Pacific Coast — California, Oregon & Washington
The ultimate coastal road trip from San Diego to Olympic National Park. Highway 1, Big Sur, the Redwoods, and the wild Oregon coast.
The Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast is America's most famous driving road — and for good reason. From the sun-bleached beaches of Southern California to the misty rainforests of Washington State, this is 1,500 miles of jaw-dropping coastline.
Route Overview
San Diego → Olympic Peninsula
- Total Distance: ~1,650 miles (2,650 km)
- Minimum Time: 7 days (10–14 recommended)
- Best Season: May–October (fog clears by mid-morning most days)
- Key Roads: I-5, CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway), US-101, OR-101
Suggested Itinerary
Days 1–2: San Diego to Los Angeles
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | Coronado Beach, Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park | Start |
| Carlsbad | Flower fields (spring), Legoland | 40 min |
| Dana Point | Whale watching (Dec–April) | 30 min |
| Laguna Beach | Art galleries, tide pools | 15 min |
| Huntington Beach | Surf culture, pier | 20 min |
| Santa Monica | Pacific Park, Third Street Promenade | 45 min |
Stay: Santa Monica or Venice Beach. Budget: motel on Lincoln Blvd (~$120/night). Mid-range: hotel on Ocean Ave (~$200+).
Days 3–4: Los Angeles to Big Sur
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Malibu | PCH begins in earnest, seafood at Neptune's Net | 30 min from SM |
| Santa Barbara | Spanish architecture, Stearns Wharf | 90 min |
| Solvang | Danish village — pastries and windmills | 40 min |
| San Luis Obispo | College town, Thursday night farmers' market | 60 min |
| Hearst Castle | Hilltop estate, tours essential | 45 min |
| Big Sur | Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach | 60 min |
Stay: Big Sur — limited options, book months ahead. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park campground or the Big Sur Lodge. Budget campers: Kirk Creek Campground (clifftop, first-come).
Days 5–6: Monterey to San Francisco
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey | Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium | 30 min from Big Sur |
| 17-Mile Drive | Pebble Beach, Lone Cypress (toll road, ~$11) | 30 min loop |
| Santa Cruz | Beach Boardwalk, redwood forests | 45 min |
| Half Moon Bay | Coastal cliffs, Mavericks surf spot | 50 min |
| San Francisco | Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Chinatown | 40 min |
Stay: San Francisco — expensive. Consider staying in Daly City or the Marina District. Budget: HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf hostel (~$60/bed). Mid-range: hotels in Union Square (~$180+).
Days 7–8: San Francisco to the Redwoods
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Point Reyes | National Seashore, elk herds, lighthouse | 90 min from SF |
| Bodega Bay | Hitchcock's "The Birds" filming location | 30 min |
| Mendocino | Victorian coastal village | 2.5 hrs |
| Avenue of the Giants | 31-mile drive through ancient redwoods | 3 hrs |
| Redwood National Park | Tallest trees on Earth (380+ ft / 115+ m) | 90 min |
Stay: Eureka or Arcata. Small, quirky towns with affordable motels (~$90/night).
Days 9–10: Oregon Coast
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Brookings | Chetco River, Samuel H. Boardman Corridor | Cross OR border |
| Bandon | Sea stacks, Face Rock, cranberry bogs | 90 min |
| Cape Perpetua | Thor's Well, Devil's Churn | 2 hrs |
| Newport | Oregon Coast Aquarium, Nye Beach | 30 min |
| Cannon Beach | Haystack Rock (iconic) | 2.5 hrs |
| Astoria | The Goonies filming location, Columbia River | 30 min |
Stay: Cannon Beach or Seaside. Cosy inns and vacation rentals.
Days 11–14: Washington & Olympic Peninsula
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | World's longest beach (claimed), kite festival (Aug) | Cross WA border |
| Olympic National Park | Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach | 3–4 hrs exploring |
| Port Angeles | Gateway to Olympic NP, ferry to Victoria BC | 30 min |
| Seattle (optional) | Pike Place, Space Needle, Capitol Hill | 2.5 hrs from PA |
Stay: Port Angeles or Forks. Olympic NP campgrounds if you're set up for it.
Practical Notes
Fuel
Petrol stations are plentiful on CA-1 and US-101, but Big Sur has limited stations and prices are 30–50% higher. Fill up in San Luis Obispo or Monterey.
Oregon is notable: you are not allowed to pump your own petrol in most of the state. An attendant will do it. No tipping expected.
Tolls
Minimal — the only significant toll is the 17-Mile Drive (~$11). Golden Gate Bridge is electronic-only ($8.75, billed to your hire car).
Weather
- Southern California: warm and dry year-round
- Big Sur to Mendocino: summer fog mornings, clear afternoons
- Oregon: rain likely outside June–September
- Washington: rain likely year-round (Hoh Rainforest gets 12 feet annually)
Accommodation Budget (per night, approximate)
| Type | Southern CA | Central CA | Northern CA/OR | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campground | $25–40 | $25–50 | $15–35 | $15–30 |
| Budget Motel | $90–130 | $100–160 | $80–120 | $80–120 |
| Mid-Range Hotel | $180–300 | $150–250 | $120–180 | $120–200 |
Don't Miss
- Bixby Bridge at sunset — the single most photographed spot on the coast
- Redwood National Park — standing among trees that were alive before the Roman Empire
- Thor's Well at high tide — mesmerising and slightly terrifying
- Haystack Rock at low tide — tide pools full of starfish and anemones
- Hoh Rainforest — feels like another planet. Moss covers everything
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