The central coast portion of Highway 1 has a little bit of everything. At its northern boundary, San Francisco provides a plethora of urban eateries and attractions. Highway 1 then follows the coast past Half Moon Bay, where you can find quiet beaches and long stretches of open road reminiscent of northern California. At Monterey and Santa Cruz you’ll find luxurious hotels, amazing breweries and wineries, and plenty of opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and surfing.
South of Carmel-By-The-Sea, the mountain encroaches on the ocean along the stunning Big Sur section, arguably the most scenic part of the entire pacific coast. Wildlife abounds south of Big Sur at the elephant seal rookery of San Simeon and pristine estuary of Morro Bay. Finally, the highway heads inland around Point Conception until it reaches the Santa Barbara Channel.
If you only have time to drive one section of the pacific coast, I would make the Central Coast the one.
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The Devil's Slide area of Pacific Coast Highway used to be an actual part of the road that was rather dangerous for drivers. They have since moved the road into a tunnel that is much safer and have opened the old Devil's Slide as a biking / hiking path. It is a beautiful spot to get out and enjoy views of the coast while being active.
Located in Half Moon Bay, Sam's Chowder House is one of the most popular stops for food along the drive and it is pretty much always crowded. The go to item is the lobster roll which has been on a few "best sandwiches in America" lists. The restaurant overlooks the water and it's a great spot for a nice meal.
This state park, located in the North part of Santa Cruz is a beautiful spot to just sit and enjoy the beach. The highlight though is the massive rock arch that stands about 20 feet out in the water. The park is called bridges because there used to be two but since the other one collapsed it is just the one main arch out in the water.
One of the most iconic stops on the entire drive is the beautiful McWay Waterfall that cascades directly onto the beach. This is an easy 5-minute hike that leads to the overlook for the waterfall. No trip down PCH is complete without taking a few minutes to observe it.
Probably my favorite meal on PCH is the clam chowder in a bread bowl from Splash Cafe. This decadent soup never ceases to amaze me, and it is easily the best clam chowder I have had. The actual restaurant in Pismo Beach is a fun historic spot as well, and you can take your soup to go and eat it on the beach if you would like.
Josh McNair is the creator of CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com, a website that is dedicated to exploring and cataloging the beauty of California. Everything from restaurants and hikes to road trips and strange attractions are explored on the site. Check it out for even more great ideas to explore the pacific coast.
Castroville Fruit Stands are a great spot to pick up fresh, local-grown produce before you enter the Big Sur region. You can avoid the higher-than-normal price tags of Big Sur, and find some great deals in the process (5 avocados for $1).
Andrew Molera State Park is a walk-in only campground located at the mouth of the Big Sur River. You can hike, fish or surf, all within walking distance of your campsite. The campground is first-come, first-serve only, though, so show up early to grab your spot.
Bixby Bridge is a landmark most people associate with Big Sur. Pull over on the side of the road for a selfie with the turquoise water, rugged California cliffs and aesthetically-pleasing bridge behind you.
Pfeiffer Beach, known for its purple sand and iconic rock formations (great to include in your sunset photos), is a small beach 2 miles south of Big Sur Lodge. You can find the access road marked by the sign "Narrow Road." A $10 parking fee is required.
Dylan Gallagher operates Orange Sky Adventures, a travel company based in San Francisco, CA. They offer Trips + Treks + Tours of California and beyond. For more information, please visit www.OrangeSkyCo.com or follow him on Instagram @OrangeSkyCo.
Morro Rock Natural Preserve is a picturesque place to stretch your legs while taking in the views of Morro Rock and the abundant local wildlife, including sea birds, seals, otters, and other marine life. It’s especially beautiful at sunset where you can catch the sun disappearing behind Morro Rock from the adjacent sand dunes. Come prepared for chilly and strong winds even in the summer months.
Cayucos is a hidden gem along the PCH with the authentic small-town vibe of an original California beach town. You won’t find any chain restaurants or big box stores, but you can reel in some of the best fish tacos along the coast at Ruddell’s Smokehouse, rummage for second-hand vinyl records or antiques on Ocean Avenue, and savor the famous sea salt cookies at the Brown Butter Cookie Company.
Seaside Motel is a family owned and operated boutique hotel in the beach town of Cayucos. Just blocks from the ocean, the Seaside Motel feels like a true getaway with just a handful of rooms, each tailored to a unique theme and décor, and a relaxing garden that overlooks the water. Don’t let their name fool you -- this place is one of the best-kept secrets along the California coast!
At the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, you’ll see the wonderfully beautiful elephant seals, aptly named for their elephant-like noses (on the males) and their incredible size, as the second largest seal on the planet! Open 365 days a year, photo ops abound as visitors may see elephant seals breed, birth, or come ashore to molt. Be sure to visit the Friends of the Elephant Seals office located south of the rookery site in San Simeon for a free orientation to inform your visit.
Laura Knudson is a content creator and storyteller based in San Diego, CA. She is Director of Marketing for GLP Films, a film production and marketing agency dedicated to authentic storytelling for the travel industry. Say hello at @lauramknudson.
The pacific coast runs almost perfectly north-south for over 1000 mile from Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula all the way down to Point Conception in California. The Santa Barbara Channel, a 70 mile long 24 mile wide body of water, is the first major change in this orientation. The Pacific Coast Highway runs along the northern edge of the channel past Santa Barbara and into Ventura. To the south you’ll find the five islands that make up Channel Islands National Park, reachable only by ferry or personal boat.
The middle of the channel is a major shipping route for Los Angeles and Long Beach. It is also home to a number of deepwater oil fields, most infamously the Dos Cuadras Offshore field. In 1969, just one year after oil was discovered here, there was a major spill resulting in over 100,000 barrels of crude oil being released into the water. At the time this was the largest oil spill in American history. Now it ranks as the third largest after Deepwater Horizon and Exxon Valdez. One outcome of this massive spill was the creating of new environmental legislation and the founding of Earth Day.
Special Thanks to: Sarah J Eagen (www.sarahjeagen.com)
