7 Tips for Planning a Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: Cost, Weather & Route Information

Ойын-сауық

Are you looking to drive Pacific Coast Highway? If so, here are 7 tips to make the most of your time on this fantastic road trip. In this video I talk about the route, how much the trip cost, how to plan for weather and lots more. Be sure to let me know if you have a tip I left off in the comments!
eBook - payhip.com/b/PUkme
Follow me:
Facebook: / californiathroughmylens
Instagram: / californiathroughmylens
Pinterest: / cathroughmylens
Twitter: / cathroughmylens
Monthly newsletter and four day welcome series on California’s best spots: bit.ly/2AWSVMK
Gear:
See all the gear I use here www.amazon.com/shop/californi...
Print Shop:
californiathroughmylens.darkr...
Music:
Epidemic Sound
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Want to mail something?
California Through My Lens
5198 Arlington Ave # 937
Riverside, CA 92504
#californiathroughmylens #pacificcoasthighway #roadtriptips

Пікірлер: 80

  • @WeirdLifeofV
    @WeirdLifeofV Жыл бұрын

    Temperatures can vary significantly depending on where you are in California. There's a HUGE difference between Southern California and Northern California, and that's just when you're sticking to the coast. Going inland is another thing all together, especially in Southern and Central California. I recently bought a jacket that can be worn three ways depending on temperature and weather, so I like having it when I take road trips.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Agree 100%, it is a big change as you go up the coast.

  • @gmailmelanie

    @gmailmelanie

    Жыл бұрын

    Can you share link to the jacket?

  • @terlinguakidbriones
    @terlinguakidbriones4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for your information. My Paternal ancestors were part of the De Anza Expedition which they developed and traveled from San Diego to San Francisco and Bolinas, California. This was confirmed through Ancestry. I am from Texas and I have visited San Francisco four times and Los Angeles once. I have only traveled once from San Francisco to Point Reyes. Last year I made a plan to travel it during Spring Break but here it is Spring Break and atmospheric rivers rivers are pounding California with rain and snow. Thank you so much for your KZread videos. I have been a Science Teacher for thirty eight years and I can tell you are also a teacher at heart! Thank you again!

  • @christophersmith5849
    @christophersmith5849 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent tips, gives me to explore when i do it again. The most amazing bit of my trip donw PCH1 last year, was high up heading to Big Sur, we were above the clouds, stopping you could hear the sea below but couldnt see it, was so amazing and got some great pictures

  • @mikewheaton8723
    @mikewheaton8723 Жыл бұрын

    Josh and Jeff Love your trips . I really enjoy watching all of them. I get to see many places I’ll never be ever go to. Thank you for sharing. Mike from New York

  • @yolandamedina2828
    @yolandamedina2828 Жыл бұрын

    We live in Northern California and your video with your dad got me going for a road trip. Took my grandchildren to Cambria this summer. Beautiful drive. Thank you for sharing. Have wonderful weekend 🤗😎🤗

  • @zakkwylde9706
    @zakkwylde9706 Жыл бұрын

    I had a PCH tour from north to south in 3 days in 2019, after watching your last full video, my wife and I both decide to experience a south to north tour to take a different journey, and the guide is so good, I don't need to spend more time to make a plan, thank you so much, Josh!😄

  • @keithjohnson5398
    @keithjohnson5398 Жыл бұрын

    I've driven PCH from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo a few times, it's a beautiful but twisty & windy route and always welcome being able to get back on the 101 to finish the drive to LA.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    haha I know what you mean

  • @barbaramadson3538
    @barbaramadson3538 Жыл бұрын

    A big thank you for your video that included hiking Fern Canyon. I'm doing a National Park tour at the moment and just completed Fern Canyon based on your recommendation. Really awesome!

  • @jennaandeddy
    @jennaandeddy Жыл бұрын

    We had an epic PCH road trip recently too! It’s the most magical place.

  • @kalisfinest805
    @kalisfinest805 Жыл бұрын

    I love California 🥰 Im now living in Florida due to the military. I wish I would have explored more growing up in Ventura county. Ty for these videos!!! Greatly appreciate all the work that you put in to showcasing this beautiful state ❤️

  • @rideguy70
    @rideguy70 Жыл бұрын

    While we only did the section between LA and SF, one thing we discovered is that cell phone reception and navigation (such as Google Maps) doesn't always work so well on the trip. Planning ahead and/or having paper maps would be helpful... don't rely on getting reliable reception on your phones.

  • @darwinanthonymaming6405
    @darwinanthonymaming6405 Жыл бұрын

    Me and my wife completed this drive last May. It was our 2nd attempt. 1st attempt was in 2018, we came from SFO and we’re headed to LA. Unfortunately, there were landslides after we passed through Bixby Bridge that’s why we went back. Finally last May we were successful, but this time we came from LA. The views are really breathtaking! Next time will spend overnight in Big Sur. Thank you for inspiring us to do this road trip! We are always watching your videos. Shoutout from the Philippines!

  • @oliverolover
    @oliverolover Жыл бұрын

    REALLY love the cost breakdown at the end and would enjoy it you made that a regular feature in your content!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Trying to make that a part of all the big road trips now

  • @prowrestlingisart6742
    @prowrestlingisart6742 Жыл бұрын

    Great video with lots of useful tips, especially regarding the costs. Thanks Josh! Loved the trip recap video last week

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @EdgarUSA
    @EdgarUSA11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the information! Great job

  • @rajatanshu
    @rajatanshu9 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your wonderful advice & guidance. I wish there had been a motorcycle specific inputs for international travellers who want to explore natural wonders of USA on road. Thanks a lot for your kind help.

  • @rvlifediy
    @rvlifediy Жыл бұрын

    Great info, and especially the amount of time you suggest. I was originally thinking on doing it in 5 days (for no particular reason), but will have to add more days, so we can enjoy the trip more. Thank you for the great videos as usual.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    You could do it in 5 but I would recommend a few more

  • @star_platinum2821
    @star_platinum2821 Жыл бұрын

    I did this trip from San Francisco to LA, loved it

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    So awesome, it is a great one

  • @janowens4406
    @janowens4406 Жыл бұрын

    We live in San Diego and just recently drove up and stayed in Cambria for 6 nites, did lots of day trips, one day went all the way to the 17 mile loop and back to Cambria. We like to off-road, so we took the 11 mile Old Coast dirt Rd near Pfeiffer state park, it winds in and out of red wood forests and pops out at Bixby bridge. It was awesome! Our whole trip was awesome! Your videos gave us tons of ideas and tips! Thank you

  • @dunamon

    @dunamon

    Жыл бұрын

    My wife and I are going to do the coastal trip with Bixby & Big Sur section as our priority. Were from NY so pretty clueless as to motel and rental cars. Prob flying in to Sacramento. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

  • @keesdejong2940
    @keesdejong2940 Жыл бұрын

    I watched your videos when planning my PCH roadtrip. I started in LA and booked hotels in Santa Barbara, Big Sur and Monterey. On my final day I drove to Capitola and finished my roadtrip at SF airport. It was amazing. Thanks again for all the information.

  • @cathrynmc1

    @cathrynmc1

    6 ай бұрын

    Hi what hotel motel did you stay at ..!I want budget but nice myself x

  • @firevike2420
    @firevike2420 Жыл бұрын

    LOVE PCH!!! Thanks for another great video!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @R-abl
    @R-abl Жыл бұрын

    Josh you are awesome and ALL your videos rock!!!

  • @Mark_Bayer
    @Mark_Bayer Жыл бұрын

    If you car camp and buy groceries, you can do this trip really cheap… basically just the cost of gas. I will say though that finding good free coastal camping is tough, but it is doable. I did it a few years back.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea it can be a much cheaper trip with camping and no expensive food spots

  • @verenisenunez886
    @verenisenunez886 Жыл бұрын

    Great information. !

  • @DLMVegas
    @DLMVegas Жыл бұрын

    It was a shame you couldn't stop at Bowling Ball Beach due to the fire. I would have liked to have seen that stop. Great work on the video and your time.

  • @nancycamaquin6648
    @nancycamaquin6648 Жыл бұрын

    Great tips! Thank you!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    You are so welcome!

  • @Viajando_ala_naturaleza
    @Viajando_ala_naturaleza Жыл бұрын

    Very good ideas. 👍

  • @BrokerBasil
    @BrokerBasil Жыл бұрын

    Nicely presented thanks. I’m hoping to do this in my Sprinter van (need to convert it first) some day soon - within the next year from San Francisco. I guess the part around Big Sur where the road fell away has now been repaired?

  • @PeterDiBussolo
    @PeterDiBussolo10 ай бұрын

    We just did the hwy 1 drive and we found out they blocked the rest of the road off at 75% it. 45min after bug sur bridge we had to turn around and had to re drive 45 min back and take alt route. So my recommendation is do your research first so you can continue the drive. The rest of the hwy 1 drive will re open sometime in Oct.

  • @elaineshigemoto4373
    @elaineshigemoto4373 Жыл бұрын

    Saw the trip video with your dad and now want to visit places I had no idea existed! Did you happen to notice any EV charging stations along the way in the small towns? I’m very concerned there won’t be any facilities.. looking forward to your next adventure 😊

  • @Roadtosomethingnew1
    @Roadtosomethingnew1 Жыл бұрын

    thanks for sharing this

  • @kellywall3656
    @kellywall3656 Жыл бұрын

    Great video! I would like to add my few cents worth as I’ve spent some time along PCH 1. Places that you should definitely spend some time is: Cambria, the downtown area has some very nice shops and restaurants, there are several motels along the coast and you are close to wineries, Hearst Castle and the elephant seal rookery. Moro Bay is also another great place with fresh seafood and a pretty sizable sea otter population. My absolute favorite is Monterey; great restaurants, shopping and of course, Monterey Bay Aquarium. If anyone has seen Finding Dory, the aquarium in that film is based off Monterey Bay Aquarium. Also several whale watching tours (summertime is best to see humpback whales). Further north is Ano Nuevo to see elephant seals, Pigeon Point Lighthouse (which has a hostel), Santa Cruz (the boardwalk) and Half Moon Bay (where they held surfing competitions). If you venture into San Francisco please be careful not to leave valuables in your car, even in the tourist spots cars are being broken into. North of SF is Point Reyes (lighthouse, elk), Bodega Bay, Mendocino and Fort Bragg. I’ve been both south and north of all the above but these are my favorites. Keep in mind that it can be quite foggy in the summer as well as windy, so dress appropriately. There are lots of turnouts so please be courteous and let faster traffic pass. Honestly, there is so much to see you can easily make an hour long video just on PCH 1! There is a reason why it’s consistently voted one of the most beautiful routes in America!

  • @cathrynmc1

    @cathrynmc1

    6 ай бұрын

    I’m worried about running out of money .. I want to rent a car & stay in clean motels on this route suggestions please 🙏

  • @voyagerronin1668
    @voyagerronin16682 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the video. Planning for PCH road trip from SD to SF north. Just curious how hard is to cross road on foot to see view points or even cross lane to the ocean side to park at view points? Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. thanks.

  • @kellyjohnson3617
    @kellyjohnson3617 Жыл бұрын

    Also I would add about traffic that Big Sur can get very congested in the summer months snd no place to pull off snd park. Or just stuck behind people driving 10mph. Snd I would recommend spending more time in Big Sur if at all possible but lodging in Big Sur is pricey. But lots of good suggestions

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea that is a good call, it is slow driving there sometime and I basically never stay there because of the cost

  • @gabriel1594
    @gabriel1594 Жыл бұрын

    Me and my girlfriend are doing the Big Sur portion of this drive in early March. From people more familiar with this route, how is the weather/road closures during this time of year? I want to make the most of this trip but I am aware that landslides can really shake things up on this road.

  • @EvaUnit_01
    @EvaUnit_01 Жыл бұрын

    How much extra time would I need to add in the Oregon coast?

  • @IdaliaPerez-ud5pf
    @IdaliaPerez-ud5pfАй бұрын

    When you mention traveling North to South, you mean for example, beginning in San Francisco and going down to San Diego, yes?

  • @MDWavemaster
    @MDWavemaster Жыл бұрын

    I believe you've been living healthy since I last saw ya. Good work!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Been trying my best!

  • @oliverolover
    @oliverolover Жыл бұрын

    There is an airport in Eureka CA 60 miles north of where highway 1 begins in Legget CA where you can fly in and rent a car to drive from North to South.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh good to know!

  • @chicago3597
    @chicago35972 ай бұрын

    I’m new in Sandiago and want to take a few hours from Solano Beach to Carlsbad, would I be able to drive and see the ocean view in which highway should I take? Can you recommend?

  • @jobelgarcela9944
    @jobelgarcela9944 Жыл бұрын

    Please add some Drone Aerial view to some places especially green landscapes parks. Most people around the world surely wants to see Aerial views in the US.

  • @Mark_Bayer
    @Mark_Bayer Жыл бұрын

    I drove from santa monica to legget and then legget all the way to the end of the 101 in Washington in 2018. It was incredible! How much did i miss before Santa monica?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    Not much, you can see what we did in the video I posted last week

  • @Georgia-rd8ji
    @Georgia-rd8ji Жыл бұрын

    What time of year do you think is best to do this drive? August or October?

  • @finkmj53
    @finkmj53 Жыл бұрын

    When is the best time of year in terms of less traffic and not terrible weather?

  • @allisonsherman7231
    @allisonsherman7231 Жыл бұрын

    You mean, where I am in N. County SD, what I believe to be PCH, isn’t?

  • @battlegroundbasketball
    @battlegroundbasketball Жыл бұрын

    Is march a good month to do a road trip?

  • @marcelopisani8157
    @marcelopisani815710 ай бұрын

    Hi, please, can you help me to decide which way to drive...? south to north or viceversa.....my first thoughts is starting in San Diego and finishing in San Francisco before catching the plane back to Europe( where i live)., i think finishing in San Francisco is much nicer than to do in L.A ,but plenty people says is better from north to south so you are closer to the sea while driving....does it make much difference this option...?.Thanks.Best regards.Marcelo

  • @popshiking

    @popshiking

    7 ай бұрын

    @marcelopisani8157 That is an interesting question. Weather/time of year might make a difference. SF can get cold and is often windy. SD is pretty much beautiful all year round. You can see the ocean pretty easily if you are driving north or south, but as you indicate, you are on the ocean side of the road if you are going south. I hope you have a fabulous time!

  • @mixeddrinks8100
    @mixeddrinks8100 Жыл бұрын

    1. make sure you know there aren't any fire, and rain on the route and during the trip. PCH near big sur is a mess when it rains and wild fire would put you on major detours. 2. quite a few bridges requires toll, such as golden gate bridge going south, etc so know how you are going to pay for them, the license plate info etc are all important, if you from CA with a fastrak bring it 3. Unless you have a few thousand to spend on one night, you are going to want to stay outside of Big Sur. Also do not stay in SF with a rental car or even your own car, unless you want to shell out for abnormal parking fees and risk stolen, damaged car. 4. Ice chest, for chilled drinks and snacks are also a good idea, food along the coast are quite expensive, lunch and dinner food are great, but for average water and snacks sort of outrageous in tourist towns and always try to gas up at bigger city, always top off 5. Look back, sometimes the view is actually quite good looking back. 6. sometimes a slight detour off the 1 is actually quite good or just take the 101 on your return trip or trip there.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    These are all fantastic tips!

  • @martinhoelicker3273
    @martinhoelicker3273 Жыл бұрын

    I done it on a motorcycle several times. Much better then in a car

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    That would be awesome!

  • @welshieallovertheplace
    @welshieallovertheplace Жыл бұрын

    So I want to stay two nights somewhere on my trip. I'm thinking Mensecino / Caspar / Little River area but maybe someone can help me if that not the best place to stop over

  • @sasham1280

    @sasham1280

    Жыл бұрын

    Your going to pay a lot in Mendocino for a place to stay, just north of Mendocino is Fort Bragg (its about 20 minutes away) where hotels are cheaper and there's more of a selection

  • @welshieallovertheplace

    @welshieallovertheplace

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sasham1280 Thank you

  • @2011woodlands
    @2011woodlands Жыл бұрын

    You could lower costs with packing most of your meals and camping.

  • @grafvonwalbeck8261
    @grafvonwalbeck8261 Жыл бұрын

    IMHO the views and build-up is way better driving from South to North.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    That is probably true, instead of ending in LA / Orange County haha

  • @darlar.9043
    @darlar.9043 Жыл бұрын

    I want to know where bought the lobster roll.

  • @beverleyonajide4523
    @beverleyonajide4523 Жыл бұрын

    Pops does not like drop offs!

  • @cmichaelhaugh8517
    @cmichaelhaugh8517 Жыл бұрын

    Wow, I’m really surprised by the budget.

  • @markakira8988
    @markakira8988 Жыл бұрын

    For Ytube algo... Cheers

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    Жыл бұрын

    haha thanks!

Келесі