Departure Point

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Duration
10 hours - 11 hours

Languages Available

• Audio guide - English

Points of Interest

Stop At: Pacifica
Pacifica, California
As you drive through the town of Pacifica, you'll learn about the history of San Francisco Bay and Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá, who put it on the map. You'll also uncover the unusual story behind how the town got its name. NOTE: This 555-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Pacific coast highway in 5-7 hours. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Pedro Point
Pacifica, CA 94044
This rocky point juts out into the ocean and makes for phenomenal seaside views. There used to be a road to the point, but it's only accessible via footpath now, and only at low tide. It's a great spot for a hike with a big payoff at the end.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Devil's Slide Trail
Highway 1, Pacifica, California
This bunker was built during World War II, and was intended to watch for a potential Japanese invasion of the mainland. At the time, soldiers with binoculars kept a constant watch on the horizon. These days, it's a favorite hangout spot among local youths and graffiti artists.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Highway 1, , Half Moon Bay, California
This beach can be an incredible place to spot whales, depending on when you visit. In December and January, gray whales migrate south past this shore. They're often close enough to see with the naked eye!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Montara
Montara, California
Montara is a charming, rustic town that owes its existence to an old-timey lighthouse. Many of the town's oldest buildings are still standing today, giving it a totally distinct and classic vibe.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Mavericks Beach
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
This beach is home to some of the biggest waves around. During peak season, the swells here can reach up to 60 feet high! This makes it a super popular surfing spot for thrillseekers, though amateur surfers are probably better off watching from the shore.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, California
This sleepy seaside town is set on the edge of a lovely crescent-shaped bay. But it has a surprisingly dark history. At one time, this area was known as the most corrupt county in California thanks to mob activity.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Bean Hollow State Beach
11000 Cabrillo Hwy, , Pescadero, California
Bean Hollow State Beach gets its name from its oddly-shaped coast, which some swear resembles a bean. It's a humble but pleasant beach surrounded by plenty of great scenery, and makes for a great place to stop and take a quick break.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero, CA 94060
At 115 feet tall, this is the tallest lighthouse on the west coast. It's also one of the oldest. If you've been waiting for the perfect seaside photo shoot, this is a fabulous spot for it.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Butano State Park
Cloverdale Road, Pescadero, California
While you won't directly enter this park, you'll pass by its lush redwood groves as you drive. These old, enormous trees are positively awe-inspiring, and just have to be seen to be believed.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, California
Another park you'll pass along the way, Big Basin Redwoods State Park is exactly what it sounds like. Tall old growth trees, a lush canopy, and maybe even some wildlife sightings if you're traveling in the morning!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Ano Nuevo State Reserve
New Years Creek Road, , Pescadero, California
Keep your ears open as you pass this state reserve and you just might hear its most famous residents: Elephant seals! The months between December and April are the best time to view seals here, as that's their breeding season.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Davenport
Davenport, California
The tiny town of Davenport is home to just over 400 people, but it's well known for its pristine beaches. In addition to some great sand and surf, the town also features other landmarks like the Davenport Crack, where water has carved a deep tunnel through a cliff, making it appear as if the land split in two.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Shark Fin Cove
Cabrillo Hwy, Davenport, California
Despite the name, you won't have to worry about sharks at this cove. It gets the ominous title from a distinctive rock formation jutting from the water, which looks like an enormous shark's fin!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Coast Dairies State Park
Cabrillo Highway, Santa Cruz, California
The beaches here are known as pocket beaches, because they're quite small and secluded. Reaching them takes a bit of scrabbling, but as a result they're almost never crowded. If you want some time alone with the coast, this is a perfect spot.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
One of the must-see stops on your tour. Founded in 1791, Santa Cruz is a picture-perfect California town. Here, you'll find beautiful architecture, incredible eats, and all the quirky shops your heart desires.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz, California
The Santa Cruz Wharf is the number one hotspot in Santa Cruz. It's buzzing with activity and loaded with seafood restaurants for the freshest catch around. The wharf also boasts an amusement park with a fully-functional wooden roller coaster!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot Rd, , Santa Cruz, California
The Mystery Spot is a tourist attraction near Santa Cruz, California, opened in 1939 by George Prather. Visitors experience demonstrations that appear to defy gravity, on the short but steep uphill walk and inside a wooden building on the site.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Rio Del Mar State Beach
Beach Dr, Aptos, California
This large beach has ample parking and boasts incredible views not just of the ocean, but also of towering bluffs along the coast. It's also a very pet friendly beach for those traveling with four-legged friends.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Sunset State Beach
Sunset Beach Rd, 16mi South of Santa Cruz Via Highway 1 and San Andreas Road, Watsonville, California
Sunset State Beach is, unsurprisingly, one of the best places in central California to watch the sunset. Folks flock to the beach in the late afternoon, so if you want to see the sunset here, it's a good idea to plan ahead.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
, , Moss Landing, California
The Elkhorn Slough Reserve is a vast wetland where salt water meets fresh water. Over 700 species of terrestial and marine animals call this reserve home, so you have a good chance of spotting some of California's critters as you pass.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Monterey Bay
Monterey, California
This beautiful bay features some truly stunning coastal views. As you drive by, you'll learn about how plentiful the bay's sardine population once was, and what happened to change that.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Monterey
Monterey, California
Once the center of the sardine-packing industry, Monterey has been many things over its long history. Today, the historic Cannery Row has become a popular strip of gift shops, seafood restaurants, and bars in converted factories. The city is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with thousands of marine animals and plants on display in underwater and interactive exhibits.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Big Sur
Big Sur, California
Big Sur is perhaps the most iconic stretch of Pacific Coast Highway. Featuring dramatic bluffs rising hundreds of feet above crashing waves, as well as lush greenery and rocky hiking trails, it's a remote and rugged place that's sure to take your breath away.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: 17-Mile Drive
Monterey, California
The famous 17-Mile Drive is a scenic detour through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. It passes lavish estates on one side and unbeatable ocean views on the other.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picture-perfect coastal village. Famous for its fairytale cottages and eccentric residents, this tiny town packs a ton of charm. It also features an absolutely staggering number of art galleries.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Carmel Beach
Carmel, California
A lovely white sand beach beside a cypress grove. Carmel residents come here to surf, walk their dogs, or watch the sunset.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
This reserve boasts an incredible variety of marine and terrestrial animals in its lush and untouched environment. It's also a fantastic spot to go scuba diving for those who want to get up close and personal with the oceanic wildlife.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Garrapata State Park
Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road, Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel, Carmel, California
Some of Big Sur's best hiking trails can be found right here. Many lead to the coast, where you can take in breathtaking ocean views, but others cut through valleys of lilies and even redwood groves.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Bixby Creek Bridge
California 1, Monterey, CA 93940
This concrete arch bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in California. The graceful architecture works beautifully with the lush green bluffs on one side and the ocean on the other to create a completely unique crossing.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Point Sur State Historic Park
Highway 1, , Big Sur, California
This mountainous island used to be a nightmare for ships traveling at night, but now it's just a picturesque spot along the coast. That's thanks to the Point Sur Lighthouse, which has since been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Andrew Molera State Park
Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California
The former owners of this land forbid development of almost any sort along this stretch of coastline. The result is a remarkably untouched wilderness that's sure to inspire any nature lover.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
California 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
This handsome bridge is actually brand new. It was built to replace a predecessor which cracked due to a major landslide in 2017.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Pfeiffer Beach
Sycamore Canyon Road, Big Sur, California
Pfeiffer Beach is a little off the beaten path, requiring a detour down a narrow road, but it's worth the trip. This unusual beach is best known for its purple sand! The sand acquires this color from manganese garnet which washes down from the nearby bluffs.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Grimes Point Scenic Overlook
49654-49938 Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California
This humble dirt lot affords visitors one of the very best views of Big Sur. Make sure to have your camera ready!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Seal Beach Scenic Overlook
49654-49938 Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California
Seal Beach Overlook is a fantastic place to spot California's favorite marine mammals. They like to hang out on the rocks by the shore, so you've got a very good chance of seeing not just one seal, but many!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Partington Cove
Big Sur, California
This sheltered, secluded cove is a great spot to find some peace and quiet along the coast. It's also rumored to have been a dropoff point for moonshiners during prohibition!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: McWay Falls
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, , Big Sur, California
This 80-foot waterfall once cascaded directly into the Pacific, until mudslides permanently changed the landscape. But it's still an absolutely impressive sight to behold today.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Big Creek Bridge
Hwy 1, Big Sur, California
At 589 feet long, Biig Creek Bridge is another of the architectural marvels along PCH. It features turnouts at each end to give drivers a chance to pull over, admire the scenery, and snap a few photos for posterity.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Big Creek Cove Vista Point
59601-59627 Cabrillo Hwy,, Big Sur, California
This is another excellent vista point to soak in the scenery. Remember, you can never have too many pictures from your trip!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Limekiln State Park
Highway 1, , Big Sur, California
Limekiln State Park gets its name from the lime production industry which once used this land. Four historic lime kilns from the 19th century still remain and are among the park's most popular attractions.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Jade Cove
Highway 1, , San Simeon, California
This peculiar bit of engineering consists of a protective shed and a bridge designed to safeguard the highway from rockslides. The story behind how designers came up with the structure is even more interesting than the odd creation itself!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove
74896 Cabrillo Highway, Big Sur, CA 93920
This lovely secluded cove was once the site of a major prospecting rush. That's thanks to the fact that there was tons of jade to be found here back in the day. While most of the big gems have already been scooped up, enterprising visitors can still find small pieces of jade for themselves!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Ragged Point
19019 Highway 1, Big Sur, California
As you drive past this old growth redwood grove, keep an eye out for the tallest trees of the lot. These giants can grow up to 350 feet tall!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Ragged Point Inn & Resort
19019 California 1, Ragged Point, CA 93452
Ragged Point is considered one of the most picturesque stretches of Big Sur. The bluffs here soar up to 400 feet above the ocean, human development is minimal, and scenic vistas abound.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Piedras Blancas Light Station
15950 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon, California
This cute, rustic inn is a hugely popular spot for folks who want to stay in the wilderness of Big Sur. Even if you're not a guest, it's a great place to stop for a quick bite.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Elephant Seal Vista Point

This unusual lighthouse might look like someone chopped the top section off... because they did! You'll find out why as you cruise on by.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Moonstone Beach Drive
Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, CA 93428
There's no place better to see California's elephant seals than Elephant Seal Vista Point. You're all but guaranteed to see these enormous, blubbery critters here, lounging in crowds on the rocks. This spot also features a fully accessible walkway.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Nitt Witt Ridge
881 Hillcrest Dr, , Cambria, California
This picturesque detour leads along the shores of Moonstone Beach. A lovely boardwalk runs the length of this beach, making it the perfect place to stretch your legs before continuing with your journey.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Harmony
Harmony, California
Nitt Witt Ridge is one of the strangest landmarks along your route. This house, built by reclusive artist Arthur Beal, is made almost entirely from trash! It's a bizarre but somehow oddly beautiful property that's sure to start a conversation.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Cayucos
Cayucos, California
If you're keen to visit a small town, you can't get much smaller than this. At last census count, Harmony was home to only 18 people!
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Morro Bay
Morro Bay, California
Cayucos is a small, unincorporated town with a distinct old-timey vibe. It was founded in 1867, and residents have done their best to keep it feeling just a little like the Wild West. It's full of saloons, antique shops, and plenty more.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
Morro Bay is perhaps best known for Morro Rock, an enormous volcanic plug rising 600 feet out of the water. Today, it's a favorite nesting spot for peregrine falcons. Whether you visit or just drive by, you'll learn how a volcanic plug actually forms.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Bubblegum Alley
735 Higuera St, , San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is another must-see destination. Lush with greenery, vibrant with flowers, and buzzing with activity, it's an almost impossibly pleasant small city with undeniable California chill. The locals don't call it "SLO Cal" for nothing!
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Irish Hills Natural Reserve
Isabella Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
One of San Luis Obispo's more peculiar yet most popular attractions, Bubblegum Alley is exactly what it sounds like. Both walls of the alley are covered in bubble gum, left by countless visitors over the years. If you have a stick of your own, feel free to add it to the collection!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Avila Beach
Avila Beach, California
In the 20th century, this land was home to chromium and mercury mines. These days, it's where you'll find lush natural beauty and over 8 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Dinosaur Caves Park
2701 Price St, Corner of Cliff Street and Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, California
This seaside community might sport some excellent ocean views, but it carries a dark history. As you pass, you'll learn how an oil company obliterated the town... as well as how they rebuilt.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach, California
Dinosaur Caves Park has neither dinosaurs nor caves, but it is still a lovely place for a picnic. As for where it got its unusual name, you'll find out when you visit!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Monarch Butterfly Grove
400 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, California
Pismo Beach is a lovely beachside community with a long history. This shoreline is actually one of the very first landing places of the European missionaries who journeyed to the new world.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Guadalupe
Guadalupe, California
Between October and February, around 25,000 monarch butterflies shelter in these eucalyptus trees. If you're visiting during this season, this is a can't-miss stop. It's a sight you won't soon forget.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
West Main Street, , Guadalupe, California
The small, quiet town of Guadalupe may not be a huge tourist destination, but it's still a great place to stop if you need a quick break from the road.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: The Murals of Lompoc
South of Ocean Avenue, Clustered near H Street, Lompoc, California
These dunes are the tallest on the entire west coast. Some reach up to 500 feet in height! Standing atop one of these, you'll get a truly unbelievable panorama of the ocean and the surrounding landscape.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Lompoc Wine Ghetto
200 North 9th Street, , Lompoc, California
The town of Lompoc grows tens of thousands of flowers every year, and the murals scattered throughout town pay homage to this industry. There are 40 of them in total, each depicting a scene from the town's past or present and honoring the flowers which keep the town moving.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Jalama Beach
Jalama Beach Road, , Lompoc, California
The Lompoc Wine Ghetto doesn't look like much from the outside. Inside, though, you'll find a world-class collection of wineries and tasting rooms. Here, you can sample and purchase the region's best wines.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Arroyo Hondo Vista Point
15550 El Camino Real, Goleta, California
An optional detour leads to Jalama Beach, a quiet alternative to some of the coast's more crowded shorelines. Because it's off the beaten path, this beach doesn't see nearly as many visitors as some of the others you'll pass on your journey, making it a great spot for the crowd-averse travelers.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Refugio State Beach
10 Refugio Beach Rd, , Goleta, California
You'll definitely want to stop at this vista point for a few photos. As you proceed down PCH, the California landscape changes dramatically, meaning no one overlook is ever the same as the next!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Goleta Butterfly Grove
7729 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara Shores Park, Goleta, California
The quintessential California beach. Refugio State Beach has it all: White sand, palm trees, plenty of sunlight, and shockingly blue water. A fantastic stop for those looking for that SoCal lifestyle.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Another incredible butterfly grove like the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Unfortunately, the eucalyptus trees here have recently been struggling to survive, and they host fewer butterflies that they normally would. Still, if you're in the area between November and February, it's a must-see spot.
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Thousand Steps Beach
1429 Shoreline Dr, , Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is without a doubt one of California's prettiest towns. Once a Spanish mission town, it has now become a vibrant hub for artists, top tier restaurants, and idyllic beaches. Be sure to make time for a stop in this incredible place.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Carpinteria State Beach
205 Palm Ave, Carpinteria, California
Thousand Steps Beach has a bit of a misleading name. There are actually only 218 steps leading down to the beach here. Of course, that can still feel like a lot, especially after a long day, so make sure you're feeling up to climbing all those steps again before heading down to the shore!
Duration: Not Available

Stop At: Rincon Beach Park

Carpinteria State Beach is an excellent beach for swimming, camping, and other beachgoing activities, but it also has a hidden trick up its sleeve. It's a favorite spot for harbor seals! While lounging ...