California’s Highway 1 Road Trip

From San Francisco, drive straight to Highway 1 and take a slow journey south to the sunny skies of Los Angeles

Drive south from San Francisco to Los Angeles on a coast-hugging trip that scores all the big sights. Take your time on the Slow Coast, then pause for a few nights in Monterey. Feel the sunshine on your face and the wind in your hair as you head south via the incredible Big Sur to stay in Santa Barbara before the final leg of your road trip brings you to the incomparable Los Angeles.

Self-drive
San Francisco, Carmel & Monterey, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Multi Centre

Ideal for
Seeing the most scenic stretch of California’s Highway 1.

Itinerary overview

San Francisco

A city of icons

Whether the Golden Gate Bridge is displayed in all its glory with a backdrop of a summer sky or w...

Carmel & Monterey

Slow the pace

Your first drive on Highway 1 would take around two and a half hours if you didn’t stop, but you’...

Pismo Beach

Surf town

Break up your Route 1 journey and slow the pace with a night in Pismo Beach, or one of the other ...

Santa Barbara

American Riviera lifestyle

Take Highway 1 and stop in Big Sur for big sights, including Bixby Bridge, giant redwood groves, ...

Los Angeles

The grand finale

The shortest drive of your trip is between Santa Barbara and LA. Continue to follow Highway 1 and...

San Francisco

A city of icons

Whether the Golden Gate Bridge is displayed in all its glory with a backdrop of a summer sky or wears a more mysterious guise when the San Francisco fog rolls in, there's no bad time to experience this West Coast wonder city. Spend a few days here before picking up your hire car. You could join a guided tour to see all the highlights of San Francisco in double-quick time, visiting landmarks like Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Lombard Street. You'll also explore the old docks of Fisherman's Wharf by taking a local-led route, where you can smell the sourdough at Boudin Bakery and watch the sea lions’ antics at Pier 39. The tour also includes a stop at Ghirardelli Square to sample some world-famous chocolate. Finally, the tour wraps up with a cruise of San Francisco Bay and a sighting of the infamous Alcatraz.

Carmel & Monterey

Slow the pace

Your first drive on Highway 1 would take around two and a half hours if you didn’t stop, but you’ll want to make a day of it and pause to admire the views – perhaps to hike at Lands End or spot sealife at Pigeon Point. Monterey and Carmel are two charming towns on California's central coast. It’s a place known for the sensational Monterey Bay Aquarium, the gazillionaire mansions on the 17-Mile Drive, and the world-class golf at Pebble Beach. Boat trips and sailing cruises aplenty depart from Old Fisherman’s Wharf. When you’ve returned with a camera full of shots of breaching whales and frolicking seals, stay for clam chowder at a wharf’s restaurant overlooking Monterey Bay and get a second glimpse of the seals playing on the rocks.

Pismo Beach

Surf town

Break up your Route 1 journey and slow the pace with a night in Pismo Beach, or one of the other Slo-Cal coastal towns like Morro Bay. Watch the locals catch the waves and soak up the chilled-out vibe at farm-to-fork restaurants, cool bars and independent shops.

Santa Barbara

American Riviera lifestyle

Take Highway 1 and stop in Big Sur for big sights, including Bixby Bridge, giant redwood groves, and waterfalls in Pfeiffer State Park. Eventually, you’ll reach Spanish-style Santa Barbara, where you’ll stay for a few nights. The red-tiled roofs and white stucco buildings house local wine-tasting rooms, sustainably minded restaurants, and designer shops. They serve the dollared-up visitors and wealthy residents who live in the villas and bungalows that cling to the hillsides, commanding Pacific Ocean views. Drive Santa Barbara's delightful 25-mile Scenic Drive for a helpful orientation around the city's landmarks and most exclusive real estate. See the Chromatic Gate - a colourful set of arches in front of the Pacific Ocean on Cabrillo Boulevard. Or people-watch on the electric Santa Barbara Trolley as it runs up and down State Street.

Los Angeles

The grand finale

The shortest drive of your trip is between Santa Barbara and LA. Continue to follow Highway 1 and plan to stop at beaches on your way to the city, arriving in LA via Malibu. Then plunge into this glitter-dusted, star-studded metropolis, getting swept up in the promises of Hollywood. Then, head up to the hills or down to the beaches because there’s more to LA than urban utopia. Hollywood is as close as you can get to the land of dreams. It’s the classic LA experience. The Boulevard throngs with tourists, but you’ve got to see it at least once. Head to hipster Franklin Village for a scene that feels more like NYC and stay long enough to swim in Hollywood Roosevelt’s David Hockney-designed pool.

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