Thanks for your comment, Pam, but Im a little confused its a 10-day itinerary, so its a 9-night trip. Do you have any tips? You should have no problem finding vegan options! Hi Valerie- What is the best time of year for this 10 day trip? To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. Is it worth waiting to do this trip in summer? Have a great trip and drive safely! Looking forward to follow your tips. Getting excited. Great content here, thank you! I dont plan to change any of my travel plans based on the Coronavirus unless there are required quarantines. Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most famous and beautiful road trips on earth. You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport (#9). Located on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, Crescent City is along part of the PCH where California Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101 overlap hence this guide refers to both Highway 1 and Highway 101 as the PCH in the different states. Thanks for reading, Dave. What time of year would be best to do this. 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! Thanks for your comment, Archimedes. Enjoying the Unexpectedly Cool Pitchwood Ale House, All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. Its impossible to reduce all of the amazing things to do in San Francisco down to a small paragraph or overnight stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Im saving this post to reference when I think about doing this trip, because that has to happen! ), Valerie, My wife and I are planning this very trip you outlined. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the SF CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! Valerie I just came across this post. Thanks for reading, Thomas. This time I plan to take a friend and start in Portland. We will be stopping to see the sights along the way but not for strenuous hikes. Im at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Youll have a great time! Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? We booked a flight to San Jose to explore the citys economic hub and cultural traditions. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. Would be every much appriciate if you can provide tips and recomendattions where to stop, what to see/do and eat the drive on high 1 from San Diego to Santa Monica. When in doubt, stay on the coast. This is such a great article. Unfortunately, you cant climb the lighthouse steps as it has been closed for restoration since 2001. California 1 is the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Cabrillo Highway, following the coastline from San Juan Capistrano in Orange County in Southern California to Leggett in Mendocino County in Northern California. The must-see sights definitely include places such as Hearst Castle and Big Sur. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. It probably means deviating from PCH for a bit and were ok with that. Planning a trip on PCH last week of July 2020. Youd need to drive about 7-10 hours out of the way depending on the bridge, and miss major stretches of the road . 8. Hope to rent a car there? And other than his military time at Ft Lewis many years ago, we have never lived nor toured the west coast at all. We can skip Napa and SF. Thanks! do you have a printable version of this? Sounds like it will be well worth it. 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? Tim & Janice, what kind words! Technically, Seattle is not on the Pacific Coast Highway, but you can fly into Seattle and drive one hour south to Olympia to start your PCH road trip. Thanks for your comment, Kathy! If youre planning a PCH trip and want to pass through San Francisco, you can either skim over along the side of the city as you drive down the coast, take a detour inland to visit Yosemite National Park or dive in for one night knowing it will only make you want to come back for more. Let me know in the comments! Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! Making the drive in 2 days. Im trying to connect with the guide I found on pinterest. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. The PCH begins south of Dana Point in Orange County and ends at US 101 in Mendocino County. Top ways to experience Pacific Coast Highway See all Recommended Tours & Sightseeing Walking & Biking Tours Multi-day & Extended Tours Outdoor Activities Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco 310 Bus Tours from $105.00 per adult Monterey & Carmel Explorer 22 Full-day Tours from $105.00 Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! 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? We are only going to be there once though and want to make the most of it. Its a little tough to guess without knowing the exact dates and which towns/cities you plan to stay in on any given night, but I hope this helps! from Seattle to San Diego along this route . The Pacific Coast Highway, also called California State Route 1, Coast Highway, or shortened by locals to be "PCH," is 650 miles of road. 4,329 Sq. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. 21500 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, California, United States, 92648 Phone +1 714 698 1234 Email HyattHBFrontOffice@hyatt.com View Details Rooms Featuring a coastal chic aesthetic, our rooms and suites each feature terraces overlooking Huntington Beach, pools and lavishly landscaped courtyards. 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. You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). Sounds like youre well on the way to it . Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. 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 !! I hope you have a great trip! You could see Canada and the river valley. Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway and that is saying something as its really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline! Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Im pretty confident theyll be wowed by these sights. I am not a family travel expert so I dont have advice there! Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. Any ideas? You have the same recommendations? That includes missing the Devils Punchbowl and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in the southern part of the state; you would however get to drive through Oregons Redwoods on your way from Crater Lake to Crescent City. Any recommendations will be appreciated! of the PCH? Im thinking of a four day road trip for easter next year but thinking along the lines of vegas to grand canyon and so. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. If youre planning a full 10-day west coast road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). Thanks for the great ideas! 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. I agree, go north to south. Sort of the opposite of sea stacks like Haystack Rock,Devils Punchbowlis another beautiful natural rock formation along the Oregon Coast. Thanks for reading, Lauren! San Francisco has tons of cool neighborhoods, so its hard to choose which vacation rentals to recommend Check out this, Plan an overnight in Santa Barbara so you can soak in the charm. Your help is appreciated. Crescent City is the first city youll enter when driving southbound into California along the Pacific Coast Highway (or last if youre headed northbound). If you are connecting to Highway 1 from the Sacramento area, take I-80 West for about 50 miles, connect to US-101 S from there, and then connect US-101 North. Be sure to stop at Nicks Cove in Marshall, CA for a meal or Hog Island Oyster if you love oysters! I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! Hi, I love Portland and San Francisco. We figured booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college. Is this going to be a big disappointment? Sounds like a great trip either way drive safe! Once you are on Pacific Coast Highway, it is a straight-shot to virtually any beach destination on your road trip list, including San Luis . If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). We are so overwhelmed. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! I strongly recommend making reservations in advance, and also please be aware that hotels and other accommodation are not currently allowed to accept leisure travelers during the current mandates. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Seattle, head south along US Highway 101 to Olympia. Thank you. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. 4 Baths. Southern California. Gov. It was actually quite a lot colder than I expected so I usually ended up too cold with the top down. Thank you for the comprehensive narrative! The PCH is Highway 1 in California, though sometimes Highway 1 and 101 overlap which is what causes the confusion! Is Yellowstone worth the long detour? I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. 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, region, western North America, possessing two unifying geologic and geographic propertiesthe Pacific Ocean, which constitutes a natural western border, and the coastal mountain ranges that form the eastern border of the region. Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? In particular, plan a long foray out to Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse. These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! A weekend of sea, sand, and sunscreen. 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. The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. 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! Please drop the the. Thanks for your comment, Patty! It is best known for the stretch along the Californian coast, with spectacular ocean views and awesome attractions as you travel. 99. Where does the Pacific Coast Highway start and end? This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. 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. Thanks for reading, Brian. I hope you had a great drive, Mindy! Where is the Pacific Coast Highway? After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose. 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. Love all the comments ideas and suggestion, will try and make this trip happen in about 2-3 years . Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, segments of California State Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway, parts of New Zealand State Highway 2 and all of New Zealand State Highway 25 and New Zealand State Highway 35. I hope that helps! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a quick PCH road trip, turn inland along the Columbia River and then south on I-5 to Portland.If your Pacific Coast Highway road trip includes the Oregon Coast, skip Portland below and drive south along U.S. 101 to Seaside & Cannon Beach (#8). Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Nate, thanks for your comment. I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Glad to help, Bethany! In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so Im again a bit short on recommendations here. Great question, Judy. To answer your questions: 1. Well, now we will have to wait to see how this Covid-19 progresses. 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 . Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. Thanks so much. Thanks again! Santa Barbara marks the threshold to the southern California section of the pacific coast. Thanks for your comment, Anthony! We will be coming from Anaheim and want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Half Moon Bay. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). 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. To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. If you are short on time to drive the PCH, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. The redwoods are a definite. 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. The ocean is my happy place. Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Cherie, thanks for your comment. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Have a great trip! Stop 3: Monterey and its aquarium. I am thinking 5 days from Portland to LA. How do I do it? The Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine ecosystems around this part of the Pacific Ocean. The majority of this California road trip will take place on Highway 1, AKA the Pacific Coast Highway, AKA the PCH, AKA Cabrillo Highway, AKA Shoreline Highway, AKA The Prettiest Highway in the World. Ronald, I dont know for sure as I dont recommend people drive in an RV. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated: Day 1: San Francisco (Arrive late in the evening) Day 2: San Francisco Day 3: Santa Cruz Day 4: Carmel-By-The-Sea Day 5: Big Sur Day 6: San Luis Obispo Day 7: Santa Barbara Day 8: Los Angeles Day 9: San Diego (leave early in the morning). Here's an example PCH itinerary: Day 1: Seattle WA, to Forks, WA. For accommodation, try a small hotel like the. The Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip While many travelers begin in Los Angeles and head north, driving the Pacific Coast Highway from north to south keeps you in the lane closest to the ocean. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Im sure someone else has asked this but..When is the best time to travel PCH (traveling Southbound through California to San Diego in hopes of warm days and cool(ish) nights)? Also, we were thinking with the additional days to do a detour over to Yosemite. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Dont drive down to SD and back up to LA. The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. I hate cold! (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange . I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. 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. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear! Theres a link to that at the end of the post. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, segments of the U.S. Route 101: U.S. Route 101 in Oregon U.S. Route 101 in Washington Public transportation [ edit] Crater lake was amazing!! I hope you can make it happen sooner! AI TRAFFIC - for Pacific Coast (0.95) 0.85. What a drive! Stay safe. Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . Valerie, First off, congratulations on your recent wedding! 7 Stunning Viewpoints on the Pacific Coast Highway By Michael Hodson Updated on 06/03/19 At just over six hundred and fifty miles in length, and running along much of the coast of California, the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most popular road trip destinations in the United States. Amazingly great article. Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! It depends a lot on how long you plan to make the drive do you know how many days youll be driving? It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. We are planning to stay overnight at the Madonna Inn. While the glass is technically part of MacKerricher State Park and you cant take it home you can still spend time out of the car searching for different colors and shapes of beautiful sea glass that wash up from the Pacific Ocean. I did drive it alone and I still recommend heading southbound. Located in the heart of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge is an iconic spot to stop and stretch your legs on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. 8. We fly out of LA. It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. , Hi. Crescent City! Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop. Camp at Second Beach in Olympic NP Photo: Michael Matti I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. If you do decide to spend an overnight in the area, I recommend stopping in the town of Mendocino first for late lunch, walking around the Mendocino Headlands, then continue driving south to spend the night at the beautiful Little River Inn for dinner at the Whale Watch Bar. Great read! Learn more. Its worth it! 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! This 20-mile (one way) detour will take you out on Point Reyes, and has a stark and beautiful landscape because its so far out at sea. Additionally, youll get a sense of the magnitude of the San Andreas fault line, which comes inland along the northern part of Point Reyes. I know we wont see everything, but its the only time frame we have. Its not a long drive from Seattle to Olympia, so I recommend just making a waypoint stop here to stretch your legs before the rest of your driving today whether thats to Port Angeles or Portland. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. 1. I am beginning to plan a family trip and loved all the recommendations. Raynard, when are you going? Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. Manny from Massachusetts. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101 to Crescent City always stick to the coast! We are coming from Pennsylvania. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do!

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