A two week drive from san diego to the redwood national forest in northern california is a great trip. This assumes hwy 101 to san luis obispo, hwy 1 to monterey, then cutting back to hwy 101 for the final leg into sf this isnt really practical for 1 day, but if you decide to do it, id leave very early in. This guide will provide you with the perfect route for a sevenday road trip through californiaso. S top by the colorful fruit stands, fishing villages, intimate beaches, and bustling towns that caught your eye on the way up. May 20, 2019 my firstever experience riding along the pacific coast highwaycalifornias longest state route, which hugs most of the coastlineis now just a hazy memory of motion sickness from the rearfac. The essential pacific coast highway road trip itinerary. Road trip itinerary from san francisco to monterey san. Quickest route about 380 miles, or 6 hours of driving.
If you have more time to drive the pch, this 10day itinerary is perfect. 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. Dues to the roads enormous popular, the pacific coast highway task force has produced a public safety announcement video, entitled, stay safe on pch. Indian, harley, honda, bmw, yamaha, triumph, or polaris equipped for touring. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san. You might want to choose one of these airports as your gateway to make a flydrive holiday along the west coast, taking in as much of washington.
This drive follows the scenic pacific coast highway pch, also called highway 1. With so many miles to cover, considering all the potential pacific coast highway stops can seem dauntingbut we found the best road trip sights along the way, so relax and. Known as one of the most scenic drives in the country, the pchalso called highway 1runs next to the oceans crashing waves, from leggett in mendocino county all the way down to dana point in orange county. Quickest route about 800 miles, almost hours without a break. Subject to the northern california fog, the state beach is haunting and beautiful. Planning a california pacific coast highway road trip.
Here you go, these were our favorite pitstops on pacific coast highway road trip in california. Nov 19, 2016 the pacific coast highway, also known as california route 1, is one of the most scenic drives in the entire world. Pacific coast highway route including the olympic peninsula about 1100 miles, roughly 25 hours of driving. 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. When highway 1 ends, turn around, and prepare yourself as you begin the pacific coast highway road trip from north to south. The ultimate pacific coast highway road trip itinerary what is the pacific coast highway.
The pacific coast highway, also called california state route 1, coast highway, or shortened by locals to be pch, is 650 miles of road. The pacific coast highway is well known as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Driving along the california pacific coast highway is perhaps one of the greatest road trips in the world. This storied stop along the now reopened stretch of pacific coast highway in big sur serves major. Oct 27, 2016 drive down the pacific coast highway from san francisco to monterey, which will take about 2 hours and 45 minutes. But it was not until this past summer that we did a full road trip from san. The main route is known as the pacific coast highway, which is also called highway 1. Stretching from the southern tip of baja california to the top of the olympic peninsula, the highway is 500 miles long. Designing your best pacific coast highway road trip itinerary. Apr 12, 2020 planning a california pacific coast highway road trip. How to complete an epic pacific coast highway road trip.
Jun 23, 2014 if you didnt read part one usa road trips. Travel next to the ocean along the pacific coast highway. The pacific coast bike route loops through downtown san luis obispo. State route 1 sr 1 is a major northsouth state highway that runs along most of. You might want to choose one of these airports as your gateway to make a flydrive holiday along the west coast, taking in as much of washington, oregon, and. Personally, id prefer to do big sur when i wasnt on the clock, but if you get up early, you could do big sur, then carmelmonterey, and then head to sf via hwy. 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.
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. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. Over km youll see stunning coastal views, seaside villages, untouched forest and make your way through some. You need to check in for alcatraz 30 minutes or so in advance, so that gives you slightly more than an hour to arrive at the hotel, park, check in and get to pier 33. 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 stops to see. The pacific coast highway, aka california state route 1 or highway 1, is the most beautiful road trip in the us.
So, when a recent trip back to my hometown left me with three days of free time i decided to take what is widely touted as one of americas best road trips and to drive up the pacific coast highway through santa barbara, big sur and carmel. This was part of a holiday in san francisco and we ventured out of town for this classic california road trip. Drive times and distances here are the rough drive times and distances between the main cities along the pacific coast highway. 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 also called pch is one of americas most famous highways probably second only to route 66. 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. Jun 17, 2016 the pacific coast highway, aka california state route 1 or highway 1, is the most beautiful road trip in the us. Californias pacific coast highway is a classic american road trip that should be on everyones bucket list. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san francisco. 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. The whole purpose of a road trip is to take it slow and the pch will give you plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Maybe youre on a tight schedule, but however you arrive, take your time on this segment.
San diego to san francisco on the pacific coast highwa y, you have some catching up to do. Ride the twisting roads up and down the cliffs from monterey. Depending on the vehicle you choose, you can also calculate the amount of co2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. The ultimate adventure from san francisco to san diego is the road trip on everybodys bucket list. Well arrive friday night and the plan is to leave around 7 am, saturday morning on september 14 from long beach and set out for san francisco.
The combination of natural beauty and that great california quality of life that has become famous, are what made this drive special. The pacific coast highway on the west coast of the united states is known for being an absolutely stunning scenic driveperfect for road trips. But if you prefer to do this ultimate california road trip in the opposite direction driving. Without stops, you are looking at 1011 hours of driving. One hundred and twentynine miles 207 km of highway one, from monterey through big sur and down to san luis obispo, has. Natural bridges state park 1 hour and 45 minutes from san francisco is a great photo op. Pacific coast highway route about 460 miles, or 9 hours without a break. The pacific coast highway road trip was one of the most pleasant drives we ever took.
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. California is one of the best beach destinations in the world, and nothing says oceanside paradise for an rv traveler like kirk creek campground. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the coast starlight links the greatest cities on the west coast. Heres a pacific coast highway map and schedule for 10 days. 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. The pacific coast highway is one of the most scenic routes and this definitely doesnt do it justice. Three days along the pacific coast highway wheretraveler.
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