16 Pacific Coast Highway Beaches to Add to Your Road Trip Itinerary

The Pacific Coast Highway—known as Highway 101 in the north and Highway 1 in the south—stretches 1,650 miles from Port Townsend, Washington, all the way down to San Diego, California. After living in Port Townsend for many years and spending time in towns along both the Oregon and California coasts, I’ve driven the full length of this route multiple times (and covered certain sections more times than I can count). From wild, driftwood-strewn shores in the Pacific Northwest to sun-soaked, world-famous beaches in Southern California, these are the very best Pacific Coast Highway beaches to visit along the way.

If you’re starting your journey in Port Townsend, don’t miss North Beach County Park. Located just west of Fort Worden State Park, a stretch of shoreline here (often called Glass Beach) is famous for its sea glass. As you make your way toward McCurdy Point, you’ll start to notice traces of the area’s past as a former dump site. With a sharp eye, you can spot all kinds of colorful, polished sea glass, often while watching for local wildlife like seals or bald eagles perched in the trees along the bluff. Just be sure to check the tide tables before you go—getting stuck at high tide isn’t part of the adventure.

Located on the southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Olympic National Park, Kalaloch Beach is less than a three-hour drive from Port Townsend, making it a perfect spot to stretch your legs or spend the night. You’ll find an RV park and campground here, along with cozy rooms and cabins at Kalaloch Lodge. One of the best things to do is beachcomb while soaking in the view of crashing waves, with nearly endless piles of sun-bleached, gnarled driftwood scattered along the shore.

The town of Long Beach, located along Washington’s southern coast, is home to the self-proclaimed “World’s Longest Beach,” stretching 28 miles of sand. It hosts the world-famous Washington International Kite Festival every August and offers a wide range of activities year-round. You could easily spend hours strolling the beach, fishing, clam digging, surfing, or building sandcastles. And in town, you’ll find plenty of shops and eateries, along with carnival rides and games to keep the fun going.

As you make your way along the northern Oregon coast, you’ll reach the town of Seaside. It’s home to a nearly two-mile stretch of soft sand, perfect for building sandcastles, tossing a Frisbee, flying kites, surfing, or just going for a stroll. Just off the beachside promenade, you’ll find the Seaside Aquarium, where visitors can feed harbor seals—some of which have taught themselves to perform tricks in hopes of earning a fish. And if you’re craving seafood, don’t skip Bell Buoy, a local favorite known for its halibut fish ‘n chips.

Cannon Beach is one of the most romantic and beautiful coastal towns in the country, best known for its iconic 235-foot-tall Haystack Rock and the sea stacks that rise from the waves just offshore. At low tide, you can walk right up to the “Rock” and explore tide pools filled with sea creatures like giant orange and purple starfish. You’ll also often spot sand dollars scattered across the sand. Just a short drive away, Ecola State Park has scenic trails and grassy cliffs overlooking the ocean—a great picnic spot, especially if elk are grazing nearby.

Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, once the residence of Keiko—the whale who starred in the 1993 film Free Willy. Just north of town is Yaquina Head, the state’s tallest and second-oldest lighthouse. Built in 1872, it rises 93 feet above the Pacific and is a favorite on Instagram. Nye Beach offers seven miles of wide, sandy shoreline and rolling dunes, stretching from Yaquina Bay to the lighthouse.

Beauty abounds in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, stretching roughly 40 miles from the Siuslaw River in Florence to Coos Bay. One of the world’s largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes, the otherworldly landscape with forests and shifting sands that edge the ocean provides a wealth of outdoor adventures, including ATV rides and sand surfing.

Soon after crossing the state line into California, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering old-growth redwoods—some of the tallest trees on Earth. The drive along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway winds through these ancient giants and you’ll often see sightings of Roosevelt elk grazing in the prairie.There is also a beautifully rugged coastline to explore with hidden coves and dramatic ocean views. A half-mile trek will bring you down to Enderts Beach which is particularly ideal for tidepooling.

Just west of the historic town of Ferndale, known for its beautiful Victorian buildings, Centerville Beach is a nine-mile stretch of secluded sands surrounded by dairy country. It’s the perfect place for a picnic while immersed in the magnificent beauty of the wild coast. Watch for harbor seals and all sorts of birds like pelicans and tundra swans. From the bluffs just south of the beach, you can spot migrating gray whales in the spring and fall.

Another 125 miles south and you’ll reach the Fort Bragg area. There’s so much to do in the area it’s worth spending at least a night or two. MacKerricher State Park offers sandy coves with tide pools where you can spot colorful starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs and other little marine creatures. Plus, seals often lounge around the rocks. It’s also home to the famous Glass Beach where you can find sea glass in an array of colors.

One of my favorite coastal areas near San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore sits about 140 miles south along the Pacific Coast Highway (a long, winding and incredibly scenic drive). By the time you arrive, you’ll be ready for a break, and this is the perfect spot. The rugged shoreline offers nearly endless stretches of sandy beach, a historic lighthouse to explore, and plenty of wildlife to watch, from herds of elk to harbor seals and even migrating whales.

After traveling through the Golden Gate City, you’ll come to Montara, about 30 minutes south of downtown. Stretching for nearly a mile, it’s framed by sandstone cliffs and is rarely crowded, drawing mostly expert surfers who come for the challenging waves. Relax while watching them ride or take a hike on the trails just east on Montara Mountain. Moss Beach Distillery, home to the region’s most famous ghost, is only a couple of minutes away and has an outdoor patio overlooking the Pacific.

Santa Cruz is another destination worth lingering in—a world-famous beach town with plenty to see and do.The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is fronted by the long, sandy main beach, popular for bodysurfing, volleyball, strolling and sandcastle building. Plus you can enjoy the rides and carnival games at the amusement park. Be sure to walk out to the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf where you can take advantage of fantastic photo ops, watch the sea lions and perhaps enjoy a crab cocktail.

The Big Sur area is one of the most breathtaking along the Pacific Coast Highway so you’ll probably want to stop frequently. Pfeiffer Beach is a must-visit in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park with a rare stretch of purple-hued sands, thanks to the manganese garnet deposits in the cliffs that surround it. There are some dramatic rock formations here too, including Keyhole Arch, along with hiking trails that wind along the coast and through the redwoods.

Continuing a few hours south you’ll reach Morro Bay, easily recognizable from the huge volcanic rock that rises 600 feet from the waves just offshore. Morro Bay Beach is immediately north but there are six miles of sandy beach here. One of my favorite things to do is watch the dozens of sea otters that congregate near the marina at the south end of the bay and around the South T-Pier. During the summer, it’s a good spot for swimming too.

Malibu has no shortage of stunning beaches, but El Matador stands out from the rest. It’s a bit of a hike down, but you’ll be rewarded with dramatic rock formations that evoke the arches of Portugal’s Algarve Coast. A photographer’s dream, it’s also perfect for romantic strolls and catching a glowing sunset. Time your visit right, and you might follow it up with a seafood dinner at the iconic oceanfront Nobu Malibu.

One of my favorite beaches for people-watching, Venice Beach is one of the most iconic spots in Southern California. Its more than two-mile-long boardwalk runs along the sand and is lined with food stands, restaurants, shops and an ever-changing cast of street performers—from fire-breathers to singers and musicians. You can also catch tricks at the famous skatepark, a breeding ground for legends like Tony Hawk.

Coronado Beach is the perfect finale to an epic Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Located on Coronado Island, its sand sparkles with mineral mica, giving it a golden glow. It’s a dreamy spot for sunbathing, sandcastle building, beachcombing, swimming, paddleboarding, or surfing. As the sun sets, crowds gather to watch the sky light up in color—just steps from the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a historic landmark and the ideal place to stay for the night.