State Route 1

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California State Route 1

California 1 is the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Cabrillo Highway, following the coastline from San Juan Capistrano in Orange County in Southern California to Leggett in Mendocino County in Northern California. One of the longest state routes in California (after Interstate 5 and U.S. 101), California 1 sees some of the most scenic terrain the state, making many "Best Drives in the U.S.A." lists. In addition to following the coast and passing through the beautiful Big Sur, it is also the route to the Hearst Castle. Northward California 1 also forms a freeway bypass around Monterey, crosses the Golden Gate Bridge alongside U.S. 101 from San Francisco, and runs along Tomales Bay by Point Reyes National Seashore.

Within the city of Dana Point, California 1 was officially decommissioned, with the Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue turned over to city maintenance. The relinquished section of SR 1 in Dana Point stretches west from the San Juan Creek Bridge to Eastline Road and the Laguna Beach city line.1 This allowed the city to move forward with a project to consolidate traffic along the PCH, which previously formed a one-way couplet northbound with Del Prado Avenue southbound. Del Prado Avenue was redesign as a two-lane, tree lined boulevard as part of the Lantern District town center project. The Lantern District plan was formally adopted in June 2008, following years of debate and compromise.2 PCH was converted to two-way traffic from Copper Lantern to Golden Lantern streets on September 15, 2014 and between Copper Lantern to Amber Lantern streets on September 17.3

Additional relinquished segments of SR 1 are between Jamboree Road and Newport Coast Drive in the city of Newport Beach, from the south city line to Interstate 10 in the city of Santa Monica, and between Pleasant Valley Road and U.S. 101 within the city of Oxnard.1

California State Route 1 Guides

North

South

North

The northbound beginning of California State Route 1 at Capistrano Beach in Dana Point.

Dana Point to Laguna Beach - 71 photos

California State Route 1 (Coast Highway) north at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County

Crystal Cove State Park to Newport Beach - 47 photos

California State Route 1 north at Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach to Seal Beach - 42 photos

Pacific Coast Highway west at Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, California

Long Beach - 44 photos

SR 1 / Pacific Coast Highway north of Emerald Street in Redondo Beach, California

Redondo Beach to El Segundo - 27 photos

SR 1 / Pacific Coast Highway north at Santa Monica, California

LAX Airport to Santa Monica - 72 photos

California State Route 1 / Pacific Coast Highway north at the city of Malibu

Pacific Palisades to Malibu - 73 photos

South

South - Orcutt to Lompoc - 54 photos

Business Routes

Business Routes - 1 photos

California State Route 1 scenes
Old California State Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway - North
While not directly on SR 1, the Pacific Coast Highway comes close to the Discovery Well at Signal Hill Field (Alamitos #1). Tapped in 1921, the oil well yields hundreds of barrels of oil a day at its peak. This plaque was placed in 1952 by the Shell Oil Company to commemorate the finding of this well and its impact on the economy of Southern California. Oil wells abound in the Signal Hill - Long Beach area, some of which are situated in parks, backyards, and vacant lots due to the oil reserves several thousand feet below the ground. This particular oil well is located at the intersection of Hill Street and Panorama Drive in the city of Signal Hill.

While not directly on SR 1, the Pacific Coast Highway comes close to the Discovery Well at Signal Hill Field (Alamitos #1). Tapped in 1921, the oil well yields hundreds of barrels of oil a day at its peak. This plaque was placed in 1952 by the Shell Oil Company to commemorate the finding of this well and its impact on the economy of Southern California. Oil wells abound in the Signal Hill - Long Beach area, some of which are situated in parks, backyards, and vacant lots due to the oil reserves several thousand feet below the ground. This particular oil well is located at the intersection of Hill Street and Panorama Drive in the city of Signal Hill.

02/13/11

Hilltop Park, which is located in the city of Signal Hill at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Dawson Avenue, offers a 270-degree view of Greater Los Angeles. This series of photos offers some of the views to the south, west, and north. Downtown Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown Los Angeles are visible on a clear day from this beautifully landscaped park. An oil derrick remains in operation near the restroom building. Although this was a somewhat smoggy day, the views toward the south included the offshore islands and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
5 photos

Hilltop Park, which is located in the city of Signal Hill at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Dawson Avenue, offers a 270-degree view of Greater Los Angeles. This series of photos offers some of the views to the south, west, and north. Downtown Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown Los Angeles are visible on a clear day from this beautifully landscaped park. An oil derrick remains in operation near the restroom building. Although this was a somewhat smoggy day, the views toward the south included the offshore islands and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

02/13/11

Hilltop Park, which is located in the city of Signal Hill at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Dawson Avenue, offers a 270-degree view of Greater Los Angeles. This series of photos offers some of the views to the south, west, and north. Downtown Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown Los Angeles are visible on a clear day from this beautifully landscaped park. An oil derrick remains in operation near the restroom building. Although this was a somewhat smoggy day, the views toward the south included the offshore islands and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
5 photos

Hilltop Park, which is located in the city of Signal Hill at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Dawson Avenue, offers a 270-degree view of Greater Los Angeles. This series of photos offers some of the views to the south, west, and north. Downtown Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown Los Angeles are visible on a clear day from this beautifully landscaped park. An oil derrick remains in operation near the restroom building. Although this was a somewhat smoggy day, the views toward the south included the offshore islands and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

02/13/11

Eastbound Colorado Avenue approaches its intersection with Seventh Street, one block west of Lincoln Boulevard (Historic U.S. 66 and SR 2) in Santa Monica. Seventh Street leads to the on-ramp for SR 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) north to Malibu and Oxnard while Colorado Avenue continues to access for I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway).
2 photos

Eastbound Colorado Avenue approaches its intersection with Seventh Street, one block west of Lincoln Boulevard (Historic U.S. 66 and SR 2) in Santa Monica. Seventh Street leads to the on-ramp for SR 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) north to Malibu and Oxnard while Colorado Avenue continues to access for I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway).

10/30/05

This view looks east at SR 1 as it emerges from the McClure Tunnel and becomes the Santa Monica Freeway. Beyond the Main Street arch bridge, SR 1 departs the freeway as Interstate 10 begins.
2 photos

This view looks east at SR 1 as it emerges from the McClure Tunnel and becomes the Santa Monica Freeway. Beyond the Main Street arch bridge, SR 1 departs the freeway as Interstate 10 begins.

10/30/05

Main Street spans the Santa Monica Freeway (SR 1) across this arch bridge.
2 photos

Main Street spans the Santa Monica Freeway (SR 1) across this arch bridge.

10/30/05

Looking east from Main Street at the Santa Monica Freeway and the slip ramp that carries SR 1 from the freeway to Lincoln Boulevard.
2 photos

Looking east from Main Street at the Santa Monica Freeway and the slip ramp that carries SR 1 from the freeway to Lincoln Boulevard.

10/30/05

This view looks west from Main Street toward the McClure Tunnel, which connects the Santa Monica Freeway with the Pacific Coast Highway.

This view looks west from Main Street toward the McClure Tunnel, which connects the Santa Monica Freeway with the Pacific Coast Highway.

10/30/05

A plaque commemorating the efforts of Robert E. McClure in developing the Los Angeles Freeway System, and the Santa Monica Freeway in particular, is posted on Ocean Avenue near the point where the tunnel passes underneath. Although the plaque shows a dedication date of April 1970, the tunnel itself was built in 1935 per the Caltrans Bridge Log.

A plaque commemorating the efforts of Robert E. McClure in developing the Los Angeles Freeway System, and the Santa Monica Freeway in particular, is posted on Ocean Avenue near the point where the tunnel passes underneath. Although the plaque shows a dedication date of April 1970, the tunnel itself was built in 1935 per the Caltrans Bridge Log.

10/30/05

SR 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) basks in the evening glow of a colorful sunset as it passes by the Santa Monica palisades and cliffs. This view looks north from the Santa Monica Pier.

SR 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) basks in the evening glow of a colorful sunset as it passes by the Santa Monica palisades and cliffs. This view looks north from the Santa Monica Pier.

10/30/05

This SR 1 trailblazer appears along westbound Clark Avenue in unincorporated Orcutt, south of the city of Santa Maria.

This SR 1 trailblazer appears along westbound Clark Avenue in unincorporated Orcutt, south of the city of Santa Maria.

09/29/07

Westbound Clark Avenue enters Downtown Orcutt.

Westbound Clark Avenue enters Downtown Orcutt.

09/29/07

Leaving Old Town Orcutt, drivers pass by another trailblazer for SR 1 on Clark Avenue west.

Leaving Old Town Orcutt, drivers pass by another trailblazer for SR 1 on Clark Avenue west.

09/29/07

Westbound Clark Avenue meets SR 1 (Cabrillo Highway) at this intersection in Orcutt

Westbound Clark Avenue meets SR 1 (Cabrillo Highway) at this intersection in Orcutt

09/29/07

SR 1 trailblazer sign posted on north Walnut Street prior to Santa Rosa Street in Downtown San Luis Obispo.

SR 1 trailblazer sign posted on north Walnut Street prior to Santa Rosa Street in Downtown San Luis Obispo.

02/02/08

View of Hearst Castle on top of hill as seen from the Hearst Pier just west of SR 1.

View of Hearst Castle on top of hill as seen from the Hearst Pier just west of SR 1.

08/18/03

Looking east at SR 1 from the motel circle in San Simeon, south of Hearst Castle.

Looking east at SR 1 from the motel circle in San Simeon, south of Hearst Castle.

08/18/03

References:

  1. California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Route 01.
  2. "Hansen: A dividing line in Dana Point." Los Angeles Times (CA), July 18, 2015.
  3. "Dana Point sees two-way traffic flow on Pacific Coast Highway." The Orange County Register (CA), September 16, 2014.

Photo Credits:

Connect with:

Interstate 5Interstate 5
Interstate 280Interstate 280
U.S. 66Historic U.S. 66
U.S. 101U.S. 101
California State Route 23State Route 23
California State Route 27State Route 27
California State Route 55State Route 55

Page Updated Monday August 04, 2025.