New York vs Pacific Coast Highway

New York City fuels every journey with its fast-paced energy, iconic landmarks, and endless possibilities. Stroll through Central Park, feel the buzz of Times Square, and take in skyline views from the Empire State Building or One World Observatory. Explore neighbourhoods like SoHo, Harlem, and Brooklyn, each bursting with unique culture, street art, and local flavour. Savour everything from classic New York pizza to world-class dining experiences. Dive into art at the Met or MoMA, catch a Broadway show, or shop along Fifth Avenue. With every block offering a new story, New York invites you to experience life at full volume—bold, unforgettable, and always moving.

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco is the classic American road trip, a roughly 450-mile ribbon of asphalt that clings to cliffs, dips into surf towns and threads some of the most dramatic coastline on Earth. Start with the beach cities of Santa Monica and Malibu, then roll north to Santa Barbara's red-tile roofs and its graceful Spanish mission. Next come the laid-back college town of San Luis Obispo and the wide sands of Pismo Beach, followed by the hilltop opulence of Hearst Castle and hundreds of elephant seals lounging on the beach at Piedras Blancas. The highlight is Big Sur, where Highway 1 winds high above the ocean past McWay Falls and the arching Bixby Creek Bridge before reaching storybook Carmel-by-the-Sea and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. Five days is the sweet spot for the drive, with extra days for San Francisco, Napa Valley wine country and the coast south of the city. One important warning: landslides regularly close sections of Highway 1 in Big Sur, so check Caltrans QuickMap before you set out and be ready to detour inland on US-101 or do Big Sur as an out-and-back from Carmel.