Pacific Coast Highway by RV: The Ultimate California Drive

If you've ever dreamed of driving along dramatic sea cliffs with the Pacific stretching to the horizon, Highway 1 is the road you've been imagining. The stretch from San Francisco to Los Angeles — roughly 400 miles — is one of the most scenic drives in the world, and it's even better from the elevated vantage point of an RV.

Here's how to plan the trip.

Most travelers drive the PCH from north to south (San Francisco to LA), keeping the ocean on your right and the views unobstructed. You can do it in reverse, but the southbound direction puts you closer to the cliff edge on the ocean side.

Allow at least 4–5 days to do the route justice. Rushing it is a mistake.

Start with a day in the city before you hit the road. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge (southbound travelers will cross it heading out of the city), stop at Baker Beach for a view back at the bridge, and fuel up in Pacifica.

About 30 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is a charming coastal town with excellent seafood, a state beach campground, and the famous Mavericks surf break (visible from the bluffs in winter).

Home to the famous boardwalk, excellent surf, and a vibrant downtown. The Natural Bridges State Beach is worth a stop for the monarch butterfly migration (October–February).

The crown jewel of the PCH. The 90-mile stretch through Big Sur is breathtaking — towering redwoods, dramatic cliffs, and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge. Drive slowly. Stop often.

Campgrounds in Big Sur:

• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (reservable, very popular)
• Kirk Creek Campground (first-come, first-served, stunning ocean views)
• Plaskett Creek Campground (first-come, first-served, near Sand Dollar Beach)

The hilltop estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst is one of California's most visited landmarks. Tours are available daily. The nearby San Simeon State Beach has a campground.

A charming harbor town dominated by Morro Rock, a 576-foot volcanic plug rising from the bay. Excellent seafood, kayaking, and a state park campground.

Inland but worth the detour — a beautiful college town with great restaurants, the famous Bubblegum Alley, and easy access to Pismo Beach.

The "American Riviera." Spanish colonial architecture, a beautiful beach, and excellent wine country nearby. A great place to spend a night before the final push to LA.

Road conditions: Highway 1 through Big Sur is occasionally closed due to landslides and road damage. Check Caltrans (dot.ca.gov) before you go.

Size restrictions: Some sections of Highway 1 have restrictions for vehicles over 40 feet. The road through Big Sur is narrow and winding — if you're in a large rig, take it slow and use pullouts to let traffic pass.

Fuel: Gas stations are sparse through Big Sur. Fill up in Carmel before heading south and again in Cambria.

Cell service: Limited through much of Big Sur. Download offline maps before you leave.

• April–June: Wildflowers, mild temperatures, and manageable crowds. The best overall time.
• September–October: Summer crowds thin out, temperatures are warm, and the light is golden.
• July–August: Peak season. Campgrounds fill up fast and traffic on the highway can be slow.
• Winter: Dramatic storms and moody skies, but road closures are more common.

Big Sur campgrounds are among the most sought-after in California. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park reservations open 6 months in advance on ReserveCalifornia.com and sell out within minutes. Set a reminder and be ready to book the moment they open.

The Pacific Coast Highway is the kind of drive that changes how you think about road trips. Once you've done it, every other drive feels like a warm-up.