Over the past five years, i was very lucky to have the opportunity to visit many of the towns and citys along the golden coast. The pacific coast highway is well known as one of the most scenic drives in the world. However if you drive the scenic route, which involves winding your way down the western california coast using highway 1 and highway 101 the pacific coast highway, the total straight driving time is about 14 hours. Or if you have time and want to see the pch pch is the coastal drive south of. The combination of natural beauty and that great california quality of life that has become famous, are what made this drive special. This was part of a holiday in san francisco and we ventured out of town for this classic california road trip. Highway 1 has many vista points with great views and attractions along the way that include hearst castle and the santa cruz beach. The classic pacific coast highway road trip road trip usa.
Pacific coast highway south visit california visit. Of all the worlds great coastlines, none can compare to californiasfor its truly unique combination of beauty, variety, and accessibility and the extraordinary range of ways to enjoy the landscape. In this narrow strip of coastal hills and valleys, discover romantic towns, including carmel by the sea, historic monterey, and elegant santa barbara, nicknamed the american riviera. Pacific coast highway 4 day itineraryday 2 san francisco to monterey. The drive does get lets picturesque after santa barbara.
Driving up the pacific coast highway and highway 1 on a west coast usa road trip is an experience to remember its one that i certainly do. Pacific coast highway california 2020 all you need to. Here you go, these were our favorite pitstops on pacific coast highway road trip in. Note that as you depart carpinteria the wellsigned route south directs you onto the 101 fwy for only a short distance to the ralph fertig memorial bicyclepedestrian path trailhead. If youve never driven the pacific coast highway pch, youre in for the road trip of a lifetime. A west coast usa road trip is one of the classic american road trips. It connects the beautiful harbor town of dana point in southern californias orange county to leggett, california, in mendocino county, home to some of the largest trees in the world. Driving californias pacific coast highway audley travel. The pacific coast highway on the west coast of the united states is known for being an absolutely stunning scenic driveperfect for road trips. It connects the beautiful harbor town of dana point in southern californias orange county to leggett, california, in mendocino county, home to some of the largest trees in. Most were built during the late 1700s, with the two northernmost being see map. Planning a california pacific coast highway road trip. The ultimate pacific coast highway road trip itinerary what is the pacific coast highway.
After taking this exhilarating 10hour drive from san francisco to san diego, youll see why the pacific coast highway is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san francisco to. To find the map for the shortest distance from ventura to san francisco via pacific coast highway, please enter the source and destination and then select the shortest option in the mode dropdown. Its hard to find the best stops along the pacific coast highway. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san francisco. However, after reading a lot of these forums many people seem to strongly recommend against this. The first stop on this road trip is the city of monterey, which boast rich history, including. So when you factor in all the places to visit and where to stay along highway 1, you can easily spend 57 days on a road trip. Then past santa barbara to the north, you have two coastal options, highway 1 which really goes along the coast line much of the way, or highway 101, which is close, but more straight and an easier drive.
The pacific coast highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. The pacific coast highway, also called california state route 1, coast highway, or shortened by locals to be pch, is 650 miles of road. Starting from californias northern border with oregon and stretching all the way down to san diego the route takes round ten hours to complete at a leisurely pace with no stops. Pacific coast highway west coast america road trip. Skip the typical southern california road trip along the pch. It links dozens of amazing californian destinations. The route starts in santa barbara and follows the pacific coast bike route through montecito, summerland and carpinteria. Coast highway driving distance map from moon pacific coast highway road trip.
California has 21 historic spanish missions from san diego to sonoma in the northern san francisco bay area. Your perfect guide to best places to eat, sleep, and stop on your ultimate california pacific coast highway 1 road trip. Driving along the california pacific coast highway is perhaps one of the greatest road trips in the world. Map from ventura to san francisco via pacific coast highway. Watch the 10 hours ride on the train in around 10 minutes.
This guide will provide you with the perfect route for a sevenday road trip through californiaso pack your bags, fill the car, and get driving. The main route is known as the pacific coast highway, which is also called highway 1. Driving up the pacific coast highway and highway 1 on a west coast usa road trip is an experience to remember its one that i. We are wanting to take the most scenic route as we are from australia and would like to see as much as possible. My firstever experience riding along the pacific coast highwaycalifornias.
The scenic route is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The road that connects the cities of the california coast between them crosses spectacular landscapes, places where the ocean meets the steep rocks, and where you will feel like you are part of a beautiful dream. Pacific coast highway the american road trip company. The legendary pacific coast highway pch was first started in the 1930s, and remains a marvel of human effort that hugs over 900 kilometers 600 miles of californias rugged and beautiful coastlines. Essential stops on the pacific coast highway 2 day itinerary. One week is great for travelers who want to fit in the entire trip during a school break, or only have so.
You can also recognize it by its abbreviation pch, california coast road trip, pacific coast road trip, route 1, highway 101 through washington and oregon, or even just highway 1 in california. There is a lot of information in this itinerary, so read straight through or use the table of contents to skip around. The pacific coast highway is 600 miles of stunning coastal road. The ultimate adventure from san francisco to san diego is the road trip on everybodys bucket list. The essential pacific coast highway road trip itinerary. Fran falkin california mission california bay california bay big sur, ca big sur, ca santa barbara rooftops san simeon, the castle of william randolph hearst. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the coast starlight links the greatest cities on the.
Print the itinerary or map your adventure to get started. Pacific coast highway from san francisco to san diego. If there was ever a reason to rent a convertible, this road trip is it. Would like to spend 6 days on the pch stopping along the way, especially in san francisco. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies by greyhound and thirdparty partners to recognize users in order to enhance and customize content, offers and advertisements, and send email. The pacific coast highway road trip was one of the most pleasant drives we ever took.
We are then wanting to continue our trip to san francisco. Jun 25, 2017 this is my third and last video from california trip. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san. Over km youll see stunning coastal views, seaside villages, untouched forest and make your way through some sunny wine. However, there is still a great many amazing things to do on the pch all the way to san diego.
It is one of the most astoundingly scenic roads in the world, meant to be traversed slowly. How to plan a road trip on the pacific coast highway. One week on the pacific coast highway will allow you to see the best of the best. If youre coming straight from san francisco along the pacific coast highway.
Nov 19, 2016 this was part of a holiday in san francisco and we ventured out of town for this classic california road trip. Good road maps of the pacific coast highway are obviously essential for anyone planning to drive the trip. The pacific coast highway and highway 101 road trip guide highlights many of the best eateries, sights, stops, hikes, and places to stay along the entirety of the united states pacific coast, from san diego to port angeles. This is my third and last video from california trip. Make the most out of your adventure with this stepbystep pacific coast highway road trip itinerary. The best route for a california road trip along the pacific coast. While you can drive between the two cities along the i5 highway in just under 6 hours, taking your time and driving along the coast provides travellers with some amazing sites and. Coast vacation travel guide hotels maps photos northern california map with cities. Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into l. Drive the pacific coast highway in southern california. Start north in seattle and head south to san francisco for the best of the pacific northwest. The quickest and most popular route will be to take the interstate 5 freeway which would be the most boring and less hurdle route. In washington, oregon, and at the northern end of california, the pacific coast route follows us highway 101. Embarking on a road trip along americas route 101 in a ford mustang convertible is a dream holiday for many.
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