Hi everyone! We just returned from an unforgettable Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) road trip with our 20-month-old daughter—and yes, it was as epic, chaotic, and beautiful as it sounds.
Over 10 full days, we road-tripped from San Francisco down the California coast via Highway 1, ending in sunny Los Angeles. Along the way, we tackled toddler tantrums, detoured around rockslides, and stumbled upon some of the most breathtaking scenery in the U.S.
If you’re thinking about doing a PCH road trip with little ones, here’s our mile-by-mile breakdown, including where we stayed, what we loved (and learned), and real tips for surviving and thriving on the road with a toddler.
Our Final Itinerary at a Glance
Total Days: 10 (excluding flights)
Route: San Francisco → Monterey → Cambria → Los Angeles
Pace: Slow and steady — perfect for toddler life
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3 Days in San Francisco
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3 Days Driving the Pacific Coast Highway
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4 Days in Los Angeles (including a rest day + Disneyland)
Days 1–3: San Francisco — Baby Steps in the Big City
San Francisco is a sensory playground for toddlers. It’s walkable (mostly), stroller-friendly, and full of family attractions.
Top Toddler-Friendly Highlights
🧸 Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, this hands-on museum is a toddler’s dream. Outdoor exhibits, soft play zones, and views of the bay? Yes, please.
🦈 Aquarium of the Bay (Pier 39)
Small, stroller-friendly, and filled with jellyfish tunnels and touch tanks—ideal for short attention spans.
🔬 Exploratorium
While it’s geared toward older kids, our toddler still loved the lights, mirrors, and water displays.
🍴 Ferry Building Marketplace
A great place to grab coffee and toddler-approved snacks. Bonus: clean bathrooms and open spaces to walk around.
🌳 Golden Gate Park
Don’t miss Koret Children’s Quarter — one of the best playgrounds we found on the trip.
Parenting Pro Tip:
Keep your schedule light. We aimed for one major activity per day, leaving room for spontaneous playground stops, snack breaks, and stroller naps.
Days 4–6: Driving the Pacific Coast Highway — The Heart of the Adventure
Here’s where the magic happened. We had originally planned just 2 days for this stretch—but extending it to 3 days was the best decision we made. It allowed us to travel slowly, stop frequently, and let our toddler stretch her legs and take in the beauty.
Day 1: San Francisco → Monterey (Approx. 120 miles)
🚂 Roaring Camp Railroads (Felton)
A highlight! This old-fashioned steam train winds through the redwoods—our toddler was mesmerized. Buy tickets in advance.
🏖 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Classic California beach vibes. We skipped the rides and let our daughter run in the sand and people-watch.
🐠 Monterey Bay Aquarium
World-class exhibits, especially the kelp forest and sea otters. It was stimulating for all of us and a great way to burn energy indoors.
🛌 Overnight: Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea (We stayed in Carmel—quiet, charming, and walkable.)
Day 2: Monterey → Cambria (Approx. 100 miles)
🌊 17-Mile Drive
Breathtaking ocean views and easy pullover spots. We did a toddler snack picnic at Spanish Bay.
🌸 Carmel Beach
Soft white sand and low surf make it perfect for little ones. Carmel is also super stroller-friendly.
🌲 Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
We took a short trail under the redwoods and had a quick lunch at Nepenthe, which has stunning views and toddler-friendly space to roam.
🦭 Elephant Seal Vista Point (San Simeon)
We weren’t sure what to expect, but our daughter loved watching the massive seals flop around. Safe, fenced viewing area for toddlers.
🛌 Overnight: Cambria, Morro Bay, or Cayucos
We chose Morro Bay for the beachfront walkability and laid-back vibe.
Day 3: Cambria → Los Angeles (Approx. 200 miles)
🏰 Hearst Castle
We planned to go—but it was closed due to a private event. Lesson learned: always check operating hours in advance, especially for winter or off-season travel.
🍷 Paso Robles (Optional Detour)
A wine stop with a toddler? Sounds crazy, but some wineries like Sextant or Cass are kid-friendly with outdoor space, snacks, and animals.
🍽 Solvang or Los Olivos
We stopped in Solvang for Danish pastries and a playground break. It’s quirky, stroller-accessible, and a great halfway stop.
🏝 Santa Barbara
Easy access to beaches, delicious restaurants, and plenty of open space for kids to play. Could easily spend a full day here if you have time.
🛌 Arrival in Los Angeles
Days 7–10: Los Angeles — City Life, Toddler Edition
Big cities with toddlers can be overwhelming—but L.A. has plenty of toddler-approved attractions if you plan wisely.
Top L.A. Activities for Families
🎢 Disneyland (Anaheim)
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s exhausting. But watching your toddler’s eyes light up on the Winnie the Pooh ride or during the parade? Absolutely worth it.
🌴 Santa Monica Pier & Beach
We strolled the boardwalk, dipped our toes in the water, and let our daughter toddle freely on the sand. Avoid midday crowds for a better experience.
🚂 Griffith Park
Home to Travel Town (vintage trains to climb on), pony rides, playgrounds, and picnic spots. Ideal for an easy morning adventure.
🏊♀️ Hotel Pool + Rest Day
On Day 9, we did nothing but hang at the pool and let our toddler call the shots. This reset day saved our sanity.
Lessons Learned: Toddler Travel Isn’t Easy — But It’s So Worth It
Traveling with a 20-month-old tested our patience and flexibility, but it also brought moments of pure magic.
Our Real-World Toddler Travel Takeaways
🍼 Lower your expectations.
Your trip won’t look like your Instagram feed. And that’s okay.
🧺 Build in buffer days.
Downtime days give everyone time to reset. Trust us—you’ll need them.
🧭 Small towns > big cities.
Coastal towns like Carmel, Morro Bay, and Solvang were easier to navigate and offered more relaxed vibes than SF or LA.
🚧 Check road conditions daily.
We encountered a rockslide on Highway 1 and had to reroute. Use Caltrans QuickMap to monitor closures.
🌊 Scenery is the attraction.
Don’t over-plan. Often, the best moments were impromptu beach stops or roadside views.
Final Packing & Planning Tips for the PCH with Kids
Here’s what saved our sanity on the road:
🧃 Snack bin up front
Keep toddler snacks within reach. Hunger = meltdown.
🎒 Backseat entertainment kit
Board books, soft toys, and new surprises helped pass long driving stretches.
🎶 Spotify playlist of family songs
Singalongs helped calm fussy moments and filled the silence with laughter.
🚗 Plan for fewer miles, more stops
Don’t try to power through. Short stretches + frequent breaks = happier toddlers.
🛌 Book family suites or Airbnb
Having a separate sleep space for the toddler = better sleep for everyone.
Would We Do It Again?
In a heartbeat. And next time? We’d go even slower.
This trip reminded us of something profound: when you travel with a toddler, the journey itself becomes the destination. Watching her discover sea lions for the first time, giggle at a train whistle, and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean—those are the memories we’ll carry forever.
Whether you’re a couple traveling with your first child or a larger family looking for that classic California road trip, the Pacific Coast Highway delivers. It’s a path carved through raw beauty, dotted with quirky towns, and filled with opportunities for discovery—for you, and for the littlest travelers in your life.
