Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: From Seattle to San Diego (2024)

There are few U.S. road trip routes more iconic than a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. This epic West Coast road trip—stretching from Seattle all the way down to San Diego (or vice versa)—will have you drinking in the rugged coastline, charming coastal towns, breathtaking ocean views, sandy beaches, and famed cities and landmarks of the Pacific Coast.

This Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary covers the major stretches for an ideal trip of 10 to 14 days, but you can also do just a section or zip through the itinerary for a shorter road trip. Read on for tips and recommendations for your ultimate West Coast road trip!

Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway?

The short answer is you can travel the Pacific Coast Highway in either direction.

Some people choose to travel northbound on their Pacific Coast Highway road trip because some of the most stunning views can be found in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, meaning you’ll end your road trip on a high note.

That said, if you have the flexibility, our recommendation would be to drive southbound because you’ll be driving on the coastal side of the road. You’ll always have the best views on your side as you make your way down the PCH.

Pacific Coast Highway Start and End Points

The Pacific Coast Highway officially starts in Dana Point, California, and ends at U.S. Highway 101 in Leggett, California.

You can extend your road trip (as we do in this itinerary) by adding on U.S. 101 through Northern California to drive up the coastline through Oregon and Washington (or in reverse, if you’re driving southbound). The traditional start and end points for this route are Seattle and San Diego (or vice versa). We’ll refer to this entire route as the Pacific Coast Highway.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Length Options

Our Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary covers an ideal 10 to 14 days to give you more time to fully explore and enjoy destinations on the route without rushing. However, you can still accommodate versions of this for shorter trips. A week is still a great amount of time for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip, though you’ll have a few longer days of driving and not as much time at each spot.

You can also do shorter segments of this itinerary too, such as Crescent City to San Diego (or vice versa) or San Francisco to San Diego (or vice versa) for California-only road trips.

Seattle, Washington

With so many direct flights to Seattle, this city is the perfect start to your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Consider spending 1 to 3 days here depending on your schedule, and add these spots to your itinerary.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Pike Place Market (and the Gum Wall tucked beneath the market)
• Fremont Troll in the Fremont neighborhood
• Kerry Park or Gas Works Park for a view of the Seattle skyline
• The Space Needle
• Chihuly Garden and Glass

If you’re staying a few days in Seattle, consider getting the Seattle CityPass for discounted access to five major attractions, including the Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium.

Under-the-Radar Attraction

If you’ve got about a day to spare, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, the jewel of Puget Sound, where you can enjoy family-friendly parks and trails, local arts, great food and wine, and a charming downtown area.

The forested Bloedel Reserve is also a stunning stop for trails and landscaped gardens. Grab dinner and then take the ferry back to the city, enjoying the water and views of the city skyline.

Where to Stay Near Seattle

Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor

Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor is the perfect basecamp for your Washington adventures. Choose from spacious, full hook-up RV sites or tent sites, and enjoy resort amenities like clubhouse activities and a playground.

Port Angeles, Washington

Then, hit the road for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip! Port Angeles will be the first destination on the list, for a recommended one-night stay. This is where you’ll find Olympic National Park, a must-visit to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Must-See Hot Spot

With dramatic peaks, coastline, and forests, Olympic National Park is worth your time to explore and hike. Among many stops, check out:

• Hurricane Ridge – enjoy hikes and vistas of the Olympic Mountains
• Hoh Rain Forest – walk among ancient, moss-draped trees
• Lake Crescent Lodge – enjoy the gorgeous lake and surrounding hikes

Under-the-Radar Attraction

It’s fair to say the Olympic Hot Springs in Olympic National Park are still a well-known spot, but perhaps less touted than the attractions listed above. Nevertheless, these natural hot springs in the Elwha River Valley offer quite the rejuvenating experience. Keep in mind these hot springs are unmaintained by the park and are accessible only by foot.

Pro Tip: At the time of writing, the Elwha area is currently closed to cars beyond the Madison Falls Trailhead due to flood damage/road washout. Check road closures for recent updates. Currently, visitors must park at the Madison Falls Trailhead and either hike or bike nine miles on Olympic Hot Springs Road, and then hike (only on foot) an additional 1.5 miles to reach the hot springs.

Portland, Oregon

After you enter Oregon, Portland requires some travel inland and therefore extra time on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, especially as it’s also easy to spend a couple days exploring the city. If you need to shorten your trip, continue along the coastline to Newport instead. Otherwise, take a turn and enjoy all this eclectic, foodie-favorite city has to offer.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world
• Try unique ice cream flavors at Salt & Straw
• Columbia River Gorge (including the must-see Multnomah Falls)

Under-the-Radar Attraction

A favorite among locals, Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the country at 5,200 acres. Explore over 80 miles of trails and forest roads.

Where to Stay in Portland

Columbia River RV Park

Just minutes from downtown Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, Columbia River RV Park is in a prime location and offers full hookups for RVs of any size. Guests can enjoy a comfortable stay with all the necessary amenities, including cable, free WiFi, two dog parks, a recreation room, and laundry room.

Newport, Oregon

Just before you reach Newport, make sure to visit the famous Devil’s Punchbowl, a natural rock formation where you can picnic up at the top and try to spot whales.

Then drive the short way into Newport, where you can either take a few-hours rest or stay overnight, depending on your schedule.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Oregon Coast Aquarium for exhibits on the marine ecosystems of the area
• Newport Historic Bayfront for shopping, dining, and boat-watching
• Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, the oldest structure in Newport

Under-the-Radar Attraction

This iconic spot on the Oregon coast is technically about an hour out of Newport on the Pacific Coast Highway, on your way to Crescent City, but it bears highlighting so you can plan to stop by: Sea Lion Caves.

Enjoy the views and explore the largest sea cave in North America. This is also where you can try to get a shot of Heceta Head Lighthouse, the most-photographed lighthouse in the world.

Where to Stay Near Newport

Maple Lane RV Park and Marina

If you’re stopping by Sea Lion Caves, Maple Lane RV Park and Marina is just a half-hour drive away, nestled on the outskirts of the Siuslaw National Forest. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, backpacking, and more here to fully take in Oregon’s beauty before heading into California.

Crescent City, California

Crescent City, about a four-hour drive from Sea Lion Caves, is the first California city you’ll enter when driving southbound. This is a great stop for your next overnight stay, where you can enjoy views of the giant rock formations that dot the California coastline.

Crescent City is where you’ll find Redwood National and State Parks, which is a hot spot if you’re spending time in the city. Ocean World Aquarium is a good spot for families, and check out Lighthouse Cove RV Park for your camping stay.

Otherwise, once you’re ready to hit the road again, the following recommendations are spots down on your way to Mendocino.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Drive through or explore Humboldt Redwoods State Park
• Take the exit for Avenue of the Giants, a famed 31-mile scenic road for amazing views of redwoods

Under-the-Radar Attraction

Glass Beach in Fort Bragg is famous for its colorful sea glass, which are remnants of discarded glass bottles and debris that have been smoothed and polished by the ocean over decades back from when the area used to be a dumpsite for trash. Glass Beach will be just a 20-minute drive from your next stop in Crescent City.

Where to Stay in Crescent City

Lighthouse Cove RV Park

As mentioned, Lighthouse Cove RV Park is perfect for your Crescent City stay if you’re looking for an RV or tent site. The campground is also dog-friendly, with a beach right in front where your furry friend can take a sandy run. Nearby attractions include a disc golf course, pier, lighthouse, and indoor swimming pool. The park is also just a few minutes from Ocean World Aquarium!

Mendocino

Mendocino will be your next one-night stop, though its charm may tempt you into spending more time here. Explore the famous Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park and Mendocino Headlands State Park.

Then, hit the road and check out these recommendations on your way down to San Francisco.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Point Reyes Lighthouse (check when the lighthouse is open for tours)
• Cypress Tree Tunnel on the way from lighthouse to visitors center at Point Reyes National Seashore

Under-the-Radar Attraction

Swing by to Muir Beach Overlook just an hour away from San Francisco, where you can get cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean and, on clear days, a view of the city.

San Francisco

It’s near impossible to condense all that’s possible to do in the city, but it does require at least 2 to 3 nights to feel like you got a good feel for it. Enter the city by driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, and then head into the city. Check out the San Francisco CityPass, which will get you access to three or four attractions, including a cruise around the bay, California Academy of Sciences, and SFMOMA.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Pier 39
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Alcatraz (check out the audio tour)
• The Painted Ladies in Alamo Square

Under-the-Radar Attraction

Head to Bernal Heights Park, where you can get a 360-degree view of San Francisco. Trail around in Glen Canyon, over Twin Peaks, and more on Mt. Sutro and Interior Greenbelt.

Then, get back on the road for a beautiful drive through the quaint towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Either of these can be a good overnight stop if you have the time to spare on a 10+ day trip. If you want to spend some more time in this area, check out the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and stroll down Carmel Beach.

Other places to visit on the way to Big Sur include:

• Half Moon Bay
• Pebble Beach

Big Sur

Big Sur is one of the most iconic, rugged, gorgeous stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway between Carmel and San Simeon. Make sure you check road closures at the time of your trip, as mudslides and landslides are not uncommon.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Bixby Creek Bridge
• McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• Keyhole Rock at Pfeiffer Beach
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for whale-watching

Where to Stay in Big Sur

is the perfect place to stay in Big Sur. Choose from campsites, cabins, and rooms where you can sleep among the trees and relax by the river.

Then, hit the road to Santa Barbara!

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara offers sandy beaches, wine, dining, and coastal city vibes against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez mountains. Spend a couple hours and then drive down to Malibu and Los Angeles, or spend a night; you won’t regret it either way.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Old Mission Santa Barbara
• Stearns Wharf for fresh seafood

Under-the-Radar Attraction

If you have the time, Ellwood Mesa Sperling Reserve is 20 minutes from the city and boasts a ton of opportunities for trailing, hiking, biking, and horseback-riding.

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara is a popular Santa Barbara stay, with spacious RV and tent sites. Enjoy fun and family-friendly amenities like a heated swimming pool, seasonal outdoor movie nights, and the Ocean Mesa Market that has camping gear, souvenirs, local wine and craft beer, beach gear, and more. Make sure to visit the llama and goat farm!

Los Angeles

Get your fill of iconic Los Angeles and its surrounding areas over the course of however long you have to spare. If you’ve just spent a night in Santa Barbara and plan to stay overnight in San Diego, it perhaps might not make as much sense to stay overnight here too. That said, there’s plenty of city life to experience in the City of Angels!

Must-See Hot Spots

• Griffith Observatory, especially for sunset
• Bradbury Building for its beautiful architecture
• Santa Monica Pier
• Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Under-the-Radar Attraction

The Last Bookstore in downtown LA is a two-floor site built inside an abandoned bank. Walk through mazes of shelves that collectively host over 250,000 books.

San Diego

Welcome to San Diego, the end (or start) of your Pacific Coast Highway road trip! Enjoy the many sunny stops in “America’s Finest City” and its various neighborhoods, including beaches, eateries, bars, and more to celebrate the bookend of your West Coast trip.

Must-See Hot Spots

• Balboa Park
• San Diego Zoo (and Safari Park)
• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Under-the-Radar Attraction

Get up close and personal with the sea caves in San Diego with a kayaking tour of the La Jolla Caves, where you might also see harbor seals, sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, and whales.

Where to Stay in San Diego

Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort

This campground is a 2024 Campspot Awards winner in the category Top Campgrounds in the U.S. Stay just minutes away from sandy white beaches and enjoy amenities like a pool and hot tub, Wi-Fi, free cable, and more. Explore the coastal towns of North County, while still being just a drive away from attractions like the zoo.

Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay

Located just six miles south of San Diego, this campground is also a 2024 Campspot Awards winner in the category Top Campgrounds for Digital Nomads. This upscale RV resort offers comfortable vacation rentals, RV sites, and amazing on-site amenities.

Plan Your Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

With this Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary from Seattle to San Diego (or vice versa), experience one of the most scenic drives in the world with breathtaking, memorable stops along the way. Hit the road, the coast is calling!

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