ITINERARY | 1-Week California Coast (Hwy 1) Road Trip
- ptotravelpro
- Jun 19
- 11 min read
THE DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE TO DRIVING CALIFORNIA'S COAST FROM SF TO LA
OVERVIEW
1-WEEK CALIFORNIA COAST ITINERARY
Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway (aka Highway 1) is one of the most classic road trips you’ll find in the US if not the world. Back in the 1930s some very brave souls built a ribbon of road hugging California’s rugged, winding coast that will quite literally take your breath away. Along the way you’ll find everything from dramatic cliffs cloaked in coastal fog to sun-soaked beaches with surfers ready to catch a wave.
This itinerary focuses on the central coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but Highway 1 actually extends further down to nearly San Diego and up into far Northern California. You can extend your trip to add these parts of the drive or even continue to Oregon and Washington to drive the entirety of the US coast. Additionally, this itinerary assumes that you have visited San Francisco and Los Angeles and focuses instead on the stops in between. You can add extra days if you are seeing these cities for the first time.
One more very important thing - Highway 1 is very susceptible to closures. Be sure to check any road closures before you embark on your trip. Landslides caused the section between Big Sur and the Hearst Castle to be closed during our trip. The section just north of LA near Malibu was also closed as a result of the recent fires. Honestly, it wasn’t a huge deal because I think the best section is between Carmel and Big Sur, and it is much slower driving Highway 1 vs. 101 or I-5.
There are a million different ways you can plan out this drive but let me share how we made the drive!
CHECK OUT THESE DESTINATION GUIDES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP:
STOP 0: SAN FRANCISCO
FLIGHT IN
This one is just a pit stop with plenty of flights and rental cars! Fly into San Francisco and pick up your car. Then make the relatively quick 1h 45m drive down to the Monterey Peninsula and get settled into your hotel so you’re ready for your first full day tomorrow!
For our itinerary, we were focused on the smaller cities and had been to San Francisco previously. In theory, you could tweak this itinerary to stay in SF for a few nights before heading south if you haven’t been before or just want to return to the city.
Where to stay: The Palace Hotel, The St. Regis, The Beacon Grand, The Inn at the Presidio, Cavallo Point Lodge
CHECK OUT THIS DESTINATION GUIDE:
STOP 1: MONTEREY PENINSULA
3 NIGHTS
The Monterey Peninsula (home to Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Carmel-by-the-Sea) is a breathtaking stretch of California’s Central Coast. Whether you're exploring maritime history in Monterey, strolling through the storybook streets of Carmel, or teeing off on one of the world’s best golf courses with the Pacific as your backdrop at Pebble Beach, this trio of destinations delivers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and coastal elegance. It’s an unforgettable stop on its own, but it’s also a gateway to the epic stretch of highway down to Big Sur.
Where to stay:
Pebble Beach Resorts, Villa Mara, Petit Pali, Hyatt Regency, Seven Gables Inn, Centrella Hotel
If you want to be a bit removed from it all: Bernardus Lodge, Post Ranch Inn, Alila Ventana Big Sur
DAY 1: Highway 1 to Big Sur
This day is all about what is perhaps the most quintessential section of Highway 1, with steep cliffs and twisting curves. You’ll spend the day on the road, but you’ll break it up with a bunch of small stops along the way, so it won’t feel like all that much time in the car. Plus, the drive is an attraction in itself. Some of the highlights include Point Lobos, the Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, and hikes in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, but there are many other options along the way.
WHAT WE DID
Morning | Pick up food for lunch later
Bixby Bridge | About 15-20m
Attempted Pfeiffer Beach | It was temporarily closed, and we were told to return later in the day
McWay Falls | About 15-20m
Lunch | Scenic picnic at a viewpoint south of Big Sur
Pfeiffer Beach | About 45m
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Gorge Trail | About 1.5h
Dinner in downtown Carmel | We ate at Bistro Giovanni
Note: the drive from Carmel to McWay Falls is about 1h each way. You’ll break this up with stops along the way.
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
Drive carefully and pay attention to posted signage.
Pack a picnic lunch or plan to stop at one of the roadside spots near Big Sur.
Doubling back to Monterey / Carmel allows you to try a spot twice if it’s too crowded at first.
The marine layer can block views but usually fades later in the day.
Have plenty of gas and make sure to be back before nightfall.
DAY 2: Around Carmel, Monterey, & Pebble Beach
Today, you’ll explore the most classic spots on the Monterey Peninsula. You’ll start in downtown Carmel, where the buildings look ripped straight from the pages of a storybook. Then, on the edge of Carmel, step back in time at a Mission that’s been around longer than the USA. After, head over to Monterey to explore one of the world’s best aquariums and the town’s canning history. And cap it all off sitting fireside with a bagpiper send-off as the sun sets on one of the world’s most iconic golf courses.
WHAT WE DID
Brunch in downtown Carmel | We ate at the Tuck Box
Carmel Mission & Mass | About 1.5 to 2h (including Mass)
Monterey Bay Aquarium | About 3h (including 30m wait)
Drinks on Cannery Row (could replace with 17-mile drive at Pebble Beach, but we had done this on a previous trip)
Dinner, Bagpiper, and Sunset | Sticks at the Links at Spanish Bay (part of Pebble Beach)
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
Check out the Mass times at the mission and either attend one (like we did) or plan to visit outside those times. If you do go to Mass, arrive early - it was very well attended.
There is overflow parking at the mission but it’s hard to see and we missed it at first (keep driving down the road to the right if the main parking is full).
Get your aquarium tickets online ahead of time. The line was very long (even with tickets), but it moved quickly. Still, I’d recommend visiting on a day when most kids are in school, if possible.
17-mile drive could merit its own day. It’s beautiful and like a mini version of Highway 1 with lots to see and do.
The outside tables at Sticks are first come first served (even with a reservation). While these are the best spots to see the bagpiper, there is also a walkway where you can easily go stand for a few minutes if you don’t get the ~perfect~ table.
DAY 3: Drive to Paso Robles via Pinnacles
As you leave the Monterey Peninsula, check a national park off your bucket list with a visit to Pinnacles National Park. The park is smaller but is famous for two main things: California Condors and Talus Caves (that are formed by accumulated boulders rather than water). There are two entrances to the park (with no roads between them), but the East is a little more user-friendly and is where we came in to do the hike to the Bear Gulch Reservoir. Along the way you can go through one of the caves or the trail around it. Balconies Cave and the High Peaks Trail are two other popular options in the park.
WHAT WE DID
Drive | Monterey to Pinnacles East Entrance | About 1.5h
Pinnacles National Park | Bear Gulch Reservoir Hike | About 2h
Drive | Pinnacles to Paso Robles | About 1.5h
Pool time
Dinner in Paso | We had an awesome casual dinner at Habanero’s
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
Come as prepared as you would for any national park hike - with water, sun protection, and appropriate footwear.
The hike we did to the Bear Gulch Reservoir has lots of spots where you need to climb over / under / between boulders, as someone with limited mobility it had its challenging moments and it wouldn’t be for everyone.
Obey the signage for closures. The caves can be closed due to water or, in our case, bats. Some people were not respecting the closures - protect the nature and don’t be like those people.
The parking situation is tight. Try to come on a day when the shuttles are running. That’s the only way we were able to really see the park.
See even more experiences, hotels, and restaurants in my interactive map:
STOP 2: PASO ROBLES
2 NIGHTS
Nestled in the hills just inland of California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles is a charming stop along your drive, offering a perfect blend of wine country elegance and rustic charm. While a little less famous than Napa, Paso boasts a more laid-back attitude and a pioneering approach to making great wine at over 200 wineries in the region. Beyond the vineyards, Paso Robles offers natural hot springs, olive groves, and a vibrant downtown filled with art galleries, farm-to-table dining, and historic architecture.
Where to stay: Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Inn Paradiso, Hotel Cheval, Paso Robles Inn, La Bellasera Hotel, The Piccolo
DAY 4: In the Vineyards
Uncork and unwind with a day exploring wine country in Paso Robles, which produces over 40 varietals and was described to us as a “Wild West” of wine where limited rules and regulations allow winemakers to innovate. There are over 200 wineries to choose from, but we visited two classics - both with great wines! Daou is perched on a hilltop with a beautiful tasting room and terrace, multiple tiers of tastings, and a high-quality food menu. Eberle is one of the true pioneers of Paso. Here you can explore the caves and meet the poodles - and as a bonus - tastings are free and major discounts are offered for military and first responders if you make a purchase of any bottles to send home.
WHAT WE DID
Tasting and lunch at Daou | About 2h
Tasting and cave tour at Eberle | About 2h
Dinner at the hotel
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
2-3 tastings per day is the ideal number (more starts to be impossible given timing)
Book tastings in advance, especially on weekends / peak season / at popular wineries
Have a plan for driving safely
Buying bottles of wine to send home can get tasting fees waived at some wineries. Some (like Eberle) let you taste for free regardless of purchasing wine
DAY 5: Drive to Santa Barbara via the Hearst Castle
Step back in time to the opulent world of William Randolph Hearst at what is now known as the Hearst Castle. A decades-long passion project transformed his childhood campsite into a hilltop retreat for the Hollywood Elite, pulling in extravagant artworks from around the world to create an elaborate, eclectic main house, a series of “cottages,” lush gardens, and iconic swimming pools. As you head south, make a stop in the college town of SLO for lunch and take a small detour to explore the sand dunes of Oceano before arriving in your next stop in Santa Barbara.
WHAT WE DID
Drive | Paso Robles to Hearst Castle | About 45m
Hearst Castle Grand Rooms Tour | About 2h (including arrival and bus)
Drive | Hearst Castle to SLO | About 1h
Lunch in San Luis Obispo
Oceano Dunes | About 45m
Drive | Oceano Dunes to Santa Barbara | About 1h 45m
Walk along beach
Dinner in Santa Barbara | We ate at Toma
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
It’s unfortunately rather difficult to book multiple tours at the Hearst Castle to see multiple areas in a day, but the Great Rooms tour was good for first timers and showed the main rooms of the main house, highlights of the grounds, and both pools.
Be very prepared if you are going to drive at Oceano Dunes. 4WD is highly recommended. Don’t go too far into soft sand or into the water. Be aware of how the wind blows sand around your wheels when parked.
See even more experiences, hotels, and restaurants in my interactive map:
STOP 3: SANTA BARBARA
2 NIGHTS
Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara boasts stylish Spanish architecture, lush gardens, and oceanfront beauty, creating an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication and Mediterranean charm. Stroll down State Street for boutique shopping and world-class dining, explore the historic Santa Barbara Mission, or unwind on the golden sands of its beautiful beaches. Venture into the nearby Santa Ynez Valley, home to acclaimed hillside retreats and vineyards (if you didn’t get enough wine in Paso). Whether you're savoring fresh seafood, hiking in the hills, or simply soaking in the coastal views, Santa Barbara offers a perfect mix of elegance, adventure, and seaside serenity.
Where to Stay: Hotel Californian, Belmond El Encanto, Four Seasons The Biltmore, Santa Barbara Inn, Mar Monte Hotel
Where to Stay in Nearby Towns: San Ysidro Ranch, Rosewood Miramar Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
DAY 6: Sights of Santa Barbara
After touring the mission in Carmel, we also wanted to check out the mission in Santa Barbara. So we started our day off there before working our way towards the ocean. The courthouse was a surprise highlight with beautiful architecture, grounds, and views from the tower. The Presidio offers a glimpse into the past when Santa Barbara was colonized by the Spanish, and the Maritime Museum covers the history of the local oceans from the innovations of the Chumash to modern surfing. We capped our day off with a seaside snack at the harbor and a stroll down the beach before dinner.
WHAT WE DID
Santa Barbara Mission | About 1h
Santa Barbara Courthouse | About 45m
Lunch downtown | We ate at Rudy’s
The Presidio | About 30-45m
The Maritime Museum | About 1h
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
Park the car and walk between the courthouse and presidio. There are several garages nearby. The Mission and harbor also have parking lots.
Pay attention to opening times, especially for masses, at the mission as it’s a working parish.
DAY 7: Drive to LA via Channel Islands
As you head to your final destination for the trip, break up the drive with a visit to another national park, Channel Islands. For as close as this park is to LA, it’s actually one of the more logistically challenging trips to plan (see tips below). I think the best bet as a first time visitor is to either do a non-landing boat tour to Anacapa, where you can see the cliffs, the lighthouse, and likely loads of marine life (humpbacks, dolphins, etc.) or to do a day trip to Santa Cruz with a sea kayaking excursion, where you can do some hiking, explore sea caves, and perhaps see an island fox. We were worried about my hip for kayaking, and the boat tour turned out to be a great option with awesome dolphin and whale sightings that was a lot cheaper and logistically easier!
WHAT WE DID
Drive | Santa Barbara to Oxnard Harbor | About 45m
Channel Islands Boat Tour | 4 hours
Drive | Oxnard Harbor to Santa Monica | About 1.5h
Linner in Santa Monica | We ate at our longtime favorite Uovo
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
Plan your Channel Islands trip in advance (the boats book up, especially if trying to land on one of the islands or do activities like sea kayaking)
There is only one boat provider (Island Packers) and you’ll need to book through them (not the national park). Channel Islands Adventure Co offered the sea kayak excursion, which could also be purchased as a combo with a boat ticket.
I think the two best options for first timers would be the non-landing boat tour we did to Anacapa or a short hike and guided kayak excursion to Santa Cruz
There are five islands in the park, each with their own flavor, however. If you’re a bit more adventurous, you can research options beyond Anacapa and Santa Cruz.
WEAR SUNSCREEN - we burnt ourselves even with long sleeves and hats.
Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins on the crossing - we saw loads! The dolphins like to “ride the bow” so that’s a good place to get a good view.
See even more experiences, hotels, and restaurants in my interactive map:
STOP 4: LOS ANGELES
1+ NIGHTS
Finish your drive in the City of the Angels. Again, for this itinerary, the focus is outside the major cities, but even if you aren’t planning on doing any activities in LA, I recommend at least a 1-night stay for logistics purposes. We ended up staying for 2 nights and splurged with a stay at the fabulous Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, where we did nothing but relax and enjoy the sunshine to unwind from the drive. If you are staying for more touristy things, you might consider staying in one of the neighborhoods further north in the hills, where you’ll be closer to museums and studios. We’ve had an awesome staycation at the Hollywood Roosevelt in the past.
Where to Stay: Shutters on the Beach, Casa del Mar, The Hollywood Roosevelt, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Hotel Bel-Air, Chateau Marmont
CHECK OUT THIS DESTINATION GUIDE:
What a fantastic read as always. Thanks.