25 Pacific Coast Highway Stops That Capture California At Its Finest

The Pacific Coast Highway is California’s ultimate scenic drive. Along its curves, you’ll find cliffside lighthouses, redwood trails, beach towns, and ocean views that never quit. This list highlights the best stops to make your road trip unforgettable. If you’re planning your first drive or revisiting old favorites, these 25 spots deserve a place on your route. 

Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur

Few spots on Highway 1 are as iconic as Bixby Bridge. Opened in 1932, it stretches 360 feet across a rugged canyon. Towering 280 feet above the ground, it’s captured in countless car ads and road trip photos. Big Sur doesn’t officially begin until you cross this bridge.

McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

An 80-foot waterfall pours off the cliffside and drops directly into the Pacific, a sight only found in two places in California. The overlook trail offers panoramic views, especially at sunset when glowing surf reflects the light like a pool of gold.

Carmel Mission Basilica And Courtyard

In the heart of Carmel stands a Spanish-era mission established in 1771 by Father Junípero Serra. Moorish bell towers and arched walkways, joining with a serene garden to create a calm counterpoint to the crashing coast nearby. Masses and concerts are still held here, offering history with a spiritual pulse.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Crashing waves and hidden sea caves make this reserve a dream for nature lovers. Called the “crown jewel” of the state park system, Otters bob in kelp beds offshore, while seals bark from rocky islands. Artists have painted its rugged shoreline for generations, and the trails never disappoint.

Cannery Row And Monterey Bay Aquarium

Once bustling with sardine canneries, this stretch of waterfront now draws families and marine science fans. The Monterey Bay Aquarium houses a three-story kelp forest and rescued sea otters. Inspired by Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row, the street is immortalized, but today, it feels far from gritty.

17-Mile Drive Scenic Loop

Drivers entering this private road are treated to luxurious golf resorts and ancient cypress trees. The Lone Cypress, standing solo on a rocky outcrop, is one of California’s most enduring images. Don’t skip the lesser-known lookouts; they’re just as stunning and less crowded.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Roller coasters rattle above the surf, and the smell of saltwater taffy fills the air. Open since 1907, the Boardwalk is home to the wooden Giant Dipper and classic carnival games. Summer concerts keep the beach jumping long after the rides slow down.

Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail

Stretching approximately 7.5 miles, this seaside path links sandy beaches and tide pools. Walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders all share the space. On windy fall days, kites line the sky, and surfers paddle out while pelicans skim just above the waves.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse And Tide Pools

One of the tallest lighthouses on the US West Coast, it keeps watch over ship-eating reefs. Built in 1872, it’s now part hostel, part landmark. Visitors explore tide pools teeming with sea stars and urchins, especially at low tide. Foghorn blasts echo across the cliffs like a warning from history.

Golden Gate Bridge Overlook

On the south side of the bridge, above military bunkers and sloping hills, stands a viewpoint few tourists discover. Here, you get the head-on shot: steel cables, orange towers, and Alcatraz and Marin are visible from the platform. Sunrise turns the whole bay into liquid bronze.

Point Reyes Lighthouse And Clifftop Trail

Down 300 stairs and against the wind lies one of California’s most exposed lighthouses, built in 1870. It’s a prime spot for whale watching in winter and fog-soaked photo ops year-round. The gusts are no joke; many days, its intense winds can exceed 60 mph.

Stinson Beach And Dipsea Trail Access

Beachgoers stretch out on soft sand while hikers lace up for the grueling but scenic Dipsea Trail. Sandwiched between mountain and sea, Stinson offers bonfire pits and eucalyptus-shaded picnic spots. It’s a mellow break before the road turns winding again.

Bodega Head Whale Watching Point

The former setting for Hitchcock’s The Birds, this rocky promontory juts into the whale migration highway. Gray whales cruise just offshore during the winter months. Harbor seals sun themselves below while winds rip across wildflower-covered cliffs. Volunteers with scopes often help visitors find that first unforgettable spout.

Point Arena Lighthouse And Coastal Bluffs

Few towers match this lighthouse’s height or drama. At 115 feet tall, it overlooks a serrated coastline scarred by earthquakes and storms. You can climb to the top and then wander clifftop trails lined with seabird nests and endless sky.

Mendocino Village And Headlands Trail

This historic 1800s village is perched on a coastal bluff, surrounded by the Mendocino Headlands State Park. Writers and artists call it home, and it’s easy to see why. The surrounding trails circle bluffs and sea caves, offering open views of waves pounding rocks and spectacular seasonal wildflowers.

Glass Beach And Coastal Cleanup Story

Decades of dumping turned this Fort Bragg beach into a glittering shoreline of tumbled glass. Bottles, once trash, became smooth gems. Today, collecting is banned, but walking the shore reveals a story of the unintentional beauty of nature reclaiming what was thrown away.

Avenue Of The Giants Redwood Route

This 31-mile scenic detour parallels Highway 101 and passes through towering redwood forests. Home to some of earth’s tallest trees, it includes drive-through trunks and historic groves. Cooler air and silence beneath the canopy make it a must for tree lovers and road trippers.

Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse And Overlook

A replica lighthouse honors lost mariners above Trinidad Bay’s rocky shore. Offshore formations add drama, and spring brings humpback whales into view. The nearby fishing village offers a calm atmosphere, while redwood-lined trails lead visitors inland to sweeping vistas and coastal serenity.

Sue-meg State Park’s Yurok Village Replica

Formerly known as Patrick’s Point, this park near Trinidad was renamed to honor the native Yurok heritage. A recreated village features homes made of redwood planks, sweathouses, and ceremonial spaces. Visitors explore bluffside trails, nearby tide pools, and a coastal forest that blends nature with cultural history.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove In Redwood Park

Named after First Lady and conservationist Lady Bird Johnson, this grove features an easy loop through misty redwoods. A ridge-top road leads to the trailhead. Morning fog filters light through the canopy, and interpretive signs usher visitors through the grove’s unique forest ecology.

Pfeiffer Beach, Arch Rock, And Purple Sand

Mineral-streaked purple sands make this Big Sur beach one of a kind. A massive arch-shaped rock draws photographers year-round. The beach sits at the end of an unsigned, narrow road. At sunset, golden light beams through the arch while waves crash around it.

Elephant Seal Rookery At Piedras Blancas

Thousands of elephant seals haul out here seasonally. Winter breeding and summer molting draw peak crowds. Males have a weight of up to 5,000 pounds and can reach 16 feet long. Loud roars and sparring are a regular occurrence. A free-viewing boardwalk sits just off Highway 1.

Hearst Castle And Neptune Pool Views

Built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, this estate includes 165 rooms and terraced gardens. The Neptune Pool holds 345,000 gallons and features marble sculptures. Historic guests included Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill. The panoramic hilltop views stretch over California’s Central Coast and the Pacific Ocean.

Morro Rock And Embarcadero Walkway

An extinct volcanic plug rises 576 feet from Morro Bay and is sacred to the Salinan people. A scenic causeway connects it to the shore. Sea otters float in nearby kelp beds. Along the Embarcadero, seafood restaurants and gift shops line the waterfront path.

Malibu Pier And Surf Heritage Zone

The Malibu Pier, built in 1905 for shipping, has become a landmark in surf culture. It sits beside Surfrider Beach, a National Surfing Reserve. Today, the pier offers ocean views, farm-to-table dining, and a relaxed vibe. Locals cast lines at golden hour as waves break below.