California’s Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the world, with stunning ocean views and majestic mountains as the backdrop. Along this iconic route, you’ll find a plethora of luxurious hotels that offer an exceptional experience for travelers. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from, each with its unique charm and character.
In this blog post, I’ll be highlighting the top eight best-rated hotels along the California 1. From quaint boutique hotels to lavish resorts, these accommodations are sure to make your trip to the Pacific Coast Highway unforgettable. So, sit back, relax, and let us take you on a journey of the best hotels along this breathtaking stretch of coastline.
1. Timber Cove Resort
ADDRESS: 21780 North Coast Highway 1, Jenner, CA 95450
Timber Cove Resort is a stunning hotel located on the California Highway 1, perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The resort boasts breathtaking views of the coastline and is surrounded by majestic redwood forests, providing a serene and peaceful atmosphere for guests.
This luxurious property offers a variety of accommodations, including stylishly designed rooms and suites in the main lodge, as well as standalone cabins and cottages, each equipped with modern amenities and comfortable furnishings. The interiors are tastefully decorated with a blend of rustic charm and contemporary elegance, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
Timber Cove Resort offers a range of amenities and activities to keep guests entertained, including an on-site restaurant and bar serving delicious Californian cuisine and locally sourced wines. Guests can relax and unwind by the heated outdoor pool, hot tub, or sauna, all while enjoying the stunning views of the ocean.
2. Hotel Californian
ADDRESS: 36 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
The Hotel Californian is a luxurious boutique hotel located in Santa Barbara, California, along the Pacific Coast Highway. This stunning hotel seamlessly blends Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, creating a unique and elegant ambiance that reflects the region’s cultural heritage.
The hotel offers a variety of accommodations, including spacious rooms and suites that feature luxurious amenities such as plush bedding, oversized soaking tubs, and private balconies or patios with stunning views of the ocean or the hotel’s lush gardens.
What makes the Hotel Californian one of the best hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway is its ideal location. The hotel is just steps away from the beach and within walking distance of many of Santa Barbara’s top attractions, including Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara Zoo, and the Funk Zone, a neighborhood known for its art galleries, boutique shops, and wine tasting rooms.
3. The Surfrider Hotel
ADDRESS: 23033 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
The Surfrider Hotel is a stunning boutique hotel located in Malibu, California, along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. This beautiful hotel features a stylish and modern design that perfectly captures the laid-back, beachy vibe of Southern California.
The hotel offers 20 well-appointed guest rooms, each one featuring ocean or mountain views, luxurious linens, and high-end amenities such as Malin+Goetz bath products and Nespresso coffee makers. The rooms are bright and airy, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light and allow guests to take in the stunning California coastline.
The Surfrider Hotel also features a rooftop bar and restaurant, which offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the Malibu coastline. Guests can enjoy delicious cocktails and fresh, seasonal cuisine while taking in the stunning sunset views over the Pacific Ocean.
4. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
ADDRESS: 1 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point, CA 92629
Another great hotel to add to my list of best top-rated hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway. The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is a luxurious resort located in Dana Point, California, along the Pacific Coast Highway. This stunning property boasts a prime location on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offering breathtaking views and a sense of exclusivity and privacy.
The hotel features 400 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, each one elegantly decorated with luxurious furnishings and high-end amenities. Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including ocean view rooms and suites, garden view rooms, and one- or two-bedroom villas with private balconies or patios.
The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach offers a range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy, including an 18-hole championship golf course, three swimming pools, a full-service spa, and several on-site restaurants and bars serving delicious cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.
5. Post Ranch Inn
ADDRESS: 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
The Post Ranch Inn is my favorite hotel along the Pacific Coast Highway. The Post Ranch Inn is widely considered to be one of the best hotels along the California Highway 1 by many travelers and hospitality industry professionals alike. Its stunning location atop a cliff overlooking the ocean, luxurious accommodations, and top-notch amenities are just a few of the many reasons why it consistently receives high ratings and glowing reviews from guests.
The Post Ranch Inn also offers a range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy, including two infinity pools, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and several on-site restaurants serving fresh, locally sourced cuisine.
What sets The Post Ranch Inn apart and makes it a favorite among travelers is its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. The hotel is powered by renewable energy sources and uses eco-friendly products and practices throughout its operations.
If you’re interested in discovering one of the best spas along the entire Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), I highly recommend checking out my latest blog post dedicated to this topic: Pacific Coast Highway – TOP 8 BEST Coastal SPA Resorts
6. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
ADDRESS: 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a luxurious resort located in Half Moon Bay, California, along the Pacific Coast Highway. This stunning property boasts a prime location on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offering breathtaking views and a sense of exclusivity and privacy.
The hotel features 261 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, each one elegantly decorated with luxurious furnishings and high-end amenities. Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including ocean view rooms and suites, garden view rooms, and one- or two-bedroom villas with private balconies or patios.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers a range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy, including two championship golf courses, a full-service spa, and several on-site restaurants and bars serving delicious cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. One of the resort’s standout features is its access to a private beach, where guests can enjoy a variety of water sports and activities. The hotel also features two outdoor fire pits, perfect for enjoying the stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
7. Montage Laguna Beach
ADDRESS: 30801 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Montage Laguna Beach is a luxurious oceanfront resort located in Laguna Beach, California, that offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged California coastline. As one of the must-stop hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway, Montage Laguna Beach boasts a prime location that is perfect for travelers looking to explore the best of Southern California.
The hotel features 250 beautifully appointed guest rooms, suites, and bungalows that offer guests the ultimate in comfort and luxury. Each room is elegantly designed with contemporary furnishings and features modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can also indulge in luxurious bath products, plush bedding, and stunning ocean views from their private balconies.
Montage Laguna Beach offers a wide range of activities and amenities to keep guests entertained and relaxed during their stay. The hotel boasts three swimming pools, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and access to a private beach. Guests can also enjoy world-class dining at one of the hotel’s restaurants, which offer a variety of cuisine options, from casual fare to fine dining.
8. Alila Ventana Big Sur
ADDRESS: 48123 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
Alila Ventana Big Sur is an award-winning luxury hotel that is considered one of the best hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway. Located in the heart of the stunning Big Sur coastline in California, this hotel offers guests unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding natural beauty.
The hotel features 59 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, each with a private deck or balcony that offers breathtaking views of the ocean or the redwood forest. Guests can also enjoy world-class amenities such as a full-service spa, an infinity-edge pool, a fitness center, and a fine-dining restaurant that offers delicious farm-to-table cuisine.
Alila Ventana Big Sur is renowned for its exceptional service and attention to detail. The hotel’s staff is dedicated to ensuring that each guest’s stay is unforgettable, with personalized attention and assistance throughout their visit. With its stunning location, luxurious accommodations, and world-class amenities, it’s no wonder why this hotel is considered one of the best hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway.
👍 Find out more:
Discover the best stops along the PCH in my travel guide, “Pacific Coast Highway Travel Guide – 202 Best Stops”, which is available on Amazon. This is the ultimate travel guide and pocket reference for anyone wishing to experience the adventure and wonder of THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY! MUST-HAVE for all West Coast travelers. Visit 202 places on the PCH with “Scan QR and go” for easy navigation.
Author:
Mark Watson is a California-based member of a Los Angeles motorcycle club and an avid traveler. He has completed seven full journeys along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway on his Harley-Davidson and is passionate about promoting this historic drive to others. Mark has also explored the Alaska Highway and Route 66, and has authored three bestselling travel guides on Amazon: “Route 66 Travel Guide – 202 Amazing Places,” “Alaska Highway Travel Guide – 202 Best Stops,” and “Pacific Coast Highway Travel Guide – 202 Best Stops.”