Why 2027 Is the Year to Drive California’s Pacific Coast Highway
From Orange County to Big Sur, there are plenty of new reasons to experience one of America’s most iconic road trips.
Since the 1930s, road-trippers have been drawn to the 656-mile Pacific Coast Highway for its crashing surf and fog-shrouded cliffs, barking sea lions and ocean sunsets. Officially known as California State Route 1 and running from Dana Point in Orange County to Leggett in Mendocino County, it is now fully open again following a three-year closure due to a landslide near Big Sur that forced travelers to make an extensive detour. In 2027, milestone anniversaries, cultural experiences, and sporting events offer even more reasons to hit one of the most picturesque roads in America.
(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)
When to Go
The California coast offers year-round whale watching, but the optimal time to drive the PCH is in spring or autumn. May and June are typically foggy, while late August through early October is best for sunny beach days and warmer ocean temperatures. If you’re looking for summer concerts, art festivals, Fourth of July celebrations, and county fairs, June through August is ideal, but expect crowds, traffic, and higher hotel rates. Winter often means heavy rain and potential road closures in the rugged northern part of the highway.
What to Do
Celebrate the Arts in Laguna Beach:
To mark its centennial in 2027, this seaside resort town in Orange County will highlight its history as an artists’ colony through community events featuring local creators. A pillar is the “100 Stories” project, which lets anyone contribute to a public display of Laguna Beach history and culture through audio, photographs, or documents.
Watch the Big Game in L.A.:
On Valentine’s Day, 2027, Los Angeles will host Super Bowl LXI on Valentine’s Day, 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, known for its unique indoor-outdoor design and 360-degree 4K display screen suspended from the roof. ESPN will transform Santa Monica Beach into a fan hub with viewing experiences and weeklong activations.
Visit a Restored Historic Lighthouse in Pescadero:
Closed for renovations since 2001, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse—one of the tallest on the West Coast—is finally set to reopen in the spring of 2027. It is part of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, which recently received a donation of 133 acres by the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) that will triple the park’s size to more than 200 acres.
Take the Kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium:
One of the most extensive aquariums in the country recently opened a bilingual children’s exhibit, Ocean in Motion, which features a living coral reef, an expanded African penguin habitat, pot-bellied seahorses, interactive play areas, and more.
Getting Around
Though public transportation is available in some parts of the PCH, traveling by car is the best way to explore. For the most scenic trip, start in Northern California and head south for unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and easy access to roadside overlooks. There are major airports in several cities close to the PCH, including San Francisco International Airport, San José Mineta International Airport, LAX, and John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Amtrak also operates two coastal train routes—Coast Starlight, with stops between Los Angeles and Seattle, and Pacific Surfliner with service between San Diego and San Luis Obispo.
