Highway 1 doesn't need much of an introduction — it's one of the most photographed roads in the world, and for good reason. What surprises most first-time drivers is how much the landscape changes over its length, from Southern California beach towns to the fog-draped redwoods near the Oregon border.
A 7-Day Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, with a stop in Malibu
- Day 3: Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo via Solvang
- Day 4: Big Sur — the scenic highlight, plan a full day here
- Day 5: Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Day 6: Santa Cruz to San Francisco
- Day 7: San Francisco, with an optional detour north to Muir Woods
Check road status before Big Sur
Sections of Highway 1 through Big Sur regularly close for landslide repair. Check Caltrans QuickMap the morning you drive through.
Don't Skip These Stops
McWay Falls, the Elephant Seal Vista Point near San Simeon, and the sea otters at Moss Landing are easy to miss if you're only chasing the famous overlooks.
Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Written by
Liam Hayes
Adventure & Trekking Correspondent
A former mountain guide turned writer, Liam has led treks across the Andes, the Rockies and the Himalayas. He writes Trek Tales Online's adventure and road trip coverage, usually filed from a tent.
