Most road trips have a few long, boring stretches. A California coast drive doesn’t. That’s why many people call it the best American road trip: mile after mile of stunning sea views, dramatic cliffs, sweeping beaches, charming towns and nature preserves.

In theory, you can drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles along State Route 1 (called the Pacific Coast Highway in many places) in a single day. But doing that means you’ll miss out on some of California’s most beautiful scenery. Use this California coast road trip planner to design your ideal itinerary.

Renting a car for your trip? Get a quote for rental car insurance.

7 Must-See Destinations on Your California Coast Road Trip

There’s no end to the number of pretty places you can visit on your California coast road trip, if you have enough time. Here are a few you won’t want to miss between San Francisco and LA (listed from north to south).

Half Moon Bay is a small town south of San Francisco that’s famous for its two lighthouses, its picturesque harbor, and the four miles of sand in Half Moon Bay State Beach. It’s not a swimming destination, because the water’s freezing and the currents are dangerous, but still worth a stop.ⁱ

In Santa Cruz, ride the historic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the Looff carousel on the beach boardwalk. Cool down with a cone from the Penny Ice Creamery, where you’ll find housemade flavors like Meyer lemon poppy seed and chocolate sea salt caramel.

Just south of the lovely towns of Monterey and Carmel is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a place of rare beauty that’s known as the “crown jewel” of California’s state park system. Take time to hike the coastal trails, and you may be rewarded by seeing otters, sea lions, seals and even gray whales.

Big Sur will entice you to linger for days — and you should, whether you splurge on a treehouse at the Post Ranch Inn or pitch a tent at one of Big Sur’s many campgrounds. Explore Pfeiffer Beach, famed for purplish sand and sculpted rocks, watch a spectacular sunset, and relax in the healing hot springs at the Esalen Institute.ⁱⁱ

Take a short detour from your California coast drive to visit some of the 200-plus vineyards in Paso Robles wine country. Favorite destinations include Daou Vineyards & Winery’s “tasting room in the sky” and Hearst Ranch Winery’s tasting room in an 1852 general store.ⁱⁱⁱ Then reward your designated driver with dinner at Thomas Hill Organics.

Can you feel it getting warmer? Palm trees sway gracefully over the beaches of Santa Barbara. If you’re tired of driving, Santa Barbara is the perfect place to stretch your muscles: kayak Channel Islands National Park, surf the breaks at Rincon Point or hike to Inspiration Point.

Before you cruise into LA, stop off in Ventura. See the Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782, walk to the end of the Ventura Pier, or bike along the Ventura River to Ojai. 

Tips for Your Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 

• Check current traffic and road conditions for Route 1. Construction and mudslides sometimes close parts of the highway.
• Avoid summer weekends, if possible, when traffic is heavy around Carmel and Big Sur.^iv
• Buy travel insurance. People often don’t think to buy travel insurance for road trips, but it can be invaluable. Trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits can reimburse the unused portion of your prepaid expenses, excluding any refunds you receive, if your trip is cancelled or cut short for a covered reason. For your California coast road trip, those expenses might include hotels, rental car expenses, and your plane ticket back home.
• Driving north to south gives you a better view of the ocean, because no cars are blocking your view.^v If driving along a cliff’s edge makes you queasy, then go south to north.
• You don’t have to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles; you can make Seattle and San Diego your end points, if you have time.
• Weather conditions will change dramatically. In May, for instance, it might be 60 degrees in San Francisco and 75 in Los Angeles.
• Set a budget for your California coast drive beforehand, because it’s so tempting to drop a lot of money at posh boutiques, coastal restaurants and luxury inns. If you’re on a budget, consider saving money by packing picnics and camping (or glamping.)
• Choose your car with care. A convertible is the classic choice for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip: “The Gods of the PCH demand you have an open roof,” Jalopnik writer Patrick George insists. “You need to be able to smell and taste the sea air.”^vi If you rent one, you can save money by buying the Rental Car Damage Protector ahead of time.
• Drive safely. Winding coastal roads demand your undivided attention. Don’t speed, don’t text, and take sharp turns with caution.

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