Bixby Bridge
The famous arch above the Pacific in Big Sur.
Pacific Coast Highway
California's Highway 1, one of the world's great road trips: redwoods, cliffs, sea lions and surf from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Highway 1 hugs the California coast for over 600 miles. From San Francisco it passes Santa Cruz, Monterey, the cliffs of Big Sur, Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara, ending among the beaches of Malibu.
The Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls in Big Sur are the iconic stops, and elephant seals gather at Piedras Blancas.
- Best Time
- April to October
- Time Needed
- 3–5 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Year-round; check for slide closures
- Getting There
- Start in San Francisco or Los Angeles.
What to See
2 of 4 are freeMonterey and Carmel
The aquarium, 17-Mile Drive and a storybook village.
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's lavish hilltop estate in San Simeon.
Piedras Blancas
A beach where thousands of elephant seals rest and breed.
Know Before You Go
- Landslides sometimes close Big Sur's section, so check Caltrans before leaving.
- Book Big Sur lodging well ahead.
- Fog is common in summer; September and October are often clearest.
Where to Stay
Stay in Monterey, Cambria and Santa Barbara.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
Must-SeeBig Sur and the Pacific Coast Highway
California
Highway 1 clings to cliffs above the Pacific for 90 miles, with redwood groves and coves along the way.
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Must-SeeSan Francisco
California
Hills, fog, the Golden Gate and one of the country's best food cities.
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Must-SeeLos Angeles
California
Hollywood, the Getty, Santa Monica and Venice beaches, and a food scene from every corner of the Pacific.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the California list.