5-Day Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Bay Area → Half Moon Bay → Santa Cruz → Monterey → 17-Mile Drive → Carmel-by-the-Sea → Big Sur Lookouts → Return to Monterey
Day 2: Monterey → Inland Detour (Jolon → Nacimiento-Fergusson) → Mill Creek Bridge → Morro Bay → Santa Barbara
Day 3: Santa Barbara → Malibu → Santa Monica → Long Beach → Laguna Beach → San Diego
Day 4: San Diego (Balboa Park, Cabrillo Monument, SeaWorld, Seaport Village)
Day 5: San Diego → Bay Area via I-5
Sometimes the road less traveled is a detour through the mountains. We had planned to drive the full stretch of Highway 1, but a landslide reroute turned out to be one of the highlights. This 5-day trip had everything: dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, classic towns, and SoCal sunshine.
Day 1: Winding South on Highway 1
We left the Bay Area early, cruising down the coast with our windows down and ocean air in our lungs. Half Moon Bay made for a peaceful first stop before we reached the lively Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Next came Monterey, where we took the famous 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach and enjoyed sweeping coastal views. Carmel-by-the-Sea welcomed us with storybook charm, and from there, we chased the sun down Highway 1 to Big Sur.
The drive was unreal—Bixby Creek Bridge and Big Creek Bridge stole the show. But south of Esalen Institute, Highway 1 was closed, so we turned back and spent the night in Monterey.
Day 2: Through the Mountains to the Coast
To bypass the road closure, we took a lesser-known inland detour:
- Highway 68 → Highway 101 South → Jolon Road → Mission Road → Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
The route climbed into the Santa Lucia Mountains, winding through quiet hills before dropping us back onto Highway 1 past the closure point. It was remote, twisty, and stunning.
Back on the coast, we stopped at the Mill Creek Bridge and pulled over at nearly every vista point. Morro Bay was calm and lovely, a perfect rest stop before we rolled into Santa Barbara for the night.
Day 3: Coastal Cities & SoCal Surf
We started the morning with a relaxed breakfast in Santa Barbara, then cruised down the coast. The aftermath of recent wildfires was visible in parts of Malibu, but the beauty of Santa Monica and Venice still shone through.
We continued past:
- Long Beach
- Huntington Beach
- Laguna Beach
Finally, we merged onto I-5 South and arrived in San Diego, tired but happy.
Day 4: Exploring San Diego’s Best
Balboa Park was our first stop—a beautiful, cultural heart of the city. We drove out to the Cabrillo National Monument for ocean views, then headed to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park for a breezy walk along the sea.
Afternoon was spent at SeaWorld San Diego, followed by evening strolling and snacking at Seaport Village. San Diego was the perfect end-cap to the southern leg of our coastal journey.
Day 5: The Long Way Home
We woke up fresh and hit the road early for the 7-hour drive back to the Bay Area via I-5 North. With our playlist on and memories still fresh, we retraced the state from south to north, already dreaming of the next adventure.
Final Thoughts
This trip reminded us why California’s coastline is unmatched. Between the towering bridges of Big Sur and the sunset cliffs of San Diego, every day offered a different kind of beauty.
Whether you’re after beach towns, redwood detours, or mountain switchbacks, this route delivers. Just check the road conditions ahead (especially on Highway 1), bring snacks, and don’t rush. The views are worth slowing down for.
Written by Shree Neupane and Reeta Sharma
Outdoor enthusiasts, road trippers, and founders of Trail and Tread