Stanford Los Angeles
From Stanford, it is an 8-hour drive on the famous Highway 1 to reach Los Angeles.
This is a wonderful road that goes along the California coast, so it is really beautiful.
You will cross national parks, wild beaches, a sequoia forest, and some really nice cities.
Since a lot of the driving is along the coast, keep an eye out for whales, you might see some.
Santa Cruz
The first stop on this road trip is Santa Cruz. Spending a few hours here should suffice.
For more information on what to do, you can look at the section Santa Cruz.
Monterey
There are plenty of things to do such as visiting the aquarium, taking a boat out to go whale watching, or hiking close to the ocean.
I recommend spending the night here on your way to Los Angeles.
For more information, check out the section Monterey.
Carmel-by-the-sea
Carmel-by-the-sea is very close to Monterey.
It is a nice, small city to visit.
For more information, take a look at the section Monterey - Carmel by the Sea - Big Sur.
Big Sur
This is where Highway 1 becomes really beautiful due to the coastal landscape.
You will not be disappointed by colors of the coast in contrast to the ocean.
There is plenty to see in Pfeiffer State Park. For more information, visit Monterey - Carmel by the Sea - Big Sur.
Santa Barbara
About 5 hours into the drive, you will reach Santa Barbara.
It is a great city, so you will not regret making a stop here.
The well-conserved Spanish Revival architecture houses, and the small streets and city square contribute to the really nice atmosphere found in this city.
State Street is a good place to enjoy the food and atmosphere while on your journey to Los Angeles.
The lively pier is a nice walk where you will pass by fishing and tourist boats.
Malibu
Your next stop on this Los Angeles-bound road trip is the famous Malibu beach where you can see the famous beach houses.
The stretch between Malibu and Los Angeles has several restaurants with a view of the ocean.
This is a really great area to stop and enjoy a coffee while looking for dolphins, which is not a rare sight here.
