Thank you! $23.99 $ 23. 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? So the verb lament is correct in the present tense, and the tense of recommend earlier in the paragraph. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Carry on south on CA-1, the PCH. 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. Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). Sort of a round trip Oregon adventure. The Pacific Coast Highway has long been considered a "dream drive" and the ultimate road trip. Thanks so much for reading, Teresa! At low tide, you can hike down into the hole or go tide pooling; at other times you can have a picnic while trying to spot whales off the coast. We are planning to stay overnight at the Madonna Inn. Tim & Janice, what kind words! Those are my top recommendations! 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. Sounds like youre well on the way to it . Flew into Seattle and drove back. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. $2,785,000. Start in Seattle and end in San Diego. Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? 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 . Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Newport. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it! I havent been to Yellowstone so I cant say if its worth it, unfortunately. Thanks again. If you go as big as a Suburban or Tahoe, youll be way to big and clunky to enjoy the road! Though hard to believe, you have to find out that on the Pacific Coast Highway the phone signal will be almost inexistent most of the time. You also mentioned Suburbans are not great because they are so big, but I dont think we have much choice with the large family. Next, youll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. This sounds like a great adventure. Yes, I do have San Francisco guides! Would you have any other suggestions since I am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in Vancouver? We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. Thanks for reading, Lynda! Here, waves are grand and harsh, and coastal cliffs are as breathtaking as it gets. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. 1. A frequent Cali traveler warned me of smog in the late summer and recommended late Sept. early Oct. What are your thoughts? This is great information and very helpful! Even an email answer is fine!! Portland is the only city on this list thatisnton the coast, and its definitely a trip extender if you want to visit Portland while driving the Pacific Coast Highway. I can't stop looking at that ocean. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. Have a great trip!! Glad to help, Dan! Is this going to be a big disappointment? Crescent City! Best rates and airports to use. Thanks for your comment, Rex! This sounds like a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon! Thanks for your comment, Erin! So, don't just rely on Google Maps, instead download an offline map in advance, so there's no chance of getting lost. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Thanks for reading, Oleg. We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. staying at decent places 3-4 star properties. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. Your article was just what I needed!! It was actually quite a lot colder than I expected so I usually ended up too cold with the top down. 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. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. But the hills inland will go even steeper! I hope you have a great trip whenever you can make it! from Seattle to San Diego along this route . "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. If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! Okay, now youve got your car, youve got your basic itinerary. Now that you have all the details you need to plan a PCH road trip, you need to know which destinations are worth a stop along the Pacific Coast Highway. Thanks so much for sharing your experience for others to know its worth doing!! Hi Valerie, Great job! You thinks thats safe or should I make some. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. Thank you for all this information. The traditional definition of the Pacific Coast Highway is to drive California Highway 1 from San Diego to Leggett (or vice versa); you can extend by adding on U.S. Highway 101 through Northern California and Oregon and Washington coasts. On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. This information is great!!! A road trip along the scenic route features beautiful beaches, waterfalls, natural rock formations, striking bridges, delicious seafood, art communities, surfer towns, and dramatic cliffside views - all along the PCH. March is a fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the Pacific Coast is pretty similar all year long! The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a whole article about the experiences I recommend in Santa Barbara! Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Right, Mel? I am thinking 5 days from Portland to LA. Long Beach is and always will be one of my favorite destinations in Washington. (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!). 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. For campsites, Im not super sure as Im not a big camper, but this might help: https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip. 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 !! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. We are just wondering if you have an estimate on how much it would be to travel the PCH! 8. 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!). So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. Is this possible? To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. Thanks for reading, Tony! Adrian, great to hear from you! I hope you have an epic time; Patrees such an amazing host! Looking to travel with your recommendations southbound! Portland! In particular, plan a long foray out to Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. 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. 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. My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. Thanks again! If youve ever seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I mean. Manny from Massachusetts. Lot of driving in 10 days, but I am excited. Have you seen these two posts? Your second choice is where to start your road trip. Youll see signs for Hoh Rainforest, a left turn that takes you inland to the forest. You live in SF! Just south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a laid back, quirky hippie town. From Bixby Creek Bridge to Mcway Falls to the sea lions of San Simeon, there are so many epic places to see and photos to snap in Big Sur along the Pacific Coast Highway that you'll find yourself exhausting your camera battery and filling up your. Franke's first solo album is surprisingly melodic, highly accessible, and immaculately produced. Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? This blog has been incredibly helpful. It is best known for the stretch along the Californian coast, with spectacular ocean views and awesome attractions as you travel. I was a truck driver for 29 years and could not drive that road. Thanks for reading, Sonia. Awesome, Tim! Thank you for this wonderful review. Stop 2: Santa Cruz and its boardwalk. Your website is very helpful. Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide) by Ian Anderson | Dec 20, 2022. Great info . Sounds like a great trip either way drive safe! Your email address will not be published. Awesome, Im hoping to do the PCH and NorCal next summer. 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. 99. 4,329 Sq. Santa Cruz. As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. The ocean is my happy place. Thanks for your comment, Manny. Heather, you saw the rest of the post, right? Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. Youre all set to start filling in the gaps! How can we apply this info in the reverse, Catherine, its pretty easy just plan it out by reading my article from the bottom to the top! Hood. Eileen, thanks for your comment, and for reading! Great question So Crater Lake is pretty far inland. Aretta, thanks for your comment! Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? I already have the vista points where we will stop for photos and eating. Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange . 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 fly out of LA. 1. If you're in need of California trip ideas, consider driving up the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Thanks so much. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience - for good reason! If you want to spend part of one day during your Pacific Coast Highway road trip beachcombing or hiking, Big Sur is the place to do it. 9. 1. 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263 310.506.4000 Map Driving Directions From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) From Orange County, San Diego and points south of Los Angeles From points east of Los Angeles From the north on Interstate 5 From Pasadena/ San Gabriel Valley From the north on Hwy 101/Santa Barbara and Thousand Oaks Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. Credit: Bigstock.com This Pacific Coast Highway itinerary is 7 days and will let you take the whole route and return home with unforgettable memories: If you have more time to drive the PCH, this 10-day itinerary is perfect. Id look at September as an ideal time to catch autumn colors in the Pacific Northwest but admittedly its hard to predict since this part of the country isnt known for the same leaf colors as New England. Do you think we could do it in 7 days?? Thanks for your comment, Jorge! We are from Ohio. I am beginning to plan a family trip and loved all the recommendations. Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. Overwhelmed by the vastness of it all. Here, California Highway 1 carves a sinuous path along steep cliffs; the road is beautiful at a price, since mudslides arent uncommon along this stretch of highway, and can close the highway for months. 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. 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! Got to save some $$$$$. Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! 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. I travelled alone from San Francisco to LA while on a work trip years ago and havent stopped thinking about getting my husband out there. PCH bucket list road trip done! Very nicely done thanks ever so much !! Send me a pic if you remember . 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. If I were going to recommend a route, Id do something like the National Parks in California or the Utah/Arizona/SoCal loop. Stop 5: Hearst castle. What day of the week would you recommend starting from WA? Would there be a place where the rental could be left in those regions? The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. While staying in Cannon Beach we have planned day trips to Astoria and Long Beach and maybe an inland drive to McMinnvile, for some wine tasting. #addittothelist. There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Phoenix77.