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A Highway 1 road trip along California’s Central Coast

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

  • 121
  • 78:47
  • 3,522 mi
  • $587
Take This Trip

Created by jamimarlies - November 6th 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.

10401 N 52nd St 36, Paradise Valley, United States

1
139mi 02h 23m
Photo of Snoopy On A Rocket
3.7

Wikieup, AZ, US

Snoopy On A Rocket

1
2
386mi 06h 23m
Photo of Moro Ridge
4.3

Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA, US

Moro Ridge

2
3
0mi 00h 02m
Photo of Thousand Steps Beach
4.5

Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, US

Thousand Steps Beach

3
4
0mi 00h 03m

31399 Camel Point Dr, Laguna Beach, CA, US

Private Laguna Beach

4
5
6mi 00h 20m
Photo of Crystal Cove State Park
4.5

8471 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, US

Crystal Cove State Park

5
6
3mi 00h 12m
Photo of Laguna Beach
4.5

347 Mermaid St, Laguna Beach, CA, US

Laguna Beach

6
7
1mi 00h 08m
Photo of Victoria Beach Tower
4.5

Victoria Beach, Laguna Beach, CA, US

Victoria Beach Tower

7
8
10mi 00h 30m

100 E Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA, US

Pearson's Port

8
9
3mi 00h 08m
Photo of Pacific Coast Highway
5.0

CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA, US

Pacific Coast Highway

9
10
7mi 00h 16m
Photo of Bolsa Chica State Beach
4.1

17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA, US

Bolsa Chica State Beach

10
11
5mi 00h 13m
Photo of Seal Beach
4.5

201 8th St, Seal Beach, CA, US

Seal Beach

11
12
14mi 00h 39m
Photo of S S Lane Victory
3.5

Berth 49, CA, US

S S Lane Victory

12
13
3mi 00h 12m
Photo of White Point / Royal Palms Beach
4.6

1799 Paseo del Mar, CA, US

White Point / Royal Palms Beach

13
14
5mi 00h 11m
Photo of Palos Verdes Shoreline Park
4.5

5970 Palos Verdes Dr S, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, US

Palos Verdes Shoreline Park

14
15
10mi 00h 24m
Photo of Redondo Beach
4.4

Esplanade, Redondo Beach, CA, US

Redondo Beach

15
16
1mi 00h 06m
Photo of Seaside Lagoon
3.7

200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA, US

Seaside Lagoon

16
17
8mi 00h 27m
Photo of Dockweiler State Beach
3.6

Vista del Mar Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, US

Dockweiler State Beach

17
18
6mi 00h 23m
Photo of Muscle Beach Venice
3.9

1659 Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles, CA, US

Muscle Beach Venice

18
19
2mi 00h 14m
Photo of Santa Monica Pier
4.0

200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA, US

Santa Monica Pier

19