thanks for reading though , Thanks so much for an in depth post. 21500 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, California, United States, 92648 Phone +1 714 698 1234 Email
[email protected] View Details Rooms Featuring a coastal chic aesthetic, our rooms and suites each feature terraces overlooking Huntington Beach, pools and lavishly landscaped courtyards. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! Do you think we could do it in 7 days?? I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. Thanks for your feedback, Alice, but I lived in California for several years and never heard anyone say Im going to drive PCH Ill be keeping the the if only because its proper English if Californians want to abandon that elsewhere, thats up to them . Got to save some $$$$$. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. Valerie I just came across this post. Valerie, I am so glad I found your guide to the PCH! Enjoying the Unexpectedly Cool Pitchwood Ale House, All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. I love road trips & he tolerates them so I am looking forward to all these sights to see! Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. But the hills inland will go even steeper! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101 to Crescent City always stick to the coast! I had lots of recommendations from a friend, specific to Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete. San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Have a great drive! Here are my suggestions: Therefore, the best month to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is September, when youre most likely to have great weather along the entire length of the road trip. Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. Sounds like youve got a great plan drive safe! We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. I do you can sign up using the email forms in this post to receive a short version! That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. Thank you so much for this information! Its worth it! I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. Portland has loads of great hotels, but my favorite is the, For vacation rental options, consider this. The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. Old Highway 101 is now called the Avenue of the Giants, and I highly recommend slowing down to enjoy this 31-mile stretch through some of Californias oldest living and tallest! The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. The innovative sequencer work of his Tangerine Dream years has given way on this album to more predictable pop electronic orchestrations that . Pacific coast highway road trip with kids. Thanks for reading, Laurie! Camp at Second Beach in Olympic NP Photo: Michael Matti Well, now we will have to wait to see how this Covid-19 progresses. The Pacific Coast Highway is up there with the most beautiful drives in the world. I was curious about which one you suggest if you were to slim down this itinerary by 1 day (ex. How Long is it? Long Beach is and always will be one of my favorite destinations in Washington. 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 think its going to be a tough year fro travel! Love all the comments ideas and suggestion, will try and make this trip happen in about 2-3 years . Should we go down the coast only (plus say Portland & Crater Lk), or head inland given how much time we have? Thank you! I drove part of this back in 2009 from LA to San Francisco (northbound..) and would also recommend stops in Morro Bay and Monterey I enjoyed both very much! Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. Thanks for your comment, David! Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. Sorry, I dont have any special suggestions for kids! Drive Time: About 3.5 Hours. Thanks for sharing this great itinerary. Stop 5: Hearst castle. In the Santa Barbara area of the article you mentioned that you had an article about Santa Barbara and what to do, I am not able to locate this article. I have a few questions. Thank you so much for creating this itinerary! Thanks for reading, Angel! My question is: how to best use our time? Amazing! This is my idea of an itinerary but I need to cut out one of these days or consolidate one since I really only have 8 days. Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . Youll have less distance (just the car and shoulder) instead of an entire lane of the road plus the shoulder. The incredibly scenic California stretch is known for its oceanfront locales, rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and numerous beaches, making it one of the nation's most popular road-trip routes. 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. Thanks for reading, Lynda! Im driving with our 5 kids (ages 1 -13) and my wife. It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! BEST PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY STOPS Sun, sand, and surf. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. The must-see sights definitely include places such as Hearst Castle and Big Sur. Also, about how many miles a day are you traveling on your 10 day itinerary? Glad to help, Bethany! Explore the route. Thanks for your help in advance!!!! Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Ill have to stop at these places, Thinking about a pch trip from San frans to LA.. suggestions on where to stop and how many days, I have this post that will help you plan your trip: https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Hi Valerie I am looking for a 1 day coastal trip from Anaheim back to San Francisco with 4 kids ranging from Teen to toddler. My best advice is to take a look at the app Roadtrippers and start plugging in where you might want to go to get a sense of travel time then you can decide whats must-do, what extra you have time for, and what needs to be cut.I hope that helps! 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! They all offer budget rentals, run regular deals and specials, and have one-way rental options. Nice ride. The sweetest shade of blue. I love small beaches and in less popular destinations like this! 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. Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. We live in Colorado, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so 101 is ideal. Not sure it matters when you set out from Seattle; itll be great no matter when you go! Donna, thanks for your comment! Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. ?? After about 15 miles, you will reach Highway 1. I have 22 foot van camper are their any length height(9.5 ft) restrictions I am hoping their are amp sites along the way? Whats the best time of year to do this? Hurricane Ridge. The ocean is my happy place. Start with a stop for fresh pastries at Caf Aquatica in the tiny town of Jenner (population: less than 200), 11 miles from Bodega Bay. Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide) by Ian Anderson | Dec 20, 2022. Those are my top recommendations! Tim and Janice. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? We are planning to spend Thanksgiving in San Diego. It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. I have tendency to suffer from analysis paralysis therefore navigating all the ins and outs what to do where to stay etc would be overwhelming to say the least. Thanks for all of this great information! Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! It'll take you about three hours to reach Big Sur from San Francisco, and by then you'll be ready to stretch your legs. Santa Barbara was the biggest surprise I had on my PCH road trip in 2014. Enjoyed this 14 day article! I havent been to Monterey but its high on my list! Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community.