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Highway 1 is regarded as not only one of the best road trips in the United States, but also the world. The coastal cruise promises dramatic bluffs, panoramic ocean vistas, and many designated viewpoints to capture it all. Plus, you’ll get the opportunity to explore some of California’s greatest treasures, like popular Big Sur and quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The key to getting the best out of this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway is to start up north in a destination like San Francisco and drive down to Los Angeles. Not only do these two major cities provide convenient flight options, but you’ll also be riding along the water, which will also in turn make it easier to pull over and take those FOMO-inducing photos. To help you embark on this adventure we’ve put together a comprehensive, seven-day itinerary on where to stop along the way as well as mini guides to the towns you’ll be passing through.
Day 1
If you can, nab a flight that’ll get you to San Francisco by noon to make the most of your first day. Head straight from the airport to The Battery, a chic member’s club that also doubles as a hotel. With only 14 accommodations, it’s intimate and, thankfully, quiet. Once you’ve dropped off your bags, go down the street to Hog Island Oyster Co. and pick up some fresh (and sustainable) mollusks for lunch. For dessert, venture over to their neighbor Humphry Slocombe for a scoop of Blue Bottle Vietnamese coffee ice cream or Golden Gate Bakery in nearby Chinatown for egg tarts that rival those of Hong Kong (just make sure they’re open; the owners have a very sporadic vacation schedule) before you make a beeline to Alcatraz.
After you’ve toured the famed former federal penitentiary, wander over to Fisherman’s Wharf where you’ll see hundreds of sea lions at Pier 39, but skip the touristy shops and head back to your room to recharge and freshen up before dinner. There are certainly plenty of dining options in the city, but if you can manage to nab a reservation, Atelier Crenn should be at the top of your list. A three-Michelin-starred restaurant by the inimitable chef Dominique Crenn, the creative French chef delivers an ocean-forward menu with a focus on local produce. But if you weren’t able to secure a booking, try your luck with neighboring Bar Crenn, a listening bar with elevated bites along with an intimate tasting experience at the counter. And if you’ve still got some energy before you call it a night, enjoy The Battery’s cozy courtyard with a tipple from the bar.
Day 2
Kick off the day with some delicious dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge, a better and much more authentic option than another glitzier establishment in the city. Then, if you’ve never been, make your way over to San Fran’s famous winding Lombard Street to snap a few photos before venturing over to the famous Golden Gate Bridge, followed by a stroll around Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences, and a visit to the row of pastel-color Victorian and Edwardian homes known as the Painted Ladies.
Otherwise, fill your time with a little shopping (yes, there’s more to this techie city than hoodies and jeans). The Mission District is where you’ll find most of the city’s best stores, such as Le Point, a well-curated women’s clothing boutique; Taylor Stitch for quality men’s shirts and basics; and Gravel & Gold, a female-owned design collective that sells everything from garments to ceramics. And while you’re in the area, pop into Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley to admire the murals. But if you have the time, head up to the town of Larkspur, just across the Golden Gate Bridge, and pop into Hero Shop. The brainchild of former Vogue editor Emily Holt, it’s undoubtedly the Bay Area’s coolest store.
By now it’s time for lunch and if you have a hankering for Mexican food you won’t want to miss out on La Taqueria, a no-frills eatery serving up some of the best burritos and tacos in San Francisco. Otherwise, head over to Japantown and grab a seat at Udon Mugizo for freshly made noodles, pick up a coffee crunch cake at Yasukochi’s Sweet Shop for dessert, and walk around one of the city’s most cherished enclaves. And if you decided to go for the latter, stick around until dinner. The area has a lot of fantastic restaurants such as State Bird Provisions, where small plates of modern Californian fare with an Asian influence are carted around the dining room; Copra, a modern Indian restaurant with fantastic cocktails to boot; and Nari, a contemporary Thai spot that’s not afraid of bold flavors. (Note: if these excellent dining options have you considering staying in the area, the perfectly located Kimpton Hotel Enso opened in 2022 with updated rooms.)
Day 3
Pick up your rental car early in the morning and drive over to Tartine Manufactory, where bread is made in-house daily and a breakfast sandwich is the perfect way to start your day, before you hit the road for Monterey (preferably by 8 a.m. at the very latest). Your GPS will tell you to take 280 or 101 for the fastest route, but don’t forget you’re here for a reason, and that’s to take the longer, much more scenic Highway 1. It’ll take you anywhere between two to three hours before you hit the seaside town that has been made even more famous on the HBO hit Big Little Lies. Take in harbor views at Fisherman’s Wharf and, if you want to check out marine life on land, take a spin around the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And while the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach (where the Lone Cypress resides) passes through an exclusive neighborhood with gorgeous homes and offers great views of the coast, it doesn’t quite warrant the admission fee given what you have in store ahead. Instead, scoot on down to Carmel-by-the-Sea, where the idyllic beach town has recently undergone quite the renaissance with a host of new hotels and restaurants.
Enjoy lunch at Stationaery, a seasonal, farm-to-table restaurant. Then check in at the hotel of your choosing. If you head inland, the sprawling Carmel Valley Ranch spread over 500 acres has all the bells and whistles—eight tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, multiple pools, fitness classes, and a laundry list of activities like beekeeping—to keep you busy. It’s very family-friendly, too, and kids will love visits to the goat pen. Otherwise, stay in town where you’ll find several recently opened hotels like Villa Mara, Carmel Beach Hotel, and Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave and Ocean Ave. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around or down by the beach followed by dinner at Chez Noir, a European-inspired bistro with a menu that draws influence from France and northern Spain.
Day 4
Now it’s onto the good stuff: You’re going to Big Sur today! The route from Carmel to California’s forest gem is perhaps the best stretch of the drive, warranting multiple stops along the way, so make sure you head out early. Grab a bite at the hotel before you check out or head back into town to favored bistro La Bicyclette for a croissant and coffee before pulling into Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. With several trails to hike and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, you don’t want to rush your time here too much. Take in the limestone rock formations, rugged bluffs, and coves dotted with seals and sea lions while peering out into deep blue waters, keeping an eye out for spouting whales.
Continue on, and you’ll find that there are a number of pull-over spots along the highway for you to step out and take photos of the undisturbed coastline. One in particular is right before Bixby Bridge, an architectural marvel (one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world) that acts as a gateway to Big Sur. Shortly after you’ll come across Point Sur State Historic Park, home to the still-functioning Point Sur Lighthouse. But before you step into Big Sur Bakery for a quick bite, make sure to drive down to Pfeiffer Beach, where tide pools and a natural arch known as Keyhole Rock await. (Note: You might lose cell service along the way, so make sure you have directions saved elsewhere just in case.)
By now it’ll be late afternoon and you’ll probably be ready to retire. Post Ranch Inn has been Big Sur’s longtime icon, situated right on the bluffs with uninterrupted views of the water. There’s also Alila Ventana Big Sur, where you’ll have the option of glamping tents in a redwood forest in addition to traditional hotel rooms. But if you have more time and are looking for a holistic retreat center, Esalen is one of the best in the world.
Day 5
Wake up early and try to hit the road by 8:00 a.m. Your first stop will be a short 20-minute drive down to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where you’ll hike a short distance to the McWay Falls overlook and set your eyes on 80 feet of cascading water. If you want to stretch your legs some more, check to see if the other trails are open, otherwise enjoy the rest of the coastal drive ahead to Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. The former is home to a number of vineyards and distilleries, but the one to visit is Re:Find, where handcrafted spirits are made from saignée (free run juice from wine grapes). Sit down for a quick tasting and definitely give the refreshing cucumber vodka or tangy kumquat liqueur a try. To assuage a rumbling stomach, drive 40 minutes to SLO and dine at Thomas Hill Organics for dishes centered around local, organic produce and grass-fed meats. Alternatively, you could take a slight detour over to Avila and indulge in some of the best fried chicken sandwiches and homemade mac and cheese at Avila Valley Barn’s Chicken Shack & Smoke House. Don’t forget to pick up some honey sticks for the road while you’re at it.
After you’ve had your fill, jump back in the car and head straight to Los Angeles. It’ll take you between three to four and a half hours depending on traffic, but you should arrive by late afternoon. Given that L.A. is a sprawling metropolis, where you choose to stay will largely depend on which neighborhood is calling your name. For glitz and glam, Beverly Hills has some of the city’s finest luxury hotels, like the Maybourne, Beverly Wilshire (hello, Pretty Woman), and Viceroy L’Ermitage. West Hollywood is characterized by a youthful energy—Sunset Boulevard, live music venues, comedy clubs—that’s matched by its hotel scene with chains like the Edition, Pendry, and 1 Hotel. But if you still haven’t gotten enough of those ocean views, there’s no place like the Georgian, an Art Deco beauty right by the Santa Monica Pier.
If you’re keen to get some shopping in, first-timers will inevitably want to visit Rodeo Drive, but don’t skip out on the Way We Wore for vintage or the Webster for a well-curated selection of designers in a building designed by Sir David Adjaye. Once dinnertime comes around you’ll have to make a tough decision on where to eat. Whether it’s tacos at Sonoratown, Korean-American fare at Yangban, Roman dishes at Mother Wolf, or a butcher shop-meets-restaurant at Gwen, you’re spoilt for choice.
Day 6
Sleep in. No, really, it’s okay. After a packed several days, it’s well deserved. Once you’re ready to get out of bed, head to A.O.C., a staple for great wine and seasonal small plates since 2002. If you’re here on the weekend, the WeHo location serves brunch and its ivy-lined, exposed brick patio is a dreamy setting. Otherwise, the newer Brentwood outpost is also open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch. Whatever you order, just make sure you start off with a cheese plate, which will sometimes feature gems like Pantaleo from Sardinia. Then drive up to the Hollywood Hills and drop by Jerome C. Daniel Overlook for sweeping vistas of the City of Angels before stopping by the Griffith Observatory for even more exceptional views.
Once you’re done with your jaunt in the hills, make your way downtown and stop by The Broad, where you’ll find Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors alongside other contemporary pieces. Continue your exploration of the arts at the MOCA or Art Share L.A. to check out the works by emerging local artists. Stick around downtown and go to dinner at Bestia, where its multiregional Italian cuisine has received accolades year after year, or Kato, a fine-dining establishment that showcases chef Jonathan Yao’s Taiwanese background. End the night back west to check out Chris Burden’s Urban Light installation at LACMA.
Day 7
If you can swing it, book a flight that doesn’t leave until early evening so that you’ll still have plenty of time to explore on your final day. Start off with breakfast or brunch at République, a French eatery that makes all of its bread and pastries on-site with a great juice and smoothie menu to boot. Afterwards, drive over to Santa Monica to walk around the carnivalesque pier and savor your final moments at Venice Beach, paying a visit to the skate park and ogling at all of the amazing tricks. For your last meal consider a trip to In-N-Out: the burger chain certainly needs no introduction, and there’s one conveniently stationed right by the airport.
