PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP OVERVIEW

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP MAP

Please feel free to download this map for your personal use when planning your trip.

To download this Google Map, click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. 

We use these maps in the planning stage of creating all our itineraries as you can set out your plan in advance and then quickly reference these maps through the planning process.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 1

SAN FRANCISCO

Fort Point  |  Golden Gate Bridge  |  Battery Spencer  |  Battery Wallace  |  Lombard Street  |  Fishermans Wharf  |  USS Pampatino  |  Pier 39  |  Cable Car Museum  |  Alcatraz Island

Your first stop in San Francisco is Fort Point which nestles below the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The fort would have had to be destroyed to make way for the bridge but was deemed historically significant enough to be saved. When the bridge was designed that a “bridge within a bridge” was built, an arch that went over the fort leaving it intact. This leaves the fort today with some spectacular views of the bridge from more unusual angles and leaves visitors glimpsing the bridge as they explore the fort.

Fort Point dates back to when the San Francisco area was controlled by the Spanish. Castillo de San Joaquin was built in 1794 and housed around a dozen cannons. When Mexico gained independence from Spain, the fort was abandoned for many years until it was captured by US forces in 1846. At some point during this time, the name changed to Punta del Castillo which translates to Castle Point and became Fort Point under US control.

After California became a state, the original fort was demolished as the cliffs it was located on were demolished down almost to sea level for the construction of the current fort. The intention was to allow for cannons to be fired as low to the water as possible so that they skipped across the surface, like skimming a stone, in order to hit enemy ships at the water line for maximum damage. Though about 30 similar forts were constructed on the east coast, Fort Point is the only one on the west coast.

Leaving Fort Point it’s time to head over the bridge that towers above. Constructed between 1933 and 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge spans nearly 1.25 miles (2 km) and the central span is 0.8 miles (1.3 km) long. It was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world when it opened, but has since been surpassed on both counts by other bridges around the world. Since it’s opening, the distinctive red (officially orange vermillion) bridge has become an iconic symbol of San Francisco.

Immediately after you cross the bridge, there is an exit ramp which takes you to Golden Gate Bridge View Vista Point. Here you can get a head-on view of the bridge and see directly back across the bridge to the southern end. You can also see the city skyline across the bay and Alcatraz Island.

Heading into the Marin Headlands, there are several defensive military positions that have protected San Francisco Bay from invaders for well over a century. Battery Spencer defended the entrance to the Bay from 1897 until World War II. The battery contained 12″ guns which could attack any ship sailing into the natural harbour as well as the associated shell, powder and hoist rooms. Some of the remaining buildings can be entered, but many are sealed shut.

Once you’ve wandered through the remains of the battery, you come to a small headland and get to see probably the most famous view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Heading further around the headland the road becomes a one-way street before you get to Battery Wallace. Originally built at the end of World War I as part of Fort Barry as two 12″ coastal guns, it was casemated in 1942 to offer better protection for the guns from enemy aircraft. Visitors who have explored the coast of Normandy will no doubt find the look of the gun emplacements quite familiar.

There is much more to see on the Marin Headlands for visitors who want to spend more time here such as the Nike Missile Site, walking trails and other batteries to explore. But for this itinerary its time to head into San Francisco to visit one of the worlds steepest and curviest streets. Lombard Street, at least the famous curvy section, is just 460 feet (140 m) long but descends 105 feet (32 m) in that distance.

One of the most bustling parts of San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf, so-called because it is the home of San Francisco’s fishing fleet. The first stop in the area is the USS Pampanito a World War II submarine. The sub made six tours out into the Pacific during the war and sank six Japanese ships as well as damaging another four. The ship is being restored to how it would have looked right at the end of World War II and visitors can explore the ship from bow to stern.

Heading west you come to Pier 39 where you can see a colony of sea lions basking on the old boat docks depending on the season. The pier is a popular shopping destination and has a host of entertainment options and shops to explore. From the end of the pier, you can enjoy views across San Francisco Bay and out to Alcatraz Island.

Perhaps the most iconic sight in San Francisco is the cable cars which travel around the hilly streets. The cables for the cars are embedded in the streets for the cars to grab onto when they need to move and run in a huge loop from a central winding station. Riding a cable car is a unique experience and the skill of driving one takes years of practice to gently get the cars moving, bring them to a stop and obey all the traffic signals along the route.

The next stop is the Cable Car Museum where you can learn more about how the system came into being, how it works and to view old cable cars as well as the winding station that powers it all. The cable cars are the last surviving manually operated cable cars in the world and one of only two moving national monuments in the US. Taking a ride on one is a unique experience not to be missed.

The final stop on an action-packed first day is to visit the infamous Alcatraz Island and the “escape-proof” prison that resides on it. The ferry to the island leaves from Pier 33 and takes visitors around the western and northern ends of the island before docking on the eastern side of The Rock.

Once on the island, you can take an audio-guided tour of the cell house and hear the tales of famous prisoners, escape attempts and learn about the people who worked on the island. Beyond the cell house, you can visit the ruins of the governor’s mansion and the lighthouse as well as take in the views across the bay of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR TWO NIGHTS

Unfortunately, the apartment we stayed at in San Francisco isn’t available on Airbnb anymore so we don’t have any personal recommendations for San Francisco.

You can check out these alternative Airbnbs in San Francisco or here are some ideas for hotels in San Francisco if you’d prefer that instead.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 2

SAN FRANCISCO TO MONTEREY

Mission San Francisco de Asis  |  Twin Peaks  |  The Thinker  |  Holocaust Memorial  |  Camera Obscura  |  Google Statues  |  Mission San Juan Bautista  |  Old Fisherman’s Wharf  |  Monterey Bay Aquarium

The first stop on day two is a visit to the oldest surviving building in San Francisco, the Mission San Francisco de Asis. The mission, which is also known as Mission Dolores, was dedicated in 1791 while the large Basilica next to it was dedicated in 1918. Inside the mission, you’ll find a simple place of worship with predominantly white walls and a colourful red, orange, white zigzag patterned ceiling. On the right wall is a beautiful fresco that stretches from floor to ceiling and at the front is the much more elaborate altar.

The large Basilica next door to the mission is worth visiting too, it is beautifully decorated with stained glass windows and some wonderful mosaic images. Outside the mission is a small garden and cemetery where some notable San Franciscans are buried. Here you’ll also find a replica Tule House, which is what Bay Area Ohlone Indians would have lived in for thousands of years.

A short distance southwest of the mission is the second highest peak in San Francisco. Twin Peaks can, dependent on whether the famous fog has other ideas, provide a great view across the city and out into San Francisco Bay. We didn’t go into the Legion of Honor museum, but we did pop into the courtyard to see a cast of Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” statue before heading to a more sobering sight.

There are many memorials to the holocaust around the world, but the one in San Francisco is quite haunting. Several figures lie apparently dead on the ground whilst a lone figure looks through the barbed wire fence. A plaque next to the memorial has a short commentary above a list of many of the death camps where the holocaust happened. It’s a peaceful memorial that allows visitors a moment of reflection on man’s inhumanity to man.

The final stop before heading south out of San Francisco is the camera obscura just south of the ruins of the Sutro Baths, a historical bathhouse. Here you can enter a darkened room and see live images from outside reflected down into the room from the pinhole camera on the roof. The camera can be rotated 360° to look in any direction and the images you see are produced just by the natural light entering the camera.

Heading south you can make a quick stop at a unique sight in Mountain View. Whenever Google released a new version of Android they made an Android Statue that reflected the name of the version. Sadly they no longer do this and just give them numbers now, but the statues they created can be viewed in the Android Statue Garden. It’s a fun stop to see the quirky statues they came up with for each version.

As you head south towards Monterey, you can head inland a little way to visit the Mission San Juan Bautista. Established in 1797 as the fifteenth Spanish mission in what became California, it has held daily mass ever since. Visitors today can explore decorated rooms, take a moment in the church and explore the gardens. The mission was used as a set for Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo.

Getting back to the coast, it’s time to head further south into Monterey and its famous aquarium. With 35,000 animals from 550 different species to explore from penguins to jellyfish and seabirds to octopus it’s worth planning to spend a couple of hours visiting the aquarium. One of the most impressive features is the kelp forest which measures 28 feet (8.5 m) tall by 65 feet (20 m) long and is the first time an artificial kelp forest has been maintained in an aquarium. 

WHERE TO STAY IN MONTEREY

Unfortunately, the lovely self-contained apartment in the host’s house we stayed at in Monterey isn’t available on Airbnb anymore so we don’t have any personal recommendations for Monterey.

You can check out these alternative Airbnbs in Monterey or here are some ideas for hotels in Monterey if you’d prefer that instead.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 3

MONTEREY TO BIG SUR

San Carlos Cathedral  |  Lovers Point  |  17 Mile Drive  |  Carmel Mission Basilica  |  Point Lobos  |  Rocky Creek Bridge  |  Bixby Bridge  |  Pfeiffer Beach  |  McWay Falls

First stop, as you explore the Monterey Peninsula, is San Carlos Cathedral which was built between 1791-94. It is the oldest and smallest active cathedral in the US and is the first stone building in what would become California. Inside the bright cathedral, you’ll find a red stone floor and light blue ceiling with icon paintings on the walls. It’s a peaceful place for a moment’s reflection.

Lover’s Point is the start of your drive to see more of the beautiful coastline of Monterey. The point is one corner of the Lovers Point State Marine Reserve and the perfect place to take a quick stroll on the beach and dip your toes into the Pacific Ocean.

To drive more of the coastline you can take 17-Mile Drive which, as the name suggests, is a 17-mile long route much of which hugs the coast. The road is private and non-residents of the area have to pay a toll to use it as the whole area is owned by the Pebble Beach Corporation. The drive is easy to follow and you’ll no doubt want to pull over and enjoy the scenery along the way.

You may see sea lions basking on the rocks as the waves crash ashore around them. One of the most famous sights is the Lone Cypress, for over 250 years this solitary tree has grown on the rocky outcrop just off the coast and it is claimed to be the world’s most photographed tree.

The final stop in the Monterey area before heading to Big Sur is the Carmel Mission Basilica. The site today consists of several museums, including ones dedicated to the founder Saint Fray Junipero Serra and renowned restorer Sir Harry Downie as well as the Basilica. Founded in 1771, the basilica has an impressive vaulted ceiling and contains the shrine of its founder as well as Californias first library.

Point Lobos is the start of your journey along the rugged coastline of Big Sur, a scenic highlight of the Pacific Coast Highway. There are plenty of trails you can take within the park to explore the rocky coastline, sandy beaches and wildlife. You can also explore a small cultural history museum in an old Whaler’s Cabin.

One of the nice things about the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur is that there are ample places to pull off and admire the scenery. A couple of great places to stop with beautiful views are the Rocky Creek and Bixby bridges, both offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean as well as fabulous views of the bridges themselves. Opened in 1932 both bridges have elegant central arches to cross the ravines below and make great backdrops to photos.

At Bixby bridge, a great photo spot is to cross the road from the photographers at Castle Rock Viewpoint and head down Coast Road a short distance. From here you can take the picture you see in the header of this post, encompassing the graceful arch and curve of the bridge with the rugged coastline and the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.

Pfeiffer Beach is the perfect place to take a short break and enjoy the waves. A wide expanse of sand in the protected bay makes it a great place to enjoy the ocean breeze and take a break after a long day sight-seeing. The beach has a large rock formation jutting out of the water where you can explore or just watch the water crashing around and through the rocks.

The final stop for the day is possibly one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the world. It can’t compete on the flow rate or height, but it has the rarity that, at high tide, it is a tidefall as the water falls directly into the ocean. Accessible along a small trail the view is unencumbered by throngs of tourists as the beach itself and therefore the waterfall is off-limits.

At the end of the short trail, you can see the remains of a house called Waterfall house which used a waterwheel to provide the first electricity in Big Sur. The electricity was used to provide power to three homes, a blacksmith and a funicular railway. Sadly there is little left to see of what must have been quite a set-up.

WHERE TO STAY IN BIG SUR

RECOMMENDED: Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn in Big Sur, California

Big Sur is an expensive place to stay as demand for accommodation outstrips supply by a large margin. This is why a lot of people drive through it in one day. But though expensive for what it is and quite rustic compared with a modern city hotel, Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn was a comfortable place to stay for the night.

You can check out these Airbnbs in Big Sur or here are some alternative ideas for hotels in Big Sur if you’d prefer that instead.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 4

BIG SUR TO SAN LUIS OBISPO

Partington Cove  |  Big Creek Bridge  |  Limekiln State Park  |  Salmon Creek Trail  |  Elephant Seal Visitor Centre  |  Hearst Castle  |  Avila Hot Springs

Partington Cove is a beautiful place to admire the view closer down by the waves. But, be aware though it’s not a long trail, you do descend 230 feet (70 m) and you have to climb that on the way back up! You head through a tunnel along the trail which brings you out into the cove and there is a small area to rest and look out over the Pacific and enjoy the tranquillity.

Big Creek bridge is similar in design to Rocky Creek and Bixby bridges but has two arches as it is longer. It offers another great place to stop and take a photograph or just pause and enjoy the wonderful scenery of this part of the world.

One of our favourite parts of this trip was the visit to Limekiln State Park. Here a 2 mile (3.1 km) round trip hike will take you to two waterfalls as well as the limekilns from which the park gets its name. The trail is quite easy and well maintained with bridges in places and pretty easy to cross streams as you walk amongst the redwoods. If you keep right at each of the two forks on the trail, you’ll first travel up Hare Canyon amongst the redwoods. This trail ends quite abruptly at a small waterfall and is clearly marked with a “trail ends” sign.

The next fork takes you up East Fork Limekiln Creek, at the end of which is a tall rockface which Limekiln Falls tumbles down. The final fork leads you to the Old Limekiln Ruins, here you’ll find four limekilns looking quite incongruous amongst the forest. In the late 1800s limestone was cut from the surrounding rocks and heated in the kilns to extract the lime. The kilns were heated by burning the trees and the extracted lime was used in cement for construction.

About 30 minutes drive south of Limekiln Falls, or more if you’ve stopped to admire the scenery along the way is another waterfall. A short hike along Salmon Creek will take you to the waterfall, though the water more slides down the rocks for 120 feet (37 m) than “falls”!

A great place to see a huge number of Elephant Seals is at the aptly named Elephant Seal Vista Point. You’ll see seals basking on the beach and perhaps frolicking in the sea depending on which time of year you visit. There are also plenty of seabirds around as well as the sounds of the waves crashing across the rocks.

The final stop in Big Sur is at Hearst Castle, the magnum opus of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. Construction of the castle began in 1919 and only stopped during World War II and on Hearst’s death in 1947. It became a destination for luminaries of the time such as movie stars, politicians and other notable figures of the day. Visitors today can choose one of several tours of the castle (we did the Grand Rooms Tour) and then explore the ground at their leisure.

The rooms inside are extravagantly decorated and worth of any palace, from tapestries to mosaic floors, stunning marquetry to plush furnishings. Outside are immaculately maintained gardens, ornamental ponds, statues, trees and shrubs along with stunning views down to the coast and Two amazing swimming pools are located on the property: outside is the Neptune pool is decorated with statues and columns and looks as if it could have been lifted from a Roman villa. While the indoor Roman pool is a blue mosaic masterpiece that may be the most extravagant pool you’ll ever see.

If you stay tonight in San Luis Obispo as we did then a great idea to relax in the evening is a visit to Sycamore Springs. You can rent a hillside hot tub with wonderful views and reset ready for the second half of your trip.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO

RECOMMENDED: Mid-Century Design Close to Downtown in San Luis Obispo, California

This self-contained apartment attached to the host’s home was perfect our stay in San Luis Obispo. The hosts were very helpful and the place was compact but very comfortable. The outdoor seating area was a lovely place to eat in the evening.

You can check out these alternative Airbnbs in San Luis Obispo or here are some ideas for hotels in San Luis Obispo if you’d prefer that instead.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 5

SAN LUIS OBISPO TO LOS ANGELES

Mission San Luis Obispo  |  Bubblegum Alley  |  Solvang  |  Mission Santa Barbara  |  The Getty Villa

The first of two stops in San Luis Obispo is the mission, founded in 1772, that takes its name from the town. The simple, but beautifully decorated church is unique in that it is L-shaped with two naves of much the same size leading off from the altar at right-angles. Visitors can also view the small museum that holds a collection of artefacts and the small, but beautifully manicured gardens. A stone pool outside the mission shows a bear fishing, while two cubs play and a small girl sits watching.

A unique “attraction” in the town is Bubblegum Alley. Here a 66 foot (20 m) long alley with 15 foot (4.5 m) high walls is pretty much completely covered in bubblegum. It’s kind of disgusting and impressive in equal measure! Much of the gum is just pressed onto the wall (or on top of other gum), others are stretched into shapes and patterns. It’s colourful, for the fresher gum anyway, unique and weird, just don’t accidentally lean on the wall when you visit!

Solvang is a little piece of Denmark in the heart of California. The town was founded by Danes in 1911 and certainly has a Danish feel to it with a windmill, bakeries serving Danish pastries and plenty of Danish flags around. A copy of the famous Little Mermaid statue, a bust of Hans Christian Andersen and even a one-third scale model of Copenhagen’s Round Tower can be found in the town. It’s the perfect place to stop and explore for a short time and enjoy a mid-morning drink and a snack.

Founded in 1786, Mission Santa Barbara looks more like a European cathedral than a mission, perhaps due to the fact that it has two bell towers flanking the building. In front of the chapel, you can see the remains of a washing area called a Lavanderia. Clothes would be soaped on the sloping sides before being rinsed in the central pool. Visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour where you will see the sacred garden, historic mausoleum, church and the museum.

For a taste of Italy before heading into Los Angeles, the next stop is at the Getty Villa. Built by J. Paul Getty, the villa was inspired by the Villa of the Papri in southern Italy and showcases a collection of Romans, Greek and Etruscan antiquities.

As you drive into Los Angeles to end the day, you might want to drive down some of the famous streets and districts you’ve no doubt heard about. Places such as Beverly Hills, North Robertson Boulevard, Sunset Strip and Hollywood Boulevard are great to drive down and get your first taste of Los Angeles.

WHERE TO STAY IN LOS ANGELES FOR TWO NIGHTS

RECOMMENDED: Hollywood Blvd – Modern 1 Bed in Los Angeles, California

This apartment right next to the walk of fame was the perfect place to stay for us to explore LA. With secure parking and a swimming pool and gym on-site, it was a clean, comfortable place to rest for a couple of nights.

You can check out these alternative Airbnbs in Los Angeles or here are some ideas for hotels in Los Angeles if you’d prefer that instead.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 6

LOS ANGELES

Warner Bros. Studio Tour  |  Hollywood Sign  |  California Science Center  |  Hollywood Walk of Fame

Your first stop today is to see behind the magic of Hollywood by taking a tour of Warner Bros. Studios. Tours last two to three hours and each tour is slightly different depending on what is happening at the studio that day, but you should see a studio as well as the backlots that are used in so many films and tv shows. You may also take a ride through the props area and catch glimpses of all the different things that happen in order for you to see the finished film or tv show.

The tours are unscripted and guides will ask you about your favourite shows so they can point out things related to those shows. At a couple of places, you are given time to explore a museum exhibit area or two (we saw vehicles from Batman movies in one and Harry Potter and Batman costumes and movie artefacts in another.

The final part of the tour is a self-guided walk through Stage 48. Here you’ll see sets such as Central Perk from friends where you can have your photo taken on the famous couch. They also show you some of the tricks used to, for example, make two people of a similar height look like they are wildly different sizes. The tour is a great way to peek behind the curtain and find out a little more about the magic of Hollywood.

No visit to Los Angeles would be complete without seeing the Hollywood sign. It can be seen from many places in the city, but for a great view, we have two suggestions for you. 6101 Mulholland Hwy is as close as you can get to the sign and is known as the Last House on Mulholland. Lake Hollywood Park is a green space a bit further away but still with a great view of the sign and the famous radio tower behind it.

You could spend many hours at the California Science Center, but we added it to this itinerary because it holds one special exhibit that you can’t see in that many places. That exhibit is the Space Shuttle Endeavour which was constructed to replace Challenger which exploded just over a minute after take-off in 1986. Endeavour made 25 trips into orbit and was named after Captain James Cook’s ship HMS Endeavour, hence why it is not spelt the US way.

Within the Endeavour exhibit, you will see assorted artefacts from the shuttle programme including the tyres that were on the shuttle for its final mission. You then watch a short movie about the shuttle’s final journey, first by air on the back of a 747 to Los Angeles Airport and then through the streets of LA. The route had to be meticulously planned and at times there were just inches to spare for the shuttle to move through. Once the film has finished you enter the hangar where the shuttle is stored and can walk around and underneath the orbiter to get a closer look.

The final stop of the day is to visit the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame where you can find over 2,600 stars dedicated to stars of stage, screen and music. You can find out where the star for your favourite actor or musician is by clicking here. It’s worth checking you are seeing the right star as there are two stars dedicated to two different Michael Jackson’s and Harrison Ford’s! A few “stars” are unique along the walk of fame, such as those dedicated to the Apollo 11 astronauts and Muhammad Ali’s star which is on the wall of the Dolby Theatre as he did not want it to be walked on.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 7

LOS ANGELES TO SAN DIEGO

Korean Friendship Bell  |  Queen Mary  |  Cave Store  |  La Jolla Cove  |  Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Heading south towards Long Beach the first stop is at the Korean Friendship Bell. The Bell was a gift from the South Korean government in 1975 as a token of friendship and to commemorate the US bicentennial. The bell is 12 feet (3.5 m) high, weighs 17 tons and is made of bronze. It is decorated with relief images and is struck on the 1st Saturday of the month as well as on special occasions with a large external wooden striker.

Your final stop in Los Angeles will take you back to the golden age of cruising when that was the fastest way to cross the Atlantic. RMS Queen Mary and its sister ship Queen Elizabeth were built to carry passengers quickly and luxuriously between England, France and the US. Queen Mary won the coveted Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing soon after her maiden voyage and recaptured and held it from 1938 to 1952.

She was converted to a troop carrier during World War II but was refitted for passenger service once the war was over and dominated the transatlantic service until the dawn of the jet age. Queen Mary is now permanently moored in Long Beach and visitors can explore many parts of the ship or even stay on board part of the ship has been converted to be a hotel.

On your self-guided tour, you can explore the ship from bow to stern, experiencing the sumptuous art-deco fixtures and fittings that passengers would enjoy on their voyage. You’ll visit the bridge, first-class and other cabins, the engine room and even go outside to see the propellers that made the ship move. You can also view an anti-aircraft gun that would have defended the ship from attack during its war service and see how troops would have been carried onboard.

After enjoying the last of the Pacific Coast as you head toward San Diego the last stop outside the city is the Cave Store. Here you can climb down a tunnel carved into the rock to go and see Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave. Perhaps the cave was used by smugglers back in the day, but now it’s just an interesting curiosity for tourists to explore.

A great way to finish your day is to head over to Sunset Cliffs which as the name suggests is a great way to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. 

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO FOR TWO NIGHTS

RECOMMENDED: Endless Ocean & Downtown Views in San Diego, California

This small apartment connected to the hosts home doesn’t disappoint with expansive views from the panoramic windows across the bay towards San Diego. The apartment was perfect for a couple of nights, though it did not have a full kitchen which may or may not be important to you.

You can check out these alternative Airbnbs in San Diego or here are some ideas for hotels in San Diego if you’d prefer that instead.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 8

SAN DIEGO

San Diego Trolley Tour  |  Harbour Cruise  |  Gaslamp Quarter  |  Balboa Park  |  Old Town Historic Site  |  Mormon Battalion Historic Site

A great way to get oriented around San Diego is to take the Trolley Tour. You can use this as a means of transport between sights, as we did, or just as a narrated tour. The trollies travel a 25-mile route around the city with 12 places where you can hop on or off. They travel out to Coronado island over the arching bridge, have several stops in downtown and go out to Balboa Park and the Old Town. We joined at stop A in the old town and for this itinerary, stop C was the first place to alight.

As well as the trolley, another great way to explore San Diego is with a harbour tour. You can take two different one-hour tours, or do them back to back for a 2-hour trip around the harbour as we did. One of the tours takes you out past the USS Midway where you may see current US aircraft carriers on the opposite bank. You then head out under Coronado bridge and past other assorted warships before turning around.

The other tour head in the opposite direction out past the marina on one bank and the Naval Air Station on the other, where you see a myriad of naval aircraft and helicopters. You’ll probably see sea lions basking on wooden docks and perhaps something in the dry dock as well as a nuclear submarine or two.

Back on dry land, it’s time to rejoin the trolley and head into central San Diego to the Gaslamp Quarter. But if you’re ready for lunch, you might want to head to Kansas City BBQ. It was here that the famous sleazy bar scene from Top Gun was filmed and the restaurant has plenty of memorabilia on its walls to celebrate appearing in the film.

The Gaslamp Quarter (stop G) or district as it is known to locals is a historic part of the downtown where several festivals are held throughout the year. You’ll find 94 mostly Victorian historic buildings in the area along with entertainment venues and a vibrant nightlife.

Continuing the trolley tour back to the start point, it will take you over the Coronado Bridge for a different perspective of the harbour from the harbour cruise. The trolley then travels through Balboa Park with its ornate buildings and reflecting pool as well as attractions such as the Natural History Museum and zoo.

Back at the start point of the trolley tour, you’ll be right next to the Old Town of San Diego which is now an open-air museum. The area is the oldest settled area in what became San Diego and some of the buildings date back to 1820. Today the area contains 27 historic buildings and sites along with 100 speciality shops, restaurants and museums which makes it a great place to wander around whether you come for the history, the shopping, or both.

The final stop for the day is at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site which commemorates the service of the volunteer Mormon Battalion during the Mexican-American War. The battalion was the only religiously based unit in the history of the US military. Today you can take a guided tour of the site and learn about how and why the battalion marched from Iowa and the extreme hardships they suffered on the way.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP: DAY 9

SAN DIEGO

USS Midway

The final stop on the itinerary before heading home is the USS Midway. Midway is the only non-Essex class carrier on display to the public and was the lead carrier of its class of just three carriers. It was also the longest-serving carrier in US naval history with a service period of 47 years.

Visitors today can explore much of the carrier, from the flight deck and it’s myriad of aircraft being displayed to the below-decks areas. A short guided tour of the bridge area allows visitors to get a sense of the scale of the carrier deck as well as providing an interesting insight into carrier operations. Below the flight deck are the vast hangars which would have stored aircraft when the carrier was in service. You can also visit the ready room where the pilots of those planes would have been briefed before their missions.

Further down in the ship are the kitchens which would prepare the food for the entire crew, check out the difference in the dining areas for the crew compared with the officers! You can also see bunks, the chapel, the laundry and much much more as you explore this enormous vessel.

BEST TIME TO TAKE A PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP

In our opinion, the best time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is anytime between April and October. In summer, temperatures will be higher, but generally below 30°C (86°F), except possibly in August. But, even in winter, temperatures are generally mild and attractions are quieter without the summer crowds.

We visited in early August and found the tourist season in full swing with everything open and crowds at the bigger sights. Queues for cable cars in San Francisco were long and tickets for things like Alcatraz or the studio tour had to be booked in advance.

In the summer (June to mid-September) the days are long (like 09:00 pm sunsets), the weather is quite hot, and every sightseeing attraction, B&B, and hotel is open. This is also the time of year where airfare, car rental, and hotel prices will be the highest.

In the winter (November – February) there are fewer daylight hours and in some cases, you might find reduced opening hours for attractions, and it’s possible that some of the smaller attractions may be closed altogether. The weather is much cooler, though will be a bit warmer as you head south. As so much of this itinerary is outside you may not find the best weather for hiking etc., but you are likely to find great prices on airfares, hotels, and B&Bs.

RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP