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San Francisco

We kicked off our PCH adventure by flying into San Fransisco. We spent three days exploring this city before hitting the road. Since we knew we wouldn’t need a car while sightseeing, we waited to pick up our rental.

For our stay, we chose Hotel Caza, and it ended up being the perfect home base for first -time visitors. Located just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square, we were able to explore many of SF’s top attractions on foot. Between walking and the occasional cable car, we rarely needed to use Uber or Lyft.

Over the course of 3 days, we checked off many of the city’s iconic sighs, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Lombard Street and of course, rode one of SF’s historic cable cars. It was the perfect start to this road trip.  

Read: 3 Days in San Francisco: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary

Carmel-by-the-Sea

We arrived in Carmel-by-the-Sea just in time for lunch and headed straight to the charming downtown area to grab a quick bite before beginning the next part of our adventure.

Our afternoon was dedicated to driving the iconic 17-Mile Drive, one of California’s most scenic routes. As we entered through the gate, we were given a map highlighting all of the major viewpoints along the drive—a helpful guide that made it easy to plan our stops. Since sunset was only about three hours away, our goal was to see as many of the famous overlooks as possible before the light disappeared.

The drive was even more beautiful than we expected. Around nearly every corner was another breathtaking coastal vista, windswept cypress tree, or secluded beach that tempted us to stop “just one more time.” Unsurprisingly, we spent longer than planned taking photos and soaking in the scenery.

As daylight began to fade, we realized we still had to make our way to our Airbnb, which was tucked away in Carmel Valley. What we hadn’t anticipated were the narrow, winding roads leading to the property. Although the drive required a little extra patience, it turned out to be part of the experience, weaving through peaceful hills far removed from the crowds along the coast.

Knowing we’d be arriving later than expected, we picked up Thai takeout on our way and enjoyed a cozy dinner once we settled into the Airbnb.

One of the unexpected highlights of the evening came after dinner. Away from the city lights, the night sky over Carmel Valley was incredibly clear, making it the perfect place for stargazing. We ended the day bundled up outside, looking up at a sky full of stars—a peaceful ending to one of our favorite days along the Pacific Coast Highway.

We really wished we had a full day in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one evening was just not enough. Especially with our daylight hours limited by being in the winter, we definitely felt rushed with only an evening

An Evening in Santa Barbara

After a full day driving the Pacific Coast Highway, we arrived in Santa Barbara much later than planned—and honestly, we wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Although we had hoped to reach the city by early afternoon, we kept making spontaneous stops along Highway 1 whenever we spotted another breathtaking overlook or scenic viewpoint. Those unplanned detours are part of what makes a PCH road trip so memorable, and before we knew it, we didn’t arrive at our Airbnb until around 4:00 PM.

With just a few minutes to sunset, we headed straight to Stearns Wharf. Watching the sun dip below the Pacific after a day spent winding along California’s coastline was the perfect way to slow down and take in everything we’d seen. The pier was lively without feeling crowded, and the golden light over the ocean made for one of our favorite evenings of the trip.

By then, we had worked up quite an appetite. Unsurprisingly, we were craving Indian food, so after a little searching, we stumbled upon Apna Indian Kitchen—and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire road trip.

The moment we walked inside, we were greeted by vintage Bollywood posters from classic films like Sholay. Meals were served on traditional stainless steel plates, and even the water came in steel tumblers. It instantly transported us back to childhood dinners at home, where these simple details were part of everyday life. It was one of those unexpected moments that made us feel at home, even while traveling hundreds of miles away.

The menu features mostly North Indian cuisine, with plenty of vegetarian options. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and comforting after a long day on the road. We finished our meal with a hot cup of masala chai, a simple ending that somehow made the evening even better.

After dinner, we wandered through downtown Santa Barbara, browsing the local boutiques and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Since we visited during the holiday season, the streets were beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and decorations, adding an extra bit of magic to an already memorable evening.

While Santa Barbara is certainly worth spending a full day or even a weekend exploring, even one evening gave us a glimpse of why so many people fall in love with this coastal town. Between the sunset at the pier, an incredible meal, and a leisurely stroll through downtown, it was the perfect way to end another unforgettable day on the Pacific Coast Highway.

The next morning, we woke up early to take advantage of the quiet before continuing our drive to Los Angeles. We started the day with a peaceful stroll along the beach, enjoying the crisp ocean air and watching the city slowly come to life. It was the perfect way to ease into the morning and soak in a few more moments of Santa Barbara before getting back on the road.