Here’s a guide to the best stops on the Pacific Coast Highway with tips on the best things to do on a budget.
The Pacific Coast Highway is without a doubt one of the world’s most beautiful roads. This popular route is a whopping 1,600 miles in total and it takes you along the jagged edge of Southern California and up north towards the Pacific Northwest.
FYI, it starts in San Diego and ends in Port Townsend, Washington. But in this blog post, we’ll focus on the 655-mile stretch of the route in California.
Some of my favorite places in California are dotted along the famous Pacific Coast Highway. Yep, gorgeous towns like Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea can be found along this coastal route, also known as California’s Highway 1. The section through California is 655 miles long (taking up about 75% of the state’s coastline) so if pretty beaches are your thing this is the road trip for you.
In California, the road weaves between some of the country’s most scenic beaches, charming towns, and dramatic backdrops, and though it’s considered one of the most expensive parts of the country. You CAN do this road trip cheaply if you plan your trip accordingly. So, here’s our guide to the best stops along the way with tips on the best things to do on a budget.
1. Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a great starting point for your trip on the Pacific Coast Highway because it is stereotypically Californian. All the California stereotypes can be found here, including an effortlessly cool beach scene, a world-class famous pier, and a boardwalk. Enjoy a leisurely day here strolling the pier, watching street performers, or cycling the beach paths.
And if you’re mindful of your budget, skip the expensive pier restaurants and pick up food from one of the many food trucks surrounding the boardwalk. Moreover, consider having a dissertation writer do your homework while you are gone to take the stress off you.
Santa Monica offers an archetypal California experience without California-sized price tags, especially if you spend most of your time here outdoors.
2. Malibu, California
Malibu is a short drive north of Santa Monica and it’s home to some of Los Angeles County’s most stunning beaches and most expensive homes, many of which are celebrity residences. It can be an expensive place to be, but luckily there are plenty of free or cheap activities here, too.
For example, you can hang out at Zuma Beach, one of the biggest and least crowded beaches in the area, for free. Or you can go for a hike at Solstice Canyon, which is also free and boasts some amazing views. While here, why not have a picnic as a way to save money? Enjoying a simple packed lunch with ingredients you’ve picked up at the grocery store means that you can avoid the steep restaurant prices in the area.
3. Santa Barbara, California
A bit further north lies Santa Barbara, which, due to its Mediterranean-style architecture has a very European feel, and is sometimes called ‘the American Riviera’ by visitors.
There are plenty of free things to do here like walking through the historic Santa Barbara Mission, strolling down Stearns Wharf, or hanging out in the beautiful Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden. Many of the wineries here also offer free wine tastings!
My top tip is to skip staying in a hotel here and instead opt for an inexpensive motel or campground outside the city.
4. Big Sur, California
No visit to the Pacific Coast Highway is complete without a detour through one of its most scenic and memorable stretches, Big Sur. This stunning area along California’s coastline is soul-replenishing, for the gorgeous ocean views are juxtaposed with tall cliffs and lush redwood forests.
Head to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for some hiking or see the iconic McWay Falls (both are free), and you can say you’ve been to Big Sur. Camping in Big Sur is another money-saving option, but it needs to be planned ahead of time as spots sell out quickly. Hotels tend to be expensive here.
5. Monterey, California
Monterey is home to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and 17-mile drive (a scenic drive through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove).
The aquarium can be expensive to visit, but you can stretch your budget to include a stop here if you fill the rest of your day with free things to do like visiting Lovers Point Park or driving along the coast. Another fun thing to do here includes riding Roaring Camp’s historic steam train.
The waters surrounding Monterey are teeming with marine life, especially whales, and the best way to see these magnificent creatures up close is on a whale-watching tour. This half-day whale watching tour is one of the best-rated tours in Monterey. It offers the opportunity to see humpback, gray, and blue whales as well as dolphins and sea lions. It costs from $80 USD per person and is 3.5 hours long.
In the town of Monterey itself be sure to check out Cannery Row which is filled with cool restaurants and Cafes. In fact, it’s the place to come if you plan to dine out in Monterey. We love Fish Hopper and Louis Linguini’s.
Monterey is expensive, but the best seafood you’ll ever eat can be purchased in bulk at local markets and delis, which are quite affordable.
6. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea (a cute town near San Francisco) really captured my imagination when we visited. Here, you’ll find fairytale cottages that look like they’ve sprung from the pages of a children’s storybook. This small town is also filled with narrow, hard-to-find passageways and cute courtyards, which adds to its fairytale-esque appeal.
Just a 10-minute walk from the center of town, Carmel Beach is magnificent. White sand with a secluded feel, which is unusual for a beach so close to a town. It’s not advisable to swim here due to the strong currents, but a long walk is sure to sustain you. One of the best beaches in the area is China Beach at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a 10-minute drive from town. Dramatic scenery, calm waters, and the chance to spot sea lions and otters make this a very popular attraction in the area.
The San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, founded in 1771, is stunning, ornate, and well worth spending a few hours.
Top tip – You can get a reasonably cheap meal at one of the local cafes or delis here.
Where to stay in Carmel:
We loved Carmel Inn it’s a lovely, comfortable hotel in a great location. The ideal choice if you want to save some money.
7. San Francisco, California
The final pitstop on this classic Pacific Coast Highway road trip is the perennially cool city of San Francisco with its Golden Gate Bridge (definitely walk/bike across it if you can), diverse neighborhoods, and left-field eccentricities.
Budget-savvy travelers can easily fill a day in San Francisco walking or biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, wandering around Golden Gate Park, or admiring the Painted Ladies; and if you want a cheap meal, skip the neighborhoods busy with tourists and head to the Mission District for the most authentic burrito of your life.
A visit to Alcatraz is another must-do in the city, and it’s surprisingly reasonable. Alcatraz is one of the most famous prisons in recent history. It was once home to the infamous gangster Al Capone. In fact, one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco is a guided cruise tour of Alcatraz, like this one!
In short, there’s so much to do in the city that I advise spending 3 days in San Francisco!
Tour suggestion: One of the most-booked tours in San Francisco is this Golden Gate Cruise, which gets you up close to the iconic bridge from the water! From the water, you’ll get the best view of the bridge! The cruise is one hour long and costs just $38 USD. You’ll also pass by other iconic sights, such as Alcatraz, Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, and Angel Island State Park. What’s handy, too, is it’s an open ticket, meaning you can pick the departure time that best suits your schedule.
Where to stay in San Francisco:
We loved our stay at the Phoenix Hotel in the city. This 1950s motor lodge has had a stylish makeover recently. This is one of the only affordable indie boutique hotels in San Francisco!
Quick Summary of How to Do the Pacific Coast Highway Cheaply
- When driving, use a gas app such as GasBuddy to find the cheapest fuel prices, which will often be on a state’s borders. Fuel up at cheaper-priced towns before you drive through more expensive places.
- Buy food and snacks in larger towns or cities as prices here are typically lower than in the small, tourist towns.
- Make use of state and federal lands. Some of the best stops on the Pacific Coast Highway are state parks, beaches, and national parks, with either free admission or very low entrance fees.
- Stay at campsites or cheap hostels. Pacific Coast hotels are expensive, especially when in popular tourist areas like Carmel and Santa Monica.
- Steer clear of the summer season, traveling off-peak will allow you to save money on accommodation and beat the crowds.
- Nab a cheap rental car deal – The cost of renting a car in California can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
You can enjoy the best stops on the Pacific Coast Highway on a budget!
There exist few (if any) road trips that are as bucket-list-worthy as the Pacific Coast Highway. Boasting dramatic topography, idyllic coast towns, and gorgeous beaches, this stretch of road along the western edge of mainland United States offers some of the best road trip experiences in the country.
With some advance planning, it’s possible to visit California via the Pacific Coast Highway on a budget and still create wonderful memories that are priceless. This route, undoubtedly, includes some of the most spectacular sights in the country.
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Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by snaphappytravel