Stretching from the Mexican to Canadian border, the Pacific Coast Highway spans the entire length of the United States west coast and is one of the great American road trips. Tallying just over 1,650 miles filled with breathtaking coastal views, often glorified in surf media, and some of the cutest towns in America, it’s no wonder this the Pacific Coast Highway is calling the names of all those whom live van life. Yet, who will answer the call? Maybe, not enough. However, for those who road trip along the kinda terrifying, winding, two-lane road of the PCH, memories from a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will leave you reminiscing on the grandeur of this van life road trip. So, click that seat belt and continue reading about why you should drive your van the entire length of Pacific Coast Highway.
Pros
Breathtaking Scenery: Van life along the Pacific Coast Highway offers unrivaled access to breathtaking coastal scenery, picturesque beaches, majestic cliffs, and charming coastal towns, providing a visually stunning backdrop throughout your journey. If you are interested in photography, here is an article on improving your road trip photography.
Freedom and Flexibility: Van life gives you the freedom to set your own pace and itinerary. You can choose to stay longer at your favorite spots, take spontaneous detours, and explore hidden gems along the way, if you are so lucky to live without being bound by fixed schedules.
Close-to-Nature Experience: Living in a van brings you closer to nature, allowing you to wake up to the sound of crashing waves, sleep under starry skies, and connect with the natural world on a deeper level. This is often overlooked, but if you are sleeping in a secure location, prop your back doors open for glorious night.
Cost-Effective: Van life can be a cost-effective way to travel. By eliminating hotel expenses and opting for campgrounds or free camping spots, you can save money and stretch your travel budget further.
Community and Camaraderie: Van life along the Pacific Coast Highway attracts a vibrant community of like-minded travelers. You'll have the opportunity to meet fellow vanlifers, swap campfire stories, and form meaningful connections with people from all walks of life.
Cons
Limited Space: Living in a van means dealing with limited living space. While the freedom to roam is liberating, it also requires efficient organization and minimalist living to make the most of the available space.
Challenges of Parking and Overnight Stops: Finding suitable and legal places to park overnight can be challenging, especially in popular tourist areas. It's essential to research and plan ahead to ensure you have safe and legal places to rest.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations: Weather conditions along the PCH can vary significantly, and extreme weather, such as heavy rains or coastal storms, may impact travel plans and comfort. However, this can easily be avoided if you go during the summer.
Bathroom and Shower Facilities: Access to bathrooms and showers can be limited during van life on the PCH. You'll need to rely on public restrooms, campsite facilities, or invest in portable solutions. Take a deep dive into van life hygiene with this article.
Maintenance and Repairs: Being on the road for extended periods can lead to wear and tear on your van. It's essential to stay on top of maintenance and be prepared for unforeseen repairs that might arise during your journey. Here’s a guide on van life maintenance.
1) Spectacular Scenery:
The Pacific Coast Highway is renowned for its stunning coastal views, majestic cliffs, and picturesque beaches. From the rugged cliffs of Big Sur to the charming coastal towns, you'll be surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery every day of your journey. Most of the time, trying to decide which of these beaches to visit is the hard part, so below we have a short list that include some of our must see beaches while road tripping the PCH.
Five Stunning Landscapes along the PCH:
Big Sur Coastline, California: Known for its dramatic cliffs, majestic redwood forests, and stunning ocean views, the Big Sur coastline is an iconic and picturesque stretch of the PCH. Click here for the best hikes in Big Sur
Cannon Beach, Oregon: With its iconic Haystack Rock rising from the shoreline, Cannon Beach offers a picturesque setting, complete with sandy shores and breathtaking sunsets.
Olympic National Park Rainforest, Washington: The lush rainforest within Olympic National Park features ancient trees, moss-covered landscapes, and enchanting greenery, creating a magical and ethereal atmosphere.
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, California: Over the years, the ocean has transformed discarded glass into smooth, colorful pebbles, creating a unique and visually stunning beach.
Ruby Beach, Washington: This rugged beach on the Olympic Peninsula is adorned with sea stacks and driftwood, making it an ideal spot for witnessing stunning sunsets and exploring tide pools.
Related Read: THESE HWY 1 DESTINATIONS WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY
2) Freedom to Roam:
Van life on the PCH provides unparalleled freedom to explore at your own pace. You can choose to linger at your favorite spots, take spontaneous detours to hidden gems, and wake up to a new view every morning without being tied to a fixed itinerary. This freedom comes at a trade off, but if you have no schedule, why rush? If you drive everyday, the Pacific Coast Highway will take roughly one or two weeks. However, if you have more time, say a month, or two months, there is no need to rush. Allow yourself the freedom to explore hikes, surf spots, cities and towns, coffee shops, record stores, and so many more hidden gems while you road trip the Pacific Coast Highway in a van. If I were to road trip the PCH again, I would look at the trip in four sections:
If I had two months to road trip the PCH in a van, this is how I would do it:
Southern California
While I am not much of a city person, Southern California offers great access to surfing, rock climbing, tacos, and entertainment. My personal take is that most people overweight their time in Southern California during a Pacific Coast Highway road trip, but in a van this area is easy to skip because parking is a challenge. With that said, do your best to find good parking spots and give yourself at least roughly 12 days.
Northern California
I would spend the bulk of my time along the Northern California coastline. This area is the most rugged and easiest for van life stealth parking. The hiking and photography is out of this world along this section of the coast and will leave you with your jaw wide open wishing you had more time. I would give myself 20 days to hike, surf, climb, even backpack along the coastline of Northern California.
Oregon
Oregon has a few gems, but this coastline is the second hardest to find free overnight parking. So, the cost of staying along this coast increases significantly. Also, the water is getting colder, so the casual ocean dips become a little bit harder as you head north. With that said, the moody and very rugged coastline here is well worth exploring. My suggestion is to give yourself 12 to 15 days.
Washington
In the state of Washington, van life parking has been easy, but the weather makes for a challenging time with van life. The Pacific Coast Highway in Washington is stunning. Some of my favorite beaches are in the northern part of the state. Don’t forget to drink some coffee and explore the islands around the Seattle to Bellingham stretch of this coast. These are a true gem you don’t want to miss. Since travel in this area can be time consuming, give yourself at least 15 days.
3) Embrace Nature:
Road tripping the Pacific Coast Highway in a van offers numerous opportunities to park the van and explore the outdoors by hiking, surfing, kayaking, and camping. Since you have your home packed up in a single place, you should have all the gear you need to access the pristine beaches, lush forests, and breathtaking state parks, along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Five Must Do Adventures along the PCH:
Hiking in Big Sur, California: Big Sur is a haven for hikers with its diverse trails that wind through redwood forests, along rugged cliffs, and lead to spectacular ocean vistas. Don't miss the iconic hikes like the McWay Falls Trail and the Ewoldsen Trail for breathtaking views. If you are interested in hiking in Big Sur, here is a blog with 10 of the best hikes.
Surfing in Malibu, California: Malibu is a world-renowned surfing destination with excellent waves and a vibrant surf culture. Whether you're a seasoned surfer or a beginner, catching waves in Malibu will be an exhilarating experience.
Sandboarding in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Oregon: Head to the Oregon Dunes, the largest coastal sand dunes in North America, for an adrenaline-pumping sandboarding adventure. Glide down the steep sandy slopes and enjoy the unique landscape.
Whale Watching in Monterey Bay, California: Monterey Bay is one of the best places for whale watching along the PCH. Take a whale-watching tour from Monterey or Moss Landing to witness majestic humpback whales, blue whales, and dolphins swimming in their natural habitat.
Sea Kayaking in Puget Sound, Washington: Explore the stunning Puget Sound by sea kayak, paddling along the coastlines, and enjoying the tranquil waters. Keep an eye out for marine wildlife like seals, otters, and seabirds during your journey.
4) Community of Like-Minded Travelers:
Van life on the Pacific Coast Highway attracts a vibrant community of young and old travelers. While van life and remote work has leveled the playing field for slow travel, only those dedicated to seeing the world typcially make the full trek. During this trip, you'll have the chance to meet new people while at a campsite or surf spot. Heck, you might even meet a fellow vanlifer while at the grocery store after parking next to each other. There are so many stories of friendships and lasting loves created during a massive road trip like driving the Pacific Coast Highway. There is something about disconnecting from technology and being immersed in nature that unites people. That is one of the most common responses I hear when I chat with fellow van lifers. So, allow yourself to be safe and vulnerable by sharing stories and experiences with strangers to build lasting connections.
5) Unforgettable Sunsets:
You can’t drive the Pacific Coast Highway without realizing the sunsets over the ocean are unlike anything you have ever experienced before. With a van, you can find the perfect spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon, while staying warm and dry, creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever. You might even snap some of your best photographs you’ve ever taken.
Five Stunning Places to Watch the Sunset
McWay Falls, Big Sur, California: McWay Falls is an iconic and breathtaking waterfall that cascades directly onto the sandy beach. The sunset here is magical, as the sun's golden rays paint the cliffs and turquoise waters with a warm glow.
Marshall's Beach, San Francisco, California: Located just south of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall's Beach offers a unique perspective for sunset viewing. With the bridge as your backdrop, you can watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, creating a stunning contrast between nature and engineering.
Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara, California: This beautiful beach in Santa Barbara offers a serene setting to watch the sunset. As the sun dips below the horizon, you can enjoy the sight of palm trees silhouetted against the colorful sky, making for a truly picturesque experience.
Cannon Beach, Oregon: Known for its iconic Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach offers a dramatic coastal landscape that becomes even more enchanting during sunset. The vibrant colors reflected on the wet sand and the sound of crashing waves create a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Rialto Beach, Washington: Rialto Beach, part of Olympic National Park, is a rugged and wild coastline that provides a fantastic backdrop for watching the sunset. You can witness the sun setting behind sea stacks and explore tide pools as the day comes to a close.
6) Stealth Camping at its finest:
Van life allows you to hop off the road and find a spot with a view that would typically cost hundreds of dollars for free. Falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves and waking up to the sight of the ocean just outside your window, or backdoors, is an unparalleled experience that traditional accommodations cannot match. This is why I advocate for anyone who can to drive their van the entire length of the Pacific Coast Highway. Using apps like iOverland will help you find these magical places to stealth camp for free. If there are sites in the area, look for campsite. They will cost your between $20-$35, but they are well worth it because you will have a toilet, typically a water source, and feel safe to leave your van if you want to go for a hike, or side adventure.
PRO TIP: If you can, pack an e-bike, this will help cut down on the cost of fuel and provide access to so many side adventures you would not do otherwise.
7) Slow Travel and Mindfulness:
Van life encourages a slower pace of travel, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the journey and practice mindfulness. Taking your time each day allows for greater intentionality and a more curated day to day. Your mindfulness practice could be journaling, or meditating. Regardless of how you reconnect your body and mind, does not matter. What matters is you take the time and the opportunity to stop rushing everywhere and give your body the opportunity to recover while you are on the road. If you constantly overpack your days, you will give yourself travel fatigue, forcing you to slow down and miss out. So, before you hit that point, make time for stillness.
Another way to look at it, when disconnecting from the fast-paced world you can embrace the simple joys of life, making every moment count. This could be acknowledging the light on a ridge, the smell of a flower (maybe the stink of your toilet), or the smile of a stranger. Regardless of how you slow down, giving yourself the opportunity will help you create stronger memories from your time vanlifing along the Pacific Coast Highway.
I hope these seven reasons for van life along the Pacific Coast Highway has encouraged you to start planning your trip, maybe even start packing. For the stunning coastal scenery of Big Sur to the vibrant cityscape of San Francisco are calling your name and summoning your van. Whether you're chasing breathtaking sunsets, seeking unforgettable outdoor adventures, or simply enjoying the camaraderie of fellow travelers, van life on the Pacific Coast Highway promises unforgettable experiences and memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
