The Pacific Coast Scenic Highway

Los Angeles to San Francisco

LA to Santa Barbara

If you’re heading to California, consider taking one of the most scenic drives in USA, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Heading north west out of LA, Highway 101 will take you along beachfront of Santa Monica and through the decadent hills of Malibu Beach. Head up through Ventura County and stop at Santa Barbara. As you continue along the highway, look out for sea lion colonies and wildlife along the coast.

Santa Barbara to Monterey Bay

At picturesque Morro Bay, once an abalone fishing port, stop off at Morro Rock - a volcanic plug. The highway takes you into the stunning coastal region of Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia Mountains abruptly meet the Pacific Ocean. The region is renowned for its giant Redwood forests and coastal views, stretching for around 140kms. Travel across the impressive Bixby Creek Bridge, which opened in 1932 to connect the residents in winter and is one of the tallest spanning bridges in the world.

The highway then continues along the coastline of Monterey Bay, through Sand City, Seaside and Marina. A popular stop for families, Monterey Bay Aquarium is renowned for its Ocean Sunfish, along with stingrays, jelly fish and sea otters. The waterfront street of Cannery Row is a great place to dine with its many restaurants where the offshore area is home to one of the largest Californian Sea Lion colonies.

Monterey Bay to San Francisco

Heading further north west onto Santa Cruz and into San Francisco. There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city, but a must is to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Alcatraz. Stop off for a few days and explore the shopping, take a tram ride, dine at Fisherman’s Wharf and drive the 8 hairpin bends of Lombard Street!

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