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Pacific Coast Highway — a 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 7-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.
7
days
703 km
distance
10.8 h
driving
39
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
🌡 5.1–36.0°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
11:20
San Francisco Visitor Information Centermuseums & heritage
Discover local guides and maps filled with city insights.
50 min · San Francisco
open: May through October: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su and holidays 9AM-3PM. November
Day 2 Around Santa Cruz
🌡 5.1–36.0°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
California Welcome Centermuseums & heritage
Find welcoming staff ready to help with your California adventure.
50 min · San Francisco
09:50
San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade and Celebrationmuseums & heritage
Celebrate pride with a grand parade and festive gatherings.
90 min · San Francisco
11:20
Bay to Breakersbeaches & cliffs
Join a lively race in costumes from bay to ocean beach.
90 min · San Francisco
12:50
Sunday Streetslocal & traditional
Stroll through a lively neighborhood street fair, free from cars.
90 min · San Francisco
14:20
El Salvador
Visit for official services and consular support.
50 min · San Francisco
open: M-F 8AM-4PM
15:10
France
Get consular assistance and information for French territories.
50 min · San Francisco
open: M-F 9AM-1PM & 2PM-5PM, By appointment only.
Day 3 Monterey → Big Sur
🌡 7.0–30.7°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
10:47
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parkbeaches & cliffshiking
Witness the majestic McWay Falls cascading onto the beach below.
50 min · Big Sur
11:37
Pfeiffer Beachbeaches & cliffshiking
50 min · Big Sur · $10 day use fee per vehicle; $30 per shu
open: 9AM-8PM
12:27
Bixby Bridgebeaches & cliffs
Admire sweeping coastal views from an iconic concrete arch bridge.
50 min · Big Sur
13:17
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
18:30
Nepenthecoffee & bakes
Savor meals with a breathtaking view of the sprawling coastline.
75 min · Big Sur · $17-25
open: Lunch from 11:30AM-4:30PM; Dinner from 5-10PM
Overnight: Big Sur
e.g. Gorda Springs Resort · Limekiln State Park
Day 4 San Luis Obispo
🌡 4.4–36.8°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
11:41
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
12:31
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
13:21
San Luis Obispo Museum of Artmuseums & heritage
Stroll through diverse, free art galleries and discover new talents.
50 min · San Luis Obispo
open: Every day (except Tu from Labor Day through July 3) 11AM-5PM
14:11
SLO Railroad Museummuseums & heritage
Relive the region's railroad heritage through engaging displays.
50 min · San Luis Obispo
open: Sa 10AM-4PM
15:01
Downtown SLO Farmers' Marketlocal & traditional
Enjoy live music, fresh produce, and community spirit each Thursday.
90 min · San Luis Obispo
open: Th 6PM-9PM
16:31
Kreuzberg Californiacoffee & bakes
Savor tasty sandwiches in a lively, intellectual atmosphere with famous author photos on the walls.
60 min · San Luis Obispo · $8-10
open: 8AM-9PM
18:30
Eureka! San Luis Obispocraft beer & pubs
Taste creative, grass-fed beef burgers and enjoy a selection of craft beers and bourbons.
75 min · San Luis Obispo · $10-15
open: Daily 11AM - midnight
Overnight: San Luis Obispo
e.g. Apple Farm · Embassy Suites
Day 5 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 6 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 7 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