Driving California’s Iconic Pacific Coast Highway
California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway 1, winding around the coast and hillsides of central Calfornia, brings one face to face with some of the most impressive beauty in all of the United States.
On a California vacation with my daughter, Taylor, we had the chance to drive the 17-Mile Drive (Point Lobos State Reserve). We took the Pacific Coast Highway (the All-American Road or PCH) from Carmel to San Luis Obispo, all 123 miles of it. What we saw was spectacular!
I was in love with all of the sea life and could hardly tear myself away from the stopping points to move on to the next.
Making the Iconic Drive
Point Lobos State Reserve allows you to wind your way through the Del Monte Forest along the dramatic Pacific coast. The charge is $10 per car. Point Lobos was the nation’s first undersea ecological reserve with points of interest allowing you to take in the scenery along the way.
Huckleberry Hill, the Inn at Spanish Bay, and Cypress Point Lookout were my favorites along the way. The Monterey cypress trees were gorgeous and only grow here and in Carmel. Of course the Lone Cypress, dating back 250 years, is impressive, too, and great for photo-ops.
Make sure to stop at some of the locations for epic views of sea otters and sea lions, as well as migrating gray whales between the months of December and April. You will soon see why this is identified as California’s “crown jewel” of the parks system.
If I had to pick one thing about the coastal PCH California drive that really wowed me, it would be the torrential waves crashing against huge jagged rocks, repeatedly. The sight is captivating and each location, though very similar, will lure you in as if it were the first time you had ever seen it. I could sit and watch the surf roll all day! That became obvious by the hundreds of photos I took of the same scene, just in a different location.
Driving PCH is a great way to get your feel of adorable harbor seals lining the beaches. It is mesmerizing watching them do the simplest tasks, inching their way across the sand with their fat bodies. The white sand beaches, black jagged rocks, layered blue waters, and crashing waves set the perfect scenery to admire along the way. California’s huge redwood trees will put you in touch with your nature, as well. Roll down the windows to take advantage of the fragrant trees.
A Side Trip to Another Iconic Gem
The famous Hearst Castle is another attraction along the Pacific Coast Highway. Located in San Simeon, it is one of the few castles in the United States and former home of magnate William Randolph Hearst. There are a few tour choices to choose at Hearst Castle, but we chose the Grand Rooms Tour. This allows an in-depth look at the immaculate grounds, grandiose furnishings, and ornate architecture.
Another great stop further South is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, located in Simi Valley. It is about 10 minutes off of the highway and is the largest Presidential Library in the country. The Reagan Library is also home to the Air Force One Museum. The ticket for both museums is included in one fee. Guided or self-guided tours are available at this state of the art museum. You can even also have your photo made at Reagan’s Inauguration Address podium. Of course, we did not miss that touristy moment.
Food Along the Way
Taylor and I had a lovely breakfast during our drive at the Big Sur River Inn & Restaurant, on Highway 1 at Peneger Creek, 25 miles south of Carmel. The restaurant has a gorgeous stone fireplace (which was needed on our cold morning) and the food was delicious and perfectly prepared. Taylor chose Pancakes and Bacon and I, the Poached Egg Hash, with sautéed onions, peppers, and tomatoes. It was definitely a smart stop on this long and windy road.
Pay close attention when driving this scenic beauty because at times there are sharp drop-offs plus the roads are incredibly windy in places. It is hard to concentrate on the highway lanes when the fabled landscape is beckoning you from every direction. Be on the lookout for the famous Bixby Bridge, a single span concrete arched bridge. It is a highly popular site for photographs just north of the Hearst Castle.
A Very Memorable Experience
Wherever your journey takes you, the drive along California’s Pacific Coast Highway is like a vacation in itself. The sights are so impressive and for the most part, they are free. Nature at its finest.
Tune in to our epic road trip playlist along the way and by all means, roll down the windows. Enjoy!
Pacific Coast Highway Photo Gallery
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Check out our other California posts:
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Holman Ranch Vineyards
- Newport Beach
Entrance to both museums mentioned above was complimentary. As always, all opinions and reviews are uniquely mine and 100% unbiased.
Svetoslav Dimitrov says
What a gorgeous retreat and fabulous photos! I am speechless!
MelodyPittman says
Thanks so much! Appreciate it.
Charles McCool says
One of the most beautiful stretches of land and road anywhere in the world. I was fortunate to live in Pacific Grove and Monterey for a couple of years. I spent many weekends exploring Big Sur. Ahhhh, good times.
MelodyPittman says
Fun! You’ll have to share some of those stories with me on the cruise. 😉
Kevin Wagar says
This is a drive I’ve always wanted to do, and continue up to the Sea to Sky highway in British Columbia.
MelodyPittman says
Oh that would be really awesome!
Marta says
This makes me so excited: we are ging to do this in the summer!! We will have a house in Berkeley and want to take a couple of days to drive down to Big Sur: we won’t have a lot of time so we won’t go as far South as you unfortunately, but I am hoping to see just the amazing scenery you captured!!
MelodyPittman says
Oh you will love it! What a fun vacation. Have a great time!
Rob Taylor says
Ahh, my favorite stretch of road! Easily, SF to LA could be a two week drive and you’d still not be able to cover it all. And were those sharks or dolphins in the surf?
Shobha says
We are going in August this year so a bit of a bummer that we will miss the migrating sea lions. The rest of it looks fantastic though. So excited now that I’ve seen your photos!
MelodyPittman says
You will have a blast! What else are you doing on your vacation?
mark wyld says
Looks like one of those iconic coastal drives similar to the great ocean road drive her in Australia. Looks amazing i would certainly love to do this drive.
MelodyPittman says
I will take your word for it since I have not been to Australia. 😉 When are you guys visiting the US?
Ami Bhat says
Carmel by the sea is awesome…one of the few posts I have on US. And the sea lions was something that was really amazing. Adding to the charm is your post…your pics of the waterscape are just so beautiful.
MelodyPittman says
Thank you so much! Very glad you got to experience it on your US travels. 😉
Sue and Kevin McCarthy says
Melody, We had the opportunity to drive Hwy 1 along the Pacific Coast in Sept. We started south of Hearst Castle and ended in Monterey. I have always loved Carmel and had a chance to see it up close. You have some great photos here.
MelodyPittman says
Awesome! Taylor was ready to take me out after stopping at each opportunity to see the sea lions and anything cute. LOL Thanks so much. I don’t think you can take a bad picture on PCH. 😉 Did you see that lighthouse along the way? I would love to have gone over to visit it up close and personal.