Road-tripping the The Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway is almost certainly one of the most unforgettable road trips you can dream of, especially if it's in an open-top classic car. This epic journey was started in the 1930s and was a much needed shining beacon in some of history's darkest times. The road stretches over an impressive 600 miles that meander through California's rugged and picturesque coastlines. It weaves its way majestically through imposing mountains, skyscraper trees, sprawling beaches, and endless skies. 

The journey is designed to be driven slowly. Breathe-in unparalleled nature, pioneer outposts, rolling farms, Hollywood glamour, lots of roadside kitsch, and pretty surfing villages. It is best to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from north to south so that the incredible coastal views are always in front of you. 

Although the Pacific Coast Highway only takes about 10-hours to drive, it's best to allow for an extended trip so that you can see all of the sights and stay overnight along the way. California is blessed with year-round mild weather, but the best time to go is between the spring and autumn seasons; the roads tend to have less traffic outside the summer holidays. 

San Francisco

Start your Pacific Coast Highway journey from the Golden Gate Park that boasts a juxtaposition of greenery and urban modernity. The park is home to a herd of buffalo,  a miniature bonsai forest in the Japanese tea garden, a windmill, and two world-class museums. San Francisco is worth exploring; it has the oldest Chinatown in North America and its most notorious prison island Alcatraz. Watch the afternoon fog rolling in, obliterating the view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Experience a white knuckle ride on worn wooden benches in a cable car as it lurches up and down San Francisco's precipitous hills.

Heading south into the endless sweeping ocean views, take a break at Devil's Slide. Appreciate its eponymous name and edge-of-the-world views across the cobalt blue waters of the Pacific. The glorious collection of pathways was once a treacherous thoroughfare noted for its terrifying landslides.  

Santa Cruz 

Santa Cruz is the epitome of a Californian beach town. Not only is it the birthplace of mainland surfing, but it also boasts coastal redwood forests, craggy cliffs, an impressive sandstone arch, and seemingly endless expanses of beach. The wildlife offerings in Santa Cruz are enviable with year-round whale watching, surly elephant seals, graceful otters, and seasonal monarch butterflies. It's also home to the mythical cryptid, Bigfoot.

The Dream Inn Santa Cruz is next to the famous boardwalk with its old-fashioned roller coasters and just steps away from the vibrant beach-fronted town. Its pastel-colored, ocean-inspired vibe design and biophilic living spaces are ideal for a quick sojourn on the beach. Each of the suites brags a spacious private balcony or patio to watch the surfers battling with the waves and nightly sunset extravaganzas. The temperate air hangs with the distinct scent of the sea, cotton candy, and hot dogs.

Big Sur

Dreamy mist-shrouded redwoods stand haughtily atop the rugged mountains forming a unique coastline. The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park's pride and joy is the spectacular cove and the McWay Falls, which surges over an 80-foot cliff into the Pacific Ocean. 2500-year-old redwood trees tower over 300-feet intersperse the entire park. Look up for the chance of spotting the endangered California condors performing in the air currents. The main road has lots of artisan clothing and accessory stores, galleries, and a plethora of delicious eateries to visit.

The Post Ranch Inn has beautifully recycled redwood cabins and cottages that raunchily sit along the rocky clifftop offer total seclusion and breathtaking views. It even has a room named after the park. Redwoods cocoon the Pfeiffer room; all you can see is the sparkling ocean, wildflowers, and endless trees.

Cambria

Bear witness to snorting and gregarious rafts of pinnipeds at the Piedras Blancas Friends of the Elephant Seal Rookery. The bulbous-nosed sea lions are here to mate, fight, and rest. The hefty creatures sprawl amidst tide pools that teem with terrified life. Follow the rocky shorelines and moonstone-filled beaches to the charming seaside village of Cambria. Celebrate the half-way point and indulge in a pinniped-sized slice of California olallieberry pie with homemade ice cream at Cambria's mainstay Linn's Restaurant. 

National Historic Landmark, Hearst Castle is a magnificent creation. It was built by William Randolph Hearst, the media mogul of the largest newspaper and magazine publishing business globally. The 56-bedroomed  castle is crammed with exquisite art and antiquities from across the world.

Morro Bay

The bay's claim to fame is Morro Rock, the jutting volcanic peak that rises dramatically from the ocean floor. It was declared a historical landmark in 1968 and is one of the Nine Sisters, a 21-million-year-old chain of rocks that stretches from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. Jostling for residency of this little town is an impressive range of wildlife, including fluffy otters, striking blue herons, colorful hummingbirds, and monarch butterflies.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo is locally known as the SLO coast. It houses an impressive collection of wineries that boast over 5000 acres of planted vineyards. SLO has one of the world's longest growing seasons; the Pacific Ocean provides textbook conditions for complex and balanced wines. The main varieties of wine produced in this region are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Slo Coast Wines have curated various wine-tasting trails.

In contrast, Bubblegum Alley is a quirky attraction, quite literally named after its accumulation of used bubble gum that adorns its walls. Wander across and explore the Point San Luis Lighthouse, the only surviving Prairie Victorian model lighthouse that used to guide over 400 ships each year. The lighthouse dominates the landscape and commands stunning views. 

Solvang 

Quite unexpectedly, there is a tiny slice of Denmark along the Pacific Coast. Founded by Danish pioneers in 1911, Solvang proudly features typical Scandinavian architecture. Homages are paid to Hans Christian Andersen, and there are replica's of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid statue and its Round Tower. Picnic on fresh Danish bread from one of the numerous bakeries scattered through the village and delight in tasting the crisp rose wine produced in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is where glitz and glamour effortlessly intertwine with beachy casual. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and mansions rub along nicely with the graffiti murals and contemporary art of the unpretentious district Funk Zone. 

Santa Barbara is well known as the Galapagos Islands of North America. Not only is it home to over 100 species of flora and fauna unique to the volcanic islands, but brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls, seals, and sea lions live here as well. You may witness the extraordinary migration of numerous whales as they journey 12,000 miles from Baja and the Pacific Ocean's temperate waters to the cold waters of Alaska.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is an exhilarating vortex of dreams and contrast. Edgy, creative art spaces harmoniously meld with rock venues, mansions, white-washed art galleries, Chinese temples, Hollywood homes, Egyptian tombs, and Walt Disney's Concert Hall. The city bursts with seemingly infinite personalities that wander unawares through the old-fashioned food markets. Since opening in 1956, LA has featured in blockbusters such as Sunset Boulevard in the 1950s, Blade Runner in the '80s, and Charlie's Angels in 2019. The old Hollywood glamour is still apparent.

San Diego

San Diego is not a bashful city. It's self-proclaimed as 'America’s Finest City’ with its resident population of surfer dudes, with tousled hair, terrific tans, and lots of enthusiasm. The city comprises a collection of villages within unique grid systems. Each retains its own personality, which probably explains its laid-back vibe. It's not surprising that it is a surfers town with over 60 beaches to choose from. The 12,000-acre Balboa Park is a cacophony of culture, science, and nature and houses more than 16 museums in beautiful gardens, performing arts venues and walking trails, and a host of recreational activities, including the San Diego Zoo.

The beautiful Gaslamp area is bursting with traditional architecture, but you’ll discover chic shopping and edgy nightlife in Little Italy. The city is designed with a cutting-edge aesthetic and is bustling with quirky shops and fine eateries. 

To complete your adventure, kick back and drive inland to the Spanish-style bungalows of Rancho Valencia hotel in Rancho Santa Fe. Set in 43 pristine acres of flowering trees, manicured croquet lawns, and olive groves, with a spa and champion tennis courts. Choose room 140 for it enjoys an outdoor dining area with leafy views and extra privacy. The Olive Grove Suites all have outdoor hot tubs. 

Conclusion 

The Pacific Coast Highway is a spectacular open road with some exhilarating twists and turns, jagged scenery, endless ocean views, and skyscraper trees. It is a bucket list journey of a lifetime, never to be forgotten. The Stable team will guide you seamlessly with your mapping and itinerary planning so that you have a peaceful, awe-inspiring journey. Registration now open for our classic car driving experiences.