Top sights along the great Pacific Coast Highway

If you're planning multi-centre holidays in the USA, there's no better option than taking the classic American road trip - and among the best of them all is travelling the stunning Pacific Coast Highway. Read our guide to discover some of the top sights to see along the way.

Part of Route 1 - which runs along most of California's coast - the Pacific Coast Highway is a stretch of road that offers some simply incredible scenery. It's these remarkable views, and the variety of things you can see along the way, that makes it such a popular choice for road trips.

San Francisco

Your fly drive in the USA can begin in San Francisco - one of the nation's most exciting cities. This beautiful metropolis boasts a rich culture and is famous for a large number of sights, but perhaps the best-known of these is the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz - two attractions not to miss before you start your drive.

The city is divided into numerous districts, each with its own distinct personality, so it's also well worth taking the time to explore as many of these as possible. Walking tours are available, while you can also ride around on the iconic cable cars to get a sense of the place.

Cannery Row

After starting out on the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the first places you can call in at is Monterey, which is home to Cannery Row. This is among the top holiday destinations on the California coast, playing host to a great selection of shops, restaurants and nightlife. Plus, it's situated in Monterey's historic waterfront district, making it an all the more attractive place to visit.

Soaring mountains and Pismo Beach

Back on the road, you can make your way to Pismo Beach. Driving from Monterey to this city is an utterly fantastic leg of your journey, comprising one of the most visually stunning pieces of road on the highway. Look forward to seeing houses clinging to cliffs and a dramatic mountain backdrop as you drive to the laidback beach destination.

An incredibly chilled out spot, Pismo Beach has something of a hippy vibe, and it's a great place to relax and soak up some California culture.

Santa Barbara

Next, cruise down to Santa Barbara, where you can discover the American Riviera. This is a great place to see another side to the country, with its Spanish-style architecture and picturesque coastline. There are also plenty of museums to visit here, including its museum of natural history and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Beyond the highway

From here, you can travel further on Route 1. While you won't be travelling on the Pacific Coast Highway itself, it's still worth exploring a little further - particularly if you've always wanted to see the sights of Los Angeles.

Indeed, you could head to Santa Monica, drive through Malibu and explore San Diego, which is particularly famous for its fantastic zoo. Visiting some of Los Angeles's excellent theme parks - including Disneyland and Universal Studios - is just one of the many other options available to you.

If you're not sure where exactly you want to visit during you getaway, companies like Hayes & Jarvis can help you work out the best route to take and places to see.