Top Places On The Pacific Coast Highway

Road Trip Laguna Beach to Big Sur

Southern California is famous for a multitude of things. Yet, it’s beaches consistently seem to come to mind first. The beaches and the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) just simply go hand and hand.  Even though Hwy-1 is best known as the PCH,  it technically has other names as you drive northward.

Laguna Beach

This road trip starts off in Laguna Beach.  We spent our first full day in Southern California at “Main Beach Park”.  Here we strolled along the boardwalk that hugs the Pacific Ocean with easy access to the sand and tide pools.  Games of beach volleyball were happening for much of the day and this just added to the perfect California beach experience.  For dinner we walked up from the beach to Hennessey’s Tavern.  This Irish pub was a nice and relaxed place that didn’t seem to mind that we had been on the beach all day.  It was a pleasant place for dinner, drinks, and Monday Night Football.

Moro Campground at sunset.

After dinner we headed back to our accommodations (Teardrop Trailer) at the Moro Campground in Crystal Cove State Park.  Yes, you can camp in Orange County! There really is a campground in Laguna Beach!!!  Moro Campground sits on a bluff directly over the PCH. Every campsite has an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. The bathrooms were sparkling clean and the showers were large.  What else would you expect? You’re in the O.C.

Venice Beach

Venice Beach is famous for its outdoor gym Muscle Beach and the skatepark that sits a short distance away.  On this day there weren’t many bodybuilders at the gym but the skate park was busy.  There were so many people wearing skates and performing amazing tricks in the skatepark, it was another typical Southern California treat we witnessed. 

I am glad we stopped by Venice Beach, really, I am. Even with all the people sleeping on the ground under the beautiful palm trees, we felt safe the entire time we were there. But, be warned, the overpowering smell of urine is hard to ignore.

Santa Monica Pier

Oh my…….the Pier in Santa Monica is what most of my dreams consist of when I think of L.A. beaches.  Here there’s a Ferris wheel, fried food, shopping, glorious weather with people fishing directly from the pier.  It’s fanfuckingtastic.  I took a bench on the pier daydreaming of my next home being built directly in the center of this pier.  It’s gonna be fabulous, just you wait and see. 

Malibu

This portion of the PCH is something I remember seeing from television and movies.  The PCH runs along behind a stretch of houses that sit only feet away while they obstruct your view of the ocean.  So a bit more north we come to Pointe Dume Natural Preserve. Here, looking south, you can have an unobstructed view of Malibu.  It’s simply breathtaking.

The Pacific Coast Highway

Ventura

In Ventura you’ll notice that Hwy 101 has now merged onto the PCH, they have become one in the same.  The band America sings a song titled “Ventura Highway”, I have enjoyed that song for many decades. As we drive this section of the PCH I find myself singing the lyrics of this song in my head.  I immediately ask Steve to pull over. When there are no cars coming in either direction, I sing the lyrics of “Ventura Highway” out loud, standing in the middle of the PCH and snapping a few pics of the actual road itself.  I have no true information to offer you about the City of Ventura or its beaches. The only information I can offer here is, embrace memories that make you feel good. Sing great songs at the top of your lungs every chance you get. Getting older is a good thing.

Refugio State Beach

Refugio State Beach, located west of the city of Santa Barbara, is our campground for the night.  Palm trees have been planted along the shore line and they make for a beautiful sunset setting.

Solvang

This is the only deviation we take from the PCH/Hwy-1. Solvang is a Danish style city that sits in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Danish influence is everywhere in this small town and it leaves me wishing we had planned for more time here.  We went to see the charming architecture and for breakfast, we ate at Paula’s Pancake House.  Paula’s was busy and there seemed to be plenty of tourists sitting alongside us.  Everyone seemed happy with their comfy food selections. If you stop in at Paula’s, don’t forget to order the Danish pancakes.

Elephant Seal Vista Point

Elephant Seals are here sunbathing on the sand directly off the highway, just 7 miles north of San Simeon.  Here you’ll find a large parking lot with a viewing platform.  These northern elephant seals are the second largest seals in the world.  I found it a treat to have such easy access to observe these mammals and it’s all free. Amazing!

Big Sur / Bixby Creek Bridge

Big Sur sits between San Simeon and Carmel.  This is an extremely rugged portion of the highway with its many turns and stunning cliffside views of the ocean.  Be sure to keep your eyes on the road if you’re the person driving, the road is only two lanes and very narrow in places. Big Sur has many places you can camp as well as all types of hiking options depending on your skill level.  

I was most excited to see the Bixby Creek Bridge and grab a few pictures of this iconic bridge. There were many cars parked on the small areas before and after the bridge, please drive careful here. Many people are wandering around on foot. This bridge is a popular bridge to be photographed, probably because of it’s beautiful setting. 

This PCH /Hwy-1 road trip is what draws people like me back to California.  The beaches and this legendary Highway go together like milk and cookies. It’s just so good.