Highway One’s Most Scenic Stops
Table of Contents
What is the best part of Highway 1 in California?
Highway One’s Most Scenic Stops
- Santa Barbara Mission.
- Pismo Beach.
- Wildlife Watching In San Luis Obispo County.
- Hearst Castle.
- Cambria.
- Limekiln State Park.
- Nepenthe.
- Bixby Bridge.
How long does it take to drive the whole Highway 1?
10-12 hours
To drive the entire coastal CA Highway 1 takes 10-12 hours without stops. But this road trip is all about the stops! Plan on a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights. However, a 5-day itinerary is ideal for the San Francisco to LA trip with the first and last night spent in each city.
How do I plan a trip down the Highway 1?
See the Best of the California Coast Along Highway One
- Day One – Start your trip in San Diego.
- Day Two – See the flower fields in Carlsbad.
- Day Three – Visit Newport Beach.
- Day Four – Follow the coastline to Los Angeles.
- Day Five – See California’s historic sites in Santa Barbara.
- Day Six – Detour to Hearst Castle.
Is it better to drive up or down the California coast?
Many travelers question, Is it better to drive up or down the California coast? We think the best route on California State Route 1 is from north to south – which is why we recommend the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles via the Pacific Coast Highway.
Where should I start on Highway 1?
Capistrano Beach
Highway One begins in the town of Capistrano Beach in Orange County. From there, to Santa Monica and through Malibu, it’s a city street. It takes on several street names but is most often called Pacific Coast Highway (which locals shorten to PCH). Between Manhattan Beach and LAX, it’s called Sepulveda.
Is driving Highway 1 hard?
It’s very intense because there are no guard rails at the edge and there is little room for error if on coming traffic swerves in your direction. Also called Highway 1, it takes about five hours to drive the PCH. The highway sees the most traffic in July and August.