The California coast is one of those drives that ruins all other road trips. Every few miles feels like a postcard, cliffs dropping into the Pacific, fog rolling through redwood forests, waterfalls hitting the ocean, and wildlife everywhere you look.
Our totes have spent plenty of time bouncing around the backseats of cars cruising Highway 1, chasing sunsets and pulling over every 10 minutes because the view somehow got even better.
If you’re planning the classic north-to-south California coastal drive, these are six stops you absolutely cannot miss.
🌉 Big Sur & Bixby Creek Bridge – One of the most iconic views on Highway 1. The bridge stretches across a deep canyon with dramatic cliffs and endless Pacific Ocean views.
💧 McWay Falls – A rare coastal waterfall that drops straight onto the beach in a turquoise cove inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
🌲 Redwood National & State Parks – Walk among the tallest trees on Earth. Some of these ancient redwoods have been standing for over 2,000 years.
🏡 Carmel-by-the-Sea – A charming coastal village known for its fairytale cottages, art galleries, and stunning white-sand beach just steps from town.
🌬️ Point Reyes National Seashore – Rugged cliffs, empty beaches, roaming tule elk, and the famous lighthouse overlooking the wild Pacific.
🏰 Hearst Castle & Elephant Seal Vista Point – Tour the grand hilltop estate of Hearst Castle, then watch massive elephant seals lounging and battling on the nearby beach.
