California’s Pacific Coast Highway, officially Highway 1, traces the state’s coastline for hundreds of miles, threading between rugged cliffs and the open Pacific through some of the most photographed scenery in the country. From Southern California’s beach towns up through the wild, undeveloped stretches of Big Sur and on toward the redwoods of the north, it’s less a single road trip than several distinct ones stitched together, each section with its own character.

Best Things to Do Along the Pacific Coast Highway

Drive Through Big Sur

The stretch through Big Sur is the highway’s most dramatic section, with the road clinging to cliffs hundreds of feet above the crashing Pacific and pullouts at nearly every turn tempting you to stop for photos. Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California, anchors this section.

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Visit McWay Falls

Inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, a short walk leads to an overlook of McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops directly onto a beach, one of the rare places in the world where that happens, framed by a small cove of turquoise water.

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Explore 17-Mile Drive Near Monterey

This scenic private toll road winds past the Lone Cypress, dramatic coastal golf courses, and rocky shoreline dotted with seals and sea lions, a compact but scenic detour near Pebble Beach worth the short drive off the main highway.

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Wander Santa Barbara’s Waterfront

Further south, Santa Barbara offers a mission-style downtown, a palm-lined waterfront, and easy beach access, making it a natural overnight stop for a highway trip moving between Los Angeles and points north.

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Stop at Hearst Castle

Near San Simeon, this elaborate hilltop estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst offers guided tours through opulent rooms and grounds, a striking architectural detour from the natural scenery dominating most of the drive.

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Best Time to Visit

Late spring through early fall offers the most reliable weather for the whole route, though coastal fog is a year-round possibility, particularly in the mornings around Big Sur and Monterey. Weekdays see noticeably less traffic than weekends, especially through the narrow, winding sections where slow-moving RVs can bunch up traffic.

How to Get There

The Pacific Coast Highway runs along nearly the entire length of California’s coastline, so most road trippers pick a segment rather than attempting the whole route in one trip, commonly the stretch between Los Angeles or San Francisco and Big Sur. A rental car is the standard way to drive it, and one-way rentals are common for travelers not looping back to their starting point.

Good to Know

  • Some sections of Highway 1, particularly through Big Sur, have experienced landslide closures in past years, so checking current road status before a trip is worthwhile.
  • Gas stations can be spaced far apart through remote stretches, so top off the tank before entering Big Sur specifically.
  • The winding, cliffside sections require slower, more attentive driving than a typical highway, so build extra time into your schedule.
  • Popular pullouts and viewpoints fill up quickly in peak season, so early starts help secure parking at the most photographed spots.

The Pacific Coast Highway earns its reputation one overlook at a time, and the drive rewards travelers who resist the urge to rush between destinations. Pick a manageable stretch, build in time for the stops that catch your eye, and the road itself becomes the highlight of the trip.