I may be a bit biased, but I consider the California coastline to be the most scenic and diverse route in the U.S. As a native to the state, I’ve taken more than 20 road trips over the years, traversing desert terrain, budding vineyards, and cliff-hugging highways that tower above the Pacific Ocean.
And though I love the colossal redwood forests in northern California and the gleaming coastline that cradles the state’s southern end, there’s one road trip I always return to for its access to some of the state’s best wineries, restaurants, and charismatic hotels. The route begins in Los Angeles and goes through the Central Coast, with stops at charming seaside eateries, whimsical towns without streetlights, family-owned wine tasting rooms, and shorelines dotted with hiking trails, playful otters, and towering cypress trees.
Also of note: A major stretch of scenic Highway 1 along the Central Coast is projected to fully reopen by March 2026 after a landslide closure, making one of California’s most iconic coastal drives accessible again.
Below, I’ve shared some of my favorite places to stop along this route, guaranteed to satiate any palate and fulfill any sense of wonder along a coast that’s full of possibility.
Day 1: Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
Aerial view of downtown Santa Barbara.
Kasia Giska/Travel + Leisure
If you’re flying into the city and need a hotel stay in a convenient location, Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a great option with a number of ways to unwind before any road trip, including a calming in-room Candle Experience. Before hitting the road from Los Angeles, fuel yourself with a stop at Maydan Market, where founder Rose Previte has created a global food hall for small businesses to flourish and hungry patrons to get a taste of everything from Southeast Asian barbecue to Middle Eastern and Afro-Mexican cuisine.
Afterward, in just under two hours, the coastal city of Santa Barbara awaits. Known as the “American Riviera” because of its temperate climate and Spanish-inspired architecture, you’ll get all the small-town vibes with a world-class wine country as your playground. Fog and sun hug vineyards situated between the Transverse Ranges that funnel cool ocean breezes to produce an impressive range of wines across the region. You’ll also find plenty of reasons to get outdoors, including strolling along the thousands of native plants at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the nearly 70-acre oceanfront park Douglas Family Preserve.
When hunger strikes, the newly opened Manifattura downtown offers in-house pastas like delicate ricotta dumplings bathed in pesto Genovese. The Lark is a tried-and-true favorite that celebrates the bounty of the Central Coast on both land and sea. Stroll along downtown’s Funk Zone to visit a collection of wine tasting rooms, including Margerum and Pali Wine Co.
Just a 10-minute drive from central Santa Barbara, Montecito remains my favorite enclave along the coast; it oozes quiet luxury, with coveted beaches and small shops along a small commercial strip. For my birthday this year, I checked into the Paraiso Collection, a stunning group of six vacation rentals that make it feel like you’ve stepped into your own private retreat in Andalusia. It’s an ideal accommodation option if you’re looking for your own private casita blanketed in olive trees and gurgling waterfalls, or a group getaway, like I had, in the four-bedroom Villa Magnolia, decked out with a sun-drenched courtyard and backyard with a gas fire pit, an in-ground oversized spa pool, a built-in barbecue grill, and a dining table for eight.
Nearby, the seasonal, vegetable-forward Little Mountain from chef Diego Moya has a menu that reflects a sourcing-first philosophy and close collaboration with local growers, ranchers, and anglers. For a nightcap, don’t miss cozying up in the dimly lit Lion’s Tale for a dirty martini.
Day 2: Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
Fall foliage around downtown San Luis Obispo.
MattGush/Getty Images
It’s time to hit the road again; this time for a 45-minute drive from the Santa Barbara area to Los Olivos. Before arrival, though, the need for caffeine and carbs inevitably leads me to the Ballard outpost of Bob’s Well Bread, where artisanal creations made in-house—like babka and country bread with rendered slab bacon lardons—are impossible to put down. After that satiating breakfast break, head just minutes away to Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley, where you can easily walk into a saloon-themed bar or more than 25 wine tasting rooms.
The community was once a stagecoach stop in the 1800s and maintains those same Western-themed vibes at hotels like The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, a Prohibition-era escape that still has that social conviviality at its popular bar. For lunch, there is no other place I’d rather eat than Bar Le Côte, a seafood tavern decked out in forest-green and velvet-clad banquettes. Slide into a booth and prepare for your taste buds to dance over crusty rosemary and focaccia shellacked with tomato and sea urchin butter, and flaky halibut adorned with marigolds and tangy mushrooms.
If you plan to spend the night in Los Olivos, make a day of it and head right next door after lunch to the Brewer-Clifton tasting room, where light-bodied pinot noirs and umami and red berry-rich syrahs can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio. Other wine tasting rooms not to be missed include Stolpman Vineyards for its syrahs and Demetria Estate for small-production Rhône varietal wines.
From Los Olivos, drive about an hour north, and you’ll reach San Luis Obispo. This Central Coast city is driven by a thriving downtown area and proximity to incredible hiking trails, like the Nine Sisters, as well as the family-friendly Avila Beach. It’s also home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the fifth mission built in California. There’s small-town charm and quirks all around, including the proudly pink Madonna Inn, well-known for its rosy hues and legendary pink champagne cake, layered with a bouncy texture and Bavarian cream.
For an intimate check-in, there’s no better place than Petit Soleil, which has a complimentary apéritif hour and breakfast, plus country-French custom furnishing across its 21 rooms. San Luis Obispo’s dining scene has a number of contenders to consider, including the Mexican-inspired restaurant and tequila bar Condesa, a cafe-bodega serving seasonal Italian-Japanese dishes and local wine called Wren Provisions, and the classic, Michelin-approved Nate’s on Marsh, where classic Italian dishes are served in dining rooms decked out in equestrian-themed art.
Day 3: San Luis Obispo to Big Sur
View of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur.
Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure
From San Luis Obispo, any fan of oysters should make a stop in Morro Bay, a seaside destination with a shoreline bordered by small fishing boats and seals. The sun-dappled bay here contains a mix of saltwater and mineral-rich freshwater that produces some of the best oysters in all of California. My favorite place to sample them is at Grassy Bar Oyster Co.
Next up, it’s on to Big Sur, but be sure to fill your tank first, as gas stations are far and few between. This 90-mile stretch of Highway 1 on this route is where the California coastline really puts on a show. You’ll wind your way through the Santa Lucia Mountains, passing hidden coves, craggy peaks, and a variety of wildlife.
Once in Big Sur, check into Post Ranch Inn, where secluded accommodations such as tree houses built on stilts and glass-housed ocean rooms are set against a redwood forest and lulling waves. My first visit to this property six years ago revealed the enchanting landscape of Big Sur I keep returning to. No matter the season, there’s a heated infinity pool to enjoy, oversized spa tubs, and a number of complimentary activities like guided nature walks, falconry, forest meditation, stargazing, and an edible garden tour. My love for wine is always satiated at their Sierra Mar restaurant, beloved for its extensive bottles from around the world and farm-to-table dishes served against floor-to-ceiling windows that frame jagged cliffs.
Around the region, can’t-miss stops include McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, the purple sand of Pfeiffer Beach, the book collection at the bohemian Henry Miller Memorial Library, and the network of trails for wildlife viewing at Garrapata State Park. On the restaurant front, Nepenthe and Big Sur Roadhouse are two popular options that offer alfresco dining. For coffee and baked goods, head to The Village.
Day 4: Big Sur to Carmel-by-the-Sea
Sunset over a beach in Carmel.
Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure
You can reach Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey from Big Sur in just under an hour, and it’s worth making a stop at Bixby Bridge on the way. You’ll likely recognize the iconic arched and highly photographed passageway from its on-screen appearances in Big Little Lies and Basic Instinct, and more. I’ve been visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea since I was a little girl, and years later, it maintains a storybook charm I’ve always been drawn to. In this compact one-square-mile village, German timber-framed buildings and English country cottages border more than 40 courtyards and passageways; 17 wine tasting rooms are all within walking distance to each other; and more than 50 art galleries can be experienced on any given day or every second Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the Carmel Art Walk. When it comes to tasting rooms, De Tierra is a downtown institution—locally owned and sustainably sourced from around Monterey County.
Any visit to Carmel should include the 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach, where golf courses, the towering Lone Cypress tree, and the scenic overlook where you can spot seals at Fanshell Beach await. At Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a rich marine habitat and trails through dense groves await.
Carmel-by-the-Sea has more restaurants per capita than any other small city in the U.S.—with virtually no chain restaurants in sight. With offerings that include Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning restaurants, you’ll have no issue finding places to eat. A few of my favorites include the European bistro vibes at La Bicyclette and the seafood-centric menu at the well-loved Chez Noir.
Lodgings in Carmel are abundant, too. La Playa Hotel sits in the heart of downtown, just steps away from the city’s best tasting rooms and restaurants. My favorite place for a nightcap is their dimly lit bar, Bud’s. The 73-room Bernardus Lodge & Spa is a destination unto itself that contains a sprawling landscape of vineyards and rose bushes—a favorite for weddings and wellness escapes.
Day 5: Carmel-by-the-Sea to Monterey
A restaurant on the water in Monterey.
Amanda Blackard /Travel + Leisure
From Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll drive roughly 10 minutes north to reach Monterey. With landscapes immortalized by writer John Steinbeck and a waterfront that was once home to a thriving sardine industry, the seaside location is full of 19th-century architecture, seafood, restaurants, pubs, and a walkable downtown area.
Whether or not you’re visiting with children, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a top-notch aquatic center that houses jellies, playful penguins, sharks, and a Splash Zone where you can interact with starfish, sea cucumbers, and more. The 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail offers slices of green space for picnics and trails to bike or walk to the aquarium, Cannery Row, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Some of my favorite places to eat in or near Monterey include the live music and soul food eatery Deja Blue, Alta Bakery and Cafe for breakfast or a light lunch, and the inspired American menu at Montrio Bistro.
Monterey Beach Hotel, the city’s only oceanfront hotel, is set on 600 feet of exclusive shoreline. The 192-room property recently underwent extensive renovations that included redesigned guest rooms and suites with California-inspired textures and fabrics that celebrate the surrounding environment. Wellness offerings include a Reset Lab Experience with Scandinavian-inspired contrast therapy as well as complimentary Zybra e-bikes for guests to ride along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.
Dining and Cooking