Beauty abounds across the Pacific Coast Highway.
Officially, the stretch of coastal highway in California declared as the Pacific Coast Highway by state legislature runs less than 130 miles, from Dana Point to Oxnard. Unofficially, it is 1,700 to 2,000 miles, stretching from southern California up through Washington.
Aliases
Depending on the portion of the highway on which you find yourself, the Pacific Highway hails by many names: Highway 1, State Route 1, Highway 101, Cabrillo Highway, Coast Highway and Pacific Coast Highway.
Driving
Driving is an excellent option so you can investigate points of interest. Ensure you have enough fuel, food and water as there are stretches of highway that offer no facilities, especially the further north you go.
Cycling
Avid cyclists can complete the journey in about 40 days by averaging 40 to 50 miles per day.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is not the best choice to fully experience the Pacific Highway because of limited stops and routes with neither Greyhound nor Amtrak following the coast, although Amtrak does come close in sections.
Tips For A Short Excursion
Travel north to south for the best views of the coast and accessibility to scenic overlooks. Many consider the Big Sur area as the most picturesque.
Tags: Coast Highway, Pacific Coast, Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Highway