12 scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway

A country as vast and varied as the USA is made for road trips and no more so than in the state of California. Take a fabulous coastal adventure, capturing 12 scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway.

I love a good road trip. It’s a great way to travel – to build your own itinerary and see several different places in one journey, while taking everything at your own pace. The west coast of the USA is one of my favourite road trip destinations. California has everything. It has vibrant cities, amazing beaches and coastline, dramatic mountains ranges, deserts, ski resorts, wineries and so much more. This is the perfect destination to rent a car and get out onto the open road.

After a three-year partial closure due to landslides, the Pacific Coast Highway in the Big Sur area is fully open again as of January 2026.

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Updated February 2026

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PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, CALIFORNIA

One of the ultimate road trip destinations is the PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, also known as Highway One or CA-1 which spans 600 miles along the California coastline from San Diego in the south to San Francisco in the north. We’ve driven this coastal road between Los Angeles and San Francisco twice. The first time, we headed out of LA and made the journey north over three days. We hired a convertible Mustang (why wouldn’t you?) and got excited for our scenic trip heading north.

Two things to note:

• Driving a convertible on coastal cliff side roads comes with its challenges. It’s blustery, very loud and a bit chilly. Hardly the relaxing driving experience.
• Despite my hours of research when planning the trip, I failed to appreciate that most of the spectacular coastal scenery is best viewed heading south.

So, six years later, we chose to drive the Pacific Coast Highway again, but this time heading north to south. The stunning scenery for most of the journey was in our line of sight, and accessible by easily stopping at the southbound pullouts and scenic viewpoints.

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12 SCENIC STOPS ON THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

There’s no denying that the scenery is breathtaking on this coastal route. There are quaint towns and villages along the way, dramatic cliff side winding roads overlooking the Pacific, noisy seals, beach waterfalls and a host of other scenery to experience along the way. Here are my 12 favourite scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway, between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

1. EXPLORE THE ATTRACTIVE TOWN OF HALF MOON BAY

Thirty miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is quaint and pretty town centred around Main Street and packed full of lovely bakeries, cafes and boutique stores. We wandered and explored, stopping for lovely coffee and cake at MOONSIDE BAKERY & CAFE. It’s a charming little town that should be on the list of stopping points along this stretch of coastline.

The second time we visited Half Moon Bay, we decided to treat ourselves to a night at the RITZ CARLTON HALF MOON BAY. I was sold by the headland cliff top location, the nautical feel and beautiful ocean views from the room, as well as a bit of luxury to end that trip. The location was a photographers dream, and it would have been even better had thick fog not blanketed the area for most of our visit.

Regardless, the rooms were beautiful, we had a delicious meal at NAVIO restaurant and spent some time exploring the hotel grounds which let to trails around the headland, the beach and the adjacent golf course. I have to say the hotel views at night, in the midst of the fog with a light beacon out to ocean made the murky weather worthwhile.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE RITZ CARLTON HALF MOON BAY

2. VISIT THE ATTRACTIONS OF MONTEREY

Ninety miles south of Half Moon Bay, MONTEREY is a coastal city that is vibrant, featuring a host of attractions for visitors. Much like the larger city of San Francisco further north, it has its own historic FISHERMAN’S WHARF area packed full of tourist shops and seafood restaurants.

CANNERY ROW, nearby is another waterfront area full of restaurants and stores, set in the buildings of the now defunct sardine canning factories. The main attraction in Monterey is the MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM – a non-profit public aquarium with a heavy focus on conservation of the ocean. If you choose to visit the city in September, look out for the world-famous MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL which takes place annually.

We stayed overnight at Monterey, allowing us plenty of time to explore the city at leisure, dine near the water and stand on our hotel balcony listening to the distant barks of sea lions that reside on this coastline.

3. SOAK UP THE ATMOSPHERE OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

The next of our scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway was CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA. We only had a short visit here. But it’s one place I would love to spend some more time exploring. A mere four miles across the headland from Monterey, it feels like a different world. It’s quaint, quirky, laid back and full of arty types. It also has the most beautiful white sand beach. We stopped for an hour or so, but it seemed like a great place for a getaway for a few days.  For golf lovers, it’s home of the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, and the scenic 17 Mile Drive around the headland looks incredible.

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THE BEAUTIFUL BIG SUR COASTLINE

No time to spare, we continued south towards the section of coast that, in all honesty, most people choose to drive the Pacific Coast Highway for – BIG SUR. There is no specific boundary for the Big Sur coastline, but it’s generally considered to be between Carmel and San Simeon and approximately 70 miles in length.  A mostly undeveloped and rugged stretch of coastline, give or take a few service areas and luxury retreats, the landscape of Big Sur is full of drama. Highway One snakes along the side of the cliff edges offering fabulous views of the coastline, with waves crashing onto the rocks below.

4. DON’T MISS BIXBY BRIDGE!

For potential visitors who have researched the Big Sur coastline, BIXBY BRIDGE is one of the highlights. Located fifteen miles south of Carmel Bixby Bridge is beautiful piece of architecture – its concrete arch sits high above Bixby Creek. The main viewpoint, Castle Rock Viewpoint is located just north of the bridge which we completely missed on our northbound journey. With determination, on our southbound Pacific Coast Highway trip I made sure to keep check, but as we approached, the parking lot was crowded so we couldn’t stop. We drove over the bridge and missed it again! A short drive further south, and we did manage to capture a glimpse from the Hurricane Point Vista Point.

5. LOOK OUT FOR POINT SUR

Heading south from Bixby Bridge, about six miles further along, a rocky headland rises from the ocean. This is POINT SUR, part of the Point Sur State Park and home to the Point Sur Lighthouse. Whilst generally inaccessible, the lighthouse is open for preorganised walking tours to limited numbers on Wednesdays, Saturday and Sundays.  There are also moonlight tours available in the summer as well as special events. There is pull out to the side of the road just north of Point Sur, to view the landmark from a distance.

6. TAKE A LUNCH BREAK AT NEPENTHE

Taking in all the scenery of Big Sur and the Santa Lucia mountains certainly builds up an appetite, and there’s nowhere better to stop on this stretch of coast than NEPENTHE. Eleven miles south of Point Sur, and perched about 800 feet above sea level, this is the perfect spot to grab a drink and a quick bite while savouring the impressive coastal views from the outdoor terrace.

The complex features Nepenthe Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, Cafe Kevah which offers lighter bites for breakfast and lunch as well as The Phoenix Shop packed full of souvenirs and gifts. This bohemian property is full of quirky little details and a relaxed, casual vibe.

7. TAKE A SIMPLE HIKE TO McWAY FALLS

Having taken in some incredible views over lunch, our next stop provided the opportunity to stretch our legs. Travelling eight miles south of Nepenthe, CA-1 enters JULIA PFEIFFER STATE PARK. This was one of the most rewarding scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway, and one of my favourite photography spots of the whole journey. A small park with beautiful redwood forests on the mountain side, the main event here is McWAY FALLS. An 80-foot waterfall, McWay Falls cascades over the cliff onto a deserted golden sandy beach.

The half mile hike along the WATERFALL OVERLOOK TRAIL heads from the parking lot, under the highway to a quiet viewpoint overlooking the falls. Superb! This view was stunning – the golden sand, the clear turquoise waters, the rocky outcrops and the waterfall cascading over the cliff face onto the sand was just perfect.

The Waterfall Overlook Trail is currently closed for repairs, expected to continue into 2026. Check the official website for updates. There is a pullout on the PCH just north of the turnoff for trailhead carpark where you can catch a glimpse of the waterfall in the meantime.

8.  DON’T MISS BIG CREEK BRIDGE (ESPECIALLY IF YOU MISSED BIXBY BRIDGE)

If you are heading south and you missed Bixby Bridge, further south along the Pacific Coast Highway, BIG CREEK BRIDGE is a bigger and equally impressive structure. Seven miles south of the McWay Falls stop, the road crosses the double arched bridge that spans Big Creek Canyon. Stop a little further south at BIG CREEK COVE VISTA POINT for great views of the bridge and the cove.

9. GRAB YOUR CAMERA AT RAGGED POINT

Heading towards the southern end of the Big Sur coastline, RAGGED POINT provides one last opportunity to capture those classic Big Sur coastal shots, making it one of the must-see scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. The Ragged Point complex, located next to the highway, features a hotel – the RAGGED POINT INN, as well as a restaurant, café, gift shop and gas station. With all of this situated in beautiful grounds, the moment you step out of the car, the sounds of waves crashing on the rocks below fills your ears as you soak in the fresh coastal air.

Driving the coast of Big Sur in one day offers a glimpse of the scenery on offer, but there’s no opportunity to soak in the atmosphere and experience the area. I’d love to see how the colours of the landscape change during sunrise and sunset, and Ragged Point would be the ideal spot to soak in those scenes. A stay is on the list for next time.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT RAGGED POINT INN HERE

10. ELEPHANT SEAL VISTA POINT

Waving goodbye to the point where the Santa Lucia mountains meet the ocean, heading south from Ragged Point marks the end of the journey along the Big Sur coastline, but the upcoming lower lying section of the PCH still offers plenty of interesting and diverse scenery and wildlife. Including seals.
Heading to lower elevations, ten miles south of Ragged Point and just north of San Simeon, PIEDRAS BLANCAS STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA is a beautiful and protected section of coastline. This area is home to a six-mile stretch of beach that makes up the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, a location where the northern elephant seals migrate to year on year.

The viewing areas are open daily with no fees to visit and are also wheelchair accessible. November to March is the main season when the seals return to the beaches here – they estimate an average of 18,000 elephant seals reclaim this six-mile stretch of beach.

Visiting in September, there were still some seals around and they were fascinating to watch. From fighting, bellowing, grunting and generally lazing around, the seals were loud and brash, but a spectacle and a worthwhile stop on the Pacific Coast Highway. There is a FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANT SEAL VISIT CENTER and Gift Shop in nearby San Simeon.

Make sure to be respectful and stay at the viewing platforms rather than heading onto the beach. The seals are used to nearby humans but can get distressed easily if people get too close.

11. BEFRIEND THE MORRO BAY SEALIONS

Next of our scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway was another spot to observe the marine life of this amazing coastline. The stretch of highway south of the Elephant Seal Vista Point clung to the coastline at low level, heading through the towns of San Simeon, Cambria and Cayucos before reaching the seaside city of MORRO BAY.

We stayed overnight at Morro Bay in an unremarkable motel that looked like it should have featured in an American crime show and wished we’d spent that little bit extra, but you live and learn! That said, it was in a great location and only a couple of blocks from the Embarcadero – Morro Bay’s bustling waterfront street lined with restaurants and stores. This pretty spot provided the sense of a classic American coastal town.

We dined on the waterfront at THE GALLEY SEAFOOD BAR AND GRILL. With a table by the window overlooking the harbour as the sun was setting, we ate classic seafood dishes in a lovely environment that was pleasantly relaxing, only disturbed by the sounds of barking sea lions right outside the window on the docks, climbing onto boats and basically causing as much disruption as they could. I found them hilarious, despite their persistent barks.

The main scenic feature of Morro Bay is MORRO ROCK, a 581-foot-tall domed volcanic rock jutting from the ocean at the entrance to the harbour. It’s a nesting spot for birds and a reserve for peregrine falcons which are locally endangered. It dominates the landscape and looks dramatic and imposing, especially at sunset or sunrise.

SEARCH HOTELS IN MORRO BAY

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Leaving Morro Bay, the Pacific Coast Highway heads inland away from the coast for the most part until meeting with the ocean again south of Santa Barbara, around one hundred miles south. A further stretch of sixty or so miles lead towards Los Angeles, reaching those famous beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice.

12. A VISIT TO THE ICONIC SANTA MONICA BEACH

Reaching the end of the journey south along the Pacific Coast Highway, there was time to take in the final views of the Pacific Ocean from some iconic beaches. As a member of Generation X, I grew up in a time when Baywatch dominated our television screens and teenage bedroom walls. For anyone growing up in the 90’s, the golden sands of the LA beaches, the grey lifeguard towers and yellow 4×4’s are synonymous with those times, so my first visit to SANTA MONICA was exciting.

To be on those beaches, seeing the lifeguard towers and yellow trucks was like being on a TV set. I absolutely fell in love with the Santa Monica on my first visit and have returned a few times since. The main shopping areas had a small-town feel with pedestrianised, palm tree lined avenues. It was great to walk across Ocean Avenue onto the famous SANTA MONICA PIER to wander around PACIFIC PARK watching the rollercoaster and Ferris Wheel.

The wide beach stretching out either side of the pier was picture perfect. People surfing in the Pacific Ocean, fitness fanatics working out at Original Muscle Beach and people rollerblading down the boardwalks. It was exactly how I imagined it would be.

We also stopped at VENICE BEACH and MALIBU too, as well as further beaches stretching along the twenty-one-mile strip of coastline incorporated into the city limits. Whilst the beaches were smaller, they still had that cool California vibe, and it was great to wander and admire the impressive properties along and across the highway – a great way to start or end the journey along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Sadly, the highly destructive Palisades Fire in early 2025 destroyed large areas of Pacific Palisades and Malibu along this coastline, changing the landscape considerably.

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PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY: GETTING THERE AND GETTING AROUND

Having travelled this route twice, once north and one south, I’d recommend starting the journey from San Francisco to see the best scenic stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. There are many direct flights from the UK to San Francisco, including our transatlantic airline of choice – VIRGIN ATLANTIC, who fly from London Heathrow airport.

Choosing the ideal car foe the trip is a personal preference. We had dreamed about driving the coastal roads in a convertible Mustang, which we booked for our first visit, but the reality was that we spent most of the time with the roof up along the coastal stretches as it was too loud and windy. Driving in a Mustang is cool though, whether the roof is up or down!

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH VIRGIN ATLANTIC HERE

SEARCH CAR HIRE IN SAN FRANCISCO HERE

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