Known as the Pacific Coast Highway, California U.S. Route
101
(or 1 in some stretches) runs directly along the Pacific Ocean for 790 miles, from San Diego all the way to the Oregon border.
Is it better to drive north or south on Pacific Coast Highway?
It’s
best to travel from north to south
as you’ll be on the right side of the road for uninterrupted views and to pull over to take photographs. Parking in cities can be expensive. It’s better to leave your rental vehicle and use public transport. Plan in plenty of stops along the way.
What is the best part of Pacific Coast Highway?
- The Golden Gate Bridge. …
- Greyhound Rock Beach. …
- Carmel by the Sea. …
- Big Sur and Pfeiffer State Beach. …
- Dana Point. …
- Point Loma. …
- How Gray Line San Francisco can help you explore:
Is Route 5 the Pacific Coast Highway?
One word of caution: If you’re in Los Angeles and need to drive to San Francisco quickly (or vice versa), the PCH is
not
your answer. Stick to Interstate 5. But if you want to experience the California coast in a way that’s not rushed, then the PCH IS the answer, with one caveat.
What is the Pacific Coast Highway called?
The Pacific Coast Highway (also called
PCH
) is one of America’s most famous highways (probably second only to Route 66). Stretching from the southern tip of Baja California to the top of the Olympic peninsula, the highway is 500 miles long.
What is the best time of year to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?
For us, the best times to drive the Pacific Coast Highway are from
late spring, through summer, to early fall
. In July and August you have the best chance of almost-perfect weather, but you also have the busiest crowds and high-season hotel prices.
Is California Highway 1 open now?
With a lot of hard work, CalTrans finished the road a few months ahead of schedule and
the road is again open
. You can now drive the entire length of HWY 1 with no detours.
What should you not miss on the Pacific Coast Highway?
- Activities. 11 Iconic Stops Not to Miss Along the Pacific Coast Highway. …
- McWay Falls. …
- Santa Monica Pier. …
- Solvang Restaurant. …
- Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. …
- Santa Margarita KOA. …
- Hearst Castle. …
- Golden Gate Bridge.
What is the speed limit on the Pacific Coast Highway?
usually 20 mph
, but there are also stretches where you can get up to 60 mph. Once you reach Cayucos, the highway becomes a 4 lane highway (2 lanes in each direction) with some areas having a posted 65 mph speed limit.
Where can I sleep on the Pacific Coast Highway?
- Monterey. (San Francisco – Monterey: 1 h 56 min, 120 miles) …
- Cambria. (Monterey – Cambria: 2 h 29 min, 141 miles) …
- Pismo Beach. (Cambria – Pismo Beach: 52 min, 46 miles) …
- Solvang. (Pismo Beach – Solvang: 52 min, 53.9 miles) …
- Santa Monica.
How many days do you need to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?
How long does it take to drive the Pacific Coast Highway? 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
.
How long does it take to drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway?
Strap in and get ready for an exhilarating driving experience along this twisting, cliff-hugging route. An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliff-hugging, 123-mile (198-kilometer) route along the central California coast takes
about five hours
to complete at a leisurely pace.
What is the best way to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?
- Drive North to South. To make the most of the sea views, drive North to South. …
- 2 Be clever with your car hire. I booked our car through Hertz and found them great. …
- If travelling with kids – be prepared. …
- Plan your stops carefully. …
- Fly home from San Diego.
Is it better to drive up or down the California coast?
California’s coastal route along the pounding Pacific is perhaps America’s best-loved driving destination. …
Driving the route from north to south is ideal
, as you’ll be on the ocean side of the road the entire way, allowing unobstructed views of the jagged coastline below.
How long does it take to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to Seattle?
A road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle can be done in
about 17 hours
. If you have a couple of weeks to spare, make the most of the trip by driving along the Pacific Coastline Highway through California and Oregon and admiring the breath-taking scenery.
How long does it take to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to San Francisco?
1. Re: LA to San Francisco – How long is the drive up the PCH? Without stops, you are looking at
10-11 hours
of driving.
