This Road Trip Leads To Some Of The Most Scenic Parts Of Southern California, No Matter What Time Of Year It Is
One of the great things about SoCal living is that it’s almost always a good day to go out and explore. In fact, there’s one highway that seems to offer glorious views of some of the state’s most scenic destinations no matter the time of year. Pacific Coast Highway, also known simply as PCH, is an epic highway that winds along the coast past state beaches and through state parks for a breathtaking adventure from beginning to end. It’s always a good day for a drive on PCH, so check it out:
It's hard to think of a highway in Southern California as legendary as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, it stretches for 600 beautiful miles between Orange County and San Francisco.
When you feel like a scenic journey in SoCal, nothing beats hopping on PCH and driving without a destination in mind. The city of Dana Point marks the southernmost end of the highway. It then heads northwest through gorgeous destinations like Laguna Beach and Crystal Cove State Park before entering Newport Beach.
PCH arrives in Los Angeles County when it meets with Long Beach. From here, it makes a brief journey inland before turning north through Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach. Each of these coastal cities offers its own breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
One of the most iconic stretches of PCH is when it enters the city of Santa Monica, continuing along the coast and past the Santa Monica Pier. The highway then continues through the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood before making its grand entrance to Malibu, acting as the main artery through the oceanfront town.
As PCH crosses into Ventura County, it winds through both Leo Carrillo State Park and Point Mugu State Park. An iconic section of the highway actually passes right by the large and looming Mugu Rock, a rock formation at the tip of Point Mugu.
After passing through Ventura, the highway then stretches along the Rincon coast after separating from U.S. Route 101. It rejoins the 101 just south of reaching Santa Barbara County.
Before reaching the Central Coast, PCH (running concurrently with US 101) goes through Santa Barbara and all of its smaller, neighboring communities. Turning away from the coast, it goes through Gaviota State Park, marking a change in landscape from coastal views to lush, wildflower-covered hills.
