The drive down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles is the road trip most people picture when they think of California. Strictly speaking it uses several roads: State Route 1 for most of the way, with stretches on US 101 where the coast road is slow or where it simply joins the freeway. Driven straight through on the freeway, the trip takes about six hours. On the coast, with stops, it is a trip of several days, and the slow version is the whole point.

The route in order

  1. San Francisco to Santa Cruz (about 1.5 hours). Leave the city on Highway 1 through Pacifica and past Half Moon Bay, a stretch of farm fields, beaches and lighthouses. Santa Cruz has its beach boardwalk and a laid-back surfing town feel.
  2. Santa Cruz to Monterey and Carmel (about 1 hour). Around the curve of Monterey Bay, past artichoke and strawberry fields near Castroville and Watsonville. Plan a night here; see Monterey and Carmel.
  3. Carmel to San Simeon through Big Sur (about 3 hours without stops, much longer with them). This is the famous part: roughly 90 miles of road cut into cliffs above the Pacific. Our guide to driving Big Sur covers it in detail.
  4. San Simeon to San Luis Obispo (about 1 hour). Elephant seals on the beach near Piedras Blancas, Hearst Castle on its hill, then the small towns of Cambria, Morro Bay with its volcanic rock, and the college town of San Luis Obispo.
  5. San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara (about 2 hours). Inland on US 101 for a stretch, past Pismo Beach and through the hills, then back to the ocean. Santa Barbara has the old Spanish mission, red-tile roofs and a long waterfront.
  6. Santa Barbara to Los Angeles (about 2 hours, more in traffic). Along the coast through Ventura, then Highway 1 again past Point Mugu and through Malibu into Santa Monica.

How many days

Three days is the minimum for a trip that feels like a holiday rather than a long drive: one night around Monterey or Carmel, one on the Central Coast near Cambria or San Luis Obispo, and arrival in Los Angeles on the third day. Four or five days lets you walk in the redwoods, spend an afternoon on a beach and avoid driving Big Sur in the dark.

Which direction

Driving south puts you in the lane next to the ocean, with the best views and the easiest pull-outs. Turning across traffic to reach a viewpoint on the northbound side is harder and sometimes not safe. If you can choose, go from north to south.

When to go and road conditions

Spring brings green hills and wildflowers; September and October are often the clearest months on the coast. Summer is busy and frequently foggy along the shore, especially in the mornings. Winter can be lovely between storms but is the season for rain and landslides.

Highway 1 through Big Sur has closed many times after slides and storm damage, sometimes for months, and sections have been under repair in recent years. A closure can mean the coast road is open from the north and from the south but not all the way through. Check current conditions with Caltrans before you go and again on the morning you drive, and have a backup plan using US 101.

Practical tips

  • Fuel: fill up in Carmel or Monterey heading south, or in Cambria heading north. Gas stations in Big Sur are few and expensive.
  • Signal: cell coverage disappears for long stretches. Download offline maps before leaving San Francisco.
  • Turnouts: if a line of cars builds up behind you, use the next paved turnout to let them pass. It is expected, and it makes the drive safer for everyone.
  • Lodging: rooms in Big Sur are limited and book up early for summer and weekends. Towns on either end have more choice. See booking a hotel for timing.
  • One-way rentals: picking up in San Francisco and dropping off in Los Angeles usually costs extra. Compare before you book.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Pacific Coast Highway open all the way?

It depends on the year and the season. Closures in Big Sur are common after winter storms. Check before you go and plan an inland detour if needed.

Is the drive scary?

The road is narrow and curvy with steep drops in places, but it is paved, well used and driven by many nervous drivers every day. Go slowly, drive in daylight and use turnouts.

Can I do it in one day?

You can drive it in one long day, but you will see little. If time is short, pick the Big Sur section and spend a day on that alone.