Pacific Coast Highway- Self Drive

Itinerary

• Days One to Two - Hotel Bijou – San Francisco

  Fly into San Francisco and take the BART train into the city where you’ll spend two nights at this classic and elegant boutique hotel in an Art Deco building near Union Square. The hotel has a restaurant, bar/lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room spa service, nearby gym, and parking. From riding the historic cable cars and enjoying Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39’s famous sea lions, clam chowder, and waterfront to walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, taking the ferry to tour Alcatraz Island prison, and admiring the views from Twin Peaks; the ‘City by the Bay’ has lots to discover. Destination fee: USD 29.38 per accommodation per night

• Days Three to Four – San Francisco → Monterey – Victorian Inn

  Collect your hire car and drive to Monterey for the next two nights. This boutique hotel near Cannery Row has oversized guest rooms, marble fireplaces, and patios and balconies with ocean breezes. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet in the dining room, wine and cheese reception, and Wi-Fi; and also, coffee and tea in the parlour. Meet the jellyfish and sharks at Monterey Bay Aquarium, shop and eat along Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf, or why not go on a leisurely bike ride or walk along the 18-mile Monterey Coastal Trail? This hotel does not have a resort fee or other mandatory fees

• Day Five – Monterey → Carmel-by-the-Sea – Coachman’s Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

  Today’s short drive takes you to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the night. This small boutique hotel combines refreshed rooms with all-new custom furnishings and a soothing colour palette alongside experiences like wine hour, signature breakfasts, freshly baked cookies, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more. Perhaps take an afternoon scenic drive through Big Sur or relax on Carmel Beach, explore Ocean Avenue’s shops and courtyards, tour the Carmel Mission, or take the famous 17-Mile Drive to enjoy the ocean views, cypress trees, and a stop at Pebble Beach. This hotel does not have a resort fee or other mandatory fees.

• Day Six – Carmel-by-the-Sea → Morro Bay – Harbour House Inn

  Get behind the wheel for the three-hour drive along the Big Sur coastline for a night in Morro Bay. This small hotel mixes modern guest rooms with a microwave and fridge with high-speed Wi-Fi, guest laundry, room service, reception, and parking. Admire the iconic 576-foot-high Morro Rock and go kayaking at the bay estuary for close-up views of sea lions, otters, and seals. Stroll the Embarcadero waterfront to explore the Maritime Museum or stop for a platter of fresh seafood with a harbour view. Visit Morro Bay State Park to hike the trails and stop by the Museum of Natural History. This hotel does not have a resort fee or other mandatory fees.

• Day Seven – Morro Bay → Pismo Beach – Shore Cliff Hotel

  Take the short scenic drive south to Pismo Beach today for an overnight stay. This hotel perches on the rugged coastal cliffs overlooking Pismo Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The rooms feature a clifftop patio or balcony and modern amenities; equally matched by an oceanfront pool and hot tub, bocce ball court, daily continental breakfast, high-speed fibre Internet, and fitness room. Walk the 1,200-foot Pismo Beach Pier, explore Oceano Dunes by ATV, visit the seasonal Monarch Butterfly Grove, enjoy family fun at Dinosaur Caves Park, or hike or bike though Pismo Preserve. Resort fee: $35 per room per night

• Day Eight – Pismo Beach → Santa Barbara – Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn

  Take the two-hour road trip to Santa Barbara for the night. This casual style resort hotel is adjacent to La Cumbre Plaza’s open-air boutiques and restaurants and minutes from downtown. The rooms have a Smart television, coffee/teamaker, mini fridge, high-speed Wi-Fi, and pool/garden views and you’ll have access to an outdoor pool, hot tub, whirlpools, and a complimentary full breakfast. Explore the Old Mission Santa Barbara, wander down State Street to Stearns Wharf, relax on East Beach, visit the County Courthouse, go whale-watching from the marina, and try a wine tasting in the Funk Zone. This hotel does not have a resort fee or other mandatory fees.

• Days Nine to Ten: Santa Barbara → Santa Monica – SureStay Hotel by Best Western Santa Monica

  Today’s 1.5-hour drive takes you for two nights in Santa Monica. This hotel is just a couple of miles from the Third Street Promenade and mixes rooms with HDTV, coffee maker, and iron/ironing board with a courtyard with BBQ and picnic area, restaurant, bar, and complimentary continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and evening snacks. Ride Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel, swim at Santa Monica State Beach, bike along “The Strand”, explore Main Street’s art galleries, and take a stroll through Palisades Park. This hotel does not have a resort fee or other mandatory fees.

• Day Eleven – Santa Monica → Huntington Beach – Best Western Harbour Inn & Suites

  Your one-hour journey today takes you for an overnighter in “Surf City USA” - Huntington Beach. This hotel sits on Huntington Harbour, and the rooms combine a tropical theme with a microwave, fridge, cable television, and high-speed Internet; plus, there’s a complimentary continental breakfast and fitness centre. Walk the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, delve into the local surfing culture at International Surfing Museum, go birdwatching at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, shop and dine at Pacific City, and head to the beach at sunset to enjoy the bonfires on the sand. This hotel does not have a resort fee or other mandatory fees.

• Days Twelve to Thirteen – Huntington Beach → San Diego – The Sofia Hotel

  Today’s 1.5 to two-hour road trip takes you to San Diego for your final two nights. This chic hotel near the Gaslamp District is the perfect place to hit the pause button as you enjoy the modern guest rooms kitted out with a Nespresso machine, 42-inch flat-screen television, and Wi-Fi and make use of the 24-hour fitness centre, restaurant, and coffee shop. Witness the views from Cabrillo National Monument, enjoy a foodie treat at Liberty Public Market, go snorkelling at La Jolla Cave, cheer on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, or indulge in family times at LEGOLAND®, San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park. Resort Fee: $19.07 per room per night

• Day Fourteen – San Diego → San Diego Airport → UK

  Drive back to San Diego Airport and drop off your hire car; leaving plenty of time to catch your flight back to the UK – hopefully with many memories to look back on of your Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive adventure!