Pacific Coast Highway

California

The Pacific Coast Highway, officially State Route 1, runs more than 650 miles along the California coast. Its most famous section between Monterey and Big Sur hugs dramatic cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, with stops like Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

The Pacific Coast Highway is the road trip to take if you only take one. The cliffs of Big Sur, the bridges, the coastal towns, and the endless Pacific views make California's Highway 1 one of the most famous drives on Earth.

Add Pacific Coast Highway to a national parks road trip, plan a wider US road trip, or read the virtual road trip guide before you hit the road.

Start your trip here

What to see at Pacific Coast Highway

• The Big Sur coastline between Carmel and San Simeon.
• Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls.
• Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey.
• San Francisco's Golden Gate at the northern end.

Start your trip at Pacific Coast Highway

Click the button above to open the America road trip simulator with your journey starting at Pacific Coast Highway. You will appear on the map near this place and can drive from there in any direction, or let the road lead you across the region. The simulator shows the local radio, encyclopedia articles, news, and weather as you travel, and progress is saved in your browser between visits.