The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is one of the longest highways and most scenic in the country, much of it running along California’s dramatic coastline. Starting as Route 1 at San Juan Capistrano South of Los Angeles, and ending where Route 1 merges with Highway 101 at Leggett, South of Eureka, the PCH winds along some of the most spectacular ocean views and rural landscapes in the U.S.

Begin your trek north in driving along-side Orange and Los Angeles County’s famous beaches, home to surfer’s and bathing beauties alike. Pass through the Pacific Palisades and past Santa Barbara en route to San Luis Obispo where you can visit the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa mission, home to artifacts from California’s early settlers. Continue to Morro Bay and take a ferry ride to Spooner’s Cove to visit sea caves and a better view of the jutting conical rock that gives the area its name.

Another point of interest is Hearst Castle, a 115-room mansion overlooking the Pacific in San Simeon. The area’s beach is home to many of California’s sea lions. Follow the road as it runs along the coast with stunning views of the ocean and dramatic cliff-line. Named Big Sur or “The Big South”, much of the land is a national park with majestic redwoods, rugged cliffs and pure white beaches. Impassable until the construction of the Bixby Creek ridge in 1932, this area remains largely untouched.

If you missed the sea lions at San Simeon, you will see them again at Point Lobos as you continue to Monterey Peninsula and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Established as an artists retreat this area is famous for its inns and shopping, and the nearby resort of Pebble Beach featuring world-class golf. Continuing to the town of Monterey see the Point Pinos Lighthouse and the Butterfly Trees where monarch butterflies nest during the winter. Monterey is a popular year-round stop with art museums and an Aquarium. Passing through Half Moon Bay on the San Francisco Peninsula you may have to head in-land at Devil's Slide, a stretch of road that is periodically closed due to mudslides. If you can pass though, continue into San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, before passing over the the Golden Gate Bridge.

This trip can take 7 hours or several weeks depending on how much time you can devote to this breathtaking drive full of activity.