PCH santa barbar to san francisco - route help & suggestions

Question

Hello- flying into Santa Barbara on a Thursday - renting a car with the intention of driving PCH to SF. Flying out of SF on Monday. Staying the first night in Santa Barbara. Would like some logistical help. Planned to stay the second night in SLO. Not sure where is the best place to stay the third night. I was thinking of staying in Monteray. however, I do want to see big sur - as much as I can with the road closure. what I can gleam is that in order to do that I must take a different road that will add some 1-2 hrs to the drive? Is SLO to Monteray too long of a drive when diverting to see big sur? if so where do you suggest?

On this trip hoping for wine tasting, the scenery/beach, good food, big sur, Monterrey aquarium. I welcome any suggestion for route - places to eat - stops along the way.

Answer

Your planned drive along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is one of the most scenic road trips in California. Given your interests in wine tasting, beaches, Big Sur, and Monterey, here’s a detailed breakdown of how to make the most of your itinerary and address the logistical concerns.

Day 1: Arrival in Santa Barbara

Arrive in Santa Barbara, check into your hotel, and relax after your flight.
Evening: Stroll along State Street and the waterfront, enjoy dinner at a local seafood or farm-to-table restaurant.
If time permits, consider a short wine tasting at one of the urban wineries in Santa Barbara.

Day 2: Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

Take US-101 north along the coast; you can make stops at Pismo Beach and Morro Bay for sightseeing and light meals.
Consider a quick visit to Solvang, a charming Danish-style village, for pastries and coffee.
Arrive in San Luis Obispo for the night. This is a convenient midpoint with good restaurants and a walkable downtown.

Day 3: SLO to Big Sur / Monterey

Driving directly from SLO to Monterey via the usual coastal route (Highway 1 / Big Sur) can be impacted by road closures. If you need to detour inland, it can add 1–2 hours to your drive.

Option 1: Take the inland route via CA-46 to Paso Robles and then connect to Highway 101 north before turning onto Highway 1 near Carmel. This bypasses some closures but is longer.
Option 2: If you prefer to maximize Big Sur, consider leaving early and driving directly along Highway 1 as much as is open, stopping at scenic points like Ragged Point, McWay Falls, and Bixby Bridge. This will make the drive longer but more scenic.
Monterey is a good base for the night, giving you easy access to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row. Dinner options in Monterey or nearby Carmel are plentiful, from casual seafood to upscale dining.

Day 4: Monterey to San Francisco

Drive along Highway 1 through the scenic coastal towns, stopping in Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay if time allows.
Depending on timing, you can explore the Santa Cruz Boardwalk or enjoy a short beach stroll along the way.
Arrive in San Francisco in the evening and check into your hotel.

Additional tips and suggestions:

Wine tasting: Paso Robles and Santa Barbara regions have excellent wineries along your route. Stop mid-morning or early afternoon for tastings.
Food: Try clam chowder in Morro Bay or Pismo Beach, seafood in Monterey, and farm-to-table restaurants in SLO or Carmel.
Big Sur: Even with some closures, the main scenic highlights like McWay Falls, Bixby Bridge, and Pfeiffer Beach are worth the detour and extra driving time.
Timing: Allocate extra travel time for scenic stops; Highway 1 is winding and slower than highway driving.
Accommodation suggestion: Monterey/Carmel is ideal for your third night for convenience and proximity to Big Sur and the aquarium.

By pacing your days with scenic stops, wine tastings, and beach breaks, you can enjoy a memorable California coastal road trip without feeling rushed. The inland detour adds time but ensures you still reach Monterey comfortably for your overnight stay.

PCH santa barbar to san francisco - route help & suggestions

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