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Scott & Karla's PCH Drive

It’s worth spending a few days exploring the 100-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway just south of Big Sur

  • 56
  • 13:10
  • 421 mi
  • $61
Take This Trip

Created by swwright - July 2nd 2022

The California section of Highway 1 is perhaps most famous for the rugged cliffs, bridges, and waterfalls of Big Sur. But don’t sleep on the 100-mile section just south of Big Sur, known as the Highway 1 Discovery Route. Stretching from Nipomo in the south to Ragged Point in the north, this area is jam-packed with quaint beach towns, interesting wildlife, roadside attractions, outdoor recreation opportunities, amazing culinary experiences, and spectacular natural beauty.

Here’s what not to miss on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip along California’s Central Coast.

Photo of Mineta San Jose International Airport
3.5

1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA, US

Mineta San Jose International Airport

1
33mi 00h 46m

400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA, US

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

1
2
26mi 00h 37m
Photo of Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Reserve
5.0

PO Box 570, Moss Landing, CA, US

Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Reserve

2
3
3mi 00h 09m
Photo of World's Largest Artichoke
3.6

11261 meritt, Castroville, CA, US

World's Largest Artichoke

3
4
18mi 00h 30m
Photo of The Kissing Rock
4.0

Oceanview Blvd. at Esplanade Ave, Monterey, CA, US

The Kissing Rock

4
5
3mi 00h 12m
Photo of 17-Mile Drive
4.5

Monterey, CA, US

17-Mile Drive

5
6
3mi 00h 12m
Photo of Lone Cypress (17 Mile Drive)
3.9

17 Mile Dr, Del Monte Forest, CA, US

Lone Cypress (17 Mile Drive)

6
7
3mi 00h 16m
Photo of Hofsas House Hotel
4.0

San Carlos Street Between 3rd and 4th Avenues, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, US

Hofsas House Hotel

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7
8
4mi 00h 15m

66 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA, US

Discovery Whale watch

8
9
1mi 00h 06m

886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA, US

Monterey Bay Aquarium

9
10
1mi 00h 06m

1180 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, US

Julia's Vegetarian Restaurant

10
11
8mi 00h 19m
Photo of Sea Lion Point Trailhead
4.0

Point Lobos State Reserve, CA, US

Sea Lion Point Trailhead

11
12
0mi 00h 04m
Photo of Bird Island Trail
5.0

Point Lobos State Reserve, CA, US

Bird Island Trail

12
13
0mi 00h 00m
Photo of China Cove
3.7

Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, US

China Cove

13
14
2mi 00h 11m
Photo of Tickle Pink Inn
4.5

155 Highland Drive, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, US

Tickle Pink Inn

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$$$$

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great deal!

14
15
10mi 00h 18m
Photo of Bixby Bridge
4.5

Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, US

Bixby Bridge

15
16
5mi 00h 11m
Photo of California Sea Otter Game Refuge
4.0
16
17
0mi 00h 03m
Photo of Point Sur State Historic Park
4.5

Station 1, Big Sur, CA, US

Point Sur State Historic Park

17
18
4mi 00h 10m
Photo of Ventana Wildlife Society Discovery Center
4.0

Andrew Molera, Big Sur, CA, US

Ventana Wildlife Society Discovery Center

18
19
7mi 00h 26m
Photo of Sun Portal at Pfeiffer Beach
3.5
19