What Nobody Tells You About Driving the Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway is legendary for its stunning views, winding coastal roads, and jaw-dropping stops along the way. But there’s a lot that first-timers don’t realize before embarking on this epic road trip—and it’s better to be prepared for what’s coming!

What nobody tells you? This drive is not for the faint of heart. While the views are incredible, the roads can be narrow and winding, with sharp cliffs on one side and dramatic drop-offs on the other.

It’s thrilling, but if you’re someone who gets nervous driving tight turns or along the edge of towering cliffs, be ready for some serious adrenaline.

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What You Need to Know Before Driving The PCH:

Take it slow: This isn’t a race. The winding roads can be tricky, and you’ll want to take your time to soak in the views.
Watch out for fog: Particularly along the coast of Northern California, dense fog can roll in out of nowhere. It’s beautiful but can reduce visibility fast, so keep those headlights on.
Plan your stops: There are so many scenic spots on the PCH, like Big Sur and the Oregon Coast. Make sure you plan your route so you don’t miss anything.
Avoid big RVs: You’ll be able to drive them down the highway, but it’s going to be a crying shame to miss out on a ton of spots that are too small for you to pull over and park.
Road Closures: They are COMMON AF! Keep track here and there might be a chance that you can’t drive it all the way through, particularly on the Central California Coast!