9 Days Itinerary for Los Angeles, Big Sur, San Francisco, Pacific Coast Highway, Portland, Seattle

  • Day 1: Los Angeles
    30 minutes (16 miles) from LAX Airport

    Start your adventure in the City of Angels. Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Griffith Observatory or take a stroll on the Santa Monica Pier. These are all must-see attractions in LA.

  • Day 2: Big Sur
    5 h 19 min (338.2 miles) from Los Angeles

    Get lost in the natural beauty of Big Sur. The coastline drive up to the Bixby Creek Bridge is a must-see. It's home to redwood groves, stunning beaches, and the iconic McWay Falls.

  • Day 3: San Francisco
    2 h 25 min (139.2 miles) from Big Sur

    Head north to San Francisco & visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, ride a cable car through the city, and enjoy some delicious seafood at Fisherman's Wharf.

  • Day 4: Pacific Coast Highway
    1 h 25 min (95.1 miles) from San Francisco

    Take a scenic drive through the Pacific Coast Highway. Stop at Half Moon Bay and Pescadero for stunning views and berry farms.

  • Day 5: Portland
    10 h 40 min (720.7 miles) from Pacific Coast Highway

    Visit the city of roses, Portland. Check out the International Rose Test Garden, Powell's City of Books & the Pittock Mansion.

  • Day 6: Seattle
    2 h 53 min (173.9 miles) from Portland

    Visit the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for stunning views of the Puget Sound.

  • Day 7-9: Seattle
    Explore the city at your leisure, take a day trip to Olympic National Park or the Snoqualmie Falls.

    Enjoy the rest of your trip exploring Seattle's rich culture and natural beauty.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Santa Monica Pier (2 hours, Free)
  • Griffith Observatory (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Golden Gate Bridge (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Pike Place Market (2-3 hours, $)
  • International Rose Test Garden (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Pittock Mansion (2-3 hours, $)
  • Space Needle (1-2 hours, $)
  • Snoqualmie Falls (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $50-$100/person

Transportation

You will need to rent a car to travel on the Pacific Coast Highway. The cost ranges from $50-$100 per day. You should also budget for gas, which will be approximately $3-$4 per gallon. Alternatively, you can use public transportation in the cities you visit.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to Napa Valley or Yosemite National Park. If you have less time, consider skipping Portland and spending more time in the other cities. Also, keep in mind that the Pacific Coast Highway has winding roads, so give yourself extra time for the drive.

Airports

Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located 16 miles from downtown LA. San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located 13 miles from downtown SF. Portland: Portland International Airport (PDX), located 9 miles from downtown Portland. Seattle: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), located 13 miles from downtown Seattle.

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