Most people will tell you to take Highway 1 north to south, so you can be closest to the ocean. I will admit it’s way easier to get in and out from the scenic stops, but there are places where you are super close to the edge, and that’s just not my cup of tea. Plus, if you have the time, you can keep on going all the way to Oregon!
Don’t miss the elephant seals in San Simeon
After touring Hearst Castle, we had to stop by the Elephant Seal Rookery at San Piedras Beach. It’s crazy to see so many seals in one place, and when we were visiting, there were a lot of babies! There was a guide on the beach who told us 23,000 seals came to the six-mile stretch of beach during the 2014-2015 season.
Stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park deserves its own post (check it out here) because of its beauty. It was stunning to see the McWay Falls, one of two waterfalls in the area that flow into the ocean. I could have stayed there all day.
Go in the spring
We took our Pacific Coast Highway road trip in March, and the timing was perfect! It wasn’t as crowded as it would have been in the summer, and the weather was amazing. (Plus, it meant we got to see some of the California poppies at Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve!).
Don’t rush the experience
Sadly, we only had a week for our road trip, so we had to do the Highway 1 drive in one day. Someday, I would love to stay at a hotel in Big Sur and take it all in for several days. Even so, we tried to make the most of our time in the area. Drive slowly. Stop often. Make amazing memories. Take lots of photos.
Catch up on our California road trip:
Ivan and I were just talking about doing this. I haven't been to California yet, but he has. I want to see all the state has to offer, so we were talking about doing a road trip. Looks like you had a fantastic time :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
The Midwest Darling
A road trip is such a great way to see as much of the state as you can in a short time! I hope y'all get to go soon! :)
DeleteWhen we were in California a couple of year ago we ended up driving south from San Francisco to Big Sur, and you're totally right that it's pretty nerve wracking being so close to the ocean! I was just glad that I wasn't the one driving! After looking back at our trip, the one day that we took to drive to Big Sur is probably my favorite part of the whole trip! The PCH is definitely something everybody should do, and you have some great tips!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this - Gary and I are thinking about making this one of our trips later this year...not quite sure when but we want to do it! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteThis is a trip I cannot wait to do. It is seriously so beautiful along the ocean there, that water is just unreal! Definitely would love to stay along the way, but would think that would take a good 2 weeks or so.
ReplyDeleteOoooh. I will definitely have to add this to the bucket list! Those photos are GORGEOUS! I've never been to the west coast but I have a growing "must see" list for when we finally get there!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely on my bucket list of things to do in the USA! Great photos xo
ReplyDeleteThis looks so beautiful! What a fun road trip adventure. I love all of your tips too!
ReplyDeleteAshley
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
So beautiful!!! We used to drive the along the coast when we lived in San Diego. We never made it all the way to San Fransico, but we would drive hours and stay somewhere. There are so many cute little towns along the way too!
ReplyDeleteI really need to get out to California and do this, it's so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeletepinned this in the hopes that one day we get over there. good to know about north/south because i do not want to be close to ANY edge ever. lol
ReplyDeleteMy cousin & I are talking about a PCH road trip next summer! Pinned this!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to do that drive! So beautiful. You've just reignited the spark in me to get back out to Cali!
ReplyDeleteThe drive looks amazing! I love rocky coast lines! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how gorgeous all of these pictures are! I told my husband I'd love to see Cali this way, definitely a must-do! And I like the idea of south to north because I'd freak out about being too close to the edge :-P
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
Gorgeous photos!! I'm sure I've done this route when I first moved to Cali as a little kid! Hope to do it one day again!!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful places!! I don't know that I've ever done that drive, but I'm thinking that I should!
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