“Some roads feel like a playlist of views.
The Pacific Coast Highway is the California edition.”
Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, feels like California’s greatest hits on one long ribbon of road. Cliffs drop into rolling surf, cypress trees lean into the wind, and every curve opens up another postcard view. One direction leads you toward Golden Gate fog and the streets of San Francisco, the other toward palm trees, Santa Monica sunsets, and Los Angeles energy.
This self-guided Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur driving tour lets you follow that coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles or the other way around. You choose the direction, the pace, and the stops, while the GPS-based audio helps you connect the dots between viewpoints, small towns, and stretches of empty shoreline that feel like your own private coast.
As you drive, Monterey and Pebble Beach bring classic “Central Coast” charm, with sea air, famous golf courses, and a world-class aquarium if you choose to stop. Nearby, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Point Lobos add storybook streets and rocky coves where seals, sea lions, and seabirds steal the show. Then the road slips into Big Sur, where bridges like Bixby sit high above the ocean, waterfalls tumble from cliffs at spots like Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and every overlook feels like it was designed for a slow, quiet pause.
South of Big Sur, the route continues through San Simeon and Piedras Blancas, where elephant seals crowd the sand, and on toward Morro Bay’s volcanic rock, tide pools, and the relaxed pace of San Luis Obispo. Farther down the coast, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Malibu bring in palm-lined promenades, sandy beaches, and surf breaks, before the tour wraps up at the iconic Santa Monica Pier, where Highway 1 meets the edge of Los Angeles.
Souvenirs you can’t buy in a shop: You might leave with salt in your hair, a camera full of sunsets, and a new habit of judging every other road trip by one simple question: “Is it PCH-level good?”
Bonus Tour
Along the route, we recommend doing the San Luis Obispo Tour. Experience lush scenery, history, and laid-back vibes with 30+ entertaining audio stories on this self-guided, self-paced walk.
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- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Know Before You Go
Nearby Tours
Driving
140 Stories
3 - 4 Hrs
Walking
84 Stories
2 - 3 Hrs
Walking
20 Stories
1 - 2 Hrs
Walking
14 Stories
30mins-1 Hrs
Route Map
Where To Start?
The tour begins on Ocean Avenue. As you approach the starting point, you’ll pass by the Santa Monica Pier Arch on your left, along with the Santa Monica Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Please note this is only a suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with any nearby businesses, and their staff will not have information about the tour.
The tour begins on Shoreline Highway, along Junipero Serra Boulevard, with the golf course to your right. From here, start heading south on Shoreline Highway (Highway 1) to follow the scenic coastal route. Please note this is a suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with any nearby businesses, and their staff will not have information about the tour.
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Preview The Tour
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, get travel tips, hear narrated guides, and see hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
