My Drive Down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
If you know me, you know I’m a big traveler and this trip along the Pacific Coast Highway is one I haven’t shared much about yet... but it's truly one of the best trips I’ve ever taken.
I had the joy of going with a friend of mines mother-in-law and its a trip we will never not talk about.
We drove south from Seattle to Los Angeles along Highway 1 and Highway 101, soaking in some of the most beautiful coastal views in the world.
This was a "go with the flow" trip:
No rigid plans
No set agenda
Just a few must-see stops
Lots of spontaneity and good food along the way
And honestly? It was perfect.
Unrushed and Adventurous Days
Each morning, I woke up early (I'm naturally an early riser), took care of a little work if needed, enjoyed a slow breakfast, and then hit the road.
Most days followed the same rhythm:
Drive a little
Stop somewhere fun or scenic
Grab snacks or lunch
Explore
Find a cozy spot for the night
Enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine (of course!)
We never rushed, we never drove late into the night, and yet we still got to see almost everything we hoped to see.
The lack of pressure made the trip feel even more special.
Our Itinerary Overview
Here’s a rough breakdown of what we did:
Day 1: Seattle
Arrive and tour the city
Space Needle
Sky View Observatory
Pike Place Market
Walk along the waterfront
Dinner at Frolik Kitchen and Cocktails
Day 2: Seattle ➔ Astoria
Started the Morning back at Pikes Places
Columbia River Walk
Astoria Column
Astoria Brewing (lunch + stroll)
Goonies filming locations
Astoria-Megler Bridge
Finn’s Fish House Seaside (dinner + bottle of bubbly)
Day 3: Astoria ➔ Florence or Brookings
Fort Stevens and Lewis & Clark National Park
Cannon Beach
Manzanita Beach
Tillamook Cheese Factory (don't skip the ice cream!)
Florence’s historic old town for dinner
(Optional overnight in Brookings, we did stay at the cutest AirBNB)
Day 4: Redwoods + Northern California
Crescent City
Klamath River Overlook
Trees of Mystery (Babe the Blue Ox!)
ATV Ride though the sand dunes
Stay overnight in Fort Bragg, California
Day 5: Wine Country
Glass Beach
Stop at a random beach stop along the way
Optional lunch and wine tasting
Explore small towns
Overnight Stay in San Jose
Day 6: Central Coast
Drive to Monterey
Scenic 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach
Charcuterie and Wine at the Country Club on the course
Day 7: Los Angeles
Santa Barbra for Lunch on Pier
Iconic Hollywood Sign
Santa Monica for Dinner and Stroll
Land at our hotel in Los Angeles before an early flight out the next morning.
A Few Bonus Tips from My Trip
Drive Southbound! You’ll be on the coastal side of the highway for the best views.
Keep Days Light. We drove 4–5 hours a day max. Plenty of time for stops without feeling rushed.
Stay Flexible. Some days you’ll want to linger. Some days you’ll drive farther. Let the coast set the pace.
Skip or Customize Big Cities. We chose to drive past San Francisco. This was a city that we had both been to previously so while we wanted to stop we decided to skip it.
Wine + Cheese Stops Are a Must. Especially in Oregon (Tillamook) and California (Paso Robles this is my favorite but I love Sonoma/Napa, too)!
Pack Layers. Even in summer, the Pacific Coast can be chilly, windy, and misty.
The Pacific Coast Highway Stole My Heart
The Pacific Coast Highway is famous for good reason.
Towering cliffs. Raging ocean waves. Tiny charming towns tucked between forests and beaches.
But beyond the postcard moments, what made this trip unforgettable was the feeling:
Slow mornings.
Good conversation.
Fresh seafood.
Endless beauty around every turn.
Zero pressure to be anywhere but exactly where we were.
If you ever get the chance to take this drive, even if it’s just part of it … do it.
And my advice? Let the coast lead. You’ll find more magic that way.
