Tour stop
Pacific Coast Highway Tour: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
About The Tour
Explore the Pacific Coast Highway between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, as it passes enticing beaches, historical sites, and the charming Santa Barbara Wine Country. We’ll even take a slight detour to the Danish-themed town of Solvang. You never know what you’re going to find on this stretch of Pacific Coast Highway!
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Relax at Gaviota Beach and enjoy ocean views, fishing, and a coastal breeze.
• Explore Solvang’s Danish-style village with bakeries, shops, and windmills.
• Stroll through Los Olivos and visit tasting rooms, shops, and art galleries.
• Walk around Oso Flaco Lake and spot birds along the scenic boardwalk.
• Enjoy Pismo Beach for surfing, sunsets, and classic California beach vibes.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Relax at Gaviota Beach and enjoy ocean views, fishing, and a coastal breeze.
• Explore Solvang’s Danish-style village with bakeries, shops, and windmills.
• Stroll through Los Olivos and visit tasting rooms, shops, and art galleries.
• Walk around Oso Flaco Lake and spot birds along the scenic boardwalk.
• Enjoy Pismo Beach for surfing, sunsets, and classic California beach vibes.
About the tour
Explore the Pacific Coast Highway between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, as it passes enticing beaches, historical sites, and the charming Santa Barbara Wine Country. We’ll even take a slight detour to the Danish-themed town of Solvang. You never know what you’re going to find on this stretch of Pacific Coast Highway!
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Relax at Gaviota Beach and enjoy ocean views, fishing, and a coastal breeze.
• Explore Solvang’s Danish-style village with bakeries, shops, and windmills.
• Stroll through Los Olivos and visit tasting rooms, shops, and art galleries.
• Walk around Oso Flaco Lake and spot birds along the scenic boardwalk.
• Enjoy Pismo Beach for surfing, sunsets, and classic California beach vibes.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Relax at Gaviota Beach and enjoy ocean views, fishing, and a coastal breeze.
• Explore Solvang’s Danish-style village with bakeries, shops, and windmills.
• Stroll through Los Olivos and visit tasting rooms, shops, and art galleries.
• Walk around Oso Flaco Lake and spot birds along the scenic boardwalk.
• Enjoy Pismo Beach for surfing, sunsets, and classic California beach vibes.
STARTING POINTS
- San Luis Obispo (South-bound)
- Santa Barbara (North-bound)
RECOMMENDED START TIME: Before 9:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to the Pacific Coast Highway Driving Tour Preview
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Now Playing
2. Cabrillo
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03:51
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3. La Purisima Mission
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04:59
Now Playing
4. The Lost City of DeMille
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04:39
Now Playing
5. Monarch Migration
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05:06
Pacific Coast Highway Tour: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Map
Explore Tour Map
Pacific Coast Highway Tour: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
El Capitan State Beach
Tour stop
Refugio State Beach
Tour stop
Gaviota State Beach
Tour stop
Ostrichland USA
Tour stop
Solvang
Tour stop
Mission Santa Ines
Tour stop
Los Olivos
Meet the Creators
Andrew Shults
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Pacific Coast Highway Tour: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
Andrew Shults
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Rayne Warne
Writer & Managing Editor
Favorite Quote:
"Stories are machines inhabited by a god." - Bonnie Friedman
Matt Caracciolo
Writer & Editor
Favorite Quote:
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." --J.R.R. Tolkien
Myra Morehart
Producer
Favorite Quote:
"The man who's too afraid to die is too afraid to live." - Clark Gable as Gay Langland in The Misfits.
Purchase Options
1.
Pacific Coast Highway Tour: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
$ 14.99
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Pacific Coast Highway Tour: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara FAQS
Information
- Caltrans Road Conditions (Highway 1 / PCH)
- San Luis Obispo County Emergency Info
- Pismo Beach City Updates
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts, and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride.
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- GPS-triggered audio with automatic playback
- Built-in turn-by-turn route guidance
- Offline access after download
- Self-paced experience with no fixed start time
- Pause, rewind, or replay anytime
- Storytelling based on firsthand travel and research
- Lifetime access after purchase
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
Tour FAQs
1. Where does this Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Tour go?
This tour has 15 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops, and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s What You Need To Know Before You Go!
2. What should I pack for this Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Tour?
Swimsuit
Water shoes or flip flops
Canteen/refillable water bottle
Hiking shoes and clothes
Sunscreen
Hat
First Aid Kit
Phone charger/mount
Water shoes or flip flops
Canteen/refillable water bottle
Hiking shoes and clothes
Sunscreen
Hat
First Aid Kit
Phone charger/mount
3. What should I budget for this Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Tour?
How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route:
The $10 day-use fee (or $3/hour) applies to El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach, and Gaviota State Park, and is valid for all three parks on the same day, per vehicle.
Ostrichland USA:
$7 general,
$5 seniors 65+,
$3 children 12 years and under.
$1 to feed ostriches.
Rates may increase for holidays and long weekends.
Mission Santa Inés
Self-guided tour $8 ages 13 and up,
$7 seniors 64+,
$5 ages 6-12
free for children 5 and under
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
$6 parking fee ($5 for seniors 62+)
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
$7 adults,
$6 seniors,
children 12 and under are free
Oso Flaco Lake: $5 parking
Pismo Beach: Free to visit, street parking fees may apply
The $10 day-use fee (or $3/hour) applies to El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach, and Gaviota State Park, and is valid for all three parks on the same day, per vehicle.
Ostrichland USA:
$7 general,
$5 seniors 65+,
$3 children 12 years and under.
$1 to feed ostriches.
Rates may increase for holidays and long weekends.
Mission Santa Inés
Self-guided tour $8 ages 13 and up,
$7 seniors 64+,
$5 ages 6-12
free for children 5 and under
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
$6 parking fee ($5 for seniors 62+)
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
$7 adults,
$6 seniors,
children 12 and under are free
Oso Flaco Lake: $5 parking
Pismo Beach: Free to visit, street parking fees may apply
4. What are the park hours for this Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Tour?
Pro Tip: To make the most of your day, we recommend aiming for the 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM window to ensure everything is open!
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve:
Noon to sunset on Mon, 7am to sunset Tues-Sun
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
Tues-Sat 10am to 3pm
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve:
Noon to sunset on Mon, 7am to sunset Tues-Sun
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
Tues-Sat 10am to 3pm
5. Can I join this Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Tour along the route?
Yes, you can join along the route.
6. Can I take this Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Tour in the opposite direction?
Yes, the tour works going both ways: north to south and south to north.
7. Other Questions? Contact us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.