Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco

The Hotel Carmel

Boudin Bakery Cafe

Surisan

Golden Boy Pizza

Fog Harbor Fish House

Marianne's Ice Cream

Cultura Comida y Bebida

Big Sur Bakery

Nepenthe

Inn by the Harbor

Blackbird

SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa

Health Nut

I will share the boutique hotels we stayed in during our 5-day Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Starting in San Francisco, we made our way down the coast staying in the most charming boutique hotels along the way. Stops included Carmel and Santa Barbara. 

Interested in recreating the entire trip? Be sure to check out my detailed daily 6-day itinerary with all the stays, eats, and views along the way with an interactive map included. 

Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Big Sur, CA, USA

San Francisco, CA, USA

Calabasas, CA, USA

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA

Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Hotel & Food Guide: Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

Bixby Bridge Vista 

Point Pinos Lighthouse 

McWay Falls

Pfeiffer Beach

Whale Watching in Monterey Bay 

Lone Cypress

PIER 39

Alcatraz Island

San Juan Bautista

Sensorio

Pismo Beach

Morro Rock

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

Café Fina

Wipeout Bar & Grill

The Buena Vista

Cha Cha Cha

Haight-Ashbury

From the time I fell in love with the Beach Boys music, I have been an ocean loving girl. I longed to go to the California coast and live the life, surfing, and lying on the beach all day. But growing up in the Southern part of the United States that never was to be. I never lost either my love of the beach/ocean or my desire to see the California coast, but it was a long, LONG time before I could make that dream come true.  But finally I did, and believe me, it was all I hoped and imagined it would be. 

I traveled the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Pismo Beach exploring every little place that looked fun, interesting or just spectacularly scenic.  As you can imagine--I stopped a LOT.  In this guide I will share with you all of the wonderful places I discovered. You too can live the dream. I also include many of the photos I took at each place. 

California, USA

California's Pacific Coast Highway--My Dream Finally Came True

As a Bay Area local and boutique travel designer, California is one of the destinations I know best. Shop my collection of curated guides and itineraries for places throughout the Golden State, from wine country to the Pacific Coast Highway.

For custom recommendations and itineraries, scroll down to my Bespoke Planning Services board. 

Palm Springs, CA, USA

Sonoma, CA, USA

Guerneville, CA, USA

Napa, CA, USA

The California Shop

Santa Monica Pier

Downtown Santa Monica

Venice Beach

Venice Beach Skatepark

Rodeo Drive

The Getty

The Getty Villa

Sunset Boulevard

TCL Chinese Theatre

Universal Studios Hollywood

Hollywood Bowl

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Sony Pictures Studio Tour

Griffith Park

Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles Zoo

The Greek Theatre

Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round

Malibu

Malibu Beach

Point Dume

Zuma Beach

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Grove

Farmers Market Place

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Dodger Stadium

SoFi Stadium

Echo Park

Grand Central Market

Angels Flight Railway

Runyon Canyon Park

Hollywood Sign

Glendale Galleria

Rose Bowl Stadium

Rose Bowl Flea Market

Eggslut

Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles

Barton G. The Restaurant Los Angeles

Duke's Malibu

Urth Caffe Santa Monica

Porto's Bakery and Cafe

Hot Dog on a Stick

Erewhon

Lemonade Restaurant

Malibu Pier

Trancas Country Market

El Matador State Beach

Pacific Coast Highway

Marina Del Rey Farmer's Market

Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica Place

Coolhaus Ice Cream Catering Los Angeles

Fairfax

Melrose Trading Post

Amoeba Music

Pink's Hot Dogs

Diddy Riese

Eataly

The Griddle Cafe

Whisky a Go Go

The Comedy Store

Laugh Factory

Mels Drive-In

Crypto.com Arena

The Original Pantry Cafe

Knott's Berry Farm

Disneyland Park

Disney California Adventure Park

Supreme

Hi! Welcome to a guide of favorites in LA 🌆

Andrew lived in LA for a few years and we've spent some time here ourselves, so we put together this guide to highlight our favorite things to do and favorite places to eat in the area 🌴

The size of LA can be underestimated, so use the interactive map attached to this guide to see what is near you! 🗺️

Malibu, CA, USA

Los Angeles County, CA, USA

Orange County, CA, USA

Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Santa Monica, CA, USA

Beverly Hills, CA, USA

The Ultimate Free Guide to Los Angeles

Vista Spring Cafe

Riverhouse on the Deschutes

Sno Cap Drive In

Voodoo Doughnut - Oak Grove

Blue Star Donuts

Suzy's Scoops (Ice Cream and Espresso)

Pizza A' Fetta Cannon Beach

Sugarpine Drive-In

Pelican Brewing – Pacific City

If you enjoy hiking along a rugged coastline or in the shadow of a volcano formed thousands of year ago, Oregon is the place for you. If you enjoy finding majestic hot springs along the side of the road or crystal clear lakes buried deep within national forests, Oregon is worth a visit. Or if you are interested in checking Crater Lake National Park off your list, you must come to Oregon! As a born and raised southerner visiting Oregon three years ago for the first time, I was absolutely enthralled by the diverse landscapes from the Columbia River Gorge to the sand dunes along the coast.  I was so charmed by Oregon a few years ago that I went home, packed my bags and moved cross country by myself so that I didn't have to stop exploring all that it has to offer. 
Here is my guide of the best things to see on your next Oregon adventure! 


Oregon Coast Range, Oregon, USA

Oregon, USA

Portland, OR, USA

A PNW Wonderland: The Ultimate Guide to All Things Oregon 

Hodad's Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach Farmers Market

JRDN Restaurant

South Coast Wahines Pacific Beach

Mission Bay

Little Italy

Sunset Cliffs

La Jolla

Julian

Old Town

Torrey Pines

Balboa Park

Hotel del Coronado

San Diego, California is easily one of my favorite places in the US. Full of vibrant, friendly people and so many things to do. Just a three hour train ride along the coast from LA and 11 hrs from London.  Enjoy the endless beaches, hiking trails and yummy food spots.

Julian, CA, USA

San Diego, CA, USA

San Diego

Bowline Hotel

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Fort Stevens State Park

Wreck of the Peter Iredale

Cape Disappointment State Park

Bowpicker Fish and Chips

Cathedral Tree Trail

Rogue Pier 39 Public House

Custard King

Busu Astoria

Arch Cape Loft

Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters

Pelican Brewing – Cannon Beach

Newmans at 988

Tom's Fish & Chips

Ecola State Park

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Seaside

Oswald West State Park

Tillamook Creamery

Tillamook Lighthouse

Bayocean Peninsula Park

Munson Creek Falls

Blue Heron French Cheese Company

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Fishtails Cafe

Tastee Tiki

Flying Dutchman Winery

Ocean Bleu Seafoods at Gino's

Bay Point Landing

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Siuslaw National Forest

The Boat Fish & Chips

Homegrown Public House & Brewery

Novelli's Crab and Seafood

Sea Lion Caves

Sweet Creek Falls Trailhead

Marine Discovery Tours

Kelly's Brighton Marina & Campground

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

The perfect Oregon Coast road trip! Experience the dramatic beaches, lush forests, delicious seafood & relaxed vibes the Oregon Coast is known for! Visit all the classic stops like Astoria, Cannon Beach, Tillamook and more! 

This guide includes 
✨Boutique Hotels & Unique Airbnbs 
✨Favorite spots for seafood, coffee, & beer 
✨Hikes & Outdoor Activities 
 & More! 

🦀🐳🐠🌲🌊


The Oregon Coast | Road Trip 

Results for Pacific Coast, USA