

To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. Please be prepared for that and plan your activities in each city accordingly. Note: In light of feedback from readers, I wanted to add a warning that many cities along the Pacific Coast Highway do have a problem with homelessness. By the end, you’ll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. Whether you’re planning a San Diego to San Francisco, Seattle to San Francisco, San Francisco to San Diego, Seattle to San Diego road trip, or somewhere in between ( Los Angeles! Portland! Crescent City!), this post will give you all you need to know.


After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in Washington and California, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the great stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience – for good reason! Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.
