3-Day California Pacific Coast Trip

For a perfect tour packed with sights and activities along this scenic drive, I recommend planning a 3-Day California Pacific Coast Trip. Here are my suggestions for an unforgettable trip along the California coast!

A visit to California would not be complete without a trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. This iconic highway continues along most of the California coastline and can be enjoyed at any pace…whether it's over the course of 1 day or a 2 week trip.

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Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

Day 1: Departing from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo.

Santa Barbara

101 North Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a must-see when driving north from Los Angeles along the California coast. It has everything from beautiful beaches to beautiful gardens. Leave LA early to arrive in Santa Barbara for breakfast.

Top things to see and do in Santa Barbara:

Don't miss the Old Mission Santa Barbara, the 10th of the California Missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans and the only one to be continuously occupied and used since its founding in 1786.
Visit the Santa Barbara County Courthouse tower for panoramic views of the city.
For lovers of flowers and gardens, a visit to Lotusland is a must! This 37-acre garden is home to over 3,000 plant species.
Take a stroll along Stearns Wharf for beautiful beach views

solving

101 North to 154 West from Santa Barbara to Solvang (approx. 40 minutes)

Solvang “California's Little Denmark” is a quaint little town founded by Danish settlers in the early 1900's. While Danish bakeries, shops and windmills are an incredible attraction, the town is best known for its craft beer and wine culture.

Top things to see and do in Solvang:

Rent a bike and ride some of the many scenic bike paths
Visit one of over a dozen wine tasting rooms
Try authentic Danish food at one of Solvang's iconic restaurants

San Luis Obispo

101 North from Solvang to the San Luis Obispo area (approx. 1 hour)

There are many beautiful areas located near San Luis Obispo to end the first day of your trip. Book a night at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo for a one-of-a-kind hotel experience. Enjoy a romantic sunset at one of Paso Robles' wineries. Or head to Pismo Beach or Morro Bay for a beautiful beachfront stay.

What to do in San Luis Obispo:

Paso Robles : wine lovers
Pismo Beach: Beach lovers (and the best clam chowder ever at Splash Cafe!)
Morro Bay : outdoor adventure lovers
San Luis Obispo : History, art, outdoor activities and lovers of everything in between

Places to stay in San Luis Obispo:

Estero Inn (Morro Bay)
Pousada on Ávila Beach (Ávila)
The Cliffs Hotel & Spa (Pismo Beach)
Motel Farm (Paso Robles)
The Inn at Croad Vineyards (Paso Robles)

Tip

California has some of the BEST campgrounds in the entire country.

Choosing to pitch a tent along the Pacific Coast Highway at one of the many campgrounds may well be a more pleasant experience than a 5-star hotel.

Or if you prefer, do an interactive search and find several pleasant options for a good stay:

Booking.com

San Luis Obispo to Big Sur

Day 2 from San Luis Obispo to Big Sur.

Hearst Castle – San Simeon

CA-1 North from SLO to San Simeon (approx. 45 minutes)

For one of California's most popular tourist destinations, book a tour of Hearst Castle. Originally built as the private estate of WR Hearst, this state park features plush furnishings and authentic artwork. You might even spy some exotic creatures (like the Zebra) roaming the property.

If you choose to visit or skip Hearst Castle, be sure to turn off the road at Piedras Blancas to see elephant seals. You can see them all year round, but the best time is from mid-March to mid-September when the seals start to molt. They are hilarious looking creatures and it's a pretty impressive showcase of one of nature's oddities!

Hearst Castle - San Simeon — Hearst Castle – San Simeon

Big Sur

Big Sur is by far one of my all-time favorite places in the world. There are some amazing ocean views along the highway and countless state parks waiting to be explored. For outdoor enthusiasts, be sure to spend at least a full day at one of California's state parks in Big Sur for incredible hiking and some serious natural beauty.

Top things to see and do in Big Sur:

Camp and hike at one of Big Sur California's state parks: Limekiln Beach State Park , Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park , Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Andrew Molera State Park .
Visit Esalen Institute: Book a program in advance for the full experience or come to the hot springs during opening hours
Grab a coffee and snack at Big Sur Bakery
Head to the Henry Miller Library for an evening movie screening concert.

Where to stay in Big Sur:

stay in Big Sur Ventana for a unique glamping experience

Big Sur to San Francisco

Day 3 we drive from Big Sur to San Francisco:

Monterey

CA-1 North from Big Sur to Monterey (approx. 1 hour)

Monterey is best known for its beautiful coastline, world-class aquarium, and the many John Steinbeck novels set there, including Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat. Spend the morning exploring the many historic buildings or discovering underwater life at the famous aquarium.

Top things to see and do in Monterey:

Visit what is known as one of the best displays of marine life in the world, the Monterey Bay Aquarium . Don't miss the Jellies Experience for a glowing jellyfish encounter or the Open Sea exhibit during feeding time.
Walk the Monterey History Trail as a free self-guided tour of Old Monterey, marked by easy-to-distinguish yellow sidewalk tiles
Grab some seafood and enjoy the shops along Cannery Row
Explore the great outdoors by kayak, bike or scuba dive

San Francisco

CA-1 North to 101 North from Monterey to San Francisco (approx. 2 hours)

San Francisco is one of the most iconic cities in all of California. Eat your heart out at some of SF's unique restaurants and explore the city's history, art and eclectic counterculture.

Top things to see and do in San Francisco:

For a complete guide to food, activities, and accommodation, check out my Ultimate Guide to San Francisco in a Weekend!
Go to China Town for delicious food and great shopping
Visit Seaport Village and Pier 39 for waterfront entertainment, dining and shopping
Take a day trip to the Marin Headlands and the Point Bonita Lighthouse
Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and camp at Steep Ravine Cabins near Stinson Beach. Book early to secure a cabin for your stay – they sell out fast!

Return from San Francisco to LA

On the fourth day is the return 🙂 of San Francisco to Los Angeles (approx. 6 hours).

If you rent a car, consider flying to your next destination from San Francisco. While not quite as pretty as the California coastal road on CA-1, if you need to drive back to Los Angeles, cut your travel time by taking I-5 south.

There are far fewer “scenographic” stops, but the field is vast and beautiful!

Be sure to grab some In-N-Out burgers! 😉

One of the best and most you'll find in the US, it's really delicious!

3-Day Road Trip to the Pacific Coast of California