It is a Winding road we travel!! I am not talking about just life. I'm also talking about the Pacific Coast Highway. When I think about the PCH, I specifically think of Hwy 1. I guess that Hwy 101 is also considered part of the PCH. The portion of PCH that is Hwy 1 is about 656 miles long. In my opinion, the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast Highway is the portion that takes you to Big Sur. Still, the majority of Hwy 1 is so very beautiful. It is very narrow in parts, and you best be concentrating because there are stretches of the road that you drive right along the cliff's edge. There are also portions of the PCH that are very windy. Even as the driver, I sometimes get a bit dizzy with all the twists and turns. The stretch of PCH that runs through Bodega Bay is also one of my favorites. I never tire of driving and exploring this area. read more

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Road trip! 'coz Nothing Comes Close to the Golden Coast... Love, love, love road trips on the Pacific Coast Highway! The scenic highway stretches from Washington to California and are actually two highways -- US 101 (in some of California) and Highway 1 for most of California, Oregon, and Washington. With so many miles to cover we usually incorporate stops along the way. Our trips were over time and not all in one stretch, it was fun exploring and venturing in some of these cities/towns along the coast that we run across during our road trips. California's Highway 1 often takes on the spotlight! * The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. No matter how many times we pass by these orange towers and gigantic main cables I think how lucky I am to live just a distance from this photogenic iconic structure. * Tomales Bay (famous for its oysters), Bodega Bay (I always think of Alfred Hitchcock's film, "The Birds" when visiting this coastal town)... and the Sonoma Coast State Park, 17-miles of coastline with expansive beaches. Enjoy many coves and beaches where you can pull over and enjoy the views. * Mendocino Coast and Fort Bragg - Glass Beach is a unique "must see" in Fort Bragg. Our first time in Fort Bragg was in 2011, just 6 days before the Great Sendai Earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan where effects were felt across portions of the U.S. West Coast including California and Oregon. * Big Sur - my favorite! Highway 1 through Big Sur is designated as American National Scenic Byway & California Scenic Highway. You just have to see it for yourself. I have my most memorable ocean vistas in Big Sur. Pfeiffer Beach and its purple sand is one of my favorite destinations to visit. * San Luis Obispo (SLO) North Coast Byway - uncrowded beaches! Lots of vineyards, wineries, and wine tasting rooms but we came here to visit Hearst Castle (twice)! * Monterey and Carmel - We found ourselves here more often than when I used to live in the South Bay which was only a little over an hour away (approx 70 miles). Now we're over 3 hours away at 304 miles. The drive is worth it. * Santa Barbara - driving, driving, driving... we ended up in beautiful Santa Barbara. We visited the Historic Old Mission and checked out Stearns Wharf. * Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Solvang - it was by curiosity we discovered Morro Bay... like, what is that huge rock we saw driving from Highway 1... Pismo Beach is a classic beach town in the central coast w/ lots of shops on the boardwalk. The beach was always crowded every time we stopped by. Continued driving and we ended up in Denmark! Well, it's a little slice of Denmark in Southern California. Solvang is pretty with a unique ambience. The entire route is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway to recognize those in the United States armed forces. I love the beautiful California coastline and I felt grateful to be living in this crazy state I've called home for the past 42 years. In the Pacific Northwest (Oregon) we loved Astoria and Cannon Beach. Enjoy and be safe on your next road trip! Review #2189 read more

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This highway is our path to where we like to be! The Northern California coast! Definitely the scenic route! read more

Pacific Coast Highway - This is a fantastic highway with lots of different textures! - Beaches Near Me

Without any doubt, this is one of my favorite stretches of road in this state, in this country, on this continent, on this planet, in our solar system, and in our galaxy. Yeah, through the years, I've probably had the chance to find some better ones, but this one will always hold a special place for me, because it made me appreciate all that CAN be. You see, I spent most of my youth in southern California outside of heLL. A. There, roads are lifeless, dirty, crowded, and definitely most non-triumphant. So when I took to the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), particularly the stretch on the northern California coast (it comes back to the northern coast at Bodega Bay), it was truly an eye-opening experience. California State 1, is actually just a portion of the PCH. This highway actually covers almost 10k miles from Chile to Canada. Some day I'll travel those other miles, but for now, this portion will do. A marvel of engineering. This beautiful road is cleanly carved into the craggy coastal bluffs. It offers all-viewing vistas, zips along the water, and curvy roller coaster rides. It's no wonder why artists come here to get lost and are never found again. The beauty here is a robber of people eager to be stolen from the hustle & bustle. I can be posted missing on a Pacific Coast Highway milk carton any day! Personal Addendum: Enya's "Watermark" has always served as a favorite soundtrack for me while driving this road. Yes, I know my machismo takes a hit, but who cares. read more

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What was supposed to be brunch at The Dead Fish with one of my best friends, turned into an impromtu day trip to Bodega Bay on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful but WINDY day which made it much too cold for me to brave trying to go anywhere near the water. Even our friend selfie attempts at one of the viewpoints were hilarious due to the wind. Both of us were tearing uncontrollably and I literally had a hair mustache in all the photos. I love the drive up here. I LOVE the view even more, regardless, if it's windy and cold. Just being near the water is wonderful and whether it's serene or stormy, it's always rejuvenating read more

Such a pretty drive along the Pacific Coast. There are several small towns and beaches along the way that you can stop at. One of my favorites is the small town of Elk. It has beautiful beaches and small cafes that are lovely to stop at. read more

This is maybe one of the most gorgeous highways in the US. I have driven it from Crescent City down to San Diego (not all in one stretch) and it never fails to impress. Perhaps my favorite segment of the PCH or Highway 1 is the one along Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay has been a family tradition of ours going back decades. It actually has been a family tradition since before I was born, so it is very close to my heart. I love the crashing waves, craggly coastline and sunny one second, socked in foggy the next weather. It is breathtaking and just gorgeous overall. I know many people do not care for NorCal beaches as they think only hot sun and flat sandy expanses do a beach make. No skin off my nose, that just means it is less crowded and more peaceful for those of us who do love it. The road itself is very winding and can be hazardous if you are not used to such curvaceous driving conditions. I am always amazed at how fast people will drive along here. Really, take your time, enjoy the view and get to the beach alive. Also, try and be curteous to your fellow travelers, at nighttime turn down your brights when you pass someone going the other direction. Don't tailgate those of us who don't think that life is a racecourse. Really, we will pull over as soon as humanly possible and let you pass if you really want to take your life into your hands, but don't put my family at risk. Also, be cognizant that some people bike and walk along these narrow roads and reducing your speed can mean the difference between a happy day and tradgedy. Okay, enough with my safety rant, back to the beauty of our California Coastline. It really is a gift of nature and deserves to be respected and revered. Next time you drive along this stretch, take a moment to pull over and reflect on the horizon, breathe in the sea air and appreciate what beauty is naturally occuring in life. read more

it was really nice to get away this weekend. I enjoyed how peaceful the view was, sometimes it's nice to just relax pull over, and take a look around. and to think just a few hours away is such a wonderful view. read more

Pacific Coast Highway - So peaceful - Beaches Near Me

West coast best coast don't miss chance to drive river road to the PCH and visit Petaluma on the way read more

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The Pacific Coast Highway never fails to impress. Be it gently winding around the Central Coast in view of Hearst Castle, or clinging to the cliffs as it climbs to Fort Ross on Sonoma's North Coast, there is an astounding variety of sights. Around Bodega Bay, it's windy, but not as treacherous as Jenner/Sea Ranch. It's scenic going through the San Andreas Fault Zone. Is it any surprise that the Greek god of oceans, Poseidon, was called "Earth-shaker"? One can feel the Earth and the Sea move. read more