| PCH--Pacific Coast Highway--Highway 1 tips and photos posted by real travelers and California locals. • 34 Photos
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Northern Elephant Seals can be seen on the beaches 12 miles north of Cambria, south of the Peidras Blancas Lighthouse. These creatures have huge noses that give these beasts their name. These large mammals may seem slow and docile but can be very dangerous when provoked. Hans and I were thrilled when we got to see a large elephant seal emerging out of the water and then make its way up the sand, so he could lay in the sun with the others. Leave a Comment Address: 12 miles north of CambriaDirections: Along the Big Sur
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Highway 1 that runs slaong the central coast is truly spectacular. It's not really necessary to drive the entire route on Highway 1, as the best part is actually between San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz.
If you can, I think it is better to drive from north to south, because that way when you drive the stretch between Carmel and San Simeon, you are on the ocean-side of the road. Driving from south to north, sometimes your views of the dramatic coastal scenery are obstructed.
Some highlights along Route 1 are Santa Barbara, Hearst Castle, Big Sur, the redwood trees, and the Monterey Peninsula. Leave a Comment
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Enjoyed camping at one of the many camping sites along Highway 1. You just drive and park a vacant lot and set up your tent for the night. There is a box at the entrance for self registration and to drop the camping fee into an envelope into the box - self service.
Can look into the ocean and see any spouts of passing whales. The vegetation on the cliffs are varied, colorful and full of little flowers. The fog may come in. At night, a racoon raided our camp site. Bring torches for fun night hikes along the cliffs and down the coast. It is a real adventure.
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Drive along famous Highway No. 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco and enjoy a spectacular road winding along a rugged coastline. Plan for stops at Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey. Leave a Comment
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I guess the place to go is the beach, or the dunes, there are some really big ones and they are really fun to climb. There is Salmon creek, and a few other spots along Highway 1 where you can park, and have access to the beaches. Leave a Comment
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Driving along PCH1 is an amazing experience. The views are incredible, with the Ocean to you west. There are hairpin turns, and steep cliffs... its definitely a leisurely ride that you should allot lots of time to pull over and take pictures. Drive in a convertible if you can :-) Leave a Comment
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Taking a road trip through the state of California is not a new concept. Father Junipero Serra made his mark by traversing along the coast of California and setting up twenty-one Missions about every "one day's" worth of travel apart.
Eventually the US101/California1 was developed, offering some of the most interesting and beautiful views of the coast line from the beyond the south end of the state to beyond the north boundry. This coastal route of the western USA & California has many names throughout the state. Pacific Coast Highway, (PCH), California Highway 1, US Highway 101, Pacific Highway, Seacoast Drive, Ocean Boulevard, well, you get the idea. PCH is the most famous of these and the most famous section of PCH is located in the northern part of California, but it is possible to drive from one end of the state at San Ysidro to the other at Crescent City along scenic and sometimes not so scenic coastal roads.
Every year there is some sort of new development along parts of this coastal route which often times obliterate the natural beauty and in some areas there are sites are not worth seeing, in other areas the road runs through little beach towns that anyone would love to spend time in, and parts of this famous road offer awesome, panoramic, ocean scenes that shouldn' t be missed. (Here I'll warn you that much of US 101 does not go along the coastal route, mainly only in the far southern area.)
Driving from one end of California to the other, on these coastal roads, (Speed Limit ranges from 25 mph through the beach communities to maybe 65 mph at some points.)* will take a lot longer than driving the same distance on the Interstate freeways, (Speed Limit ranges from 65 mph to 70 mph most of the way.)* so keep that in mind while making your plans. Leave a Comment
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Drive the Pacific Coast Highway
Unreal scenery for a regular road--just make sure if you're driving that you don't get distracted by the fabulous view. The road itself is twisty-turvy and doesn't have many guard rails! Leave a Comment Directions: All along the California coast, from LA to Carmel-by-the-sea
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After I visited the mission I took the road along the coastline towards the south (highway 1). The views here were magnificent and I stopped a lot of times to take pictures.
When I see this photo, I think back to this sunny day along the Californian coast, the bright-orange coloured flowers waving in the wind, so high above the sea. The light of the sun is glittering on the sea, and the waves are thundering against the high cliffs. Hmmm, wish I was there right now.... I can feel the sunshine on my face, the fresh seabreeze going through my hair and smell the sweet perfume of the flowers.... hmmm, think I am dreaming away....
Take a look at my Carmel page for more photos and info. Leave a Comment
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Small towns along the Pacific Coast Hwy. See Solvang, Carmel, Monterey, Santa Barbara.
Need at least 2 days to do this drive which is about 298 miles from LA to San Fran Leave a Comment
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