If you are looking for a slow, leisurely California travel guide filled with boutique hotel reviews and three-course coastal dinners… this is not the post for you. We wanted to enjoy our Pacific Coast Highway road trip, but we were also on a mission. We had a timeline to meet up with our family in Eureka, three kids in the back seat (ages 7, 11, and 13), and a massive stretch of the PCH to cover.

We didn’t have days to linger in every beach town, so we needed quick stops where we could jump out of the car, see something unforgettable, and keep moving. Every single stop on this California coast drive takes less than an hour (and most take just 30 minutes). Here is how to conquer the scenic route on an express schedule without missing the magic.

First Stop on Our PCH Road Trip: Elephant Seal Vista Point

We drove past so many beautiful places on our journey up the coast, but we didn’t make our first official stop until we hit Elephant Seal Vista Point in San Luis Obispo. There are two parking lots within a few meters of each other; we chose the second one, which was far less packed. Instead of heading to the boardwalk, we decided to walk up a trail that ran along the coast. It was a stunning vista, and we loved being able to take a scenic walk to stretch our legs. We even spotted a few seals swimming around and others napping on the rocks.

Quick Stop at Nepenthe in Big Sur

This is a stop I wish we had more time for. Nepenthe is a restaurant that sits right on the Big Sur coast where you can enjoy a delicious meal while feasting your eyes on dramatic cliffside views and towering trees.

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End of Night One: Overnight Stop Travis AFB

After navigating the winding roads of Big Sur, we cut inland to crash for the night at Travis Air Force Base. There’s a little tidbit about our family, my husband is an Air Force veteran. Anyway, when you’re tackling a Pacific Coast Highway road trip, especially with kids, breaking up the drive is essential to keeping the trip enjoyable and safe for everyone. On day two, we headed back to the coast to resume our scenic drive.

Day Two Picking Back Up in Bodega Bay

Once we made our way back to the water, we stopped in Bodega Bay to visit a filming location from Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.” Specifically, we visited The Tides Wharf & Restaurant. We explored the gift shop, walked out to the dock, and hung out with the (thankfully) non-threatening birds.

Glass Beach in Fort Bragg 

Glass Beach has been on my travel bucket list for years, so we had to make it happen, even if only for a moment. This was one of my favorite stops. The beach is beautiful and quite different from what we are used to in Los Angeles; while our beaches are sandy and bare, the path here was covered in flowers. Down on the shore, the “sand” is actually made of tiny pebbles, most of which are smooth, colorful pieces of sea glass. We hung out on a rock, watched the seals nap, and caught the sunset before heading to our hotel for one last night of sleep.

If you visit Glass Beach, please remember the golden rule, look, take photos, but leave the glass behind so the next family can enjoy the magic too.

The Main Event: The Redwood Skywalk at Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka

After breakfast, we headed to our highly anticipated destination: The Redwood Skywalk at Sequoia Park Zoo. If you want a family road trip destination that combines jaw-dropping nature with kid-friendly excitement, this is it. Plus, it’s located right inside a zoo, giving the kids plenty to explore together. For a more detailed look at the experience, you can read my complete blog post on the Redwood Skywalk here.

Final Stop: Monterey Bay Aquarium 

When mapping out family road trip ideas for the trek back south, you’ll need at least one last stop. We decided to stay the night in Monterey so we could have one final adventure in the morning. From the massive, mesmerizing kelp forest to the sea otters and deep-sea shark exhibits, the Monterey Bay Aquarium was the perfect way to end our trip.

Quick Tips for Your California Roadtrip

Taking a scenic drive on California’s Pacific Coast Highway doesn’t mean you have to slow down to a crawl. If you’re planning your own summer road trip and need to cover a lot of ground fast, lean into these high-impact, quick stops.

By keeping our roadside breaks short, we experienced some of the best of the California coast. We managed to see everything from barking elephant seals to glittering glass beaches, all while making it to our family reunion in the redwoods right on schedule.

What are your favorite California Coast stops? I’d love to visit some other cool spots on our next drive up the coast! Let me know in the comments below!