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Totally gorgeous drive along Hwy 1. Mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. We went on a Friday and the roads weren't busy at all. Could take our time and stop when we wanted. Although I have a huge fear of falling, I managed to get through the road without issue but it was hairy for me at times. Highly recommend this trek…
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Date of experience: October 2020
1 Helpful vote
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+1
My husband and I drove the Pacific Coast Highway while making our way down the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego. This was the most beautiful drive we have ever taken. The views of the coast and the Pacific are absolutely stunning. There are tons of vistas and beaches to stop at, and sometimes even the road itself is a sight to see. There was also so much to see along the way! We stopped at: * Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park * Shelter Cove * Glass Beach * Bowling Ball Beach * San Francisco * Point Arena Lighthouse * Davenport Pier * Monterey * 17- Mile Drive * Bixby Bridge * Big Sur * Santa Barbara I'd recommend trying to take in all of them because we enjoyed every single place we visited. Also, make sure to check for closures. We were fortunate in that the entire stretch was open when we visited. There were some minor areas of construction where we had to wait a bit before passing, but it wasn't a long wait. I think everyone should experience this beautiful highway and every breathtaking mile it has to offer!…
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Date of experience: October 2019
1 Helpful vote
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I‘ve seen the PCH on TV and movies so I thought it would be a good motorcycle ride. I googled PCH and Wikipedia, that world renowned resource, stated that California 1 is the PCH and runs from Dana Point in Orange County in the south to Leggett in Mendocino County. I started in Dana Point and rode to San Francisco. In Dana Point it starts by the beach and quickly moves into town. Then multiple other towns. There are sightings of the water, but in Southern California it’s basically just a rode. As a matter of fact, it runs right through LAX airport. Not what I was expecting. Further north, above Los Angeles, there are spots where you may have been able to see the water before the homes were built obstructing the view. It gets even better when you reach the end to end trailers permanently parked on the service rode so all you can see are plastic outhouses, trailers and pickup trucks. The road is not incredibly well marked. It merges on and off with the 101. In Oxnard I actually took a 15-mile detour because I didn’t know I had to get on the highway. North of San Luis Obispo the views were a little better, but the road becomes a little sportier. The road becomes very steep with winding turns and (foggy, at least it was the morning I was riding it). There were not a lot of gas stations or places to eat in this section. To be clear the views you will see are not all beaches and coastal cliffs. I saw town after town, some nice some not so nice, houses, trailers, hills, crop fields, cities and an occasional glimpse of the ocean. Not to mention the 30 miles of road construction around Big Sur all the way to Carmel. Milled roads are not fun on a Motorcycle. Overall, I’ve had better coastal ride in Hawaii and Florida. Maybe north of California is worth a second trip but CA 1 is not.…
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Date of experience: July 2020
1 Helpful vote
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+1
You should be given a Bumper Sticker that reads “I Drove the Pacific Coast Highway and Survived!” when you reach the bottom near San Francisco, CA. This drive is not for the faint of heart. It is Amazingly Beautiful though. I loved it! Especially, seeing the sunset over Stinson Beach. However, once it is dark outside, it becomes frightening. No cellular service if you pull over to check how much longer. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.…
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Date of experience: August 2020
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Update: I did this drive last summer and hated it. I rated it a 1. I did it again a few days ago and loved it! I took my 16 year old son and we spent the day driving and exploring. Strongly recommend downloading "GyPSy Guide" for Big Sur. It made all the difference. The app works throughout the drive (even though some phones will have no service). It tells you were to stop, what to expect to see, where the trails are (not to be missed), where to park and where the best photo ops are. Plan to spend the majority of the day exploring the beaches, easy trails, tide pools, waterfalls and even recommended lunch stops. It was awesome! Tips for success: Have a full tank of gas Wear comfy tennis shoes (trails are easy but shoes will get dirty) Bring a sweater A phone with a full charge Snacks and water bottles (a must) A swimsuit if your the type that likes to get in the water The app made all the difference. Have a relaxed mindset ready for exploring and you will love it!…
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Date of experience: July 2020
1 Helpful vote
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