There’s nothing like getting in the car, hitting the gas, and setting off on a day trip along the endless roads that cut through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Feeling the wind rush by, blasting your favorite song, and stopping to stretch your legs and snap a few photos, those are some of life’s greatest pleasures.
And luckily for Californians, we’ve got one of the most beautiful stretches in the entire United States, or at least that’s what a recent study claims.
A scenic drive along the pacific blue
According to a new survey by the accommodation website Lake, California’s Pacific Coast Highway in its San Luis Obispo to Big Sur stretch, ranked third among the most beautiful roads in the U.S.
The study analyzed all of America’s officially designated All-American Roads (AAR), these are routes recognized by the Federal Highway Administration for their “intrinsic scenic qualities” and described as “destinations unto themselves,” thanks to their one-of-a-kind natural and cultural features.
To determine the rankings, Lake’s researchers combined Instagram hashtag counts and Tripadvisor ratings as of September 2025, measuring both the popularity and the traveler satisfaction of each road. The Highway stood out for its jaw-dropping ocean views and dramatic cliffs.
Driving through a magical coastline
Starting in San Luis Obispo and heading north toward Big Sur along Highway 1, the drive spans roughly 107 miles, surrounded by a perfect scenery that practically begs you to pull over, breathe in the ocean air, and snap another photo.
According to the travel guide crafted by Local Adventurer Along the way, you’ll find some of California’s most iconic sights. McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a waterfall plunges straight into the Pacific, Pfeiffer Beach, famous for its purple sand and natural rock arches and, of course, the legendary Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in the country.
But for now, this incredible experience is temporarily on hold. The stretch has been closed for more than two and a half years due to the Regent’s Slide landslide. Still, there’s hope you could be able to experience this road again since, as reported by The San Francisco Standard, Caltrans agency recently announced that, if all goes well, the road could fully reopen by March 2026… Fingers crossed!