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- Santa Barbara Mission. Old Mission Santa Barbara, established in 1786 by Spanish Franciscans and nicknamed “Queen of the Missions,” is a serene retreat from downtown Santa Barbara.
- Pismo Beach. Whether you’re driving from the north or south on U.S. Highway 101, there’s an unforgettable moment as you reach Pismo Beach. The coastal hills open up to reveal shimmering turquoise waters and long stretches of the San Luis Obispo County coastline, with glimpses of this classic beach town hugging the shore.
- Wildlife Watching In San Luis Obispo County. From flittering monarch butterflies as light as a feather to elephant seals that tip the scales at more than 5,000 pounds, San Luis Obispo County has an incredible variety of wildlife—and ways to see it.
- Hearst Castle. San Simeon. Mansions are a dime a dozen in California, but nothing comes close to Hearst Castle. Completed in 1947, this extraordinary temple to opulence served as the private residence of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst.
State Route 1 (SR 1) is a major north–south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. At 656 miles (1,056 km), it is the longest state route in California, and the second-longest in the US after Montana Highway 200.
- 1934–present
- 655.845 mi (1,055.480 km)(broken into 5 pieces by U.S. Route 101)
Nov 11, 2023 · Officially known as State Route 1, and affectionately referred to as the Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 1 is a major north-south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. What sets it apart from your average highway is its stunning views and distinctive locations.
Jul 6, 2021 · The Highway 1 California road trip is a popular itinerary among travelers to California. While this historic highway goes over 600 miles along the coast, most visitors drive the stretch from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The trip can be done in various ways, including along the coast or with inland stops at unique towns like Ojai or Los Alamos.
- Orange and Los Angeles Counties
- Santa Monica, Malibu, and Oxnard
- Oxnard to San Luis Obispo
- San Luis Obispo to San Francisco
- Through The City of San Francisco
- Golden Gate Bridge, Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino
- Tips and Advice
Highway One begins in the town of Capistrano Beach in Orange County. From there, to Santa Monicaand through Malibu, it's a city street. It takes on several street names but is most often called Pacific Coast Highway (which locals shorten to PCH). Between Manhattan Beachand LAX, it's called Sepulveda. North of the airport to Santa Monica, it's Linco...
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.
North of Oxnard, CA Hwy 1 merges with US Hwy 101. The stretch of 101 between Oxnard and Santa Barbara is especially scenic, with views of the Channel Islandsoffshore. Just north of the Gaviota Tunnel (which is north of Santa Barbara), Hwy 101 turns inland, and you won't see the ocean again until you get to Pismo Beach, and then only briefly. Hwy 1 ...
The road you think of as the Pacific Coast Highway is probably the section between San Luis Obispo and Monterey. Its sights include Hearst Castle, the Big Sur coast, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.
In the city of San Francisco, Hwy 1 is a street: 19th Avenue. It leads to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a busy street with little to see and traffic that's more than annoying. You can get through town more easily by merging with I-280 north of Pacifica or by taking CA Hwy 35 north and following the coastline.
North of the Golden Gate Bridge, the official highway name of Highway 1 is Shoreline Highway. It passes along some dramatic coastline, through scenic Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. It ends north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett and disappears.
These tips and ideas will help make your trip more pleasant: 1. Check your gas gauge. There's no gasoline available for up to 40 miles in some stretches, especially in Big Sur and north of San Francisco. 2. "Go" when you have a chance. Restrooms are also scarce in those same areas. 3. Allow plenty of time. Assume you will average about 30 miles per...
- Betsy Malloy
Feb 12, 2015 · Drive California’s Highway 1 (aka Pacific Coast Highway) along the Central Coast. It’s rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world.
Feb 16, 2024 · Cruise down the iconic Highway 1 for a scenic and unforgettable California road trip. Known as one of the most scenic drives in the country, the PCH—also called Highway 1—runs next to the ocean’s crashing waves, from Leggett in Mendocino County all the way down to Dana Point in Orange County.
