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Home to some of the most stunning scenery on the continent, America’s west coast is a must-visit location for anyone looking to experience the country’s natural beauty. Of the countless West Coast routes you may be tempted to undertake, none are as iconic and time-tested as the Pacific Coast Highway. Starting in Southern California and continuing up into northern Washington, this road trip passes through once-in-a-lifetime landscapes and cities. As you make your way north hugging the coast, you will fall in love with the bluffs, forests, beaches, and towns just like road trippers have been for generations. Former DK Overseas Ambassador Jeremy Lindenfeld shares a two-week road trip itinerary and photos through the very best of California.
Day One: San Diego
Your West Coast adventure starts in California’s southernmost major city. Located less than twenty miles north of the Mexican border, San Diego is home to sites and activities sure to start off your road trip on the right foot. Take advantage of your time in America’s Finest City by kayaking through the sea caves of La Jolla right off the coast. Make your way over to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, where a crack team of animal experts work to preserve and educate the public on over 650 different species. After a full day of nature-based fun, spend the evening exploring the city’s Gaslamp Quarter, a downtown neighborhood known for its popular dive bars, historic Victorian architecture, and thriving nightclub scene.
Day 2-3: Los Angeles
After driving two hours north of San Diego, you’ll find yourself in the City of Angels. Regarded as one of the country’s cultural hubs, Los Angeles is rife with rich history and exciting opportunities more than warranting a two-day stop. Wake up early to hike one of several trails leading to the iconic Hollywood sign. While in the area, be sure to pay a visit to the Griffith Observatory, a vantage point overlooking the Los Angeles Basin that provides unparalleled cityscape views. For those looking to get the quintessential tourist experience, stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where countless celebrities are enshrined and still others are impersonated by character actors looking to convince unsavvy travelers into selfie taking. Visit some of Los Angeles’ shopping districts such as the newly renovated Westfield Century City Mall and the world-famous Rodeo Drive. Make your way to the eccentric Venice Beach, a boardwalk home to an industry-favorite skatepark, outdoor bodybuilding gym, trendy thrift shops, and several surf schools. Move over to the nearby Santa Monica Pier, where you can watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean from the top of a 130-foot Ferris wheel. And when the sun goes down, head to West Hollywood to experience the neighborhood’s iconic concert scene, bar culture, and welcoming clubs like Micky’s and Nightingale Plaza. On the drive to your next stop, you’ll pass through Los Padres National Forest, where you can get out and stretch your legs among hosts of wildflowers as far as the eye can see.
Day 4- San Luis Obispo
Located three hours north of Los Angeles’ bustling metropolitan area, San Luis Obispo offers visitors a much calmer experience of California living. SLO, as locals refer to it, is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy all the tranquil pleasures the central coast has to offer. We recommend wine lovers visit DAOU vineyards to try a bottle of their renowned cabernet sauvignon. Grab a pastrami sandwich at High Street Market & Deli just south of the city’s historic Downtown District. Drive onto the sand dunes at Grover Beach or explore the unique geology of Dinosaur Caves Park. Explore SLO’s many quaint and walkable neighborhoods and find out firsthand why Oprah Winfrey and National Geographic say it’s the happiest place in America. If you’re not too tired from a full day of exploring and drinking world-class wine, catch a flick the old-fashioned way at Sunset Drive-In before going to bed. As you make your way to Big Sur, be sure to stop by San Simeon to check out the astonishing architecture of Hearst Castle and the unique wildlife of its elephant seal rookery.
Day Five and Six: Big Sur
California’s central coast is also home to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, one of the state’s most frequented natural wonders. During your two-day stay, explore trails like Buzzard’s Roost or Warden’s Path to immerse yourself in the region’s redwood forests. Drive over Bixby Bridge for one of the most iconic views of the California coastline. Visit the nearby Monterey Peninsula to dip your toes into the ocean or interact with all sorts of marine life at the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. Watch the sun paint the cliff faces and grasses with golden light as it sets over the Pacific. Set up a tent at one of Big Sur’s more than 180 campsites and cook some smores over a fire. After you’re all worn out from the long days of soaking in the natural beauty, fall asleep under the breathtakingly clear view of the Milky Way. On the short drive to San Francisco and back into metropolitan life, pass by San Jose, a city famous for innovation and its thriving tech industry.
Day Seven and Eight: San Francisco
Less than three hours north of Big Sur, you will find yourself in the “cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California.” There is no better welcome to SF than a drive across the stunning Golden Gate Bridge. After passing over the art deco behemoth, head down to the nearby Baker Beach for a waterfront view of the city-defining structure. Spend your time exploring San Fran’s many iconic and diverse neighborhoods such as Haight-Ashbury, the birthplace of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and Fisherman’s Wharf, a seaside market rife with shellfish stalls, souvenir shops, and scenic views of the bay. Catch a boat ride across the bay and onto Alcatraz, a notorious former military fort and federal prison where a tour guide can teach you all about the island’s dark history. While on the mainland, be sure to get around using one of San Francisco’s historic trollies, the very last manually operated cable cars anywhere in the world. And when the sun goes down, explore the many options SF nightlife has to offer. Embrace the city’s iconic LGBTQ+ culture by catching a drag show at OASIS, a gay nightspot frequented by drag royalty. Have yourself a laugh at Stage Werx Theatre, a venue well regarded for its almost-nightly improv shows. Surround yourself with an eccentric crowd at Circus Center, where you can get your drink on while trapeze artists fly through the air. Or take it easy at one of San Fran’s dive bars like the Riptide or Trad’r Sam. On the five-hour drive to your last stop in California, throw yourself back into nature by passing through Jackson State Forest and Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Day Nine: Eureka
Eureka, a quaint port city surrounded by forests and the ocean, is your last stop in the Golden State. Eureka’s chill vibes stand in stark contrast to the exciting lifestyle of San Francisco, so, your stay here will allow for some relaxation time. Stop by Carson Mansion, a 19th-century Victorian house built in the Queen Anne style of architecture. Its ornate design and 103-foot tower make it one of the most interesting and visited spots in Eureka. Drive an hour north to Redwood National Forest and walk among the tallest trees in the world. Back in town, grab an award-winning craft beer at Lost Coast Brewery Taproom and then walk half a mile to catch a sunset ride across Humboldt Bay with Madaket Harbor Cruise. As you make the seven-hour drive to Portland, stop by Eugene and Roseburg to get a good sense of small-town Oregon living.
Day Ten and Eleven- Portland
Oregon’s largest city is a hipster mecca full to the brim with worthwhile sites and experiences. Start your days off by walking through Downtown and picking up a bite to eat at one of Portland’s famous donut shops like Voodoo Doughnuts or Donut Queen. Visit the peaceful and beautiful Portland Japanese Garden, considered “the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.” Surround yourself with Native American and Asian artworks at the Portland Art Museum or learn all about the state’s history at the Oregon Historical Society. Walk through the halls of Powell’s Books, the largest bookstore in the world. Get a better look of the Portland skyline by driving up to the Pittock Mansion, an early 20th-century French Renaissance–style château, with an overlook of the entire city. When the sun goes down, get your hips moving with a tango lesson at one of Portland’s several dance venues such as Norse Hall or Viscount Studio. If ballroom dance isn’t your style, revisit your childhood by spending a handful of quarters at Ground Kontrol, one of Portland’s iconic pinball bars. As you complete your road trip with a three-hour drive to Seattle, ride along the Columbia River for scenic views of southern Washington.
Day 12-14: Seatttle
The Emerald City, so called for the surrounding greenery, is the last and longest stay of your road trip. Seattle’s hip and diverse neighborhoods provides travelers with endless opportunities that are bound to keep you excited at all times. Every Seattle visitor has to stop by Pike Place Market, a public market area famous for its eccentric fish stall, cozy bookstores like BLMF Literary Saloon, extensive food options like the Atrium Kitchen and Shy Giant, and the original Starbucks location. After getting that essential activity out of the way, drive over to Chihuly Garden and Glass, an art exhibit that combines Dale Chihuly’s surreal glass sculptures with natural foliage to create an otherworldly physical harmony. While you’re in the area, take a 500-foot trip up the Space Needle and stand on the world’s only revolving glass floor for a better look at the city. Spend another one of your days in the area exploring Olympic National Park. Rent a kayak early in the morning and set off onto Lake Crescent, an incredibly blue body of water surrounded by forest-covered hills and mountains. Hike along the coast on Cape Alava Trail or up a mountain on Hurricane Hill. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to the park’s iconic wildlife like spot elk, bears, and whales. Back in Seattle, explore other neighborhoods like the International District, a region known for preserving the Asian-American roots of the city through restaurants and annual festivals, or Ballard, a waterfront area full of indie stores, bars, and scenic picnic spots. And when night rolls through, indulge in Seattle’s happening nightlife scene. Try for a perfect 300 at Garage Billiards and Bowl, a 21+ bowling spot. Show of your singing chops at the Waterwheel, one of Seattle’s best dive bars and karaoke joints. Catch a late-night flick at Majestic Bay Theatres. Or dance the night away at the Underground, a nightclub located below the streets of Seattle.
The West Coast is the perfect vacation destination and has much more to do and see than any two-week road trip can make time for. This itinerary takes you through some of the most exciting cultural hubs, tranquil coastal towns, and sublime natural wonders, while undoubtedly leaving you with an appetite for future West Coast adventures.