PCH aka CA Highway 1...one of the best roads

I love this stretch of road.  I highly recommend it over the 101 or the 5 to the Bay Area.  Scenic as hell. Full of twisties to keep it exciting.  Detour and do Hearsts Castle in San Simeon.  A few miles further up the road are protected coves full of California Sea Lions that you can watch with their pups.  A few miles further up is the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.  All gorgeous places to stop and take pictures.

I did it first in 1989 on my honeymoon with my lovely wife.  I've since gone back and done it a few more times.  The pace is more relaxed.  There is infinitely more more to see and do than the trip up the major freeways.  Added boner is you get to skip the gawd awful odors of Harris Ranch in Coalinga.  

Great So Cal Drives - PCH Malibu to Oxnard

I've done this drive quite a few times.  Always magnificent once you get out of town and are just hugging the coast.  In fact there's a spot not to far up from Leo Carillo there is a turn out and concrete stairs to the bottom where there is a small cove and wonderful picnic and play spot.  Its where I proposed to the lovely Mrs September 1988.

Of course half the fun of PCH is driving off into the side canyons.  Incredible canyon roads to carve with views that are as unspoiled as when the natives were here alone.

Make the drive. Enjoy a bit of SoCal that few see.