California Coast: route, stages and map

Highway 1 along the California coast is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world, and rightly so. From San Francisco it heads south, always hugging the Pacific: past sea lions and lighthouses, over the famous Bixby Bridge, through wild Big Sur and all the way down to Los Angeles. A relaxed route where the journey is the destination.

The pace

Take your time. The real attraction is the drive itself, with its countless viewpoints. Plan plenty of short stops rather than rushing through.

Weather and fog

The coast is often foggy, especially in the mornings and in summer. The clearest views are frequently in the afternoon. Pack a jacket even in summer, it gets cool by the water.

Direction and variation

Driving north to south has one advantage: you're on the ocean side of the road, with the better view and the scenic pullouts right beside you. With more time, add a detour to Yosemite.

The route

The stages in order, along the real roads.

Loading the map transfers data (including your IP address) to OpenStreetMap.

Driving time only: around 9 hours over 4 stages.

Open route in Google Maps ↗

Stage by stage

The stops of the loop, in the recommended order.

1

San Francisco 2 nights

The city on the bay with the Golden Gate, cable cars and Alcatraz. An ideal start.

Stay Union Square, central
See the destination ›
2

Monterey and Carmel 1 night

Drive here: 115 mi (182 km) · approx. 2.3 hrs

Pretty coastal towns with an aquarium and the famous 17-Mile Drive. Gateway to Big Sur.
3

Big Sur and Highway 1 1 night

Drive here: 30 mi (46 km) · approx. 0.8 hrs

The most spectacular stretch of coast, with the Bixby Bridge and endless views. Here the journey is the destination.
4

Santa Barbara 1 night

Drive here: 200 mi (323 km) · approx. 4.4 hrs

Mediterranean flair with palm trees, beaches and Spanish architecture. The laid-back south begins.
5

Los Angeles 2 nights

Drive here: 95 mi (153 km) · approx. 1.9 hrs

The City of Angels to finish: Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach. A large airport for the trip home.

Stay Santa Monica, on the beach
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Want more: side trips

With time to spare, add one of these stops.

Detour to Yosemite

With more time, drive inland from San Francisco to Yosemite first and then out to the coast. A worthwhile detour.

17-Mile Drive

The famous scenic road near Monterey, past the lone Lone Cypress and stately estates.

Hearst Castle

The opulent castle of the newspaper magnate above the coast near San Simeon, a world of its own.

Tips for this route

The essentials for planning, short and honest.

Drive north to south, so you're on the ocean side with the best view and the scenic pullouts.
Plan plenty of short stops, the drive itself is the highlight.
Before you go, check whether the Big Sur section is closed due to landslides.
Pack a jacket even in summer, the coast is often cool and foggy.

What does the trip cost?

A rough guide for two people, flights per person.

Item	rough cost
Flights, round trip	depends on your origin
Rental car (1 week, incl. insurance)	400 to 600 USD
Fuel (about 430 miles)	70 to 100 USD
Accommodation (7 nights, double room)	1,100 to 2,700 USD (the coast is expensive)
Activities (Alcatraz, aquarium ...)	individual

Just a rough guide. Prices change, especially flights and park fees. Check current costs before booking.

From the forum

Real voices from USA-TALK.DE about this loop.

Days 1 to 3 San Francisco, then Big Sur, on to Yosemite, that's how we split up California. Worked out great.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

The Big Sur coast is spectacular, just driving it with the stops at the viewpoints was the experience.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

We planned Big Sur around the weather, in fog you sadly see little of the coast. We got lucky.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Download and print

The route for your sat-nav, the park maps as PDF, or print the whole plan.

GPXRoute as GPXsat-nav, Komoot, Google Earth

Frequently asked questions

How long should I plan?

Six to eight days is comfortable. Four works too, but then there's little time for the stops.

Which direction should I drive?

Best from north to south, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Then you're on the ocean side with the better view.

Is Highway 1 always open?

Usually yes, but landslides can close the Big Sur section from time to time. Check the current status before you set off.

Is a normal car enough?

Yes, the whole route is a well-built coastal road. A convertible is of course extra fun.

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