Road trip season is here! Flying has its perks, but there’s nothing better than an old fashioned road trip during the summertime. Road trips encourage you to go with the flow. You can create a schedule for when you want to reach your destination, but there’s always the option of flexibility and adventure; taking off on side roads and making pit stops along the way.
Exploring the West Coast is a bucket-list worthy road trip; driving south through beautiful British Columbia and across the U.S. border to embark on the ultimate West Coast adventure.
What is the Pacific Coast Highway?
The Pacific Coast Highway, also known officially as US Route 101, is a popular bucket list adventure for a reason, starting in Washington it winds along the coast through Oregon and down to California. This iconic and scenic drive stretches over 1,600 kilometres along the western coast of North America and shows off breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged coastlines, towering redwoods, and charming coastal towns. While the Pacific Coast Highway technically starts in Seattle, Washington and ends in San Diego, California, starting the trip from British Columbia offers a bonus stretch beforehand!
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway requires some planning. It's important to check the weather and road conditions before embarking on the trip, as the weather can change quickly and some sections of the road may be closed during certain times of the year. It's also a good idea to plan your route and stops ahead of time, so you can make the most of your journey and see all the sights along the way.
First Leg: British Columbia
Before you hit Seattle to officially start the Pacific Coast Highway, you can begin your road trip as far North as you’d like as the Sea-to-Sky Highway, or Highway 99 officially, starts in Cache Creek, BC and finishes right at the USA border. As you head South along the Sea-to-Sky there are plenty of places to stop in Pemberton, Whistler, and Squamish where you can experience breathtaking views, outdoor activities, and local favourites. Nairn Falls Park , just outside of Pemberton, has amazing 60-metre-high falls that are within a short 1.5km hiking trail. Whistler has no shortage of outdoor activities and if you head up there in the summer you can experience the golfing, biking, and hiking that Whistler has become globally famous for. If you’re planning to make a stop in Squamish, the Sea to Sky Gondola is one the local’s first recommendations if you only have time for one thing!
After you’ve had your fill of the Sea to Sky Corridor, Highway 99 continues through Vancouver and White Rock before it hits the US border. If you time your summer road trip just right you can take in some of the most iconic festivals and fairs throughout these cities like Playland and the PNE in the heart of Vancouver. The PNE is only open for two weeks during the summer, so if it’s a must-see make sure you won’t miss the dates! White Rock is home to a plethora of festivals and events throughout the summer including the Concerts at the Pier and the White Rock Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days.
Second Leg: Washington
After you’ve finished exploring Beautiful British Columbia, it’s time to go through the Peace Arch border crossing into the United States . Just a mere two hour drive from the border you’ll enter Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. There are many landmarks to see and things to do in this port-city, with the Space Needle , Great Wheel, and Pike Place Market ranking highly on most “must see” attraction lists. To continue towards the Pacific Coast Highway you’ll head further South into Washington, through Tacoma, and follow the I-5 West towards Olympia, the state capital, and then onto Tumwater.
The city of Tumwater is the official start point for the Pacific Coast Highway, where it branches off from the I-5 and continues Northwest towards the Olympic Peninsula. This portion of Route 101 encircles the Olympic National Park , filling the drive with a beautiful coastline on your right and a diverse forest of old-growth Douglas fir and western Hemlock trees to your left. To drive fully around the Olympic National Park is a 5.5 hour drive but there are many places to stop and explore so you may want to plan a stop at the northernmost point of the Peninsula. If you pick just the right place, like Sequim or Port Angeles, you will have stunning views of Vancouver Island!
As you round the tip of the Peninsula and start heading South, it won’t be too much longer until you can see the Pacific Ocean although it will be for just a quick 15 minutes before you're back to the towering mountains and trees on either side. While you have a glimpse of the ocean alongside you, the Tree of Life makes a perfect pit stop to enjoy the fresh sea air. This landmark is located just outside of Kalaloch and shows that not all trees need to be firmly rooted. Heading further South into Washington, you’ll leave the Olympic National Park and drive through more beautiful forestscapes until you get to Long Beach, WA. Another amazing opportunity to leave the trees behind and get some ocean views, while traversing the Long Beach boardwalk. Check out the Kite Museum and the Cranberry Museum for new perspectives on some everyday items! If you’re keen to see a massive gathering of kites, try and hit Long Beach during the Annual International Kite Festival!
Third Leg: Oregon
Long Beach, WA marks the last place to visit before you cross into Oregon! This is really where the “Coast” part of Pacific Coast Highway comes into the trip. You’ll be treated to pure coastal views for more than seven hundred kilometres before you head inland. The viewpoints and pit stops are endless, depending on how much you can stand the sand! The best places to stop will depend on what you want to do along the way.
If you’re looking to surf some waves - as a beginner or experienced - Pacific City Beach is the place to go. Pacific City has great parks, trails, and local eateries to keep you entertained. If you want to see an aquarium like no other, stop in Newport at the Oregon Coast Aquarium which sprawls across 23-acres and has all sorts of wildlife: birds and fish, seals and otters, sea lions and jellyfish, and their deepwater tank and octopus cove! If you’re looking for the best craft beer and eatery, Coos Bay is home to 7 Devils Brewing Co. where you can taste test the local favourites - and newcomers - with an outrageously good food menu.
As you wrap up the Oregon portion of the Pacific Coast Highway make sure to stop in Gold Beach to see the Rogue River Bridge which features Art Deco designs and offers stunning views of both inland Oregon, looking East, and the Pacific Ocean, looking West. You can also check out the Kissing Rock before you leave, which is a locally acclaimed rock formation. The very last stop before you hit California should be the Chetco Point Park, located in Brookings. Try and plan your day to see the sun setting and explore the oceanfront trails and tide pools in the golden hour of the day. Another local favourite!
Final Leg: California
The California stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway has some iconic landscapes and attractions, with no shortage of places to stop and enjoy. As you travel down this enormous state, there is seemingly a state park at every turn! The northernmost is the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, which is home to campgrounds and trails galore. This State Park has over eight miles of wild coastline to hike through and Wilson Beach is the best place to stop for an oceanview snack or meal. As you exit the park, the Trees of Mystery is a family-fun place to stop with sculptures and statues, and an aerial tramway to traverse!
Not much further along is the Redwood National and State Parks , which are full of old-growth Redwood trees but also home to prairies and wild rivers. These parks feature a 10-mile drive through the forest itself, as well as trails for any length of walk or hike. You can also take the dirt road route and get close enough to touch the trees! Just south of the Redwoods you’ll come across the city of Eureka and this is where the views of the coast will end, at least for now! Before you turn inland spend some time enjoying this port city either at one of their fantastic beaches or at the Sequoia Park Zoo, which is the oldest zoos in all of California, but has one of the best activities - the Redwood Sky Walk .
Travelling further South, you’ll start to get glimpses of rockier terrain and less-dense forests. As you come to Leggett, CA, the Pacific Coast Highway changes from US Route 101 to California State Route 1 and moves you back over to the coast. There are many picturesque coastal towns along this route, like Mendocino and Fort Bragg, known for their rugged beauty and fresh seafood. The landscape changes, but the beauty continues, as you head further down the coast and come into the more popular and populated areas of the state.
San Francisco is a major stop along the coast and offers multiple days worth of attractions to see and experience! The most popular places to include are the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman's Wharf but don’t forget about some of the forgotten activities like the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, where you can have a tour and see the wonder behind how the chocolate comes to life. You can also hop on a Cable Car, which are iconic to San Francisco, and a great way to experience riding around the city.
Just a couple hours outside of San Francisco is Santa Cruz which, in addition to its’ fabulous beaches, piers, and boardwalk, has festivals and events throughout the summer ! Every Tuesday they feature a Summer Concert at the Wharf, and every August they have the Annual Aloha Outrigger Races - a must see for anyone interested in the ocean.
Continuing south, you'll come across the stunning Big Sur coastline, with its towering cliffs and crashing waves. Stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a charming village known for its white sandy beaches and art galleries. Finally, the journey ends in Los Angeles, where you can explore Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica. Make sure to take a stroll along Venice Beach and visit the famous Santa Monica Pier, with its amusement park and iconic Ferris wheel.
–
Whether you're a nature lover, adventure seeker, or simply looking for a scenic road trip, the Pacific Coast Highway has something for everyone. Depending on where you start and where you decide to peg as your final destination, this amazing road trip will cover more than 3,000 kilometres one-way!