California’s Highway 1—also known as Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)—is dotted with incredible restaurants, legendary oyster shacks, and unforgettable roadside sandwich shops and bakeries. Along this scenic route, you’ll find countless places to stop, whether you crave fresh oysters, steaming bowls of chowder, or a deliciously unique sweet. These are some of the must-try bites and memorable meals, listed north to south, that make Highway 1 a true food lover’s adventure.
Crab Sandwich
Spud Point Crab Co., Bodega Bay
Sweet and simple, the go-to sandwich at this Bodega Bay seafood shack is packed with a whopping quarter pound of fresh-off-the-tugboat crab meat, served on a soft roll.
Grilled Oysters
Hog Island Oyster Co., Marshall
Fresh oysters grilled with smoky chipotle bourbon butter, served feet from Tomales Bay. Briny, savory, addictive—order two trays. Insider tip: Hog Island sells their beloved jarred butter on-site at the general store.
Mushroom Sandwich
Dad’s Luncheonette, Half Moon Bay
In a bright-red caboose by the sea, a former Michelin-starred chef serves this rich, mushroom-packed menu staple stacked with a runny egg, pickled onions, and Dad’s signature sauce.
A short drive from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is home to the delicious bowls of the namesake clam dish at Sam’s Chowder House
Kouign Amann
This Santa Cruz bakery, which has a few other locations in the Bay Area, has serious street cred, launched by three-Michelin-starred chef and Santa Cruz local David Kinch. Get a baguette or a slice of quiche, but don’t miss the flaky goodness of the kouign amann, which will become your standard-bearer for this French pastry—which is like a cross between a croissant and a muffin, enrobed in caramelized sugar (say it queen-uh-monn).
Olallieberry Pie
Enjoy a slice of jammy, crusty goodness loaded with fresh olallieberries—a signature of the region. Duarte’s grows their own just up the road. If you want something savory first to justify dessert, order the artichoke soup, made with another beloved local crop.
Raw Bar
Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette, Marina
Choose from raw, grilled, and daily-special locally sourced oysters at this spot along Monterey Bay. Come for happy hour on the patio—the menu also includes seaweed sourdough bread and Monterey Bay clam chowder.
Fruit Preserves
Happy Girl Kitchen Co., Pacific Grove
Pick up a few jars of jam made from locally preserved fruits—like the Apricot Summer, Strawberry Lavender, or Grapefruit Marmalade—at this cult-following shop and café in the charming town outside Monterey.
Ambrosia Burger
Big Sur’s famous burger is slathered with a tangy, chili-infused sauce you’ll not soon forget. Best enjoyed perched on the stunning cliffside terrace.
Brown Butter Sea Salt Cookie
Brown Butter Cookie Company, Cayucos
This humble, irresistible treat is how it all started. These mouth-watering cookies are buttery, chewy, and perfectly salty. Get yours from the original Cayucos location.
Super-Rica Especial Taco
La Super-Rica Taqueria, Santa Barbara
It’s a very short detour off Highway 1 and U.S. 101 (which are one in the same on this stretch of coastline) to visit this legendary taqueria and have the dish that was the favorite of the late great Julia Child. The taqueria’s namesake taco features chunks of grilled al pastor pork, pasilla peppers, and melted mozzarella on corn tortillas.
Lobster Roll With Uni
Broad Street City Oyster Co., Malibu
A truly special seafood stop, Broad Street Oyster Co. expertly mixes the high and the low with a hefty dose of nostalgia to wash it all down. Their menu includes seafood platters and hot dogs with caviar next to price-smart cans of colorful local brews and wine. But the best of the best is the “world famous” lobster roll served with three pieces of local uni right on top. Take it warm with butter or chilled with mayo, the choice is entirely up to you.
Breakfast Burrito
Brother’s Burritos, Hermosa Beach
Located just steps away from the white sands of Hermosa Beach—and an exceedingly convenient public parking lot—is Brother’s Burritos. Serving breakfast and lunch, this place is beloved for the breakfast burrito. Their tortillas are available in both flour and wheat and menu items can be prepared in burrito, quesadilla, or bowl form, but the best is the classic B. Avocado folded tightly with avocado, egg, bacon, green onion, and cheddar.
Balboa Bars and Frozen Bananas
Sugar ’n Spice and Dad's, Newport Beach
These two Newport Beach spots—found on the town’s Balboa Island—offer classic frozen chocolate-dipped bananas (immortalized on the TV series Arrested Development) as well as the Balboa Bar—a chocolate-dipped ice cream bar rolled in sweet or salty toppings that both places claim to have invented.
Plan Your Highway 1 Trip
For more tips about exploring Highway 1, check out this classic itinerary, these super-scenic stops, and this episode of the California Now Podcast when Aida Mollenkamp, host of Food Network’s Ask Aida and editor-in-chief of Salt & Wind, describes her favorite stops between San Francisco and Cambria.