Pacific Coast Highway

California State Route 1, also referred to as Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH for short, runs along most of the length of the California coast. The highway begins in Southern California at Interstate 5 near San Juan Capistrano and ends at Route 101 in Leggett.¹

Fast Facts

1. Busiest in the months of July and August²
2. 33 bridges span the highway²
3. Took 15 years to build³
4. 86,000 people per day drive the PCH in San Francisco²
5. Is eligible to become, but has not been designated as, an official California Dedicated Scenic Highway⁴
6. The I-5 is a less scenic, but faster way to travel through California
7. Highlights the beach and the wonderfully old-fashioned Beach Boardwalk⁵
8. Star attraction is the Giant Dipper a designated National Historic Landmark⁵
9. One of America's great scenic drives⁵
10. 485 miles long⁵

Scenic Drive

Although the Pacific Coast Highway deviates from the coast in the greater Los Angeles area, the majority of the highway runs closely parallel to the California coastline. Driving along the highway offers countless spectacular views of the ocean, beaches, mountains and parks.

Quote

"No wonder residents, who are never far from nature's bounties, consider this coastal strip one of the state's most prized possessions and regard its main thoroughfare - Rte. 1, known simply as the One - as a highway to heaven."—Reader's Digest⁶

Categories