A Pacific Coast Highway road trip is as much about the small towns and seafood shacks between the big scenic stops as it is about Big Sur's cliffs. Here's where to eat along the way, and a couple of detours worth the extra miles.
Fresh Seafood in Every Harbor Town
Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf and the smaller harbor towns further south are the places to eat fresh, local seafood on this drive — clam chowder in a sourdough bowl is a San Francisco classic worth having at least once before you head south. Morro Bay, with its distinctive volcanic rock harbor, is a good lesser-known lunch stop between Big Sur and Santa Barbara.
Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fine Dining
Carmel-by-the-Sea punches well above its size for restaurants, with a walkable downtown of tucked-away courtyards and a dining scene that draws visitors from well beyond the Monterey Peninsula.
Detours Worth the Extra Miles
Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst's hilltop mansion above San Simeon, is a worthwhile detour for its sheer excess, and the elephant seal colony at nearby Piedras Blancas is a free roadside stop that's hard to believe until you see it. Browse California coast tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Pack for the Long Drive
Multiple overnight stops call for a bag that's easy to repack each morning. The VacationGrabs Leather Overnight Duffel is built for exactly this kind of trip.
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