Pacific Coast Highway: The Ultimate California Campervan Road Trip
The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from San Francisco to Los Angeles is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. 470 miles of dramatic coastline, ocean cliffs, redwood forests, and sun-drenched beaches — all best experienced at campervan speed: slow, windows down, no schedule.
This guide covers a 7-day itinerary with all the best stops, campgrounds, and tips for driving the PCH in a campervan or compact RV.
💡 Tip: Compare campervan rental prices from San Francisco and Los Angeles on CamperCompare.
7-Day PCH Itinerary: SF to LA
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz |
| 2 | SF → Santa Cruz → Monterey | Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Monterey Aquarium |
| 3–4 | Big Sur | Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach, redwoods |
| 5 | Big Sur → San Luis Obispo | Hearst Castle, Elephant Seal Colony, Morro Bay |
| 6 | SLO → Santa Barbara | Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara Mission, State Street |
| 7 | Santa Barbara → Malibu → LA | Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach |
Big Sur — The PCH Highlight
Big Sur is the crown jewel of the Pacific Coast Highway. 90 miles of rugged coastline where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the Pacific. Bixby Bridge is the most photographed bridge in California. McWay Falls drops 80 feet onto a pristine beach. Pfeiffer Beach has purple sand and a natural rock arch.
RV Camping in Big Sur: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has RV sites ($50/night, no hookups). Book 6 months ahead at ReserveCalifornia.com. Kirk Creek Campground has ocean-cliff sites — the most scenic camping on the PCH. Vehicles under 24ft only for most Big Sur campgrounds.
Santa Barbara — The American Riviera
Santa Barbara is California’s most beautiful city: white-washed Spanish colonial buildings, palm-lined beaches, world-class wine (the Funk Zone’s tasting rooms are walking distance from State Street). The Santa Barbara Mission (“Queen of the Missions”) overlooks the city and coast.
PCH Campervan Tips
- Drive north to south (SF to LA) — this puts you on the ocean side of the road with the best views and easier pullover access.
- Start early each day — fog is common on the coast in the morning and usually burns off by noon.
- Compact campervans are best — Highway 1 has narrow sections and tight campground spots. Vehicles under 24ft are ideal.
- Fuel up before Big Sur — gas in Big Sur is $2–$3 more per gallon than in Monterey or SLO.
- No cell service in much of Big Sur — download offline maps before you go.
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