Pacific Coast Highway in three days - where to stop to shoot?

Hi all

I'm planning to drive from SF to LA on the last leg of a trip to the US. I've been reading up on the sights along the Pacific Coast Highway and I'm frankly overwhelmed by the number of things to see!

I was hoping you guys could give me a photographer's guide to the must-sees - I'm thinking of driving out of SF on a Friday morning in late July, going through Monterey/Carmel, Point Lobos and the Big Sur, finishing up in LA on Sunfay afternoon. However, I'd like to make the most of the sunrises and sunsets along the way and am prepared to do some minor hiking to get to a good vantage point.

Would really appreciate any suggestions, I'm trying to decide which hotels to book along the way (all seem really expensive as it's summer!) to hit the highlights.

have driven north from san diego to SF I can attest to the beauty and also as far as where and when to stop it just kinda unfolds
pebble beach late afternoon is really cool
morro bay was awesome
we caught some sunsets basically we were driving and when the time and bend were right we pulled off just south of big sur
we made no reservations instead stopped when and where we wanted
would up spending three days in morro bay in a beautiful little hotel
it was the middle of the trip for us too though as we spent 11 days from s-n
venice beach is a cultural event
we also got a little room in san clemente right on the beach for 125....we got there at sunset and a room was not occupied and we got it fro half price....had a gorgeous sunset there

SF has nice views and excellent photo ops if you are into that, otherwise, if you can pop over the GG bridge to Marin, you can get good pics of SF with the bridges in it. Other than that, BIG SUR! Lots of nice pull offs along Big Sur including some State parks. Bixby bridge is a famous photo stop with great sunset images. Forgot where along big sur, but there are sea lion hangouts right off HWY 1. Carmel has excellent coastal views especially Pebble Beach. Moro bay is close by. Monterey, ummm… better known for the aquarium. Once you get towards LA, I never found it that attractive. The only issue you might deal with is coastal fog along HWY 1 in the AM on certain days.

monteray bay

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Thanks guys! I might book a room in Monterey and another a bit further down.

I would recommend Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer State Park, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Dinosaur Beach in Shell Beach, Dunes at Pismo Beach, (I have never found much of interest between Pismo and LA but I'm sure it exists), if you go a little further south then La Jolla has some excellent cliffs and beaches to photograph.

Wrong time of year to have light come through the hole in the rock but still a nice area, Pfeiffer Beach

Moose408 wrote in post #14670019
I would recommend Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer State Park, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Dinosaur Beach in Shell Beach, Dunes at Pismo Beach,

Those shots are incredible! What time of year is it for the light to come through the rock?

I've booked motels in Monterey and Morro Bay so I'll be exploring from there. Now that you mention Pismo beach, I think I heard of that in a Bugs Bunny cartoon years ago...worth a visit on that basis

kini mini wrote in post #14678695
Those shots are incredible! What time of year is it for the light to come through the rock?

I've booked motels in Monterey and Morro Bay so I'll be exploring from there. Now that you mention Pismo beach, I think I heard of that in a Bugs Bunny cartoon years ago...worth a visit on that basis

The light comes through the rock in November.

I highly recommend having dinner at McClintocks when in Pismo Beach.

kini mini wrote in post #14678695
Those shots are incredible! What time of year is it for the light to come through the rock?

I've booked motels in Monterey and Morro Bay so I'll be exploring from there. Now that you mention Pismo beach, I think I heard of that in a Bugs Bunny cartoon years ago...worth a visit on that basis

Bugs is still there. He is getting on in years though. Only does one show a day now.

Carmel.. Hogs Breath Inn..best filet mignon I've ever had in my life.

madjack wrote in post #14679362
Carmel.. Hogs Breath Inn..best filet mignon I've ever had in my life.

Does Clint Eastwood still own Hogs Breath? I've had a beer there but never dinner, going to have to rectify that.

I not sure if he does anymore. He did at the time I went which was many moons ago. Great meal and atmosphere..

Cool spots along the 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach like the others have said.

Spend some time in the Weston Gallery in Carmel. Ask to see the portfolios of Weston, Adams and many other great photographers that they have there.

Moose408 wrote in post #14670019
I would recommend Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer State Park, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Dinosaur Beach in Shell Beach, Dunes at Pismo Beach, (I have never found much of interest between Pismo and LA but I'm sure it exists), if you go a little further south then La Jolla has some excellent cliffs and beaches to photograph.

Wrong time of year to have light come through the hole in the rock but still a nice area, Pfeiffer Beach

This is Julia Pfeiffer State Park

Holy gates of heaven!