Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip-Central Coast
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The California coast offers some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere and the route along the Pacific Coast Highway or
We’ve taken the trip many times and always tend to stop in the same spots. The scenery is unrivaled and the chance to see whales, dolphins and sea lions is always a treat.
From north to south our favorite places to see along the coast
The beginning of the road and a classic historical stop, Monterey. What was once California’s capital and the hub of early trade routes in the Pacific now is home to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and is a must-see spot to take in the marine wildlife hanging out or passing through the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. A stop at the Beach House at Lover’s point for their shrimp is always on my itinerary. https://beachhousepg.com/
From Monterey, follow the coast line to Pacific Grove and take in the unique white sand and tide pools at Asilomar state beach.
Continue around the Monterey Peninsula and enter 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach. https://www.pebblebeach.com/17-mile-drive/ This stretch of road does come with a toll, but the views are worth every penny. Dotted with mega mansions on the left and Monterey cypress and endless ocean to the right, the drive has tons of pullouts and viewpoints, most of which can accommodate RV parking.
At the end of 17-mile drive lies Pebble Beach golf course and the Inn at Spanish Bay. This iconic course plays host to PGA greats and is a bucket list play for any golfer.
Exiting 17-mile drive you’ll enter the town of Carmel by the Sea. With its quaint tourist area, Carmel is home to many art galleries and former mayor, Clint Eastwood. We visit every year during car week to take in classic cars while strolling the streets and enjoying local wines and fresh seafood. Driving an RV in Carmel can be tough though, the roads are narrow, and parking is limited.
Continuing south, make sure to stop and get the money shot of the Bixby Bridge. This single-span concrete arch is more than 260 feet high and 700 feet long is one of the most photographed spots on the coast. From here plan a stop in the adorable colony of Big Sur where you can fill up your tank $$$$ and grab a quick bite to eat.
Just south of the town is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570 The peaks of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park tower high above the Big Sur River Gorge, where the Big Sur River enters this popular park. A large campground accommodates RVers but does have size restrictions. It’s a great place for an
Make sure to have your binoculars handy for the next leg of your trip. While the PCH continues to hug the coastline, you’ll travel along a cliff road sometimes 1000 feet above the surf. Ahead of you lies the southern stretch of Big Sur, with four small settlements in the next 40 miles, Lucia, Plaskett, Gorda, and Ragged Point. From here onward are hills and pastureland. Traveling on you’ll spy the Piedras Blancas Light Station on a point supposedly named in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for its white rocks (they’re covered with bird droppings).
After several miles away from the coast, you’ll emerge in San Simeon. Home of the famous Hearst Castle. http://www.hearstcastle.org/ Perched in the Santa Lucia Range, the 127-acre estate of the late William Randolph Hearst, it features a 115-room main house and guesthouses. Take the tour to see the beautiful Greek-inspired outdoor pools and the lavish gold flecked bottom of the indoor pool. Besides the historic artwork and furnishings, the ocean views from the property are magnificent.
Continue six miles to the small town of Cambria nestled against rolling hills where Monterey pines thrive. On the ocean side of the highway, at Moonstone Beach, you can look for moonstones and California jade.
The end of our route is Morro Bay. Known for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock Beach. The last in a chain of long-extinct volcanoes, covers over 50 acres at its base and towers 576 feet above the entrance to Morro Bay. The waters that make up the bay are contained within a three-mile sandpit and the shores of Morro Bay and Los Osos. The local fishing industry is one of the most important along the California Coast. There are several places to stay in an RV near here. We like Morro Dunes for it’s easy access and great view. http://morrodunes.com/morro_dunes/index.html
