California's Highway 1

Driving along the coast on the legendary Highway 1 is likely a dream for almost all of us, isn't it? Discover the picturesque towns and stunning natural sights that await you here and what you absolutely must not miss.

Highway 1 in the United States connects the northern part with the southern area of California, mostly running right along the coast. A section of the legendary highway in Southern California is also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, or simply PCH. It is often mistakenly used as a synonym for the entire Highway 1.

The official route of Highway 1 runs from Garberville, located 200 miles north of San Francisco, all the way down the coast to Dana Point in Orange County, about 60 miles south of Los Angeles. Whether you drive along the 1,055-mile California State Route from Northern California starting in San Francisco to Los Angeles or vice versa doesn't matter. The priceless view will be the same on both routes, and we're sure you'll never forget it. Typically, travelers start their road trip from Los Angeles or San Francisco and omit the remaining miles to Garberville or Dana Point. That's why we're introducing you to this part of Highway 1 with all the highlights.

Getting to Highway 1 is relatively straightforward. Even though the distance from Germany to the California West Coast is over 9,000 kilometers, you can fly directly from Frankfurt to Los Angeles or San Francisco for under $450 round trip. There, it's best to grab a cheap rental car right away, and the road trip can begin. Our route also took us from the bustling city of Los Angeles to the rather European San Francisco. We don't want to withhold the highlights we experienced along the way. Keep reading for our tips and be enchanted.

In all the excitement of exploring Highway 1, don't forget to set aside time for the two metropolises at the start and finish. If you need inspiration about San Francisco and Los Angeles, take a look at our articles in the travel magazine.

Our time in Los Angeles passed so quickly that we wouldn't have minded adding a few more days. The fact that an incredible journey to San Francisco awaited us, where we could discover breathtaking highlights along the California coast, significantly contributed to making farewell to the 'City of Angels' not too difficult. Our first stop shouldn't be too far away: Santa Barbara, a town that will enchant you, too.

After hopefully exploring Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood extensively, and enjoying the coastal air of the celebrities in Malibu, you will arrive in the capital of the so-called American Riviera: Santa Barbara, after about 2.5 hours via California State Route. This small city is simply enchanting, and it's a joy to stroll along the palm-lined coast, admire the white villas surrounded by colorful flowers, and take in the views down the steep coastal slopes. Enjoy a walk through the modern shopping streets with designer stores, and treat yourself to a delicious afternoon coffee in the heart of the city. Don't miss out on relaxing at the beach, watching sailboats and stand-up paddlers, all while enjoying a delightful local wine. Life can be this beautiful. And just like that, you'll have energy for more adventures along Highway 1.

The next short stop is Solvang, a charming small town with just 6,000 residents, founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants. As soon as you turn onto the main street, you'll completely forget you're in the States and might feel as if you've been transported to Denmark in just a few moments. Small, pretty half-timbered houses, countless Danish shops, cafes, and even a windmill adorn the town's landscape. Discover the Danish architecture and sample the gastronomy and wines from the surrounding wine region.

If you pass through Solvang in the morning or around lunchtime, we have a heartfelt recommendation for you: You must visit the legendary Paula's Pancake House. Here, you can enjoy pancake variations that you could only dream of in your wildest fantasies in a cozy atmosphere for breakfast or lunch.

After another 140 kilometers on Highway 1, with a brief stop at Pismo Beach, you will arrive in Morro Bay, having already completed about half of your journey. Morro Bay is a small, cozy town by the coast, named after the huge majestic rock Morro Rock, which sits right in its bay. For the perfect breakfast there, we recommend the Shine Café, which offers the best smoothies in Morro Bay and has a great selection of sweet and savory breakfast options.

During the day, you can experience a lot: explore the green parks and gardens, relax on the beach, or go kayaking, golfing, or hiking on the trails. In the afternoon, you should make your way to Morro Rock to admire the spectacular sunset. Pure bliss, a brilliantly colorful sky, and the roaring water - simply magical. You can easily take an overnight stop in a hotel in Morro Bay since many beautiful natural highlights await you that deserve time to explore.

The road along Highway 1 continues, and our personal highlight awaits next on the route. The further north you drive, the more impressive the landscape and scenery become. The natural region of Big Sur lies before you, waiting to be explored. The cliffs become steeper, and the road winds in more and more stunning and narrowing bends along the coast, leaving you in awe.

Just a 40-minute drive from Morro Bay lies the Elephant Seal Vista Point. Countless cozy elephant seals sunbathe on the beach, occasionally shoveling sand onto their backs with their flippers or crawling towards the water. Take some time on the shore and watch the lazy seals enjoy their time; it's really a sight to smile at.

Soon after, you'll see the sign officially marking Big Sur: Be sure to stop wherever the natural beauty compels you. There are so many points with priceless views of the coast, rock cliffs, the blue shining sea, and the green landscape. Simply breathtaking.

The McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Beach State Park particularly wowed us: A small piece of completely untouched nature, a delicate waterfall flowing from the rocks, and a cove surrounded by green trees and a majestic palm tree that sneaks into every picture of this beautiful spot.

If your stomach begins to growl, we have a special restaurant recommendation for you: the Nepenthe Restaurant, located directly on Highway 1, known in this coastal section as Cabrillo Highway. It's quite possible that all the seats are occupied, so it's best to make a reservation in advance. Delicious fresh salads, sandwiches, homemade potato wedges with dip, and meat chops with fries will replenish your energy for the journey ahead. But the real highlight is the view. The restaurant sits right on the coast and offers a fabulous dining experience with an invaluable view of the Pacific.

Finding the next location can be a bit tricky since only a small road on a poorly maintained side street leads there - but it's worth it. Pfeiffer Beach is a hidden cove that only attracts a few brave surfers willing to dive into the raging waves. Otherwise, this beach, surrounded by cliffs and high rock walls, is almost deserted. Spend romantic hours here with a view of the crashing sea and breaking waves - an unforgettable natural experience.

The Point Sur State Historic Park is unmissable and lies just a few kilometers further along the Highway 1 route. Here you can visit the lighthouse and enjoy the view of the waves from 100 meters above the sea.

The next classic does not take long to arrive: The famous Bixby Bridge leads you further toward the next city. Be sure to stop and take a photo!

You slowly pass houses again, at this point leaving Big Sur and returning to the livelier sections of Highway 1.

Both the fairytale town of Carmel by the Sea, with its adorable small cottages, snowy white beaches, and many cool events, as well as Monterey at the enchanting Monterey Bay, are perfect for a hotel stay and a short break.

Take some time to explore these places at a leisurely pace. They are close to one another and bring a certain calm and peaceful atmosphere that simply creates a vacation mood. We recommend taking a night off here and starting the next day without plans. Let yourself be swept away by the relaxed life of Californians and indulge in the good coastal air. The relaxing vibe is contagious, and you'll briefly immerse yourself in the culture and lifestyle that prevails here. You'll find delicious treats for breakfast and fresh fish for dinner - it couldn't be better, right?

The last stop on Highway 1 before San Francisco is Santa Cruz. This coastal town deserves a whole day to be explored by you. Stroll along the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and treat yourself to a few rides on cool roller coasters and the Free Fall. Discover the lively sea lions that gather in droves under the pier and enjoy the fresh air at the beach.

Sometimes, free concerts take place here that you definitely shouldn't miss. You can even take whale-watching trips from here or day excursions into the surrounding nature and the Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Soak up the atmosphere once more, enjoy the nature and the view of the vast sea. Because then it's finally time to enter the cool city best described as 'hip': San Francisco.

On the last kilometers of your route along Highway 1, you can slowly spot the skyline on the horizon from afar. Those who found Los Angeles to be a bit too crazy will love this city. It has a very European feel, is laid-back and relaxed, and this unique vibe simply infects everyone. There's plenty to discover here, but you'll learn more about that in San Francisco tips.

Highway 1 is definitely one of the most beautiful routes we have ever driven along by car. It's clear that we recommend planning this route for a California trip instead of flying! If you have a bit more time, it's definitely worth considering spending more time on the drive and planning to stay overnight two or three times along the way, as there are many exciting activities and plenty to see on this route. Do you have any tips for us? We'd love to hear them!