The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as the 1, or “PCH” to locals, is a famous route for a reason! The stunning vistas you can see right from the road are worth the occasional traffic jam you might encounter. You’ll have good luck on a weekend day, so take one of your days off and drive along the coast to fully appreciate Southern California’s shoreline.
Start your scenic drive at gorgeous Huntington Beach. This town is known for its big pier, dog beach, and lots of surfers! If you take a drive through the town, you’ll see lots of oceanic athletes coming and going from the water.
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Huntington Beach is great for a drive because you can really get a full view of the beach from the street. Enjoy those classic California palm trees lining the road!
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Dana Point is a great place to take a driving break. There is a beautiful beach and charming shops and restaurants you’ve got to see. You’ll have a nice afternoon hanging out and enjoying the sunshine and the lovely town.
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Take a walk by the pretty marina for a fun and social time.
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Camp Pendleton is land that is owned by the military, so this beautiful stretch of natural landscape is one of the only places in Southern California where you won’t see office buildings, houses, or parking lots!
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The whole way through, it’s just the sparkling blue ocean on one side, and unaltered mountains and plant life on the other. Check out the Las Flores Viewpoint for a striking view!
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Tucked between Del Mar and Encinitas, you’ll find the seaside paradise of Solana Beach. It’s a fun place to drive through because of all the interesting and charming buildings, from shops to homes.
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Southern California is generally known for having houses that look similar to one another, but here you’ll find plenty of variety. If you decide to step out of the car for a little while, shopping on Cedros Avenue is a fantastic way to spend some time.
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From Huntington Beach to San Diego, this drive is full of beautiful views and charming towns. Have you gotten to take the Pacific Coast Highway scenic route? What was your favorite part?
Dirtyblueshirt/Flickr
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Jpellgen/Flickr
Ken Lund/Flickr
Tracie Hall/Flickr
Katherine H/Flickr
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Address: Coast Highway, Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
