- HOME
- BEFORE YOU GO
- Books
- Epic Drives of the World
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.
This handsome and hefty coffee-table book isn't cheap, but it's the kind of publication that will make a great gift for someone, possibly yourself. In addition to the 50 drives covered in depth (four pages per drive), each one has three more suggestions at the end of other similar drives you might like.
Epic Drives: Pacific Coast Highway
Which leads us to the Pacific Coast Highway. This is one of nine USA drives included in the book, and to start at the end, the other suggested drives if you liked the PCH are the Okanagan Valley Tour in Canada; a Modern Art Meander in Provence, visiting the places painted and lived in by artists like Picasso, Van Gogh and Matisse; and Wonders of Ancient Sicily, taking in ancient ruins, farmland and volcanoes. I'm not sure how these are similar to the Pacific Coast Highway, but never mind.
The main drives each have two two-page spreads, following a similar format. Most have a full-page photo to really whet your appetite for the beauty of the drive, an overview map, several more inspiring photos or the occasional artwork, and about two-three pages of text.
Each drive also has a Directions box, which doesn't actually give you the directions but instead has practical information like the start and end points, length of the drive, the best time of the year to do it, and suggestions of where to stay, where to eat and a Hot Tip. Don't expect in-depth information, though – you only get one recommended place to stay and one to eat in the whole 1050 miles from Seattle to San Francisco!
This kind of book is not about detailed information, however. You'll still need guidebooks and maps if you're going to make the drive. They're about ideas and inspiration, and for that they work well. The author of the PCH entry captures the feel of the drive well, and the book is a collection of well-written essays rather than a guidebook-style more factual approach.
Other Epic USA Drives
If driving the Pacific Coast Highway inspires you to plan another road trip in the USA then there are plenty here to choose from, including a Napa Valley drive. That hardly counts as epic, being only 156 miles (251km), although it has novelty value as the driver tackles it using an electric vehicle.
Route 66 is included, of course, along with drives around the Southern Utah National Parks, the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, and a drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Drive around the World
The book covers the world, of course, and includes six drives in Australia, though only five in the whole of Asia: India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Nepal, and South Korea. So China is missing completely, as is Russia. Ireland is represented by The Wild Atlantic Way and a circular drive from Belfast that takes in the Antrim coast.
There's one drive in Scotland, which is an odd choice, from Portree on the Isle of Skye to Applecross on the mainland. This is a beautiful drive but only 74 miles (119km) in length – again, hardly epic.
Why not cover the North Coast 500, which has been described as 'jaw-droppingly beautiful' and 'Scotland's answer to Route 66'? This was introduced in 2015, two years before the book was published, and would be a much better choice if you want to justify the word 'epic' in the title.
The Verdict
This is an enjoyable read and a beautifully-produced book. We have a few quibbles over the choices, which is always the case with lists of any kind, but we certainly wouldn't object to receiving it as a present, and would be happy to give as one to a keen driver or armchair traveller.
You can find it on Amazon.
Other books pages
Cycling the USA West Coast
Lonely Planet's Guide to Cycling the USA West Coast is a bicycling guidebook for anyone touring California, Oregon and Washington by bike.
Books About the Pacific Coast Highway
Books About the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Oregon and Washington including travel guidebooks, route guides, restaurant guides, and many more.
California Backroads
Some of the best California Backroads are included in Backroads of the California Coast, with 24 highly recommended driving tours off the Pacific Coast Highway.
Your Insider's Guide to San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's book review of Insider's Guide to San Francisco guidebook by Jill Loeffler, publisher of the San Francisco Tourism Tips website.
Napa and Sonoma Guidebook
The Napa and Sonoma Guidebook to California Wine Country is from the Moon Handbooks’ travel guide series with reviews of wineries,vineyards, and wine tastings.
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.
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.
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.
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 Road Trip Guide
Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide book covering the drive from Vancouver to San Diego.
Pacific Coast Highway Moon Guide
Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip guide from Moon covering California, Oregon and Washington
Brewpubs and Good Beer on the West Coast USA
Brewpubs and good beer are at the heart of the Good Beer Guide to the West Coast USA which lists the best bars and breweries from Seattle to San Diego.
Washington State Travel Guide
The Washington State travel guide from Frommer's covers hotels in Seattle, driving the Pacific Coast Highway, Olympic National Park, where to eat and more.
California Camping Book Review
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's California Camping book review rates the 20th anniversary edition of Moon's complete guide to over 1400 tent and RV campgrounds.
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.
California Coast Guide
One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.
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.
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.
Northwest Wine Country
Northwest Wine Country is a food and wine lover's guide to vineyards, fine dining, accommodation, restaurants in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia.
Olympic Peninsula Travel Guide
Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews an Olympic Peninsula Travel Guide published by the Beautiful Pacific Northwest website.
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.
LA to Hearst Castle
Pacific Coast Highway travel offers advice on driving from LA to Hearst Castle, including distance, journey time, and route.
John Steinbeck California Guide
This John Steinbeck California Guide, A Journey into Steinbeck's California, shows readers how towns like Monterey, Carmel and Salinas influenced the author.
Los Angeles Travel Guide
The Los Angeles travel guide book from Lonely Planet also covers San Diego and Southern California, including Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and Disneyland.
Guide to the Olympic Peninsula
Moon's Spotlight Guide to the Olympic Peninsula covers hotels, restaurants, and sights, including Forks, the Olympic National Park and other places.
Recent Articles
-
‘Zero tolerance' for speeding along PCH in Malibu even for Oscar winners like Sean Penn
Sep 13, 25 04:56 AM
When it comes to reckless driving, authorities may not care even if the driver is a two-time Oscar winner like Sean Penn. The actor in the upcoming film “One Battle After Another” was cited for speedi… -
Historic Sites Open Doors for Statewide Celebration
Sep 13, 25 04:56 AM
Two Santa Monica landmarks will offer extended public access Sept. 13-14 as part of Doors Open California 2025, a month-long statewide celebration showcasing more than 70 historic sites across the sta… -
Small Space, Big Magic at Museum of Make Believe
Sep 12, 25 04:04 AM
The Museum of Make Believe just had to be in Laguna Beach. Located off South Pacific Coast Highway in Bluebird Canyon, the nonprofit museum has exceeded expectations. It has welcomed more than 20,000…
FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
LATEST BOOKS
Take a look at our latest books: 101 Best Things to Do on the Pacific Coast Highway and 101 Budget Hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway. Click on the covers to learn more.
LATEST NEWS
Recent Articles
-
‘Zero tolerance' for speeding along PCH in Malibu even for Oscar winners like Sean Penn
Sep 13, 25 04:56 AM
When it comes to reckless driving, authorities may not care even if the driver is a two-time Oscar winner like Sean Penn. The actor in the upcoming film “One Battle After Another” was cited for speedi… -
Historic Sites Open Doors for Statewide Celebration
Sep 13, 25 04:56 AM
Two Santa Monica landmarks will offer extended public access Sept. 13-14 as part of Doors Open California 2025, a month-long statewide celebration showcasing more than 70 historic sites across the sta… -
Small Space, Big Magic at Museum of Make Believe
Sep 12, 25 04:04 AM
The Museum of Make Believe just had to be in Laguna Beach. Located off South Pacific Coast Highway in Bluebird Canyon, the nonprofit museum has exceeded expectations. It has welcomed more than 20,000…
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
Buy an inexpensive journal to record your own Pacific Coast Highway adventure!
FOLLOW OUR PCH VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
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.
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Pacific Coast Highway Travel does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
