Experience The Most West of the West Coast
The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as California State Route 1, is a 656-mile drive along the Western coast. Starting in Seattle and ending in San Diego, participating in this drive will have you visiting some of the most beautiful scenery the USA has to offer. Check out this list and thank us later.
1. Olympic National Park
Located in Washington State, this nearly 925,000-acre park features three different ecosystems and the one and only Mount Olympus. It’s near the beginning of your journey if you’re starting closer to the Canadian border, and a strong start to the beauty you’ll experience during your trip.
2. Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a beautiful coastal city in San Mateo County. Located approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco, the city boasts beautiful farm land, state parks, fine dining, redwood forests, and a main street filled with shops, hotels, and fine dining.
3. Monterey
Located on the south side of Monterey Bay, this small city is a great spot for hiking, kayaking, biking, golfing, and wine! Take a trip to go whale watching, set up a campsite and sit by the fire, or snuggle up to your significant other at Lover's Point beach.
4. Big Creek Bridge
Near the city of Lucia, Big Creek Bridge is a 589-foot-long concrete arch bridge that is a part of the Pacific Coast Highway drive. The bridge opened back in 1938 and is one of the few highway bridges left standing today.
5. Astoria & Fort Clatsop
If you’re a history buff, this Oregon stop is a must-see. Fort Clatsop is a full replica of Lewis and Clark’s winter expedition encampment, and Astoria was originally founded as a fur trading post in 1811. Today, the city of Astoria offers plenty of museums and preserved Victorian and Queen Anne-style architecture.
6. Carmel-By-The-Sea
This charming seaside town is a one-square-mile fairytale village come to life. Located south of Monterey, you can explore the walkable town’s themed restaurants, wine tasting, boutiques, art galleries, and beaches.
7. Elephant Seal Vista Point
You’ll never guess what you’ll see at this vista. An 18-minute drive from the town of Cambria, this lookout point is best visited between December and April, when the seal population is at its most abundant.
8. Bixby Bridge
Located on the Big Sur coast, Bixby Bridge is considered one of California’s most photographed bridges. It’s one of the tallest single-span arch bridges in the world, at a height of 280 feet and a length of 260 feet. You’ll get a stunning view of the rolling hills and beautiful blue water as you pass through.
9. “Dune Country”
No spice here! This Dune Country is located near Pismo Beach, is one of the largest remaining dune systems in the San Francisco area. The dunes encompass an 18-mile stretch of coastline and are popular among off-roaders for a thrilling afternoon adventure.
10. Ragged Point
Another scenic stop on the Big Sur coast, Ragged Point is a popular stop for seaside cliff views, beaches, and hiking trails. If you want to stay the night, the Ragged Point Inn and Resort is a great spot to sit and enjoy this million-dollar view.
11. Santa Monica Beach
Arguably one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Santa Monica Beach is a popular spot to ride the waves or ride the rides. Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach before enjoying a fun night at the world-famous pier. Funnily enough, Santa Monica Beach is also the official end of Route 66, making it a popular spot for multiple road trippers.
12. Depoe Bay
This small city in Oregon’s Lincoln County is a popular spot for whale watching. Visit between December and April, or August to September, to see the whale migration, or visit year-round to see the city’s resident pod of grey whales.
Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Wikimedia
13. Point Sur
Point Sur is a light station that sits 361 feet above the Pacific Ocean. It is the only 20th-century lighthouse that is open to the public within the state of California, and has remained in continuous operation since 1889.
14. Redwood National Parks
Located close to the California-Oregon border, the Redwood National Parks are a must-see on your journey. The trees are some of the largest in the world, reaching over hundreds of feet tall and over 20 feet in diameter. The state parks offer scenic drives, hikes, or lodging options for your visit.
15. Bandon
Brandon, Oregon, looks like any old beach town, but is famous for being the cranberry capital of the state. Eat some cranberry salsa or cranberry candy, enjoy the unique downtown scene, or watch the Brandon Dunes, which is a series of golf tournaments done in the original Scottish style.
16. Leggett
Maybe not an exciting city at first glance, but this California city is home to some of the largest trees in the world. In fact, it’s home to the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, a six-foot, nine-inch tunnel cut through a redwood back in the 1930s. For $15, you can literally drive through history.
Stephen Colebourne on Wikimedia
17. Nepenthe
Located in California’s Big Sur region, Nepenthe is a restaurant that sits on the edge of a cliff drop, offering panoramic views of the California coastline. It opened in 1949 and has been a popular spot to enjoy a Mediterranean menu of California-grown food.
Jerrye and Roy Klotz MD on Wikimedia
18. Mendocino
This Californian County is located on the North Coast, and is well-known for its redwood forests, wineries, and microbreweries. It’s also the southernmost home in California for the temperate rainforest ecoregion, making it a geographical staple.
19. McWay Falls
This Big Sur stop features an 80-foot-tall waterfall that flows all year round. Located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (about 37 miles south of Carmel), and empties right into the Pacific Ocean at high tide.
20. Yosemite National Park
How can we forget Yosemite? This 1,200 square-mile park features so much wilderness to explore. You can enjoy tent camping or other lodging options, overnight hikes into the wilderness, and possibly win a chance to hike to the top of Half Dome, a 5,000-foot-tall mountain that is not for the faint of heart.
