We have an itinerary to drive the PCH in a few weeks. We're flying into San Francisco and driving down the coast to Los Angeles where we'll depart 7 days later. Does anyone here have any favorite restaurants in that stretch? I realize there are tons of places but it's always nice to have good recommendations.
OT . . . Pacific Coast Highway trip
- Thread starter rockingamecock
- Start date
My condolences, I hope you survive and make it back home safely. I flew into San Francisco in 2019 (but headed north into Napa valley) San Francisco was bad then but is worse now. Wear thick soled shoes as there was dirty syringes on the sidewalk. If you go into downtown San Francisco avoid Tenderloin. The Pacific Highway views will be worth it. There will be a lot of tents and RVs along the highway. Ask those homeless for food recommendations as they are digging in the dumpster behind the restaurants for scraps.
You'll need some layers for SF. It can be surprisingly chilly & windy. I enjoyed the wharf area when I was there 2 yrs ago. There's some interesting history in those areas.
The streetcars are running again as is the BART/Muni. You can walk the bridge, but also fun driving across it. No problem with parking in that area.
Make sure to see some redwoods. Likely they are everywhere.
If there's any chance, you might like to visit the Channel Islands (Ventura), 1 hr boat ride one way.
Santa Monic pier in LA, and Venice Beach (muscle beach).
The streetcars are running again as is the BART/Muni. You can walk the bridge, but also fun driving across it. No problem with parking in that area.
Make sure to see some redwoods. Likely they are everywhere.
If there's any chance, you might like to visit the Channel Islands (Ventura), 1 hr boat ride one way.
Santa Monic pier in LA, and Venice Beach (muscle beach).
While in Carmel, if the OP is a golfer, be sure to stop in at Pebble Beach on 17 Mile Dr. and buy some souvenirs (assuming you don't play it). If not a golfer, stop in anyway and buy some souvenirs for the golfers in your life.
Having driven it several times, you will not regret the "PCH road trip" as the views and experiences will stay with you forever. First stop driving south from SF should be Monterey (lot's of good restaurants to choose from) and Big Sur (Big Sur Taphouse is a great roadside stop). About halfway down toward Santa Barbara is San Simeon and Hurst Castle if that interests you. Definitely stop in Santa Barbara to walk the downtown area and stretch your legs and lots of shopping and dining options. Not much further south is Ventura which is often overlooked but worth the stop. Next is Malibu with nice scenery 
of all varieties, if hungry stop at Lily's for a great burrito. Followed by Santa Monica, which used to be great shopping and the pier, but now not so much, and/or Beverly Hills if you choose to make the short drive over just to say you did. For my money, Orange County and Laguna Beach south of LA is a must and worth your time - great walking, shopping, beach and dining in that area. Make a stop at IN-N-OUT early in the trip so you can hit it again before you leave if you so desire.
Enjoy and stay safe
Give us an update and review upon your return.
of all varieties, if hungry stop at Lily's for a great burrito. Followed by Santa Monica, which used to be great shopping and the pier, but now not so much, and/or Beverly Hills if you choose to make the short drive over just to say you did. For my money, Orange County and Laguna Beach south of LA is a must and worth your time - great walking, shopping, beach and dining in that area. Make a stop at IN-N-OUT early in the trip so you can hit it again before you leave if you so desire.Enjoy and stay safe
Give us an update and review upon your return.
Loved it. Drove it on our first visit to Cali in 2015.
i heard there was a land/rockslide and that some of the road is closed around Big Sur.
if you havenāt, double check your plans and route.
Heres an update:
i heard there was a land/rockslide and that some of the road is closed around Big Sur.
if you havenāt, double check your plans and route.
Heres an update:
Highway 1 Conditions in Big Sur, California
www.bigsurcalifornia.org
Not a restaurant, but right at the beginning of the trip make a quick stop at Ano Nuevo State Park. Well worth an hour or so. It's gorgeous. You get right down on the untouched beach, and come face to face with 2,000-5,000 pound elephant seals. It's a great start to that journey.
We're not staying in SF at all.....checking out the Golden Gate and then heading to Santa Cruz.
Download the poop app for san Francisco. It let's you know where to find poop on the sidewalks (mainly the homeless). A friend gave me this tip before we visited. I thought he was joking. There was a good amount of poop on the sidewalk.
We rented bikes and rode past the presidio, over the GS bridge and into Sausalito. Eat lunch there. Can ride back or take the ferry. Fun ride. Be sure you go to Muir woods. Probably our two most memorable stops in San fran.
We rented bikes and rode past the presidio, over the GS bridge and into Sausalito. Eat lunch there. Can ride back or take the ferry. Fun ride. Be sure you go to Muir woods. Probably our two most memorable stops in San fran.
If you're not stopping, at least hit Pier 39 on the way over to the bridge. Lots of eats.
We're doing Muir right before we head south.
Muir is about a 55 min drive (when the traffic is moving fast) north of SFO.
The PCH is beautiful , but a trip from San Francisco to LA will make a person bored to death. It will probably take an entire day just to drive it.
I've driven it a number of times, never been bored. The scenery itself is entertainment (with Tom Petty playing and the top down), even on the 3rd trip. Don't knock until you've tried it - great memories!
I also have driven it several times. It gets monotonously beautiful. I used to work in Santa Barbara. Took my wife on a trip up the coast. Three hours of it is about my limit.
Last edited:
Damn you auto correct.Monterey Bay!I'd love to see an aquarium filled with money though.