A Dreamy Drive on the PCH

PCHA dreamy drive indeed. The Pacific Coast Highway runs along the Pacific Coast of California and is also known as Route 1. I was lucky to take a gorgeous and relaxing drive along the PCH with my boyfriend two weeks ago. We started out in Long Beach, CA and drove about 30 miles north of Malibu. We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day to take the drive– 80 degrees and sunny. Not a bad way to spend a Monday in February!

Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu

I had way too much fun taking pictures as Ryan drove along the rocky coastline with the shimmering sea to our left and beautiful hilltop houses lining the right.Every turn brought another “oooh look at that” or “wow so pretty!” Maybe we are easily impressed, but my guess is that most people would react similarly to the beauty surrounding this gorgeous drive.  

Pacific Coast Highway

We drove past endless wild beaches, private beaches, and coves until we found one that was so pretty we had to pull over. The beach was nearly empty- except for a handful of people and some birds diving into the water. We walked out onto the golden sand and sat down for awhile on a giant piece of driftwood. The sun, the birds, and the sparkling water all danced together, framed by sandy-colored rocky hills in all directions. It is an image I will keep in my mind forever.

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

After enjoying these peaceful moments together we hopped back in the car to continue north on Route 1. After driving about 30 miles or so more we decided to turn around and head toward Santa Monica to get some lunch.

Pacific Coast Highway

I’ve always wanted to visit the famous Santa Monica pier. It’s an iconic landmark; Santa Monica is the end of the famous Route 66 stretching across a portion of the U.S. Pretty cool!

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

We walked up and down the pier, enjoyed listening to street musicians, and stopped to watch a magician’s performance as well. But my favorite entertainment was a seal chilling out in the water right below us. It was as if he knew we were all watching him. He put on a little performance by swimming in all different directions and chasing fish that someone was throwing into the water for him. It was so cute!

Santa Monica Pier

We ate lunch at a delicious restaurant right on the pier called The Albright. We ordered the blackened shrimp tacos which you build yourself. It was so so so good. I highly recommend checking this place out if you are ever in Santa Monica. We sat on an outdoor patio facing the pier. After filling up on tacos, we headed back to Long Beach to end our day.

2016-02-08 14.28.18.jpg

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

The Pacific Coast Highway is 650 miles long stretching from Orange County in Southern California up past San Francisco into Mendocino County. A few years ago I had the joy of driving along the central part of Route 1 known as “Big Sur.” This is an even more dramatic drive through rockier mountains with beautiful bridges stretching over the ocean.

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most, if not the most, famous drives in all of America. If you ever have the opportunity to travel to California it would be in your best interest to add the PCH to your list.

 

Have you ever driven the PCH? What is your favorite drive in America?

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  • LizFebruary 24, 2016 - 10:50 am

    PCH is SO beautiful! I love the drive further north near Monterrey and Carmel. The beaches are rockier and the water rougher, but I think it makes for the most gorgeous drive. That said, you can’t really go wrong with Malibu either ;).

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    • Erin SchererFebruary 24, 2016 - 10:55 am

      Hi Liz,

      Thanks for reading! I totally agree. I drove to beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea with my family about ten years ago from San Francisco. It was one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever taken. I only wish I had more pictures from it. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Home and HorizonFebruary 24, 2016 - 2:30 pm

    Love love love your images!ReplyCancel

  • MaydiFebruary 24, 2016 - 2:44 pm

    Dreamy indeed! Those nearly empty beaches are always the best! Still haven’t had a chance to visit California, but this just made it to my list!ReplyCancel

  • kelliedmoggFebruary 24, 2016 - 2:47 pm

    I looove the PCH! I spent three months in California last summer driving all over that highway and it never got old. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

    • Erin SchererFebruary 24, 2016 - 4:31 pm

      That must have been amazing! Even one day on it was glorious 🙂 Thanks for reading.ReplyCancel

  • DrifterHannahFebruary 26, 2016 - 2:08 am

    Wow, amazing! My (British) parents did this in the 1970s, from San Fran to San Diego in a vintage convertible. I’d love to recreate their trip! Also, those shrimp tacos look dreamy! Nice post!ReplyCancel

    • Erin SchererFebruary 26, 2016 - 8:27 am

      That is so incredibly cool! I don’t know you parents but I already love them. I 100% support you recreating that trip. And those shrimp tacos were dreamy 🙂 Thank you for reading Hannah. ReplyCancel

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