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.

Red Mustang car stopped on the Pacific Coast HighwayDriving the Pacific Coast Highway in Style

We've written other pages on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in two days, in three days, and in four days. If you can spare five days to drive the highway then so much the better! 

California Road signs including the Pacific Coast HighwayJust Follow the Signs...

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Five Days

If you have five days to drive the Pacific Coast Highway then you have even more options available to you. You can check our suggestion for a three-day drive and simply spend an extra night in both Santa Barbara and Cambria.

You could also look at our four-day itinerary and spend an extra night in one of those recommended stops: Santa Monica, Pismo Beach, Carmel, Monterey, or San Francisco if you’re going all the way into the city.

The San Diego Skyline at NightThe San Diego Skyline at Night

Driving Time from San Diego to San Francisco

Purely for convenience we’ve worked out this itinerary assuming you’re driving south to north, but if you’re going north-south simply reverse it. The total driving time between San Diego and San Francisco, along the coast, is about twelve hours.

Map of the California coastCalifornia's Pacific Coast

This means that in five days you’d average a little over two hours driving per day, though in reality you’ll probably drive four hours a day on three days and stay put for two days, or only drive to explore the local area..

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

If you spend two nights in Carmel, for example, you’ll probably drive to Monterey and back on one day, and spend all day there. If you stay in Cambria for two nights, you might want to take a drive inland through wine country

However, if you enjoy staying somewhere different each night, this is our suggestion for doing just that.

Santa Monica Beach in CaliforniaSanta Monica Beach

Day One

Here we’d recommend just what we did to start the four-day itinerary, which is to drive from San Diego to Santa Monica. This should take about three hours, depending on the traffic when you get closer to Los Angeles. It gives you plenty of time to stop and explore the beach towns on the way, like Laguna Beach or Huntington Beach, or visit the lovely Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. It also gets you to the far side of Los Angeles for an easier start on Day Two.

A drummer busking on Santa Monica PierBusking on Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica is also a really pleasant place to spend an evening. There’s plenty of accommodation to choose from, and plenty of places to eat, to suit all budgets. It’s easy to explore on foot, and if you get there early enough you can pay a visit to Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Barbara Mission in CaliforniaSanta Barbara Mission

Day Two

We’d recommend going from Santa Monica to overnight in Santa Barbara. The drive along the coast should take you about 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to take breaks in Malibu and Ventura, which are probably the two most interesting stops on the way.

Malibu sign

You should still get to Santa Barbara in time to enjoy a few hours there, and have a bit more free time the following morning before you need to set off.

Cambria's Folksy Main StreetCambria's Folksy Main Street

Day Three

This day we’d recommend driving from Santa Barbara to Cambria. It should take you almost three hours, and there are plenty of places you can take a break, including Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay. Even if you spend an hour in each place, perhaps stopping off for lunch in one of them, you’ll still easily get to Cambria by the early evening.

The view from Hearst CastleHearst Castle

While you’re planning this part of your itinerary, we’d recommend booking a tour of Hearst Castle for the morning of your Day Four. It’s one of the must-see sights along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The view from Hearst CastleHearst Castle

Day Four

Leave Cambria for Hearst Castle, and allow time for a short stop at the Piedras Blancas Beach just north of there, to see the amazing elephant seals. Tonight you’re aiming for either Carmel or Monterey, which are very close together. If you’re traveling as a couple, we’d recommend Carmel. If it’s a family vacation, stay in Monterey, and as close to Cannery Row as you can.

The California coast of Big SurBig Sur

The whole drive should take you between two and three hours, but you’ll want to allow for lots of leisurely photo stops as you drive the best part of the whole coast, Big Sur.

Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey Bay Aquarium

Day Five

For your final day we’re assuming you’re heading for San Francisco International Airport, which is just over a two-hour drive from either Carmel or Monterey. If you’re going all the way into the city itself, it’s only an extra 30 minutes or so. 

The coast near Santa Cruz in CaliforniaPacific Coast Near Santa Cruz

If you have all day, you easily have time to do some more sightseeing before you set off… but be careful if you visit the wonderful Monterey Bay Aquarium as you’ll be there half the day!

Giant redwood forests in CaliforniaDon't Miss the Giant Redwoods

As it is, you’ll want time to perhaps stop off in Santa Cruz and see the boardwalk, and after that leave time to see the giant redwoods. If you still have time to spare then Half Moon Bay is a cute little place to visit.

And there you have it – driving the Pacific Coast Highway in five days!

Other driving pages

  • 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'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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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's guide to Washington coast charging stations for electric vehicles along Highway 101 from Oregon and around the Olympic Peninsula.

    Washington Coast Charging Stations

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to Washington coast charging stations for electric vehicles along Highway 101 from Oregon and around the Olympic Peninsula.

  • 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 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

  • 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.



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