jayne1973

If you had one day to drive from San Francisco to LA and wanted to see at least a little scenic coast, what route would you take?

VolCrew

Pacific Coast Highway

MmePerdu

My very favorite part of Hwy 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, is immediately south of San Francisco. This beautiful stretch of road hugs the coast through San Mateo County to Santa Cruz, where it goes inland a bit along the beach towns then hits coast again north of Monterey. From there you can go east to 101 for the rest of the drive to LA. There will be opportunities for places to stop whenever you're inclined to take a break.

MmePerdu

By the way, I believe Hwy 1 is called PCH only in So. CA.

Underhill

Indeed it is. Odd, that.

VolCrew

Thanks for the correction. I did not know that!

hpeabody

If you do use Hwy 101 there is the "central coast" which I just did earlier this week. Take a good look at a map. Perhaps a point of reference you might check out is Paso Robles. I visited Cambria, Morro Bay, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Solvang and Santa Barbara. You don't say when you are traveling but do check that Hwy 1 has re-opened around Big Sur.

november_moon

When Hwy 1 through Big Sur is open, LA to SF is about a 10 hour drive anyway - too much for 1 day.

As mentioned, if you take Hwy 101, you'll get coastal views around Pismo and Santa Barbara.

jayne1973

Thanks. This will be late September. Was thinking of just doing a little on the coastal highway and the rest on 101. I like the idea of doing it right after leaving SF. Will study the map more.

tomfuller

My favorite view of the coast is from the Coast Starlight south of Santa Barbara. I'm not driving and I don't have to worry about a drop off fee.

november_moon

Really tom? I had no idea you liked taking the train

NorthwestMale

I would go to Hearst Castle and take the basic tour... that is plenty enough coast to suit me.

janisj

>>I would go to Hearst Castle and take the basic tour… LA drive.