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    Pacific Coast Highway

    1,502 Reviews
    #95 of 10,209 things to do in California
    Outdoor Activities, Sights & Landmarks, Scenic Drives
    147161, CA
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    Private Full-Day Tour Monterey Peninsula - Carmel by the sea
    from $680.00*
    Monterey & Carmel Explorer with optional Aquarium
    from $99.00*
    Private Full-Day Tour of Monterey with Carmel and 17-Mile Drive by SUV
    from $895.00*
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    Traveler Overview
    5.01,502 reviews
    • Excellent85%
    • Very good11%
    • Average2%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travelers talk about
    “hearst castle”(125 reviews)
    “san simeon”(120 reviews)
    “elephant seals”(107 reviews)
    About
    Running along the northern California coast, this highway has some of the best views of any in the United States.
    Suggested duration: More than 3 hours
    Contact
    147161, CA
    Website
    +1 650-879-2120
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    Ways to Experience Pacific Coast Highway
    Private Full-Day Tour Monterey Peninsula...
    from $680.00
    More Info
    Monterey & Carmel Explorer with optional...
    23 Reviews
    from $99.00
    More Info
    Private Full-Day Tour of Monterey with Carmel...
    2 Reviews
    from $895.00
    More Info
    Malibu Stars' Homes Tour
    10 Reviews
    from $45.00
    More Info
    Reviews (1,502)
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    Show reviews that mention
    All reviewshearst castlesan simeonelephant sealsbig surpismo beachbixby bridgebeautiful drivetake your timecarmel by the seabucket listgreat roadpaso roblesspeed limithalf moon baytake picturesbreathtaking viewswinding road
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    1 - 10 of 1,135 reviews
    Reviewed yesterday
    Road Trip Pacific Coast Highway

    What a beautiful drive from Westport Washington to the Mexican Border. Definitely a road trip I will never forget and one that will leave lasting memories! It took a week to travel by car, but two weeks would have been better so that more exploration...More

    Thank IslanderMotel
    Reviewed yesterday
    A MUST SEE!!!!!!

    The most incredible scenery i have ever experienced! Drove from San Fransisco to Los Angeles with a stop over in Monterey, took about 8-9 hours in total including a few stop overs to take some pics and grab a bite to eat! if you get...More

    Thank elliehiggins1967
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Fantastic Drive

    Some breathtaking scenery along Highway 1 when you hit the coastal road. We drove from Santa Barbara to Monterey and made it in about 7 hours including numerous stops for snacks and photos. Carmel, 17 Mile Drive and Monterey are definitely worth adding an extra...More

    Thank Fidz10
    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Great drive

    Well worth the drive. We drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles in one day easy enough to do we left S.F at 6am and arrive in L.A at 5pm. We had done numerous stops along the way for photos and stop for lunch. We...More

    Thank 75Snowy
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
    The MOST BEAUTIFUL DRIVE EVER!

    Go! Just drive. You will stop over and over again to take pics because it is too beautiful not to!! Absolutely amazing!

    Thank Connie L
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Amazing Drive

    drove from SF to LA down PCH with overnight in Cambria. the full road has only been open for 1 month since the mudslides. great mountain & sea scenery. I would strongly recommend making at least these stops. Carmel , Pebble Beach , Monterrey Bay...More

    1  Thank Louis L
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Views of the Sea

    For the major stretch of PCH you will have the most breathtaking views of the sea. I have traveled from San Diego up to Long Beach. Simply beautiful. If the highway is not exactly on the waterway, the water is parallel to it. It is...More

    1  Thank LorraineConnecticut
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    What a drive

    if you have some time to kill make sure you add this to your list of things to do. we started in Santa Monica and drove all the way up to Hearst castle, from Hearst castle we had to backtrack through the mountains and take...More

    Thank slightlyheavy
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Go there to catch SUNSET

    I was driving from San Simeon to Monterey... We made it so that sun did set near the end of the road... This is a beautiful drive and the sun setting over Pacific makes it superb!!!

    Thank MarcinDrP
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Beautiful Drive except when you get to Malibu

    Broke down drive from SJC to LAX into two days, staying the night in SLO... Lovely drive all the way except when you get to Malibu... There is a sign that says "23 miles of scenic beauty" just as you enter that stretch... 23 miles...More

    Thank jrodionuy
    View more reviews
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    Questions & Answers
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    Mark G
    Hi Me and my wife are flying from Belfast mid may to San Francisco for 2 nights. Then picking a car up at SFO at 10am and driving the Pacific highway to San Luis Obispo for a night, onto Santa Barbara for a night and then to La for 3 nights. The trip was all planned by a tour operator, so can’t be changed, (looking at it I would like to have added a night in Monterrey area) but having done a bit of research the drive from San Fran to San Luis seems a long one. So if anyone can answer any of these questions, would be great. -how long roughly will the drive take via highway 1, from San Francisco airport to San Luis Obispo?? -is it worth while trying to see if I can pick the car up earlier, say 7am, or will I just get stuck in morning rush hour some were up the road. (Ideal time to leave the airport?) -any tips on the itinerary for this drive within the one day time frame (breaks, Lunch, sights etc) - and finally any suggestions on must dos, throughout our trip would be great Thanks Mark
    September 20, 2018|
    Answer
    Response from PacificNWFamily |
    Hi Mark It's good that you know your tour operator made a mistake and to try to work with it now. But honestly, I'd make reservations for Night 1 in a better location, even if unable to cancel the reservations in San... More
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    Vote
    cnewman888
    August 25, 2018|
    Answer
    Response from PacificNWFamily |
    Hi Ask on the California state forum rather than this seldom viewed Q&A feature. Note that the abbreviation for San Francisco is just SF. Happy Birthday!
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