Best Time to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway

The best time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is when you have the most time to spare, but late spring and fall is when you'll get the best weather.

The Big Sur coast of California on the Pacific Coast HighwayBig Sur

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is the road trip of a lifetime, so make the most of it. Sure, you can drive it in three or four days, if that's all the time you have, but far better if you can spare at least a week, preferably two or more.

Bixby Bridge in California on the Pacific Coast HighwayBixby Bridge Carries the Pacific Coast Highway

Which Pacific Coast Highway?

Before you can say when's the best time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway you have to know which stretch you mean. Do you plan to drive the classic PCH between San Francisco and either Los Angeles or San Diego? Or do you want to drive the entire Pacific coast from around Seattle to San Diego, or even all the way from the Canadian border to the Mexican border?

Laguna Beach on the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern CaliforniaLaguna Beach

Best Time to Drive PCH from San Francisco to San Diego

When it comes to choosing the best time of year to drive the classic stretch of highway, it doesn't matter whether you start (or end) in San Diego or Los Angeles. Weather-wise, there's little difference. Our advice would be to choose April/May, maybe June, and September/October.

Why then? Unless you hit a short rainy spell - and they can happen - you're almost guaranteed warm and sunny weather, give or take some San Francisco mist.

A Misty Golden Gate Bridge in San FranciscoThe Pacific Coast Highway Crosses the Golden Gate Bridge

So why not July and August when the weather is even more likely to be perfect? Because... school's out for summer! Roads will be more crowded with local families going to the beach, and visiting other attractions. Hotels will be busier and pricier, and eating places will be busier too.

Our Pick of the California Guides

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Of course if you want to take the trip with your own children you may not have much choice, but our advice would be to try to fit it in on a spring or fall break rather than summer. We're suggesting the best time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, not the only time you can drive it.

The Best PCH Guide
We've read lots of guides to the Pacific Coast, and easily the best one is the Moon Handbook. You can read our review here, or buy it through the Amazon link below.

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When is Not the Best Time to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway?

Avoid Winter! In the last few years even southern California has experienced bad winters. The first few months of 2023 saw torrential rain and winter storms, with muddy landslides blocking the highway from time to time. Even Los Angeles had snow, a very rare occurrence. Places were still flooded as late as March.

In previous years there have been winter storms that caused landslides, with the highway closed for weeks, sometimes months. This involves long inland diversions, and maybe missing seeing some of the most scenic stretches of the coast, like Big Sur.

Stinson Beach in Marin County, CaliforniaStinson Beach

Yet still we see websites and magazines saying you can drive the highway any time from February onwards. Well, you can, but you really shouldn't risk having your trip screwed up. Wait till April, if possible.

Best Time to Drive the Entire Coast

If your plan is to drive from Canada to Mexico (more or less) then that takes much more thought. We recommend driving north to south, if you have a choice. That way you're on the ocean side of the road, so get better views along the coast, and it's easier to pull off into the ocean-side viewing points.

Parascending at sunset in Bodega Bay in California along the Pacific Coast HighwayBodega Bay at Sunset

So if you do plan to drive north to south, the best time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is going to be early fall. That way you get the best of the weather in the Pacific Northwest as you set off, and it will still be fine by the time you get to California.

On the other hand, if you want to (or have to) drive the highway south to north, you're better doing in the late spring. That way you'll get the best of the weather at either end.

Question: 

When's the Best Time to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway?


Answer: 

Between San Diego and San Francisco: in April/May or September/October.

The entire Pacific coast: April/May south to north, or September/October north to south.

Other driving pages

  • One of the best guides to West Coast RV Parks, covering campgrounds in California, Oregon, and Washington, is West Coast RV Camping from Moon Guides.

    West Coast RV Parks

    One of the best guides to West Coast RV Parks, covering campgrounds in California, Oregon, and Washington, is West Coast RV Camping from Moon Guides.

  • Historic Route 66 winds from Chicago to LA, going through Los Angeles, meeting the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California, at the Santa Monica Pier.

    Route 66 Meets the Pacific Coast Highway

    Historic Route 66 winds from Chicago to LA, going through Los Angeles, meeting the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California, at the Santa Monica Pier.

  • Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is made easier with Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen, a good handbook for the west coast drive.

    Driving the Pacific Coast Highway

    Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is made easier with Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen, a good handbook for the west coast drive.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • Here are the basic facts if you plan to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, including which is the best direction and when is the best time to go driving.

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway

    Here are the basic facts if you plan to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, including which is the best direction and when is the best time to go driving.

  • Pacific Coast Highway driving tips for this great American road trip include finding cheap gas, watching the speed limits, and allowing plenty of travel time.

    Pacific Coast Highway Driving Tips

    Pacific Coast Highway driving tips for this great American road trip include finding cheap gas, watching the speed limits, and allowing plenty of travel time.

  •  Pacific Coast Highway Travel takes the 17-Mile Drive from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey, stopping to see the Lone Cypress and beautiful coastline views.

    The 17-Mile Drive between Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel takes the 17-Mile Drive from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey, stopping to see the Lone Cypress and beautiful coastline views.

  • Road maps of the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH are essential for anyone planning to drive the trip, and detailed routes are available for free.

    Maps of the Pacific Coast Highway: Free Driving Maps of the PCH

    Road maps of the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH are essential for anyone planning to drive the trip, and detailed routes are available for free.

  • Pacific Coast Highway travel offers advice on driving from LA to Hearst Castle, including distance, journey time, and route.

    LA to Hearst Castle

    Pacific Coast Highway travel offers advice on driving from LA to Hearst Castle, including distance, journey time, and route.

  • Review of the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips book from Lonely Planet, which includes a California Driving Guide, by the Pacific Coast Highway Travel website.

    Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips: Lonely Planet Guidebook Review

    Review of the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips book from Lonely Planet, which includes a California Driving Guide, by the Pacific Coast Highway Travel website.

  • Drive times and distances on the Pacific Coast Highway or the quickest routes from Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego.

    Pacific Coast Highway Drive Times and Distances

    Drive times and distances on the Pacific Coast Highway or the quickest routes from Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide book covering the drive from Vancouver to San Diego.

    Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide book covering the drive from Vancouver to San Diego.

  • When to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway depends on whether you want to drive in Oregon and Washington as well as California, and on the weather.

    When to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway

    When to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway depends on whether you want to drive in Oregon and Washington as well as California, and on the weather.

  • Epic Drives of the World from Lonely Planet describes 50 of the world's most exciting road trips, including, of course, the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Epic Drives of the World

    Epic Drives of the World from Lonely Planet describes 50 of the world's most exciting road trips, including, of course, the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • If visiting California and planning to drive the Pacific Coast Highway it's important to know California driving laws in case they differ from your own state.

    California Driving Laws

    If visiting California and planning to drive the Pacific Coast Highway it's important to know California driving laws in case they differ from your own state.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in two days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.

    Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Two Days

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in two days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.

  • Here are links to the different ways you can go along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most popular drives in the world but you can also cycle it.

    Ways to Go

    Here are links to the different ways you can go along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most popular drives in the world but you can also cycle it.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in three days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.

    Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Three Days

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in three days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in four days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.

    Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Four Days

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in four days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway in California book shows in historic photos the building of the Pacific Coast Highway from its earliest beginnings in 1911.

    Pacific Coast Highway in California

    The Pacific Coast Highway in California book shows in historic photos the building of the Pacific Coast Highway from its earliest beginnings in 1911.

  • Pacific Coast Highway stops include big city vacation destinations like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and smaller places like Monterey.

    Pacific Coast Highway Stops

    Pacific Coast Highway stops include big city vacation destinations like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and smaller places like Monterey.

  • Driving from San Francisco to San Diego has two main options, the fast way on I-5 or the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway.

    San Francisco to San Diego

    Driving from San Francisco to San Diego has two main options, the fast way on I-5 or the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in five days, including the best places to stay over, and the best things to do and see.

    Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Five Days

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in five days, including the best places to stay over, and the best things to do and see.

  • California coast charging stations are so numerous that the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best US road trips to drive in an electric vehicle or EV.

    California Coast Charging Stations

    California coast charging stations are so numerous that the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best US road trips to drive in an electric vehicle or EV.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to Oregon coast charging stations for electric vehicles, from Brookings in the south to Astoria in the north.

    Oregon Coast Charging Stations

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to Oregon coast charging stations for electric vehicles, from Brookings in the south to Astoria in the north.



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