Experience California's most scenic drive from LA to San Francisco in RV comfort. Stunning coastlines, redwood forests, charming coastal towns, and unforgettable sunset views await.
The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is America's most iconic coastal drive, winding 650 miles along California's dramatic coastline. In an RV, you can take your time exploring hidden beaches, coastal state parks, and charming seaside towns while having your own comfortable base camp every night.
🗺️ Pacific Coast Highway Route Overview
Full Route: Los Angeles to San Francisco
Total Distance: 650 miles via Highway 1
Driving Time: 12-15 hours (without stops)
Recommended Duration: 5-7 days minimum
Best Direction: North-bound (ocean views on your side)
Perfect PCH introduction. Wide highways, accessible beaches, and multiple RV-friendly stops. Malibu, Ventura, and Santa Barbara offer excellent coastal camping and attractions.
Santa Barbara to Big Sur (200 miles)
🕐 5-6 hours🚗 RV caution🦭 Wildlife🍷 Wine country
Scenic coastal stretch. Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles wine country. Roads become more challenging approaching Big Sur. Great elephant seal viewing at San Simeon.
Most dramatic PCH section. Towering redwoods, rugged coastline, and steep cliffs. Limited RV access due to narrow, winding roads. Alternative inland routes recommended for large RVs.
Monterey to San Francisco (200 miles)
🕐 4-5 hours🚗 RV accessible🐟 Aquarium🌁 Golden Gate
Grand finale approach. Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz, and Half Moon Bay before reaching San Francisco. More RV-friendly roads and numerous coastal state parks.
⚠️ Big Sur RV Alert: Highway 1 through Big Sur has numerous sections with 35-foot RV length limits and steep, narrow curves. Consider US-101 inland route for RVs over 30 feet or less experienced drivers.
🏕️ Campground Comparison
Best RV Campgrounds Along PCH
Name
Sites
Max RV Length
Hookups
Dump Station
Price/night
Best For
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
189 sites
Standard RV
No hookups
Dump on-site
$35/night
Redwoods, river
Big Sur Campground & Cabins
Private
Flexible
Varies
On-site
$70/night
Riverfront, relaxed rules
Riverside Campground
Private
RV-friendly
Varies
—
$55/night
Under redwoods
Kirk Creek (Los Padres NF)
~30 sites
Standard
No hookups
No dump
$35/night
Ocean bluff views!
Fernwood Resort
Private
RV sites
Varies
—
$50/night
Restaurant, live music
🚨 Big Sur Important: Pfeiffer Big Sur: max 2 vehicles/site, no group camping with RVs, book 6 months ahead on parks.ca.gov
📅 PCH RV Itinerary Options
3-Day Express Trip
Day 1: Irvine → Santa Barbara (Carpinteria State Beach) - 200 miles
Day 2: Santa Barbara → San Luis Obispo (Pismo Beach) - 120 miles
Day 3: San Luis Obispo → Monterey (via US-101 to avoid Big Sur) - 150 miles
5-Day Classic Route
Day 1: Irvine → Ventura (Emma Wood State Beach)
Day 2: Ventura → San Luis Obispo (Pismo Beach camping)
Day 3: San Luis Obispo → San Simeon (Hearst Castle day)
Day 4: San Simeon → Monterey (Big Sur scenic drive)
Day 5: Monterey → San Francisco (17-Mile Drive, Carmel)
7-Day Complete Experience
Day 1: Irvine → Malibu (Malibu Creek State Park)
Day 2: Malibu → Santa Barbara (beach day, wine tasting)
Day 3: Santa Barbara → Pismo Beach (dune buggies, clam digging)
Day 4: Pismo → Morro Bay (Hearst Castle, Morro Rock)
Day 5: Morro Bay → San Simeon (elephant seals, Moonstone Beach)
Day 6: San Simeon → Monterey (Big Sur drive, McWay Falls)
Day 7: Monterey → San Francisco (Aquarium, Cannery Row, Golden Gate)
🚐 PCH Driving Tips
Essential Driving Guidelines
Drive SOUTHBOUND for ocean-side views — stay in the right lane for best scenery
Big Sur sections narrow — stay under 30 ft if possible — some areas have 35-40 foot limits
Use pullouts frequently for photos and to let traffic pass
Check CalTrans for road closures — common after storms, especially in Big Sur
No cell service in Big Sur — download offline maps! GPS can be unreliable
Travel during daylight — avoid dawn/dusk when visibility is limited
Maintain safe following distance — braking distances are longer on coastal roads
Fuel up beforehand — very limited and expensive gas stations in Big Sur
Recommended Itineraries
3-day: LA → Santa Barbara → Big Sur → turn back
5-day: LA → Santa Barbara → Big Sur → Monterey → Carmel → return
7-day: LA → Santa Barbara → Big Sur → Monterey → SF → return via I-5
Alternative Routes for Large RVs
US-101 Inland: Faster, wider highway through Salinas Valley
Connector roads: G-16, G-18 to rejoin Highway 1 north of Big Sur
Day trip option: Park large RV, take car through Big Sur
Return route: Take US-101 south for easier, faster return
💡 Big Sur Pro Tip: If traveling with a large RV (over 30 feet), consider parking in Monterey or San Simeon and driving a car through Big Sur for sightseeing. The views are worth the extra effort!
Limitations: Some roads may close due to landslides
Wildlife: Peak elephant seal season (December-March)
💰 PCH RV Trip Budget
5-Day Trip Costs
RV Rental (Class C): $800-1,200
Campgrounds (4 nights): $140-260
Fuel (round trip): $300-400
Food & groceries: $200-400
Activities & attractions: $150-300
Total estimated: $1,590-2,560
Money-Saving Tips
Cook in RV: Save $100+ per day vs restaurants
State park passes: Annual pass pays for itself quickly
Free attractions: Beaches, viewpoints, and hiking trails
Off-season travel: 30-50% savings on campgrounds
Fuel strategy: Fill up at Costco before departure
💡 Budget Pro Tip: The PCH offers countless free spectacular viewpoints and beaches. Pack picnic lunches and plan scenic stops - some of the best experiences cost nothing but time!
🏕️ Free Camping/Boondocking
Free & Low-Cost Camping Options
Los Padres National Forest: Primitive camping along Highway 1, no facilities but ocean views
Plaskett Creek (Big Sur): $35/night, basic sites with ocean access
Kirk Creek Campground: $35/night, spectacular clifftop ocean views
Limekiln State Park: $35/night, redwoods and ocean access
Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP: Day use only, but stunning McWay Falls views
Andrew Molera State Park: Walk-in camping only, $25/night
Note: Most free options are primitive camping with vault toilets and no water. Bring extra supplies.
🚰 Dump Stations & Water
RV Services Along PCH
Pismo Beach (Shell Station): $10 dump, fresh water available
Morro Bay (Chevron): $12 dump fee, water fill-up included
San Simeon (Cavalier Oceanfront Resort): $15 for non-guests
Big Sur (Fernwood Resort): $20 dump fee, water available
Carmel (Carmel RV Park): $15 dump station, fresh water
Santa Cruz (Beach RV Park): $10 dump fee
Half Moon Bay (Pillar Point RV Park): $12 dump station
🏪 Nearby Services
Grocery Stores & Supplies
Malibu (Ralphs): 23841 Malibu Rd — full grocery store, last major stop before Ventura
Santa Barbara (Whole Foods): 3761 State St — organic options, well-stocked
Pismo Beach (Spencer's Fresh Markets): 1473 Price St — local chain, good prices
San Luis Obispo (Costco): 3840 Broad St — bulk supplies for longer trips
Cambria (Spencer's): 2390 Main St — last full grocery before Big Sur
Big Sur Village (Big Sur Deli): Limited supplies, very expensive
Carmel (Safeway): 6th & Junipero — full grocery near Monterey
Santa Cruz (Trader Joe's): 700 Front St — good prices, unique items
Gas Stations & Vehicle Services
Ventura (Costco Gas): 1515 S Victoria Ave — cheapest fuel along route
Santa Barbara (Shell): 101 & Milpas St — RV-friendly pumps
Pismo Beach (76 Station): 551 Price St — convenient to campgrounds
Cambria (Chevron): 2262 Main St — last reasonably priced fuel before Big Sur
Big Sur (Nepenthe Gas): Highway 1 — very expensive, emergency only
Carmel (Chevron): Ocean & 4th Ave — convenient to area attractions
Santa Cruz (Arco): 1130 Soquel Ave — competitive prices
🎒 What to Pack: PCH Essentials
Coastal Road Trip Gear
Layers for changing coastal weather
Rain jacket (especially Oct-Mar)
Comfortable walking shoes
Warm jacket for evening ocean breeze
Sunscreen SPF 30+
Sunglasses and sun hat
Camera with extra batteries
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Beach towels and swimwear
Picnic supplies for scenic lunch stops
Cooler with ice packs
Reusable water bottles
Beach chairs (lightweight)
First aid kit
Phone car charger
Physical maps (cell service spotty)
RV-Specific Supplies
Extra water containers (dry camping)
Leveling blocks for uneven coastal sites
Wheel chocks
Portable grill for beach cooking
Folding table and chairs
Extension cords
LED lights for evening
Trash bags
Paper towels
Wet wipes for salty air cleanup
Duct tape for quick repairs
Basic tool kit
🎯 Pro Tips
PCH Insider Knowledge
Campgrounds fill 6 months ahead for summer — book as early as possible
Off-season (Oct-Mar) is magical — fewer crowds, whale watching season
Download offline maps before Big Sur — cell service is non-existent
Start early each day — avoid afternoon coastal fog and traffic
Use pullouts liberally — let faster traffic pass, enjoy views
Fuel up in larger towns — Big Sur gas is $1-2 more per gallon
Pack layers — coastal weather changes dramatically throughout the day
Check road conditions daily — Highway 1 often closed for landslides
Bring cash — some small businesses don't accept cards
Book restaurants ahead — especially in Carmel and Big Sur
Plan shorter driving days — you'll want to stop constantly for photos
Sunset viewpoints fill up fast — arrive early for best parking
Ready to experience California's most beautiful coastline? Our RVs are perfectly equipped for the ultimate Pacific Coast Highway road trip with kitchen, bathroom, and comfortable sleeping.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All information on this page is provided for general reference only. Prices, amenities, availability, phone numbers, and policies may change without notice. For the most current and accurate information, please contact the campground, park, or service provider directly. RV We Go is not responsible for any inaccuracies or changes to third-party information. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.