As we were recalling our favorite moments from 2013, we nearly skipped right over our time in California. It seemed like years ago thinking about all that has happened since, but it was in fact April that we took our dream road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. Driving the Big Sur was on the top of our bucket list, as well as seeing the Red Woods and driving over the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. In one fell swoop, we managed to cross all of these off our list! We flew into LA, picked up a rental car and drove the fast route to San Francisco. We spent a few days exploring San Fran before heading south on the Pacific Coast Highway, ending with a few days in LA. There is so much about this trip we could share, but for this post we will focus on the drive itself and the key points to stop along the way.
San Francisco to LA Road Trip on Highway 1
Santa Cruz
We made our way from San Francisco to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, our first stop of the drive. Unfortunately it was early in the morning and the amusement park wasn’t open yet. We didn’t plan on staying long anyway. We just wanted to check it out. We strolled around, took a few pictures and were back on the road again!
Monterey
Monterey was Charlie’s favorite stop along the way, and with good reason. Since we were on a time crunch, we just stopped at the Fisherman’s Wharf for a famous clam chowder bread bowl. All of the shops let you taste-test so try a few samples before you settle on one. It was by far the best clam chowder. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! We also really enjoyed watching the sea lions and sea otters playing in the bay. Adorable!
Carmel-by-the-Sea
We didn’t stop in Carmel, but we made a point to drive through. The shops and houses are so quaint and the coastline is a must-see! I wished we had more time here as well. If you have the time, plan to spend an evening here. From here you can do the 17-mile drive, which is a scenic loop that hugs the coastline around Pebble Beach passing famous mansions and golf courses.
Big Sur
Although the Big Sur does not have specific boundaries, the location it most commonly refers to is the 90 mile stretch between Carmel and San Simeon. Be prepared for lots of twists and turns on a narrow road, hugging the rugged coastline with cliffs up to a 1000 ft plunging into the Pacific Ocean. I have to admit it is a bit freaky, but also the most thrilling drive of our lives. Words cannot explain. Be prepared to pull off the road frequently at viewpoints because you won’t be able to get enough pictures. There are also many landmarks you don’t want to miss, for example, the Bixby Creek Bridge. This is one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world and the most photographed along the Pacific Coast. You can’t miss it because you have to cross it!
Big Sur River Inn: if we could go back, we would have stayed at least one night here. If you don’t have the option to stay, plan to stop for lunch or at least a drink. There is a creek that flows behind the Inn and there are wooden chairs throughout. We grabbed a beer and chilled out in these chairs where time stood still. It was also a great break from the long drive and possibly one of our favorite and most relaxing moments of the entire trip.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: There are plenty of state parks to stop in throughout this stretch and make sure you take the time to do so. It was here we finally got to see the Redwoods we’d been longing for, as well as the iconic McWay Falls.
Pismo Beach
While you may be shocked to learn that the “Pismo Beach Disaster” never actually happened, it is still a place worth stopping. We chose here to stay the night after getting a great deal on a hotel through Groupon. After eating dinner in San Luis Obispo, we made it just in time for sunset and it was breathtaking. In the morning we headed out to the pier and watched the surfers catching some waves.
Solvang
Solvang was an interesting stop along the way, nothing like the rest of the trip. Probably because it is a Danish village in the middle of California. It’s a very neat little town, and definitely mixes things up a bit. After Solvang we headed for LA, and as much as I would love to go into that, that’s another story for another time! You might also consider stopping at: Nepenthe/Phoenix Shop, Point Sur Lighthouse, Henry Miller Memorial Library, Hearst Castle, the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas. Tips: We recommend driving from north to south so that you are hugging the coast and getting the most of the views. Also take advantage of the Big Sur’s famous hikes, stop at the viewpoints for pictures, witness the magnificent wildlife, and most of all take your time. Don’t rush it. I wish we would have allowed ourselves more time!
Did we miss anything? Let us know so we can add it to the list!
