The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip

Now comes the good stuff! To get to Big Sur, a mountain community with a chilled-out, hippy vibe to it, you’ll travel over the Bixby Bridge—one of the tallest single span concrete bridges in the world. It’s also one of the most photographed spots on the West Coast, which means you will have plenty of opportunities for photos.

The number of spectacular spots along the Big Sur are endless, with a few being McWay Falls, Ragged Point, and Pfeiffer Beach. You’ll probably find yourself wanting to stop and take in the view around every corner, so block off a generous amount of time here in order to take it all in.

After all that driving, you will probably want a pit stop to rest up. San Simeon is home to Hearst Castle, the number one attraction in the area, welcoming more than 1 million people each year. The castle boasts 250,000 acres of land, with different rooms, cottages, and stunning gardens. You’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time as you make your way through the grounds.

San Luis Obispo is home to a 15-foot high, 70-foot long gum wall where you can leave your (sticky) mark on the world. There are also plenty of hikes in the area, as well as Pismo Beach which boasts coastal restaurants, wine tasting, surfing, and mineral springs to dip into.

If you’re an animal and flora lover, you will definitely want to make a stop in Santa Barbara to pay a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo and Botanical Garden. There are also various theatres and museums if you wanted to catch a show or learn more about the history of the area.

The next stop on your journey will be Ventura Beach, which is the spot to grab a surfboard if you’re keen. If not, it’s still a great place to spend a day on the beach or to check out all of the vintage shops in town.

Malibu: where the rich and famous of Hollywood can find solitude outside of the city with a vibe like no other. It’s the perfect spot to spend a day or two walking along the piers, check out one of the many amazing seafood restaurants, or simply lust over the amazing homes right on the water. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to stay the night in one of them.

On your way out of Malibu (if you ever leave), be sure to stop at the stunning Topanga Canyon and take in the view from the lookout.

Most visitors have a love/hate relationship with Los Angeles. It’s a spot that you pretty much have to stop at to check out places like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Santa Monica Pier, but it’s not exactly a place you would want to stay in for too long.

A couple of days in LA is enough to take in the famous views of the Hollywood sign, visit some TV sets at Universal Studios, and take a stroll down Rodeo Drive. However, if you are in for some celeb sightings, you may want to stick around to go on a star’s home tour.

After experiencing the bright lights of LA, take a detour towards Long Beach, where you will drive by spots like Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach (basically a bunch of cute little beach towns). It will definitely be a nice break after the hecticness of the city and may be worth your while to stop and relax on the beach for a few days.

Unfortunately, you have reached the end of your road trip! Make the most of the famous city of San Diego, a bustling city with a small-town vibe. You can relax at Balboa Park, explore the downtown core, or visit Cabrillo National Monument where you will be welcomed with picturesque views of the skyline.