• Pacifica - As you journey through Pacifica, you’ll discover the history of San Francisco Bay and the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá, who made it famous. You’ll also learn the intriguing story of how the town got its name.

NOTE: This 555-mile-long tour highlights the essentials of the Pacific Coast Highway in 5-7 hours.

• Pedro Point - This rocky point extends into the ocean, offering spectacular seaside views. Previously accessible by road, it now requires a footpath and is only reachable at low tide. It’s an excellent spot for a hike with a rewarding view at the end.
• Devil’s Slide Trail - This World War II bunker was built to monitor a potential Japanese invasion. Soldiers once kept a constant watch on the horizon with binoculars. Today, it’s a popular spot for local youths and graffiti artists.
• Gray Whale Cove State Beach - Depending on the time of year, this beach is a fantastic place to spot whales. In December and January, gray whales migrate south past this shore, often close enough to see with the naked eye!
• Montara - Montara is a quaint, rustic town that owes its existence to an old lighthouse. Many of the town’s oldest buildings still stand today, giving it a unique and classic charm.
• Mavericks Beach - Known for some of the biggest waves, the swells here can reach up to 60 feet during peak season! It’s a popular surfing spot for thrill-seekers, though amateur surfers might prefer watching from the shore.
• Half Moon Bay - This peaceful seaside town is set on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay but has a surprisingly dark history. It was once known as the most corrupt county in California due to mob activity.
• Bean Hollow State Beach - Named for its uniquely-shaped coast, which some say resembles a bean, this beach is a humble yet pleasant spot surrounded by great scenery, perfect for a quick break.
• Pigeon Point Lighthouse - Standing at 115 feet, this is the tallest lighthouse on the west coast and one of the oldest. It’s a fantastic spot for a seaside photo shoot.
• Butano State Park - While you won’t enter this park, you’ll pass by its lush redwood groves. These ancient, enormous trees are awe-inspiring and must be seen to be believed.
• Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Another park you’ll pass, Big Basin Redwoods State Park is known for its tall old-growth trees, lush canopy, and potential wildlife sightings if you’re traveling in the morning!
• Ano Nuevo State Reserve - Listen closely as you pass this reserve, and you might hear its famous residents: Elephant seals! The best time to view them is between December and April, during their breeding season.
• Davenport - Home to just over 400 people, Davenport is known for its pristine beaches. Besides great sand and surf, it features landmarks like the Davenport Crack, where water has carved a deep tunnel through a cliff.
• Shark Fin Cove - Despite its name, you won’t find sharks here. The cove gets its name from a distinctive rock formation that resembles a giant shark’s fin!
• Coast Dairies State Park - Known for its small, secluded pocket beaches, reaching them requires some effort, but they’re rarely crowded. It’s perfect for some alone time with the coast.
• Santa Cruz - A must-see stop on your tour. Founded in 1791, Santa Cruz is a picturesque California town with beautiful architecture, incredible food, and quirky shops.
• Santa Cruz Wharf - The top hotspot in Santa Cruz, bustling with activity and seafood restaurants offering the freshest catch. The wharf also features an amusement park with a wooden roller coaster!
• Mystery Spot - A tourist attraction near Santa Cruz, California, opened in 1939 by George Prather. Visitors experience demonstrations that seem to defy gravity on a short but steep uphill walk and inside a wooden building.
• Rio Del Mar State Beach - This large beach offers ample parking and stunning views of the ocean and towering coastal bluffs. It’s also very pet-friendly for those traveling with pets.
• Sunset State Beach - As the name suggests, it’s one of the best places in central California to watch the sunset. Plan ahead, as it gets crowded in the late afternoon.
• Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve - A vast wetland where saltwater meets freshwater, home to over 700 species of terrestrial and marine animals. You have a good chance of spotting some of California’s wildlife as you pass.
• Monterey Bay - This beautiful bay offers stunning coastal views. As you drive by, you’ll learn about the once-abundant sardine population and what changed it.
• Monterey - Once the center of the sardine-packing industry, Monterey has a rich history. Today, Cannery Row is a popular strip of gift shops, seafood restaurants, and bars in converted factories. The city is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, showcasing thousands of marine animals and plants in underwater and interactive exhibits.
• Big Sur - Perhaps the most iconic stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, featuring dramatic bluffs, lush greenery, and rocky hiking trails. It’s a remote and rugged place that will take your breath away.
• 17-Mile Drive - A scenic detour through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, passing lavish estates on one side and unbeatable ocean views on the other.
• Carmel-by-the-Sea - A picture-perfect coastal village known for its fairytale cottages and eccentric residents. This tiny town is full of charm and boasts an impressive number of art galleries.
• Carmel Beach - A lovely white sand beach beside a cypress grove, where residents come to surf, walk their dogs, or watch the sunset.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - This reserve offers a diverse range of marine and terrestrial animals in its lush environment. It’s also a fantastic spot for scuba diving to get up close with oceanic wildlife.
• Garrapata State Park - Home to some of Big Sur’s best hiking trails, many leading to the coast for breathtaking ocean views, while others cut through valleys of lilies and redwood groves.
• Bixby Creek Bridge - One of California’s most photographed bridges, this concrete arch bridge’s graceful architecture complements the lush green bluffs and ocean views, creating a unique crossing.
• Point Sur State Historic Park - Once a nightmare for ships traveling at night, it’s now a picturesque coastal spot thanks to the Point Sur Lighthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Andrew Molera State Park - The former owners prohibited development along this coastline, resulting in a remarkably untouched wilderness that inspires nature lovers.
• Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge - This new bridge replaced a predecessor damaged by a landslide in 2017.
• Pfeiffer Beach - A bit off the beaten path, this beach is known for its purple sand, colored by manganese garnet from nearby bluffs.
• Grimes Point Scenic Overlook - This simple dirt lot offers one of the best views of Big Sur. Have your camera ready!
• Seal Beach Scenic Overlook - A fantastic place to spot California’s favorite marine mammals, seals, lounging on the rocks by the shore.
• Partington Cove - A sheltered, secluded cove rumored to have been a drop-off point for moonshiners during prohibition, offering peace and quiet along the coast.
• McWay Falls - An 80-foot waterfall that once cascaded directly into the Pacific, now altered by mudslides but still an impressive sight.
• Big Creek Bridge - At 589 feet long, this architectural marvel features turnouts at each end for drivers to admire the scenery and take photos.
• Big Creek Cove Vista Point - Another excellent vista point to enjoy the scenery. You can never have too many pictures from your trip!
• Limekiln State Park - Named for the lime production industry that once thrived here, the park features four historic lime kilns from the 19th century, popular attractions today.
• Pitkins Curve Bridge - This unique engineering feat includes a protective shed and bridge designed to protect the highway from rockslides, with an interesting backstory.
• Jade Cove - Once a major prospecting site for jade, visitors can still find small pieces of jade here.
• Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove - As you pass this old-growth redwood grove, look for the tallest trees, which can grow up to 350 feet tall!
• Ragged Point - Known as one of the most picturesque stretches of Big Sur, with bluffs soaring up to 400 feet above the ocean and minimal human development.
• Ragged Point Inn & Resort - A popular spot for those wanting to stay in Big Sur’s wilderness. Even if you’re not a guest, it’s a great place for a quick bite.
• Piedras Blancas Light Station - This lighthouse looks like its top section was removed, and you’ll learn why as you pass by.
• Elephant Seal Vista Point - The best place to see California’s elephant seals, lounging in crowds on the rocks, with a fully accessible walkway.
• Moonstone Beach Drive - A picturesque detour along Moonstone Beach, with a boardwalk perfect for stretching your legs before continuing your journey.
• Nitt Witt Ridge - One of the strangest landmarks, this house built by reclusive artist Arthur Beal is made almost entirely from trash, sparking conversation.
• Harmony - A tiny town with only 18 residents, perfect for those wanting to visit a small community.
• Cayucos - A small, unincorporated town with an old-timey vibe, founded in 1867, full of saloons, antique shops, and more.
• Morro Bay - Known for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug rising 600 feet from the water, a favorite nesting spot for peregrine falcons. Learn how a volcanic plug forms.
• San Luis Obispo - A must-see destination, lush with greenery, vibrant with flowers, and buzzing with activity. Known as “SLO Cal” for its laid-back vibe.
• Bubblegum Alley - A peculiar yet popular attraction in San Luis Obispo, with walls covered in bubble gum left by countless visitors. Add your own if you like!
• Irish Hills Natural Reserve - Once home to chromium and mercury mines, now a place of natural beauty with over 8 miles of hiking and biking trails.
• Avila Beach - A seaside community with excellent ocean views and a dark history of destruction and rebuilding by an oil company.
• Dinosaur Caves Park - Despite its name, it has neither dinosaurs nor caves, but it’s a lovely picnic spot with an interesting backstory.
• Pismo Beach - A beachside community with a long history, one of the first landing places for European missionaries in the new world.
• Monarch Butterfly Grove - Between October and February, around 25,000 monarch butterflies shelter in these eucalyptus trees, a must-see during this season.
• Guadalupe - A small, quiet town, perfect for a quick break from the road.
• Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve - Home to the tallest dunes on the west coast, some reaching 500 feet, offering unbelievable ocean and landscape views.
• The Murals of Lompoc - Lompoc’s murals honor the town’s flower industry, with 40 murals depicting scenes from its past and present.
• Lompoc Wine Ghetto - A world-class collection of wineries and tasting rooms, offering the region’s best wines.
• Jalama Beach - An optional detour to a quiet beach, less crowded than others, perfect for those avoiding crowds.
• Arroyo Hondo Vista Point - A must-stop for photos, as the California landscape changes dramatically along PCH.
• Refugio State Beach - The quintessential California beach with white sand, palm trees, sunlight, and blue water, perfect for the SoCal lifestyle.
• Goleta Butterfly Grove - Another butterfly grove, though struggling eucalyptus trees host fewer butterflies. Still a must-see between November and February.
• Santa Barbara - One of California’s prettiest towns, a vibrant hub for artists, top-tier restaurants, and idyllic beaches. A must-stop.
• Thousand Steps Beach - Despite its name, there are only 218 steps to the beach. Ensure you’re ready for the climb back up!
• Carpinteria State Beach - Great for swimming, camping, and beach activities, and a favorite spot for harbor seals.
• Rincon Beach Park - A famous surfing destination, hosting the prestigious Rincon Classic competition.
• Faria Beach - A top surfing beach with limited sand space, offering privacy for local surfers.
• Ventura - Officially San Buenaventura, a fabulous SoCal city with shoreline, character, and plenty of restaurants and boutiques.
• Point Mugu State Park - Point Mugu Rock, an ancient volcanic rock, offers a perfect spot to admire the coastline.
• Sycamore Cove Beach - A favorite among campers, with picnic tables and grills for public use, ideal for a seaside picnic.
• El Matador State Beach - Beloved by photographers for its unique rock formations, best visited at sunset.
• Point Dume - Zuma Beach and Point Dume are favorite getaways for Los Angeles residents, also an iconic filming location.
• Malibu - The epitome of a SoCal beach town, known for its laid-back vibes, sun, sand, and celebrity homes.
• Santa Monica - The final stop, next to Los Angeles, with an endless beach and the famous Santa Monica Pier, perfect for concluding your journey. There’s plenty more to explore in LA!
• Pacific Coast Highway - State Route 1, a major north-south highway along California’s Pacific coastline, is the longest state route in California at over 656 miles.
• The Getty Villa - Located at the eastern end of the Malibu coast in Los Angeles, California.
• Zuma Beach - A county beach in Malibu, known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf.
• Hearst Castle - A National Historic Landmark on California’s Central Coast, conceived by William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan, built between 1919 and 1947.

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Foods & Drinks

Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Welcome to the GPS-enabled driving tour of California’s famous Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway! This self-guided audio tour stretches between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world! This self-guided audio tour allows you to explore Highway 1 with maximum flexibility and value.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

The tour includes two bonus tours: Santa Monica and san Luis Obispo.

• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Not familiar with our self-guided audio tours? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial Talk to us! +1 (412) 254-3988

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.