Driving the route from north to south is ideal, as you’ll be on the ocean side of the road the entire way, allowing unobstructed views of the jagged coastline below. Three days is a minimum, and if time allows you could easily spend more.
Additionally, How many days do you need to drive the Pacific Coast Highway? How long does it take to drive the Pacific Coast Highway? To drive the entire coastal CA Highway 1 takes 10-12 hours without stops. But this road trip is all about the stops! Plan on a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights.
Where is Big Sur California? Big Sur is located along Scenic Highway One approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles. Historically, the name Big Sur, was derived from that unexplored and unmapped wilderness area which lays along the coast south of Monterey. It was simply called El Sur Grande, The Big South.
Subsequently, Can you drive the PCH from LA to San Francisco? Drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway. California offers countless amazing road trip opportunities, but the drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco is one of the best you’ll find anywhere in the Golden State. This drive follows the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also called Highway 1 …
FAQ
Is it hard to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?
The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take.
Is driving Big Sur scary? Is the drive to Big Sur scary? The drive to Big Sur can be scary for those with a fear of heights. Some parts of the scenic drive follow the edge of the cliff. That said, drive cautiously and stop at turnouts and you’ll avoid any dangers.
How long is the Big Sur drive? The drive through Big Sur is a 90-mile stretch along California’s Pacific Coast that will take you on a beautiful coastal adventure. From Los Angeles, the beginning of Big Sur (San Simeon) is a 3.5 to 4-hour drive.
Which part of Highway 1 is best? For this adventure, the best place to stop along Highway 1 is at the Elephant Seal Vista Point. In addition to elephant seals and lighthouses, San Simeon offers many more things to see on Highway 1. Travel back in time with a tour of opulent Hearst Castle, the home of historic newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.
Is Big Sur in the Bay Area?
Is Big Sur in between LA and San Francisco? The Big Sur region is located about halfway between LA and San Francisco. This region in Central California features a rugged coastline and the famed Pacific Coast Highway.
What is the closest city to Big Sur? Big Sur and Neighboring Cities:
Cambria is around the half way point, but the closest town to Big Sur area on the south is San Simeon. It is also the closest to Hearst Castle. On the north side, Carmel is the last town you get to before going to Big Sur area. You will want to see Big Sur during daylight hours.
What is so special about Big Sur?
Big Sur is renowned worldwide for its natural features and relatively pristine scenery. It is rated among the top 35 tourist destinations in the world. The Big Sur coast has been called the « longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the [contiguous] United States. »
Where can I stop overnight in San Francisco and Los Angeles? Best stops on an LA to San Francisco Drive
- Santa Monica. Even though Santa Monica is still a part of Los Angeles, it makes for a fantastic first stop when driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco. …
- Malibu. …
- Santa Barbara. …
- Solvang. …
- Pismo Beach. …
- Hearst Castle. …
- Elephant Seal Vista Point. …
- Big Sur.
What is the scenic route to San Francisco?
Option 3: The Scenic Pacific Coast Highway
The best way to go from Los Angeles to San Francisco and vice versa is to take the legendary Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most beautiful and popular scenic roads in America, a true symbol of road trips in California.
Is Highway 1 worth the drive?
It’s rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world. This is a particularly breathtaking drive, especially through Big Sur where the Santa Lucia mountains plunge into the sea, and the surf and wind relentlessly pound the rocks and shore below and bend the native cypress trees into otherworldly shapes.
Is PCH scary? It is scenic, but scary. Once you’ve seen 20 cliffs jutting into the ocean, you tend to lose interest. You have to drive carefully and slowly,and it is not relaxing.
What should I pack for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip? A Packing Guide for a Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
- Binoculars. One of the most exciting aspects of this California drive is the amount of marine life you’re likely to see. …
- Beach Gear. …
- Clothing Layers. …
- Sunscreen and Hat. …
- Camera. …
- Hiking Shoes. …
- Music. …
- Map.
Can you drive Big Sur at night?
Yes, the road gets quiet at night. Until it doesn’t. If the resort or hotel or campground doesn’t have a map posted on their site, ask. 6) No matter how beautiful, Big Sur is a tourist trap.
Is the 17 Mile Drive scary? The drive, itself, isn’t really all that scary, unless you have a fear of heights. Then parts of that drive might make you feel uncomfortable. Personally, it’s one of my all time favorite drives and I was the Nervous Nellie in the car as a child. The views are worth the effort…..
Can you swim in the Big Sur?
Big Sur River Gorge is one of the big draws at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, facilitating a romp to a swimming hole in the wilds of Big Sur. An unmaintained trail connects the park’s campground to a inviting pool of clear river water in a granite-walled gorge.
Where do you stop on the way to Big Sur? Big Sur Road Trip Adventure Guide
- Stop 1: Bishop Peak. …
- Stop 2: Montaña de Oro State Park. …
- Stop 3: Morro Bay. …
- Stop 4: Silver Peak Wilderness Area. …
- Stop 5: Kirk Creek Campground. …
- Stop 6: Limekiln State Park. …
- Stop 7: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. …
- Stop 8: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Is Big Sur worth seeing?
Big Sur is a very worthy road trip destination for anyone who loves to be outdoors and experience nature. The rugged stretch of coastline has stunning beaches and mountains and also some really great restaurants.
Where does Pacific Coast Highway start and end? The PCH begins in Southern California at Interstate 5 south of San Juan Capistrano, and it ends at U.S. 101 in Leggett in Mendocino County.
Where should I start on Highway 1?
Highway One begins in the town of Capistrano Beach in Orange County. From there, to Santa Monica and through Malibu, it’s a city street. It takes on several street names but is most often called Pacific Coast Highway (which locals shorten to PCH).
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