Must-Visit Places Along California’s Highway 1
My family and I have driven Highway 1 for a couple of times. We have visited many places, and we thought we would write down the places that we highly recommend visiting when driving along the coast.
PIRATE TOWER IN VICTORIA BEACH
Address: 2700 Victoria Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Hours: Open 24 hours
Fee: FREE
Note: Hard to find parking. The best time to visit is during low tide.
Behind the multi-million-dollar homes in Laguna Beach is a mysterious tower along the shoreline. People normally build regular stairs to have direct access to the beach, but the rich family of William E. Brown opted to build this 60-foot, castle-inspired tower in 1926, which serves as enclosed stairs going to the beach from their mansion.
Although its history is not dramatic, the tower would make you feel like you stepped into a fairy tale each time you see it. The tower is a private property, you can’t do much other than to look at it and take photos from the beach. Regardless, this is still one of my favorite California’s hidden gems.
BEACHES IN ORANGE COUNTY
Hours: Beaches are open from 5 AM to 10 PM
Fee: FREE
Note: If there is no available parking spot near the beach, park in the nearby neighborhoods (street parking), the walk isn’t that far.
Orange County is not only famous for Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort but is also known for having beautiful beaches. Our 3 favorite beaches from the area, which we highly recommend, are Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach. Whether you are just visiting the area for a day, a weekend getaway, or just spending your summer, these beaches have about everything you can ask for. The sunsets here are breathtaking.
SANTA MONICA PIER
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Open 24 hours
Fee: Access to the pier is free.
Opened on September 9, 1909, this over 100-year old pier is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles County. This place has a lot to offer, you must explore and see what gets your interest. Santa Monica Pier is the end of Route 66, don’t forget to take a photo with the sign for a souvenir.
POINT DUME, MALIBU
Address: Cliffside Dr & Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265
Hours: 5 AM – 7 PM (Sunrise to Sunset)
Fee: FREE
Note: Short Hikes and Rock Climbing
In 1793, George Vancouver named this place Point Dume in honor of Padre Francisco Dumetz of Mission San Buenaventura. The name was misspelled on Vancouver's map as "Dume" and was never corrected.
The views from the cliff are breathtaking. If you have watched the Iron Man films, the huge mansion of Tony Stark in the movie was set on the Point Dume at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean (exactly where my husband is standing in the photo below).
EL MATADOR BEACH, MALIBU
Address: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Fee: FREE
This is our favorite beach in Malibu because of its beautiful sunsets and amazing rock formations. This place is quite famous that you’d often see professional photographers doing sessions here.
As for the parking, you can park on the side of the road for free, but if you don’t mind paying $8, you can park at the small designated parking lot right above the steep stairs going to the beach.
PISMO PIER AND OCEANO DUNES
Address: 1001 Cabrillo Hwy, Oceano, CA 93445
Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Fee: Access to the pier is FREE.
Note: Entrance to the Dunes and camping is $10/night.
We’ve been to Pismo a couple of times and I can tell you, this place offers so much. The sunset views from Pismo Pier are very romantic. You can also have fun in the dunes by renting buggy and ATV, or simply hang out with your friends and family while camping along the shoreline of Oceano Dunes. We also highly recommend trying the terrific clam chowder from Splash Café.
MORRO ROCK AND MORRO BAY
Address: Morro Bay, CA 93442
Hours: 5 AM – 10 PM
Fee: No fee or permit required to see the rock.
Morro Rock, formed about 23 million years ago from the plug of a long-extinct volcano, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in San Luis Obispo County. Stands 576 feet tall, this rock is right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This rock has been declared as California Registered Historical Landmark #821. Also became State Landmark #801 in 1968, this has been designated as a bird sanctuary for the peregrine falcon and other bird species. It does look tempting, but please note climbing this rock is prohibited by law.
P.S October of 1587, onboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza, the first Filipinos in the United States arrived in Morro Bay.
HEARST CASTLE IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
Address: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452
Hours: 8 AM - 4 PM
Fee: The ticket prices range from $12 to $100. See the prices here.
Note: They offer Military Discounts.
If you are into architecture and historical pieces, this place is a must-visit for you. This spectacular castle is the product of the collaboration between William Randolph Hearst and the famous San Francisco architect, Julia Morgan. During our visit, we did the 60-minute Grand Rooms tour which features the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning room, Billiard room, and Theater.
My most favorite area in Hearst Castle is the Roman Pool. The mosaic patterns that were used to decorate this indoor pool were inspired by mosaics found in the 5th Century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. The eight statues of Roman gods, goddesses and heroes were said to be rough copies of ancient Greek and Roman statues.
ELEPHANT SEALS OF SAN SIMEON
Address: Plaza del Cavalier, 250 San Simeon Ave Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA 93452
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fee: FREE
This would be a good place to swing by after you visit Hearst Castle. This is located just about 5-miles north from the Castle, about 90-miles if you are coming from Monterey. We had fun watching the Elephant Seals of San Simeon. We learned new things about them. They were loud, very playful and entertaining. We saw a couple of them doing Pacquiao vs. Mayweather stunts.
MCWAY WATERFALLS, BIG SUR
Address: Big Sur
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fee: Free parking on Highway One / Entrance fee for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
McWay Falls is one of the most photographed spots on the Big Sur Coast and you will know why when you see it. The falls is dumping directly to the ocean shore. No one can go down to the waterfall, no direct access, and people are not allowed, but you will have a perfect spot to take photos from the trail.
The best way to access the McWay Falls is from the Falls Trail (short 0.6-mile round trip hike to viewpoint), inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. There is a fee for a day-use park. This is the safest way to explore the area rather than parking along the busy Highway 1.
BIG SUR’S BIXBY BRIDGE
Address: Big Sur
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Fee: FREE
The Bixby Creek Bridge was opened in 1932 and became one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur. This bridge is one of the most popular filming locations for car commercials. Aside from the great work of engineering, its location makes this bridge an interesting piece of an attraction along the Pacific Coast Highway. This thing sits in one of the most spectacular landscapes you'll ever see.
BLUFF TRAIL IN GARRAPATA STATE PARK
Address: Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fee: FREE
California’s coastline is not only known for the beautiful beaches but also for its amazing rock formations along the shoreline. This trail in Garrapata State Park is our favorite. It’s only a short 0.6-mile hike, out and back, and features beautiful wildflowers and artistic rocky shoreline. When visiting, you can park safely at the designated parking space right along Highway 1.
MONTEREY BAY
Address: Monterey Bay, California
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Aside from its big aquarium, I always remember this place as the home to Bubba Gump’s first restaurant which opened in 1996. The bay is small and beautiful, but it has everything you need.
SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK
Address: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Hours: Check here to see availability.
Fee: Ranges from $40 to $100. Check here.
Founded in 1907, this oceanfront amusement park is California’s oldest surviving amusement park. This park has been declared a California Historical Landmark number 983. We spent a day here and we had so much fun. They have plenty of rides to choose from.
THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS
Address: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Hours: The park is open 24 hours.
Fee: FREE
Built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exhibition, the Palace of Fine Arts is a beautiful free attraction that features a dome and carved columns. You will see this epic historical landmark right before you arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge (northern side of San Francisco). This place is truly an Instagrammable place.
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO
Address: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Fee: FREE
The highlight of this list would be the San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. This famous landmark was opened in 1937 and since then became the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and the United States. American Society of Civil Engineers declared the Golden Gate Bridge as one of the Wonders of the Modern World.
You simply can’t miss this bridge.
Below is the map for the places that we've mentioned above. If you notice, this list only mentions places from Dana Point to San Francisco Bay Area. We have explored Mendocino County but not along Highway 1. As soon as we’re able to travel again in that area, I will update this list with the worth-stopping places in Highway 1 from Bay Area and Mendocino County.
Address: 2700 Victoria Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Hours: Open 24 hours
Fee: FREE
Note: Hard to find parking. The best time to visit is during low tide.
Behind the multi-million-dollar homes in Laguna Beach is a mysterious tower along the shoreline. People normally build regular stairs to have direct access to the beach, but the rich family of William E. Brown opted to build this 60-foot, castle-inspired tower in 1926, which serves as enclosed stairs going to the beach from their mansion.
Although its history is not dramatic, the tower would make you feel like you stepped into a fairy tale each time you see it. The tower is a private property, you can’t do much other than to look at it and take photos from the beach. Regardless, this is still one of my favorite California’s hidden gems.
BEACHES IN ORANGE COUNTY
Hours: Beaches are open from 5 AM to 10 PM
Fee: FREE
Note: If there is no available parking spot near the beach, park in the nearby neighborhoods (street parking), the walk isn’t that far.
Orange County is not only famous for Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort but is also known for having beautiful beaches. Our 3 favorite beaches from the area, which we highly recommend, are Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach. Whether you are just visiting the area for a day, a weekend getaway, or just spending your summer, these beaches have about everything you can ask for. The sunsets here are breathtaking.
SANTA MONICA PIER
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Open 24 hours
Fee: Access to the pier is free.
Opened on September 9, 1909, this over 100-year old pier is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles County. This place has a lot to offer, you must explore and see what gets your interest. Santa Monica Pier is the end of Route 66, don’t forget to take a photo with the sign for a souvenir.
POINT DUME, MALIBU
Address: Cliffside Dr & Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265
Hours: 5 AM – 7 PM (Sunrise to Sunset)
Fee: FREE
Note: Short Hikes and Rock Climbing
In 1793, George Vancouver named this place Point Dume in honor of Padre Francisco Dumetz of Mission San Buenaventura. The name was misspelled on Vancouver's map as "Dume" and was never corrected.
The views from the cliff are breathtaking. If you have watched the Iron Man films, the huge mansion of Tony Stark in the movie was set on the Point Dume at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean (exactly where my husband is standing in the photo below).
EL MATADOR BEACH, MALIBU
Address: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Fee: FREE
This is our favorite beach in Malibu because of its beautiful sunsets and amazing rock formations. This place is quite famous that you’d often see professional photographers doing sessions here.
As for the parking, you can park on the side of the road for free, but if you don’t mind paying $8, you can park at the small designated parking lot right above the steep stairs going to the beach.
PISMO PIER AND OCEANO DUNES
Address: 1001 Cabrillo Hwy, Oceano, CA 93445
Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Fee: Access to the pier is FREE.
Note: Entrance to the Dunes and camping is $10/night.
We’ve been to Pismo a couple of times and I can tell you, this place offers so much. The sunset views from Pismo Pier are very romantic. You can also have fun in the dunes by renting buggy and ATV, or simply hang out with your friends and family while camping along the shoreline of Oceano Dunes. We also highly recommend trying the terrific clam chowder from Splash Café.
MORRO ROCK AND MORRO BAY
Address: Morro Bay, CA 93442
Hours: 5 AM – 10 PM
Fee: No fee or permit required to see the rock.
Morro Rock, formed about 23 million years ago from the plug of a long-extinct volcano, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in San Luis Obispo County. Stands 576 feet tall, this rock is right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This rock has been declared as California Registered Historical Landmark #821. Also became State Landmark #801 in 1968, this has been designated as a bird sanctuary for the peregrine falcon and other bird species. It does look tempting, but please note climbing this rock is prohibited by law.
P.S October of 1587, onboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza, the first Filipinos in the United States arrived in Morro Bay.
Address: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452
Hours: 8 AM - 4 PM
Fee: The ticket prices range from $12 to $100. See the prices here.
Note: They offer Military Discounts.
If you are into architecture and historical pieces, this place is a must-visit for you. This spectacular castle is the product of the collaboration between William Randolph Hearst and the famous San Francisco architect, Julia Morgan. During our visit, we did the 60-minute Grand Rooms tour which features the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning room, Billiard room, and Theater.
My most favorite area in Hearst Castle is the Roman Pool. The mosaic patterns that were used to decorate this indoor pool were inspired by mosaics found in the 5th Century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. The eight statues of Roman gods, goddesses and heroes were said to be rough copies of ancient Greek and Roman statues.
ELEPHANT SEALS OF SAN SIMEON
Address: Plaza del Cavalier, 250 San Simeon Ave Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA 93452
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fee: FREE
This would be a good place to swing by after you visit Hearst Castle. This is located just about 5-miles north from the Castle, about 90-miles if you are coming from Monterey. We had fun watching the Elephant Seals of San Simeon. We learned new things about them. They were loud, very playful and entertaining. We saw a couple of them doing Pacquiao vs. Mayweather stunts.
MCWAY WATERFALLS, BIG SUR
Address: Big Sur
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fee: Free parking on Highway One / Entrance fee for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
McWay Falls is one of the most photographed spots on the Big Sur Coast and you will know why when you see it. The falls is dumping directly to the ocean shore. No one can go down to the waterfall, no direct access, and people are not allowed, but you will have a perfect spot to take photos from the trail.
The best way to access the McWay Falls is from the Falls Trail (short 0.6-mile round trip hike to viewpoint), inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. There is a fee for a day-use park. This is the safest way to explore the area rather than parking along the busy Highway 1.
BIG SUR’S BIXBY BRIDGE
Address: Big Sur
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Fee: FREE
The Bixby Creek Bridge was opened in 1932 and became one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur. This bridge is one of the most popular filming locations for car commercials. Aside from the great work of engineering, its location makes this bridge an interesting piece of an attraction along the Pacific Coast Highway. This thing sits in one of the most spectacular landscapes you'll ever see.
BLUFF TRAIL IN GARRAPATA STATE PARK
Address: Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fee: FREE
California’s coastline is not only known for the beautiful beaches but also for its amazing rock formations along the shoreline. This trail in Garrapata State Park is our favorite. It’s only a short 0.6-mile hike, out and back, and features beautiful wildflowers and artistic rocky shoreline. When visiting, you can park safely at the designated parking space right along Highway 1.
MONTEREY BAY
Address: Monterey Bay, California
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Aside from its big aquarium, I always remember this place as the home to Bubba Gump’s first restaurant which opened in 1996. The bay is small and beautiful, but it has everything you need.
SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK
Address: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Hours: Check here to see availability.
Fee: Ranges from $40 to $100. Check here.
Founded in 1907, this oceanfront amusement park is California’s oldest surviving amusement park. This park has been declared a California Historical Landmark number 983. We spent a day here and we had so much fun. They have plenty of rides to choose from.
THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS
Address: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Hours: The park is open 24 hours.
Fee: FREE
Built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exhibition, the Palace of Fine Arts is a beautiful free attraction that features a dome and carved columns. You will see this epic historical landmark right before you arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge (northern side of San Francisco). This place is truly an Instagrammable place.
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO
Address: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Fee: FREE
The highlight of this list would be the San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. This famous landmark was opened in 1937 and since then became the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and the United States. American Society of Civil Engineers declared the Golden Gate Bridge as one of the Wonders of the Modern World.
You simply can’t miss this bridge.
Below is the map for the places that we've mentioned above. If you notice, this list only mentions places from Dana Point to San Francisco Bay Area. We have explored Mendocino County but not along Highway 1. As soon as we’re able to travel again in that area, I will update this list with the worth-stopping places in Highway 1 from Bay Area and Mendocino County.
Thank you for reading our blog.
Have you traveled along Highway 1?
Share with us your favorite stops in this route.
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