Pacific Coast Highway Offsites

One of the most scenic and well-traveled thoroughfares in the country, the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) connects Canada to Mexico, with the longest stretch by far in California.

The route closely follows the Siskiyou Trail, an historic network of footpaths trod by native Americans centuries ago. As early as the 1820s, Hudson’s Bay Company’s trappers utilized those trails to travel between what is today the state of Washington and northern California.

Today’s Highway 1, which covers more than 1,700 miles, began when a series of smaller roads between beach towns were expanded upon. Urged on by entrepreneur and road pioneer Sam Hill, authorities began constructing the highway in the early 20th century. Named the Roosevelt Highway after the death of Teddy Roosevelt in 1919, parts of the highway had different names over the years. The major north-south connection officially opened in the 1930s and a portion was dubbed the Pacific Coast Highway in 1941. In 1964, the entire stretch took on the iconic name.

What can you see on the PCH in California, where we offer fun and fascinating road trips, besides the magnificent Pacific Ocean, that is? How about Redwood National Forest, the Golden Gate Bridge, the bluffs of Mendocino, the Santa Lucia Mountains, Big Sur, and Hearst Castle? And don’t forget the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Reyes Lighthouse, Santa Cruz’s famous beach boardwalk and Pebble Beach Golf Links. Or maybe you’d like to step back into history by visiting the quaint Danish town Solvang, reminiscent of a European village.

We know the best times to drive the storied Pacific Coast Highway to—usually—avoid the worst of the traffic. We know where to catch the best sunrises and sunsets along the coast, where to get the best meals, when to drive on and when to stop and chill. If a road trip up or down the Pacific Coast Highway is not on your bucket list, you may need to reevaluate. Give it a thought for your next offsite.