My husband and I just returned from a much-needed vacation. We decided to fly across the country, rent a car, and drive down US1, the Pacific Coast Highway. We were less interested in cities we would encounter than small beach towns along the way. Further, we wanted to avoid any sense of being rushed. That’s why we chose the US1 (PCH) – while the slowest route south, it provides scenery and sites like nothing we’ve ever seen before. 

Some planning is worthwhile. Be sure to have Waze on your phone to be aware of any construction along the way. Bring water and snacks…even if you stop to load up the car. And be planful about filling the tank. There are a lot of miles between town, and some are without a gas station at all. 

I’m believe in maximizing travel days, so we booked the first flight of the day. That enabled us to fly into San Francisco, get our luggage, and pick up the car all by midday. We were on our way. If you are flying out early, be sure to make the most of your first day so it does not become ‘dead’ time. We started with the perfunctory trip over the Golden Gate Bridge. Once across, stop at the picture spot for gorgeous vistas, great photo ops, and a chance to stretch. You may want to head a few miles north from there to see Sausalito, a sleepy little beach town with some nice options for your first meal. That was our path, and we have no regrets. If you enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces, follow our footsteps by heading back to the Bay Area to spend hours walking through Golden Gate State Park and the famed Japanese Gardens. Fisherman’s Wharf, quirky and scenic, is a worthwhile spot for the afternoon. A ride up in the ferris wheel at sunset offers excellent views for miles. If you want to visit Alcatraz, set aside a full day for the experience. If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy dining in San Francisco where you will find everything from Michelin stars to food trucks.

We headed south and spent time in Half Moon Bay, a charming little town with beach access, a lovely Main Street, and very friendly people. We stayed at a small inn with beautiful rooms each heated by a fireplace and appointed with lavish old-world décor. Boutique shops, gorgeous murals, and delightful architecture will delight you here. 

Along the coast you’ll find small spots to pull off US1 for stunning views and places to explore or surf. The natural landscapes are very different from the east coast and simply breathtaking. We made stops in several small towns – Davenport (shark fin shaped rock formations in the ocean), Santa Cruz (home of the UCSC banana slugs), Capitola (I loved it here and the pastel houses on the beach are lovely), Carmel (think fairytale land), Big Sur, and San Luis Obispo. Each has its own flavor and are worth a visit – whether for an hour or a day. Spend an afternoon at the extraordinary Hearst Castle. Before moving on, stop up the road to see the elephant seals lounging on the beach. Pismo Beach was a great stop en route south. If you’re as lucky as we were, you’ll get to enjoy a surfing competition in addition to taking in the relaxed and incredibly friendly vibe of this beachside community. 

After visiting Santa Barbara (CA’s historic and Hamptons-like town), LA and Anaheim are the next big stop. We chose to limit our time in LA as there is too much to see and it’s a very different vacation. Instead, we spent a day visiting Disneyland before heading down to Encinitas and San Diego. Perfect weather, peaceful beaches, great shopping, and friendly people made this a favorite place of ours. Be sure to see sunrise or sunset at Imperial Beach or Sunset Cliffs; we stopped at both for the most remarkable sunsets we’ve ever witnessed. 

There is so much more that we saw and did as we spent nearly two weeks working our way down the coast. But space here is limited and I wanted to give you the highlights in case you are planning your own road trip. If you decide to take the trip, I hope it’s as special for you as it was for us.