The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip - Van Life Style

14 Places you Have to Stop at Along the PCH

A few summers ago, my partner and I went on the road trip of our dreams and, even to this day, some of our pit stops along the way feel unreal.

Here, I’m going to share a few of my favorite California coast destinations that I hope inspire you to visit as well.

Just a few details about the trip, we spent about a week driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles, via the Pacific Coast Highway, taking our sweet time in all of the places in between.

We rented a van from Escape Camper Vans which was our first van life experience, sleeping and living out of the van for an entire week.

The following locations are in geographical order going down the coast from north to south.

Must visit spots along the Pacific Coast Highway

1. Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel was one of the most charming coastal towns I have ever been to - great for shopping, fine dining, and ocean views.

The best way to describe it, in my opinion, is seaside fairy tale vibes (I don’t know how else to explain it).

There are so many cute restaurants and little shops that you could spend hours in.

Make sure you check out the Carmel Plaza and the Barnyard Shopping Village. The Lafayette Bakery was particularly tasty.

2. Point Lobos State Park

For those who love hiking and and want to see some wildlife, Point Lobos is a must!

This park highlights the coast’s rugged, wild landscape which is home to so many animals.

On our visit we saw seals, sea otters, and sea lions!

It felt good to stretch our legs and explore the park for a while before hitting the road again.

3. Garrapata State Park Vista Point Highway Pull Off

Garrapata State Park Vista is another great spot to take in the natural beauty of the California Coast.

This stop was one of those unforgettable moments that felt almost magical.

We pulled off the side of the road here, did a little exploring along the cliff side, and then watched the sun set from our van with the doors wide open.

The landscape is absolutely stunning.

4. Calla Lily Valley

Calla Lily Valley was just a quick pit stop to stretch our legs.

If you’re unfamiliar, this is a lush valley off the side of the road that blooms with lilies in the spring.

Unfortunately during our visit in late May the flowers were past their peak.

Still a beautiful hidden gem that leads to a gorgeous beach.

5. McWay Falls

This is one of the most popular spots along the PCH in the Big Sur region of California and we had to check it out to see if it was worth the hype.

Although there isn’t a trail that takes you to the waterfall, there are fantastic views of McWay Falls from the road that you don’t need to walk that far to reach.

I’m glad we visited this spot, but it’s super touristy, and more of a photo op than anything else.

6. Elephant Seal Vista Point

If you love animals and wildlife then you have to check out Elephant Seal Vista Point where you will likely see hundreds of seals on the beach.

There is an observation deck and short trail that follows the beach where the seals will likely be offering excellent viewing points.

I just have to warn you that the whole area kind of smells like baked seal. My partner and I were not prepared when we opened the car door lol.

Park at Friends of the Elephant Seal parking lot.

7. Morro Bay

Morro Bay was one of those random places along our drive that I’d never heard of, but it was hard to miss with the giant Morro Rock jetting out into the ocean.

It reminded me of a surfer town with a lot of charm and history.

This was one of the places we spent the night on our trip and it was a great place to relax (although barking seals may keep you up at night).

The town offers plenty of dining options and great seafood.