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Pacific Coast Highway — a 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 5-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.
5
days
703 km
distance
10.8 h
driving
27
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Coastal fog ('May Gray / June Gloom') burns off by afternoon — plan beach stops after lunch.
Day 1 San Francisco → Santa Cruz → Monterey
🌡 7.0–30.7°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
Bay Wheelsbeaches & cliffsmuseums & heritage
Enjoy easy, eco-friendly rides around the city's key areas.
50 min · San Francisco
09:50
Italian Heritage Paradebeaches & cliffsmuseums & heritage
Watch colorful floats and celebrate Italian culture up Columbus Avenue.
90 min · San Francisco
Day 2 Big Sur → San Luis Obispo
🌡 4.4–36.8°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
09:49
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parkbeaches & cliffshiking
Witness the majestic McWay Falls cascading onto the beach below.
50 min · Big Sur
10:39
Pfeiffer Beachbeaches & cliffshiking
50 min · Big Sur · $10 day use fee per vehicle; $30 per shu
open: 9AM-8PM
11:29
Bixby Bridgebeaches & cliffs
Admire sweeping coastal views from an iconic concrete arch bridge.
50 min · Big Sur
12:19
Whale Watchers Cafebeaches & cliffslocal & traditionalcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Enjoy California-style cuisine just steps from the roaring Pacific.
60 min · Big Sur
open: 7:30AM-9PM; closing varies with the season
16:00
San Luis Obispo Visitors Centermuseums & heritage
Discover maps, guides, and local secrets from friendly experts.
50 min · San Luis Obispo
open: Su-W 10AM-5PM; Th-Sa 10AM-7PM
16:50
History Center of San Luis Obispo Countymuseums & heritage
Explore captivating exhibits in a Carnegie-donated library.
50 min · San Luis Obispo · Free
open: Every day except Tu 10AM-4PM
18:30
Kreuzberg Californiacoffee & bakes
Savor tasty sandwiches in a lively, intellectual atmosphere with famous author photos on the walls.
75 min · San Luis Obispo · $8-10
open: 8AM-9PM
Overnight: San Luis Obispo
e.g. Apple Farm · Embassy Suites
Day 3 Santa Barbara
🌡 7.1–31.5°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.8h light
11:13
Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Showbeaches & cliffslocal & traditionalmuseums & heritagehiking
Browse handmade art along the oceanfront, enjoying creative works.
90 min · Santa Barbara · Free
open: Su, 10AM-5:30PM
12:43
Skofield Parklocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubshiking
Start your hike on scenic trails through Rattlesnake Canyon.
90 min · Santa Barbara
14:13
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural Historylocal & traditionalmuseums & heritage
Gaze upon a life-size blue whale skeleton and ancient mammoth remains.
50 min · Santa Barbara · $12 for adults; $8 for seniors and 13-17
open: Daily 10AM-5PM
15:03
Stearns Wharfbeaches & cliffslocal & traditional
Stroll along a historic pier with ocean views and lively attractions.
50 min · Santa Barbara · Free
15:53
Hammondsbeaches & cliffshiking
Explore a secluded beach accessible by footpath.
90 min · Santa Barbara
18:30
The Natural Café and juice barlocal & traditionalcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Feast on healthy, outdoor dining perfect for vegetarians.
75 min · Santa Barbara
open: Daily 11AM-9PM
Overnight: Santa Barbara
e.g. Presidio Motel · San Ysidro Ranch
Day 4 Malibu
🌡 8.7–32.0°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 13.8h light
10:31
Malibu Lagoonbeaches & cliffs
Catch the rush of famous waves at this historic surf spot.
90 min · Malibu
12:01
Solstice Canyonhiking
Hike to a majestic 30-foot waterfall through scenic trails.
90 min · Malibu
13:31
El Matador Beachbeaches & cliffs
Explore vibrant tidepools along this picturesque coastline.
90 min · Malibu
15:01
Pepperdine University
Marvel at stunning ocean views from one of America's most beautiful campuses.
50 min · Malibu
15:51
Malibu International Film Festival
Discover independent films from around the world in a single-day event.
90 min · Malibu
18:30
Spruzzo's Cafelocal & traditionalcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Enjoy lively nightlife and craft cocktails in a trendy bar.
75 min · Malibu
Overnight: Malibu
e.g. Nobu Ryokan Malibu · The Surfrider Hotel
Day 5 Los Angeles
🌡 6.3–35.0°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 13.8h light
09:56
Greyhound & Curceros-USAbeaches & cliffs
Travel vast distances in well-connected bus services.
50 min · Los Angeles
10:46
Las Vegas Shuttlebeaches & cliffs
Quickly shuttle between Los Angeles and vibrant Las Vegas.
50 min · Los Angeles
11:36
Los Angeles Visitor Information Centermuseums & heritage
50 min · Los Angeles
12:26
National Charter Bus Los Angeles
Travel comfortably on chartered buses from major cities.
50 min · Los Angeles
open: 24/7
13:16
Los Angeles Post Office
Watch mail being sorted and dispatched across Southern LA.
50 min · Los Angeles
open: (Retail Counter) M-F 9AM-6PM; Sa 10AM-3PM; (Passport Acceptance) M-F 1
14:06
City of Industry Post Office
Experience efficient mail handling in a bustling urban setting.
50 min · Los Angeles
open: (Retail Counter) M-F 8:30AM-6PM; Sa 9AM-5PM; (Passport Acceptance) M-F