California State Route 1 is one of the nation’s most storied thoroughfares. Also known as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), this 656-mile scenic road runs along the coastline from Orange County up to Mendocino. With dramatic ocean views, it winds by cliffs and offers plenty of fantastic pit stops, from the Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur to Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
If you’re planning a trip along this legendary drive, we recommend heading north to south — this ensures the ocean views and pullouts are easy to access. Check road conditions before setting out; parts of the PCH are prone to landslides, and one winter storm can cause an unexpected closure. September is an excellent time to make the trip — the weather is warm, and the marine layer that blankets the coast during the summer usually burns off earlier in the day during the fall.
Here’s our itinerary for an exceptional road trip down Route 1.
Fly into San Francisco, rent a stylish convertible and head south. Make your first stop for lunch at Sam’s Chowder House. The local favorite, which overlooks the ocean, is known for shrimp po’ boys, lobster rolls, cioppino and linguine with clams. All the classic seafood dishes are available at this bustling restaurant.
After lunch, it’s time for some fun in the sun. The Don Horsley County Park at Tunitas Creek Beach, a remote 58-acre property just south of Half Moon Bay, is a new piece of oceanfront land with short trails, overlooks, picnic areas and beach access.
The stretch between Half Moon Bay and Big Sur is filled with glorious places to stop. Santa Cruz boasts old-fashioned boardwalks with a wooden roller coaster. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming Monterey hamlet with designer boutiques and picturesque cafés. Pebble Beach is home to world-famous golf courses. The Monterey Bay Aquarium features playful sea otters, giant octopus, mesmerizing jellyfish, kelp forests and a 90-foot window into the open sea. It’s a wonderful place to learn about ocean conservation and marine habitats.
Upon arrival in Big Sur, check into Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Alila Ventana Big Sur. The adults-focused property exudes rugged cliffside luxury. With 54 rooms, it’s intimate and relaxing. Alila offers a robust list of experiences, from culinary offerings crafted with ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden to restorative sound baths set among the towering redwoods. Learn about bees at a guided honey tasting or take an archery class in a peaceful outdoor setting.
The following day, head south about 45 minutes to Sand Dollar Beach, an area attraction that makes for a great walk. For a more adventurous journey on the sand, put on sturdy shoes and search for Monterey jade, which comes in a rainbow of colors, at Jade Cove. You have to descend a steep grade with a rope to get there, but the rockhounding is worth it to prospectors.
The elephant seals of San Simeon are another popular attraction. Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is eight miles of beach where the large animals — males can weigh up to 5,000 pounds — come ashore for breeding, birthing and sunbathing. In the fall, younger seals play-fight and practice dominance skills.
Head further south for a bite. We love Giovanni’s Fish Market and Galley Restaurant in Morro Bay, an institution in the area for almost four decades. The casual seafood shack has an excellent creamy chowder, fried fish and south-of-the-border offerings like a snapper burrito, shrimp nachos and grilled salmon tacos. Its smoked salmon spread is a delicious edible gift.
Travel inland 15 minutes after that and you’ll arrive in Edna Valley, an underrated wine region known for its cool-climate chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah. Chamisal Vineyards is an AVA pioneer dating back to the 1970s. Its patio is the perfect place to unwind with a glass of San Luis Obispo County pinot.
From there, pass through Santa Barbara and venture toward Montecito. Garden lovers should visit Lotusland, a stunning 37-acre botanical gem in town. You’ll need a reservation, but it’s worth the effort to walk through the aloe, orchids, ferns, succulents, bonsai, topiaries, cacti and more at this verdant paradise.
Make Four-Star San Ysidro Ranch your next destination. The hideaway sits on 550 acres of gorgeous, landscaped grounds, including 38 vine-covered cottages, a signature restaurant, an award-winning speakeasy and blooming rose gardens. The ranch is also home to the Ty Warner Wine Collective, a 16,000-bottle cellar with some of the world’s rarest vintages.
The luxury hotel also has a new experience inspired by Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, who spent their honeymoon at the ranch. With the American Icon Experience, you’ll enjoy two nights in the Kennedy Cottage, decorated in a style that mimics the celebrated fashion luminary, and embark on a horseback ride through the region similar to the one the couple took after their nuptials.
The next day, drive toward Los Angeles. Stop by the Malibu Pier for a meal at Malibu Farm, the all-day eatery that specializes in quintessential farm-to-table California cuisine such as hearty salads, tacos, burgers and vegan coconut curry. The beaches in Malibu are also an ideal place to soak up the sun and take a quick dip in the Pacific.
For your final detour, check in at Four-Star Regent Santa Monica Beach, a glamorous beachfront property that opened in 2024. Partake in a wellness class (Mondays’ Regent Reset is especially calming), sit by the lively pool or receive a guided farmer’s market experience. Guests who participate in the latter will have the day’s ingredients turned into a multi-course tasting menu, prepared by a private chef that’s served in the comfort of your signature suite — the delicious last stop on an indulgent, truly Californian escape.
