7 Unforgettable Stops along the PCH
Road trips are basically my favorite thing on earth. Okay, scratch that.. Being the serial passenger during road trips is my favorite thing. Luckily, my Husband is a self proclaimed ‘Wheel Man’ and my best friend would rather drive than ride any day! My road trip relationships are totally equal though! They let me plan the best route, find all the quirky roadside stops, and pack all the snacks that will fit in the car. It totally works out!
Of all the roads in the U.S., the Pacific Coast Highway really might be the best. I mean, how could winding along the California coast, taking in the most breathtaking views in the country be bad though? Right, it can’t be. There are some pretty remarkable stops that every PCH’er should make though, so don’t miss these!
1. San Fran and Sausalito
Sausalito is the most adorable little town right on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a charming ‘downtown’ area with locally owned boutiques and a great boardwalk boasting huge views of downtown Frisco. If you’re in town for breakfast or lunch, head over to the Lighthouse Cafe! You can’t miss it, there’s always a line down the street to get in! Totally worth it though!
2. The Santa Cruz Pier.. you know, for the wildlife!
Okay so I gotta be honest here, I was not a fan of Santa Cruz at all really. If I did this drive over again, I would have stayed in Monterey. You live and ya learn. That said, Santa Cruz is an awesome place to stop for lunch! The boardwalk is super retro, lined with fish shops, restaurants, and frozen custard. At the end of the pier, you’ll be met with the deep, barking sounds of resting seals! I could have stayed to watch them all day.. But, I had to get back on the road!
3. Make a day of 17 mile Drive
Seriously. Take the day. 17 mile drive is basically the best part of the PCH between Frisco and Big Sur. So, I say again… take. your. time! There is SO much to see! Some highlights for me were the infinite amount of lazy behemoths on Seal Rock (you can hear them from the shore), driving through the Pebble Beach estates and golf course to marvel at the cliff-side mansions, and of course stopping to give the Lone Cypress some company. In my opinion, that drive was one of the best stretches of scenery on the whole PCH. Oh and if you get lucky, you’ll see grazing deer along the cliffs as well. Truly unforgettable sight!
Trip-Tip: Be sure to bring cash! The entrance fee per vehicle is 10.25 and the nearest ATM is about 20 minutes from the gate.
4. Bixby Creek Bridge
There are a lot of Scenic overlooks on Highway one. This is the most photographed Bridge in on the west coast for a reason! living in a landlocked state my entire life, this is a view I feel I could never get enough of. Bixby Creek Bridge is like the unofficial corridor to Big Sur. Once you’re past this monument, be ready to spend hours taking in the most breathtaking scenery in all of California.
There are only a couple of lodges within Big Sur, and they are SUPER expensive to stay overnight. The next best bet is the tiny coastal towns of San Simeon and Cambria, just on the outskirt of Big Sur. There’s a killer little Hobbit House on airbnb in the center of Cambria! Amy, our host, was one of the nicest people we met along the way.
5. Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, and in Between.
So I’m not really a fan of touring famous houses, especially when there is a guide you have to follow. Something about being herded around like sheeple usually makes me feel anxious. Hearts Castle is slightly less annoying. If you are a Hollywood history buff, definitely don't miss this place. Anyone and everyone of the who's who in the industry has step foot inside this place and the guides do a great job painting that picture.
The next few hours of the drive are full of quirky roadside attractions like the Modonna Inn and The Elephant Seal Rookery.. timing only allowed for one, so I chose Pismo Beach to see the nesting Monarch butterflies. I’m SO glad I did! It’s the most enchanting way i’ve ever spent an afternoon! Seeing hundreds of thousands of camoflauged wings mounding together in eucalyptus trees was something so friggin special! The park area is free and they even set up telescopes so you can get a much closer look!
6. Saint Barbara and Her Sister Monica
Santa Barbara seriously surprised me. So much in fact that I pretty much forgot to take photos. We got in later than expected but the little boutique hotel we stayed was the perfect amount of welcoming. Wine country is not exactly a budget friendly town, but Hotel Milo runs great specials if you book direct. Some of the amenities like free valet parking, free bike use, and an excellent included breakfast made our stay so much more enjoyable.
Okay, confession.. All I wanna Do by Sheryl Crow was my favorite song from like 3rd to 5th grade. So clearly, I blared it on the radio when we got into Santa Monica. My childhood self had finally arrived. The pier is the most American thing I’d ever seen.. from the Route 66 memorabilia for sale to the ol red white and blue flying high about the Ferris wheel, it really reminds you of a once simpler time. I was a fan. The atomic sky certainly didn’t hurt.
7. Venice Beach and Hollywood Hills
Venice Beach is exactly what I expected it to be.. an all walks of life type of place. We stayed right in the thick of it in a Private room at the Venice Beach Hostel.. The above photo was right outside our place. I can’t say enough good things about Venice and plan to visit again very soon. If you stop, grab a bike from any of the hundred shops and see all the magic of muscle beach! I don’t recommend that hostel though.. great location, pretty crappy facilities.
8. LaLa Land: Eat, Drink, and Visit MoMa!
Last but hardly least, wind your way up to the best viewpoint in all of Los Angeles: The world famous Griffith Conservatory. Sure, you COULD hike the 4 miles to see the Hollywood Sign, or you could see it from afar while also learning all the stuffs at this incredible world class museum! (Oh, speaking of museums, don’t skip MoMa!) I’d say it was the highlight of L.A. for me, other than the fabulous dinner with some dear friends of mine and a stumble around the Grand Central Market. The birds eye view of the countries most populated city was the perfect ending to best road trip ever.
