Consistently lauded as one of the most beautiful routes in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 1 (aka PCH), draws visitors from far and wide who want to scour California’s rugged coastline and sample its sandy beaches. Join the masses by following our carefully-crafted itinerary down Highway 1’s windy way.–Kristin Luna

San Francisco, California
Start your southbound journey in the City by the Bay, making sure to first enjoy its highlights before you go: Fisherman’s Wharf and the Marina, Union Square, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, and of course the Golden Gate Bridge, which looks afire if you catch it at the ideal time (just after sunrise or right before sunset).

Venture over to Ocean Beach and take in the view from Point Lobos, before hopping on the bordering highway and beginning your adventure.

Santa Cruz, California
A mere 77 miles south of San Francisco, this hippie haven boasts a quaint beachfront boardwalk with rickety, old-fashion roller coasters and other amusement park attractions. Sea lions laze about below the pier; you’ll catch them barking at one another if you walk all the way to the dock’s end.

Downtown Santa Cruz houses fine shopping – both international chains and labels, as well as one-off boutiques – and a handful of cafes, many with outdoor dining. After a rejuvenating brunch at Walnut Avenue Café, hit the road again and head 45 miles south to make it to Monterey before the sun goes down.

Photo courtesy of Walnut Avenue Cafe

Monterey, California
A sleepy, little oceanside town, Monterey can be easily explored in a single afternoon. Much of the tourist activity takes place along Cannery Row, where you’ll find the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium, an exceptional stop for the whole family, and a smattering of hotels and tourist shops and eateries (think lots of deep-fried fish dishes).

Walk along the water west of Cannery Row and you’ll see seals galore sunning on the banks.

Seals dot the shoreline in Monterey; Photo courtesy of Kristin Luna

Look into the ocean from any vantage point and you’ll see otters floating offshore, not to mention whales frolicking, if you come during their springtime migration.

Just before sunset, drive even further beyond the seals’ home to the lighthouse at Pacific Grove to witness a remarkable ribbon of colors in the sky.

Monterey Bay Inn, Monterey
Escape the chains and tourist eyesores that plague happening areas like Monterey’s Cannery and book a room in the delightful Monterey Bay Inn. The service is top notch, quarters lavish and roomy (including 310-thread-count sheets and beds so comfy, you’ll never want to check out), and you will awake to the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing beneath your balcony. A hearty breakfast spread, served on fine china, is brought to your door at whatever time you request, and you can enjoy your morning cup of joe from your private terrace. (Request a Bay View room for the best view in the house.) Don’t forget to take advantage of the rooftop Jacuzzi before you head on your way.

Photo courtesy of Monterey Bay Inn

Carmel

Big Sur, California
Some of California’s most photo-worthy settings (as shown at the beginning of this article) are found among this 90-mile stretch of coastline, which begins a few miles south of Carmel.

Big Sur has no specific boundaries or major or even minor cities on your way through, but the natural environs–complete with towering redwood forests, craggy cliffs plunging 800 feet to rugged shoreline, and unadulterated mountainsides–are breathtaking and the area boasts several state parks.

To the south, San Simeon attracts tourists galore for its national historic landmark, Hearst Castle. After you spend more time than you’d expect driving the relatively short distance – the roads are switchbacks, speed limit low – take a break in San Luis Obispo, doing a little shopping downtown and refueling before heading on to your next pit stop.

Santa Barbara, California
This city sandwiched between the enchanting Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean could easily pass for a town in southern Spain, with its red-tiled rooftops, Mediterranean climate and palm-fringed boulevards. Not surprisngly, the gorgeous stretch of sand backed by steep, lush mountains is often referred to as the American Riviera.

In downtown Santa Barbara, Lower State Street is where all the best shopping can be found. Once you’ve had your fill of exercising (your plastic), it’s a few blocks to glorious public beaches, marinas, and whale-watching tours for luxury R&R. Later in the afternoon, drive up to Montecito, one of the nation’s wealthiest communities and home to celebrities like Oprah, Rob Lowe, Steven Spielberg, and Ellen DeGeneres, to marvel at the palatial abodes – and also the view.

Photo Credit: Kristin Luna

Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara
Reopened in early 2008 (it was formerly the Andalucia), the centrally-located Canary combines the best bits of Spanish culture and Moroccan flair into a hotel that is a genuine work of art.

Situated just off of State Street, every last detail of the boutique hotel has been carefully thought out and each piece of furniture finely crafted to make the establishment the crème de la crème of Santa Barbara lodging. The Canary has a restaurant and bar, but should you want to venture out of its confines come morning, the highly-acclaimed Tupelo Junction Cafe, just up the way, has a wide variety of Southern cuisine with a Californian touch (try the pumpkin oatmeal waffles or the French beignets; they’re divine).

Los Angeles, California
You could stay a week in LA and not even begin see and do everything. Regardless of how many days you plan to stay, spend a morning brunching and window shopping at the Fairfax District’s outdoor Grove shopping mall and Farmer’s Market. Drive a few minutes east to Hollywood to see Mann’s Chinese Theater and capture the perfect snapshot of the Hollywood sign from one of the top levels of the Hollywood and Highland shopping complex, before heading over the hill to Universal City for a studio tour of the lots.

Also, take an afternoon to meander famed Rodeo Drive and drive aimlessly around the obscenely opulent homes of Beverly Hills.

Once the sun goes down, dine out at one of Sunset Boulevard’s scenester eateries, like Ketchup (where it’s about the experience, not the quality of food), then hit one of LA’s hottest clubs such as Hyde Lounge or Les Deux.

InterContinental Century City, Los Angeles
LA doesn’t have a shortage of hotels, but if you want a place central to Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, Culver City, and all the beaches, the InterContinental at Century City is your place. Situated adjacent to the Fox lot, you’ll spot celebs walking through the massive hotel’s doors if you keep your eyes peeled (past participants of American Idol and Dancing with the Stars, among other notable TV shows, have been put up in these very rooms). All quarters feature marble tubs, spacious showers, plush robes, mini refrigerators, WIFI, satellite cable, and a balcony with spectacular views of downtown Los Angeles.

Photo Credit: InterContinental

Santa Monica and Venice Beach, California
Before you make the trek back home, enjoy one last day in the SoCal sun. Complete with a Ferris wheel, Santa Monica Pier is a hotbed of (tacky) activity and perfect for people watching. A few blocks inland, Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade is a little more posh with its wide offerings of shops, salons, and cafes. If you’re more interested in laying out, wander south down the boardwalk and nab a patch of sand on Venice Beach. Not only will you take back photos and memories from your adventures, you’ll also be returning with one killer tan!