This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
I absolutely love the Californian coast, and can confirm that it’s one of the best places to do a coastal drive.
The entire Pacific coastline is packed end-to-end with beaches, sea cliffs, rock formations, and has an abundance of marine life. Big Sur is just one section of the drive, but it features all the best bits and is arguably the most scenic part.
In 2016, Rob and I drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles via Big Sur, and even though the weather was fairly awful, that California coast road trip stands out in my memory as one of the best I’ve done with incredible coastal scenery.
If any of you are planning to drive the Californian coast, here’s everything you need to know about a Big Sur road trip!
Quick summary:
Planning a scenic drive along California’s coast? This relaxed 3-day Big Sur road trip itinerary takes you from San Francisco to Los Angeles, with stops in Monterey and Santa Barbara. Expect foggy sea cliffs, iconic landmarks like Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, and cute coastal towns.
Recommended hotels:
🌉 San Francisco: Days Inn Lombard — One of the few city-center motels with parking.
🛏️ Monterey: Best Western Park Crest Inn — A reliable, comfortable stay in Monterey with free parking.
🏖️ Santa Barbara: Castillo Inn at the Beach — Comfy and well-located, just a short stroll from Stearns Wharf.
🎬 Los Angeles: Hollywood Hotel — Stylish, great-value hotel near DTLA with updated rooms.
Big Sur road trip itinerary:
You could do Big Sur in a day or the entire California coast in 2-3 days if you really wanted to, but it will be much more enjoyable if you do it slowly! I’ll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. This is an incredibly scenic drive and there are plenty of places to stop along the way.
If you need to hire a car, you can pick one up from the airport or the city at either end, and do a one-way car rental. We ended up collecting a car from San Francisco Airport in dropping it off at LAX.
When is the best time to drive Big Sur?
We visited in March, which is the shoulder season for Big Sur. It’s usually a little rainy at this time of year, and unfortunately for us El Niño was causing it to be even wetter than usual. The drive might be busier during the peak season of April-October, but believe me, it will be worth putting up with additional traffic for nicer weather!
Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey
Be sure to spend some time in San Francisco before you hit the road! I’ve got a San Francisco city guide if you need ideas. Once you’re ready to start your coastal adventure, head to Lands End and follow the scenic route south.
Your first stop is Santa Cruz — a classic Californian beach town where you can grab a gelato and take a relaxed stroll along the pier and boardwalk to soak up the seaside vibes.
From there, continue to Moss Landing. Take the Jetty Road turnoff and drive all the way to the end — it’s one of the best spots to see wild sea otters just chilling on the beach (and yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds).
For the evening, make your way to Monterey. If you’ve got time, pop into the Monterey Bay Aquarium, then take a walk along Fisherman’s Wharf before grabbing dinner at Cannery Row.
Where to stay: For a well-located and reliable place to stay, I’d recommend Best Western Park Crest Inn — it’s close to downtown with free parking and good value for a night on the coast.
Day 2: Monterey to Santa Barbara
Before leaving Monterey, make a stop at Point Lobos. This state reserve has some stunning hiking trails and dramatic coastal views that are totally worth the short detour.
Continue south and pull over at Rocky Ridge — there’s a quick trail to the lookout with ocean views that go on forever.
One of the next big highlights is Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed landmarks on Big Sur. There are a few pullouts before and after the bridge where you can stop for photos.
As you continue driving along Highway 1, take the turnoff for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and follow the narrow road down to Pfeiffer Beach. This spot is absolutely gorgeous — and if there’s been stormy weather, you might even see its famous purple sand.
A little further along the road, don’t miss McWay Falls, a magical little waterfall that drops straight onto a sandy beach.
After soaking up all those natural wonders, swing by Hearst Castle if you’re up for a historic detour (just be sure to book a tour if you want to go inside).
Before reaching Santa Barbara, stop for a coffee in Morro Bay — a relaxed little coastal town with a massive rock formation just offshore.
Where to stay: We stopped overnight at Castillo Inn at the Beach in Santa Barbara. It was comfy and well-located, just a short walk from Stearns Wharf.
Day 3: Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
Start the day with a walk along Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. Afterward, head to the east end of State Street to explore downtown — there’s plenty of spots to grab breakfast or do a little shopping before hitting the road again.
On your final leg towards Los Angeles, stop in Malibu to gawk at the celebrity beach houses (yes, Leo DiCaprio owns more than one). If you’re in the mood for a fancy lunch, Kristy’s has a patio with ocean views, wood-fired pizza, and wine — a perfect last stop before wrapping up your California road trip.
Where to stay: We stayed in the Hollywood Hotel, which allowed us to explore all the best areas in Los Angeles. It was a great stay, and I’d definitely go back here for my next trip to LA!
Extending your California coast road trip
If you’ve got some time on your hands and want to attempt more of the California coast, here’s some extensions you can do. If you start at Crescent City or San Diego, you should be able to do the entire coastline in about 7-10 days (at a comfortable pace).
Crescent City to San Francisco road trip
We did this drive in one day, but you can split it into two days for a more relaxed pace.
The giant Redwood trees of Redwood National and State Park grow right on the edge of the road and tower above you as you drive through. Be sure to stop at one of the many hiking trails for a walk through the forest.
Stop in at Fort Bragg, where you’ll find Glass Beach – a former dump that now has smooth sea glass pebbles mixed in with the sand.
Point Reyes features a lighthouse with scenic views, walking tracks, rocky cliffs, and a beach.
Even though you might have already seen the Redwood trees up north, Muir Woods is another great place to stop and admire nature at its best. The Muir Woods National Monument is an area of forest with hiking trails that will have you swooning over its natural beauty.
Los Angeles to San Diego road trip
Check out my Los Angeles city guide or my self-guided walking tour of DTLA for some ideas on things to do in the city. There’s not a lot of places to stop between Los Angeles and San Diego as the drive is fairly short at around 2.5 hours, but you have a few options:
If you’re into theme parks – take your pick between Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm in Anaheim, or Universal Studios in Hollywood. Or do all three. Your choice.
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