❓ FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The West Coast questions Australian travellers ask us most often before booking.
How long do I need for a West Coast USA road trip?
Minimum 7 days for the San Francisco to Los Angeles California PCH section, 10–14 days for the full California coast from San Diego to the Redwoods, and 21 days to drive the complete 1,600-mile Seattle to San Diego route including Oregon Coast, Pacific Northwest national parks, and California wine country. Our most-booked version is 14 days — enough to do the California coast properly plus Pacific Northwest highlights without feeling rushed.
Is the Pacific Coast Highway open in 2026?
The Big Sur Regent's Slide closure is scheduled to re-open in March 2026 — verify current status at Big Sur Chamber before travel. If the slide area is still closed when you travel, the inland US-101 detour between Ragged Point and Carmel/Monterey adds approximately 1.5–2 hours but is entirely driveable. Alternatively, you can do the PCH in two sections: Carmel down to Bixby Bridge and Nepenthe, then Cambria or San Simeon up to Ragged Point.
Which direction should I drive the PCH — north to south or south to north?
South to north (San Diego to Seattle) means driving on the inland side with faster access to highway shoulders. North to south (Seattle to San Diego) puts you on the ocean side — closer to the viewpoints, easier to pull over for photos, more dramatic perceived scenery. Most travel guides and experienced road-trippers recommend north-to-south for this reason. Cooee Tours defaults to north-to-south for Australian clients.
Should I fly into Seattle or San Diego?
Depends on direction. Seattle is the natural north-bound start with direct Qantas flights (via LAX or SFO). San Diego flies via LAX for Aussies. Most Aussie PCH itineraries use open-jaw flights — fly into one, drive to the other, fly home from there. This avoids backtracking and costs roughly AUD $200–400 more per person than return tickets. San Francisco or Los Angeles work as mid-route start/end points for shorter versions.
Are the California wine regions worth including?
Yes — Napa Valley and Sonoma are genuinely world-class, especially if you've enjoyed Margaret River or Hunter Valley. Budget 2 nights for Napa-Sonoma if wine matters to you. Alternative: Santa Barbara wine country (Santa Ynez Valley) sits mid-PCH and integrates more naturally into the drive. Paso Robles is the up-and-coming quieter alternative, worth a detour between Big Sur and San Simeon. Australian DUI laws equivalent apply in California — .08% BAC limit, heavy penalties.
What's the total cost of a West Coast USA trip from Australia?
7 days California-only: AUD $10,000–14,000 per couple. 10 days: AUD $13,000–18,000. 14 days West Coast Complete: AUD $17,000–24,000. 21 days Seattle to San Diego: AUD $25,000–35,000. All including return flights from Australia, mid-range accommodation (San Francisco and LA hotels drive the budget up versus Southwest), convertible or SUV rental, fuel, food, wine tastings, activities, and 2026 National Park fees.
Should I rent a convertible?
Tempting but practical reality check. Convertibles look great for Big Sur photography but mean limited luggage space for a 14-day trip, sun exposure on long driving days, and wind noise that makes conversation difficult. Most Cooee Tours clients go with a mid-size SUV or crossover (Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Cherokee) for comfort. If you want the convertible feel, rent one for 2–3 days of Big Sur driving specifically, then swap at San Francisco airport. Budget AUD $30–50/day premium for convertibles.
When should I visit the West Coast USA?
September–October is optimal for the full route — Pacific Northwest still warm and dry, California sun, wine harvest season, crowds dropping. May–June works but Pacific Northwest can be rainy. Summer (July–August) is peak crowds and San Francisco fog (Karl the Fog is real). Winter (December–February) means Pacific Northwest is wet and cold, Big Sur can have storm closures, and some California attractions reduce hours — but cheaper prices and dramatic storm watching on the Oregon Coast.
Do I need a 4WD for the West Coast?
No — a standard SUV or even a sedan handles the entire PCH. All main coastal routes are sealed and regularly maintained. You only need 4WD/AWD for winter travel in Olympic/Mt Rainier (snow chains sometimes required) or for specific back-country Oregon Coast access. Tioga Pass in Yosemite has a chain-up area in shoulder seasons. Check rental car winter driving requirements before leaving home.
Can I combine West Coast with the Southwest?
Yes — a popular 21-day combination is
Southwest Loop (14 days, Vegas loop) + California Coast (7 days, LA to San Francisco). Fly Vegas on arrival, drive the Southwest loop, drive Las Vegas → Los Angeles, then PCH north to San Francisco, fly home from SFO. See our
Southwest Loop guide for the Southwest portion. Demands open-jaw flights and is an excellent way to do both flagship USA regions in one trip.