What is the prettiest part of the Pacific Coast Highway?

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY: THE MOST SCENIC SPOTS

The Golden Gate Bridge.
Greyhound Rock Beach.
Carmel by the Sea.
Big Sur and Pfeiffer State Beach.
Dana Point.
Point Loma.
How Gray Line San Francisco can help you explore:

What is the most scenic part of Highway 1?

Santa Monica, Malibu, and Oxnard One of the most scenic sections of Hwy 1 goes through beautiful Malibu.

Is it better to drive north or south on Highway 1?

It’s best to travel from north to south as you’ll be on the right side of the road for uninterrupted views and to pull over to take photographs. Parking in cities can be expensive. It’s better to leave your rental vehicle and use public transport. Plan in plenty of stops along the way.

Is driving Highway 1 hard?

It’s very intense because there are no guard rails at the edge and there is little room for error if on coming traffic swerves in your direction. Also called Highway 1, it takes about five hours to drive the PCH. The highway sees the most traffic in July and August.

What should you not miss on the Pacific Coast Highway?

Activities. 11 Iconic Stops Not to Miss Along the Pacific Coast Highway.
McWay Falls.
Santa Monica Pier.
Solvang Restaurant.
Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Santa Margarita KOA.
Hearst Castle.
Golden Gate Bridge.

What is the speed limit on the Pacific Coast Highway?

usually 20 mph, but there are also stretches where you can get up to 60 mph. Once you reach Cayucos, the highway becomes a 4 lane highway (2 lanes in each direction) with some areas having a posted 65 mph speed limit.

Is Route 1 in California Dangerous?

Even in great weather highway 1 is one of the most dangerous highways in the state even if the weather is good. When the weather is bad there are areas of the road that are often closed. If you are planning to travel in the area you should make sure that you call ahead for road hazards, rocks, and closures.

What ocean can you see if you are on Highway 1?

Known as the Pacific Coast Highway, California U.S. Route 101 (or 1 in some stretches) runs directly along the Pacific Ocean for 790 miles, from San Diego all the way to the Oregon border. In San Diego, 70 miles of Highway 101 features some of the coolest beach towns and most beautiful scenery anywhere in California.

Is driving to Big Sur dangerous?

California Highway 1 in the Big Sur region is one of the state’s most dangerous highways, even in good weather. It is narrow (almost entirely one lane in each direction), and travelers who are driving slowly or have stopped entirely, directly on the highway, to admire the view can pose hazards to other drivers.

Is Highway 1 worth the drive?

It’s rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world. This is a particularly breathtaking drive, especially through Big Sur where the Santa Lucia mountains plunge into the sea, and the surf and wind relentlessly pound the rocks and shore below and bend the native cypress trees into otherworldly shapes.

Where to drive on Highway 1 in California?

Or you can drive the 101 north to Santa Barbara where you will connect with Highway 1 (this is not the most scenic stretch). From there you can drive to Morro Bay. and Cayuga, a beautiful stretch of highway. However, currently, due to the fires, you can not continue north.

Where are the best places to visit on Highway 1?

Stop and Sights for the Highway 1 Trip Planner 1 Santa Monica Pier. Start — or end — your journey at one of the most iconic spots in California: the Santa Monica Pier, home to perhaps the most-photographed Ferris Wheel 2 Bubblegum Alley; San Luis Obispo. 3 Hearst Castle; San Simeon. …

Which is the most scenic highway in California?

One of the most scenic sections of Hwy 1 goes through beautiful Malibu. For the first part of the trip, the road passes the garages and back doors of coastal homes, but north of Pepperdine University it sometimes runs so near to the continent’s edge that it feels like you could reach out and dangle your fingers in the water.

What kind of Car do you need to drive on Highway 1?

Driving a comfortable and reliable car is a must. This is a two-lane mountain road. In some places, the shoulder is quite narrow and there’s not much between you and the sea below. There’s a forty to fifty-mile stretch that’s full of hairpin twists and turns.