Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip from Portland to Los Angeles

Ever wondered what it is like to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Portland, Oregon to Los Angeles, California? Helen took a 5-day solo road trip on the PCH in November from Portland to Los Angeles. This southbound route on the PCH takes over 28 hours across 1,260 miles. The entire trip was 11 days total.

Below is a list of stops that were made on this PCH road trip. We have seen sections of the PCH on other trips, so if it isn't on this list that is likely why. Helen used iOverlander for camping along the way: https://www.ioverlander.com/apps

Day 1: PCH drive started on the stunning Oregon Highway 101. A classic road trip if you are visiting or driving through. Drive time and distance 6 hours 45 mins, 317 miles.
Otter Rock
Yaquina Lighthouse
Cape Perpetua
Thor's Well
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Samuel H. Boardman State Park
Harris Beach State Park Campground

Day 2: Crossing into California and where the stretch of PCH Highway 1 begins! One of the most stunning drives through Humbold County and down to Mendocino. The drop-offs along the Redwood Highway and just south of there were a bit scary to drive! Props to the RVers. Drive time and distance 6 hours 57 mins, 324 miles.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Mendocino, California
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Ocean Cove Campground

Day 3: It has been a lifelong dream to drive across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The coastlines of Point Reyes to Santa Cruz were super mellow compared to other parts of the PCH. Drive time and distance 5 hours 58 mins, 215 miles.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes Lighthouse
Point Reyes Cypress Tree Tunnel
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, Kingdom of Dumpling
Half Moon Bay
Santa Cruz

Day 4: This was by far one of Helen's favorite stretches of the PCH drive. Beauty everywhere you turn! Also, it was time for some surf after sitting in the car for way too long. There was surf all along the Pacific Coast.
Surfing Pleasure Point Santa Cruz. Drive time and distance 4 hours 28 mins, 175 miles.
Surfing East Cliff Santa Cruz
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Big Sur Bakery
McWay Falls Big Sur
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur
Bixby Creek Bridge Big Sur
Big Creek Bridge Big Sur
Morro Bay State Park Campground

Day 5: I highly recommend a surf break in Pismo Beach. Helen's favorite surf stops in a quaint little seaside town. This section is classic California vibes! Drive time and distance 6 hours 27 mins, 261 miles.
Kraken Coffee Company Pismo Beach
Surfing Pismo Beach Pier
Chris Burkard Studios, Pismo Beach
Zuma Beach, Malibu
Riding bikes in Santa Monica and Venice Beach

Day 6 to 8: Hanging out in Los Angeles for a few days to take a break from driving. We enjoyed a mid-week visit to Universal Studios at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, surfing in Huntington Beach, and lots of delicious Asian food in Irvine, California (Four Seas, Meizhou and Dongpo). We also spent time in Laguna Beach playing basketball on the beach.

Day 9: Finished off the PCH road trip all the way down to where Highway 1 meets Interstate 5. This is the last part of the PCH Highway 1. Drive time and distance 1 hours 14 mins, 30 miles.
Huntington Beach
Newport Beach
Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach
Dana Point

Day 10 to 11: Drove from LA with two stops in Fresno and Redding, California. Total drive time is around 15 hours across 962 miles. In the video, Helen mentions one night, but it was really 2 nights on the way back to Portland.

Stealth and car camping for Crosstrek Subaru:
Rear tailgate window cover: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087SR5YL5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Car curtain divide: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0921G7V1B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rear window shades: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SRNXW51/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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