The pacific coast of the United States is one of the most beautiful coastlines we have ever seen. As our starting point was San Francisco, we drove down the famous Highway 1, or also called the Cabrillo Highway, from North to South. This was in our opinion a really nice way to do it, because in this way we were always on the lane which is closer to the coastline and we had the most incredible views from our car. You could easily drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles in one day if you take the interstate, but you would miss these incredible stops along the coast. We took our time and spent 3 days along Pacific Highway. You could literally stop every five minutes because the coastline is really breath-taking, so here is our list with our 10 favourite stops between San Francisco and Los Angeles <3
Minimum duration: 3 days
Best time to visit: May – October
Daily Budget: $$ 50-80$
Rental car needed: yes
1. Muir Woods National Park
Entrance: 19$ per person (or America the Beautiful Annual Pass)
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:00
Minimum Time: 3 hours
Muir Woods was our very first stop after we got our rental car in San Francisco. It is only a 20 minute drive from San Francisco and in order to get there, you will have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge – yaaay :D Muir Woods is famous for its Redwood Trees, the highest tree species in the world. They can grow up to 120 meters height and walking in between them really makes you feel tiny. In every national park in the US you are equipped with a map and a guide, which gives you useful information about which hikes to take, how long they will take you and which animals you can find in the park. All the paths are well-maintained and everything is kept clean. Definitely worth a stop, and if you got time, make a stop at Muir Beach for a quick swim. Oh and when driving back to SF, make sure to enjoy the view from Battery Spencer <3
2. Santa Cruz
Entrance: free beach access, but parking lots cost about 30$ per day
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: half a day
Santa Cruz was our first beach stop, and along the coast it is about a 1.5 hour drive with some really nice views along the way. When you arrive to Santa Cruz, you will inevitably be in holiday mood, as you will find palm trees and surf shacks everywhere. The beach is nice, but of course pretty crowded during summer time. However, we arrived there at about noon, and spent all afternoon relaxing at the beach and catching some rays. Directly at the beach there is a huge amusement park with hundreds of food stalls and rides, as for example a gondola ride above the whole park. Walking through (and getting to the food stalls) is free, but if you wanna take a ride, you have to buy a day pass, which costs 30$. It is also a very nice place for an evening strolls, as there are several beach-and-surfwear shops J
3. 17-Mile-Drive
Entrance: 10,50$ per vehicle (not included in America the Beautiful pass)
Opening Hours: sunrise to sunset
Minimum Time: 2-3 hours
The 17-mile drive is a scenic drive in between Monterey (where we spent our first night) and Carmel-by-the-Sea. After paying a small entrance fee, which is to pay per vehicle, you can start exploring the coast and its sights. Our favourites were the “Ghost Trees”, which really look like from a horror film, the “Lone Cypress”, a single cypress on a lone rock, and the Spanish Bay, a lovely beach where you can find seals from time to time. You will have amazing views over the coastline all the time, and it is a really nice detour for quite little money.
4. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Entrance: free, also parking at the beach is free
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: 3 hours
Carmel-by-the-Sea is said to be one of the prettiest and most expensive cities in Western California, and a stop there is really recommendable. If the weather is nice, you can go for a swim at the really picturesque and white-sanded beach, or you can just stroll around the city and spend some time window-shopping through cute beach boutiques, cowboy-boot stores and cute cafés. The houses there sometimes look like out of a fairy tale and we really enjoyed that stop. However, staying overnight can be very expensive!
5. Bixby Bridge
Entrance: free
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: 20 -30 min
Bixby Bridge is probably one of the most famous bridges along the Pacific Highway, and literally everyone wants to stop there for a picture. During winter, this section is sometimes closed and you can’t visit the bridge. It often comes to traffic jams right in front of the bridge, as parking space is very limited and people are stopping on the street while waiting for a free space. Be patient, there will always be a free space, as a visit doesn’t take that long. Enjoy the breeze and get your picture there ;)!
6. McWay Falls
Entrance: free
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: 20 -30 min
Pretty much the same goes for the McWay Falls, which are about a 30 minute drive from Bixby Bridge. There are more parking lots, but be careful not to miss this place when passing by, as you maybe can’t see it from your car. It’s basically just a small waterfall over a really nice beach, but it definitely looks nice and worth a stop. Oh and don’t even try to get down to that lovely beach, it’s surrounded by cliffs and there is no access :D
7. Big Sur
Entrance: free
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: 3 hours
Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the coastline between Carmel and San Simeon and stretches about 100 km along the coast. Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls actually belong to Big Sur, but I wanted to point out that section as one of the most beautiful scenic drives along the coast. You will have breath-taking views along the road and beautiful beaches line the coast from time to time. If you are lucky, you will find hundreds of seals at the beach, as they come out during breeding season.
8. Morro Bay/ Rock
Entrance: free
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: 1-2 hours
Morro Bay is a cute little town close to San Louis Obispo and is famous for a huge rock formation on the beach, Morro Rock, which once has been a volcano. The beach there consists of uncountable sand-dunes, which makes walking a bit hard, but the view is really nice. We arrived there for sunset, and we had a really great view from the beach before heading to our hotel in San Louis Obispo.
9. Solvang
Entrance: free
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: 3 hours
Unfortunately we didn’t have time for this stop, but nonetheless we would like to recommend it to you. Solvang is a Danish village that looks and smells like Christmas all year-round. The houses there look like cute gingerbread houses and if you are a wine lover – check the schedules for the famous wine festivals <3!
10. Santa Barbara
Entrance: free, parking starts from 20$ per day
Opening Hours: 24/7
Minimum Time: half a day
Santa Barbara was our last stop before we finally arrived in Los Angeles, and we spent almost a full day here. Parking unfortunately is quite expensive again, especially at the beach front – better look for parking garages a few blocks from the beach. The beach itself is absolutely gorgeous and lined with those typical thin-trunked palm trees. You will immediately be in holiday mood and with 300 sunny days per year, sunshine is almost guaranteed :D. The town is also worth a visit, with lots of shops and restaurants. The El Paseo Shopping Mall was pretty nice as it is more or less outside. From Santa Barbara, you will reach Los Angeles after 90 miles/ 2 hours.
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