Can you drive along Highway 1 in California?

California's Highway One is a state highway. It runs from Capistrano Beach in Orange County to Leggett in northern Mendocino (Dana Point), a total of about 650 miles. You can tackle it in sections, pick just part of it to see or make the journey into a week-long road trip.



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Big Sur. At Big Sur, the most spectacular portion of the Pacific Coast Highway 1 begins, where huge, rugged cliffs and forested inlets overlook the pounding surf below. Whale-watching is popular here at certain times of year; depending on the season you can see blue, gray or humpback species breeching off the coast.

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California's coast-hugging Highway 1 is what dream drives are made of. The iconic roadway—which extends for more than 650 miles from Dana Point north to Leggett—offers endless vistas overlooking the Pacific, with plenty of redwood trees and wildlife sightings along the way.

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The Highway 1, aka Pacific Coast Highway, road trip that passes through Big Sur on California's Central Coast is perhaps the most famous scenic drive in the Golden State. But it's not the only scenic, unforgettable road trip in California—by far.

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Big Sur encompasses roughly the area between San Simeon and the Carmel Highlands along Highway 1. Though the boundaries are not fixed, many people consider Malpaso Creek the northernmost point of Big Sur, and Ragged Point the southernmost entrance.

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Camping, camp fires, and sleeping overnight in vehicles are not allowed along Highway 1. When entering Highway 1 from a turnout, accelerate rapidly and safely until your speed matches the traffic speed.

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Driving Through Pacific Coast Highway. As a general rule, it's better to start your Pacific Coast Highway road trip in the north and head south so your car is always in the lane closest to the ocean. That way, there's nothing blocking your view of the cliffs during your drive down and you can really enjoy the sights.

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Highway 1 has several portions designated as either Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), the Cabrillo Highway,[2] the Shoreline Highway, or the Coast Highway and is part of Pacific Coastal Highway.

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Busier roads can make it more stressful and dangerous. Although this is listed as a major highway, there are stretches of the road with just two lanes (one in each direction) and you'll encounter many hairpin turns throughout the drive as the road hugs the coastline.

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