The route
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The back story
The Pacific Coast Highway: the back story
San Francisco to San Diego along the Pacific: the classic California road trip, stop by stop.
Road trip · California
The Pacific Coast Highway
The classic California road trip on Highway 1: San Francisco, Monterey and Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara and on to San Diego.
What's onThis week in California
Stops along the way
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Walk or cycle across
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s great orange suspension bridge, open to walkers and cyclists.
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Sea lions and clear water
La Jolla Cove
A small cove below La Jolla village, known for its sea lions and clear water.
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The Queen of the Missions
Old Mission Santa Barbara
The Spanish mission above Santa Barbara, with tours of its church, museum and gardens.
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On Cannery Row
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The aquarium on Cannery Row, looking straight out onto Monterey Bay.
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940Explore View on map
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Coves and cypress
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Coves, cypress groves and sea lions just south of Carmel.
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Mission San Carlos Borromeo
Carmel Mission
The mission basilica at Carmel, with its museum and gardens.
3080 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA 93923Explore View on map
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A waterfall onto the beach
McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The waterfall that drops onto a cove beach, seen from a short trail off Highway 1.
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At the south end of Big Sur
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst’s hilltop estate above San Simeon, seen on guided tours.
750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452Explore View on map
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The Big Sur postcard
Bixby Creek Bridge
The arched concrete bridge on Highway 1, the classic view of the Big Sur coast.
Where to stay on the coast
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The Victorian beach resort
Hotel del Coronado
San Diego’s famous Victorian beach resort, with its red turrets on the sand at Coronado.
1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118Explore View on map
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At the foot of State Street
Hotel Californian
A Spanish-Moorish style hotel at the foot of State Street, by the beach and Stearns Wharf.
36 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101Explore View on map
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On the cliffs above the Pacific
Post Ranch Inn
Cliff-top rooms high above the Pacific on Highway 1.
47900 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920Explore View on map
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Redwoods and ocean views
Alila Ventana Big Sur
A Big Sur retreat among redwoods and meadows above the coast, formerly Ventana Big Sur.
48123 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920Explore View on map
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Close to Carmel Beach
La Playa Hotel
A classic Carmel hotel a short walk from the beach and the village.
Share your Pacific Coast Highway tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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