California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara
The most famous coastal drive in the world — with almost nowhere to sleep in Big Sur.
California's Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara is one of the most photographed drives in the world: surf in Santa Cruz, the aquarium and Seventeen Mile Drive around Monterey, the cliffs and redwoods of Big Sur, and the Spanish-style beach town of Santa Barbara. What most people find out too late is how little accommodation there is along the way. Big Sur has very few places to stay, Carmel-by-the-Sea doesn't allow short vacation rentals, and summer weekends fill up months ahead. Parts of Highway 1 also close from time to time because of landslides, so check Caltrans before you go. Here's how to split the route and which stops to secure first.
Best time: April–June and September–October (less fog, fewer crowds than summer)
The route, stop by stop
- 1Sell-out risk: High
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County · 1–2 nightsSteamer Lane and Pleasure Point for surfing, the boardwalk and redwoods at Henry Cowell.
Where to stay: Pleasure Point and Capitola are the nicest bases. Summer weekends sell out early.
- 2Sell-out risk: Very high
Monterey & Pacific Grove
Monterey Peninsula · 2 nightsMonterey Bay Aquarium, Seventeen Mile Drive and an easy base for exploring Carmel.
Where to stay: Carmel-by-the-Sea doesn't allow short vacation rentals, so most travelers base themselves in Pacific Grove or Monterey.
- 3Sell-out risk: Extreme
Big Sur
Monterey County coast · 1–2 nightsBixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach and the most dramatic coastline in the US.
Where to stay: There are very few rentals and they book months ahead. Cancellations are often the only way in on popular dates.
- 4Sell-out risk: High
Cambria & San Simeon
San Luis Obispo County · 1 nightHearst Castle, the elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas and Moonstone Beach.
Where to stay: A quieter, often better-value alternative if Big Sur is full.
- 5Sell-out risk: Very high
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County · 2 nightsThe Funk Zone, State Street, beaches and wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Where to stay: The city restricts short-term rentals, so look at Montecito, Carpinteria or Goleta if the city is full.
The stop that usually breaks the plan
Big Sur is the bottleneck on almost every Highway 1 trip, followed by the Monterey Peninsula. Supply is tiny and limited by local rules, so on summer and holiday dates most places only become available when someone cancels.
How to book a multi-stop trip when stops are sold out
- Book Big Sur first. If it's full, book Cambria or Monterey as a safe backup and watch Big Sur for a cancellation.
- Set a watch for each stop you couldn't book, for your exact nights.
- Check Caltrans for Highway 1 closures before you book — a closure can make a stop hard to reach from one side.
- Drive south (north to south) so you're on the ocean side of the road with the best viewpoints.
- Avoid summer weekends in Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz if you can; weekday prices and availability are much better.
Watch every stop on your route at once
A road trip has 5 stops, and each one can sell out on its own. BetterStay watches Airbnb around the clock and emails you when a place opens up on your dates. Start free with one stop, or use the Traveler plan to watch up to 5 stops at once.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Pacific Coast Highway?
Five days covers Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara at a comfortable pace. Seven to eight days lets you stay two nights in Big Sur and add wine country or a surf day.
Where should I stay in Big Sur?
There are very few options in Big Sur itself, so book as early as you can. If it's full, stay in Carmel Valley, Monterey or Cambria and set an alert for a Big Sur cancellation.
Can you rent an Airbnb in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea doesn't allow vacation rentals of less than 30 days, so most travelers stay in nearby Pacific Grove, Monterey or Carmel Valley.
How do I find a place on a sold-out Highway 1 stop?
Set a BetterStay watch for each stop and your exact dates. We check Airbnb around the clock and email you the moment a place opens up.