LA to Hearst Castle

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

Here's all the advice you'll need if planning to drive from LA to Hearst Castle, whether you go by the coastal route or use I-5. Here's the info on driving times, distances, and route options, with two interactive maps you can use.

Our Pick of the LA Guides

Fodors-Los-Angeles-travel-guide.png

LA to Hearst Castle: Distance

From downtown Los Angeles to Hearst Castle is a distance of between 235-260 miles (376-416 kms), depending on the exact route you take (see below). 

You don’t absolutely have to take one of the coastal route options, though they are more scenic for parts of the route. You could consider taking I-5 and then cutting back across to the coast somewhere, which is only about 250 miles (400 kms) and also has a really scenic stretch at the end through Paso Robles wine country. 

You would need to do this if the coastal route was blocked somewhere, but the closures of the Pacific Coast Highway which make the headlines usually happen north of Hearst Castle on the Big Sur stretch.

Big Sur

LA to Hearst Castle: Driving Time

Taking the I-5 route from LA to Hearst Castle should take 4-5 hours, depending on how fast you drive and the state of the traffic. It ought to be faster for the first stretch along I-5, but you would then slow down as you have to cut across to the coast on slower roads.

Taking the coastal option and heading north through Santa Monica and Malibu will probably take 5-6 hours, again depending on the traffic and your own average driving speed. Although it’s a similar distance to the I-5 route, it’s a lot slower as the road twists and turns, and is single-lane in many places. It also attracts slower-moving vehicles, which can be difficult to overtake.

LA to Hearst Castle: Routes

The Coastal Routes

Take I-10 to its end in Santa Monica and merge onto Highway 1 there. It begins near Santa Monica Pier, then stays near the coast through Malibu and is a pleasant start to the drive, quickly leaving LA behind.  

Stay on Highway 1 along the coast until you reach Oxnard, where Highway 1 goes inland through the city and merges with Highway 101. You continue north on 1/101 through Ventura, which is the only tricky part of the drive. We often manage to get lost in Oxnard or Ventura, as the routes aren’t well-signed. You’ll need to rely on your satnav or human equivalent.

Santa Barbara

Beyond Ventura the road rejoins the coast and passes by Santa Barbara. If you want to see Santa Barbara you’ll have to exit and head for the ocean, then rejoin 1/101 again.

West of Santa Barbara the roads divide, with 1 staying nearer the coast through Lompoc and 101 going further inland through Buelton, where you could make a short detour to see Solvang. It doesn’t make much difference which way you go in terms of time or distance. We quite like the slightly more rural route through Lompoc and Guadalupe, though it’s another stretch of the drive where a satnav is useful.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

Near Pismo Beach the roads rejoin, swing inland for a while, get back near the ocean at Morro Bay and then it’s a straight drive north to Cambria and San Simeon, where Hearst Castle is. We usually stay in Cambria when visiting Hearst Castle, which we’ve done several times as there’s always something different to see on the different tours there. Check our Cambria page where we tell you about the different places we’ve stayed in there.

Hearst Castle

Taking I-5

The I-5 Interstate runs right through Los Angeles so pick it up wherever you can. You stay on I-5 for about 125 miles and take the exit for Lost Hills/Paso Robles onto CA-46 West. You then stay on 46 through Paso Robles and all the way to join the Pacific Coast Highway on the coast just south of Cambria. This last section of the drive is really beautiful, through the rolling green hills and farmland of Paso Robles wine country. 

When you reach Highway 1 on the coast, turn right (north) and the entrance to Hearst Castle is about 12 miles north of here, on the highway.

Where to Stay near Hearst Castle

Other driving pages

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the book Culture Trails by Lonely Planet, which has a section on Vintage Hollywood alongside 51 other perfect weekends.

    Culture Trails

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the book Culture Trails by Lonely Planet, which has a section on Vintage Hollywood alongside 51 other perfect weekends.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best hotels for families in Los Angeles, whether you want to be close to Universal Studios or the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Best Hotels for Families in Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best hotels for families in Los Angeles, whether you want to be close to Universal Studios or the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

  • 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.

  • Cheap flights to Los Angeles International Airport LAX with JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Virgin America.

    Cheap Flights to Los Angeles

    Cheap flights to Los Angeles International Airport LAX with JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Virgin America.

  • 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.

  • The Los Angeles travel guide book from Lonely Planet also covers San Diego and Southern California, including Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and Disneyland.

    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.

  • 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 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.

  • 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 picks the most romantic hotels in Los Angeles, including beach-front beauties as well as those in the heart of the city.

    Most Romantic Hotels in Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the most romantic hotels in Los Angeles, including beach-front beauties as well as those in the heart of the city.

  •  

    Hearst Castle Tours

    Hearst Castle tours show you round the former home of William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon, one of the best things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Hearst Castle Evening Tours are a magical way of visiting one of the best things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Hearst Castle Evening Tours

    Hearst Castle Evening Tours are a magical way of visiting one of the best things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s travel guide to Los Angeles, including dining and accommodation options, public transport, and the city’s best things to do.

    Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s travel guide to Los Angeles, including dining and accommodation options, public transport, and the city’s best things to do.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s guide to car rental in Los Angeles including airport rentals, rental requirements, insurance, parking, and more.

    Car Rental in Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s guide to car rental in Los Angeles including airport rentals, rental requirements, insurance, parking, and more.

  • 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.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best museums in Los Angeles including the top art museums and museums for families.

    Best Museums in Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best museums in Los Angeles including the top art museums and museums for families.

  • Vintage Hollywood in Los Angeles is an extract from the Lonely Planets book Culture Trails.

    Vintage Hollywood

    Vintage Hollywood in Los Angeles is an extract from the Lonely Planets book Culture Trails.

  • 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.

  • Pacific Coast Highway travel suggests the best time to visit Los Angeles with information about the weather and climate month by month and season by season.

    Best Time to Visit Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway travel suggests the best time to visit Los Angeles with information about the weather and climate month by month and season by season.

  • 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.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best new dining experiences in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Bel-Air, Venice and elsewhere.

    New Dining in Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best new dining experiences in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Bel-Air, Venice and elsewhere.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best budget hotels in Los Angeles so you can have a cheap stay in LA and still be near Hollywood or Universal Studios.

    Best Budget Hotels in Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best budget hotels in Los Angeles so you can have a cheap stay in LA and still be near Hollywood or Universal Studios.

  • Soul of Los Angeles from French publishers Jonglez is a travel guide to 30 Exceptional Experiences in California's largest city.

    Soul of Los Angeles

    Soul of Los Angeles from French publishers Jonglez is a travel guide to 30 Exceptional Experiences in California's largest city.

  • 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 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.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. ‘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…

    Read More

  2. 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…

    Read More

  3. 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…

    Read More