Uploaded January 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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This year for our annual road trip down to Southern California we decided to take the more meandering but infinitely more beautiful and exciting route down Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway or Cabrillo Highway).

There's so much to do you can easily spend a couple weeks making your way down (or up!) but here are my picks for the best pit stops. Also, to help you time it correctly, I've created two lists; a long version (3+ days) and a short version (1-2 days).

Part 1 covers the drive from San Francisco through Big Sur. Part 2 covers the drive from San Simeon to Los Angeles.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
701 West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA
831-420-6289
Website: cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation/facilities/surfing-museum
Open for summer (July 4th - Labor Day) 10AM-5PM Thursdays through Tuesdays and rest of the year Noon-4PM Thursdays through Mondays.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Road
Felton, CA 95018
831-335-4598
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546
Open sunrise to sunset
$10 parking fee

Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
Open daily 10AM-5PM except Christmas Day
Website: montereybayaquarium.org

17 Mile Drive Northern Entrance
Pacific Grove Gate
17 Mile Drive
Pebble Beach, CA 93950
Website: pebblebeach.com/17-mile-drive

Highlands Inn
120 Highlands Drive
Carmel, CA 93923
831-620-1234
Website: hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-carmel-highlands-overlooking-big-sur-coast-and-highlands-inn-a-hyatt-residence-club/higph

Limekiln State Park & Campgrounds
Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
805-434-1996
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577
Park open daily 8AM to sunset

Fernwood Resort Big Sur
47200 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
831-667-2422
Email: info@fernwoodbigsur.com
Website: fernwoodbigsur.com