Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
The Pacific Coast Highway road trip from San Francisco to San Diego is one of the most beautiful road trips in the United States. Traveling along the shores of the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is an adventure that is worth your time and effort.
Road Trip Summary
- Begin: San Francisco, California
- End: San Diego, California
- Major Road Traveled: Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1)
- Distance: 586 miles
- Drive Time: 12 hours
- Best Time of the Year: End of September through October
Anyone can complete this trip in an extremely long day of driving; however, it is worth taking the time to plan a leisurely drive. The ocean view alone is mesmerizing – it can be stared at for hours. Driving north to south will keep you in the lane closet to the ocean providing a spectacular view the entire drive. Besides the beautiful ocean view along the way there are historical sites and several State Parks you will not want to miss. Since there are so many different things to see and do along the Pacific Coast Highway, you should plan your trip in advance. Planning allows you to arrange enough time to enjoy more sights and activities along the way.
Make sure to note the weather during your planning phase. Fog is at its worst during the months of June, July, and August. However, September and October may also be a bit foggy. So, make sure you check the weather conditions for your road trip before starting out each day. Drive Weather app is a great way to monitor the weather along the way. Travel safe and have a great trip!
Here are just a few of the highlights you will find along your route:
Big Sur – There are a ton of activities at Big Sur to enjoy. You may even want to spend an entire day visiting the natural hot springs, McWay Falls or the amazing beaches and coastline.
Hearst Castle– No trip along the Pacific Coast highway would be complete without stopping to visit Hearst Castle. Covering over 250,000 acres it’s worth checking out some of the rooms, suites, cottages, kitchen, and the grounds of this huge beautiful estate.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse – A great way to finish your trip. Located in San Diego on Point Loma, this is an historic lighthouse. Built in 1855 it is no longer in operation, it is now a museum open for public visitation.
Other Road Trips
Check out these other costal road trips.
Washington Oregon Coast Road Trip | Olympic Peninsula Road Trip