San Francisco to Los Angeles
This is leg 3 of 5.
Travel leg · Pacific Coast Highway
Big Sur to San Simeon
Big Sur and San Simeon sit about 87 km (54 mi) apart in a straight line, with San Simeon to the south-east. It is leg 3 of 5 on our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 87 km · 54 mi
- Est. road distance
- 104–122 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading south-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 104–122 km (65–76 mi) of road and 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Pacific Coast Highway guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Big Sur and San Simeon depends on the line — check timetables.
A car is the whole point here, and one shared vehicle keeps the group together. Plan to drive south to north or north to south and pick up or drop off a rental in the two big cities. Train and bus options exist for some legs but skip the scenic parts.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in San Simeon
Plan half a day for Hearst Castle plus the seal rookery, then overnight in nearby Cambria.
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's hilltop estate with the Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Free boardwalk viewpoints over thousands of elephant seals on the beach.
Piedras Blancas Light Station
Guided tours of an 1875 lighthouse and its restored grounds.
Hearst Ranch Winery
Tasting room in the historic Sebastian's building across from the beach.
Linn's Restaurant
Cambria institution known for its olallieberry pie.
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach
Calm cove beach and pier below Hearst Castle, good for picnics and kayaking.
Before you leave Big Sur
Drive it slowly over a full day, stopping at pullouts, one or two short hikes and a cliffside lunch.
On this curated route
Where Big Sur → San Simeon sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? San Simeon to Big Sur is the same 87 km in a straight line, heading north-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in October, when San Simeon averages highs 3°C cooler than Big Sur.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sur high | 14° | 14° | 15° | 16° | 17° | 18° | 19° | 20° | 21° | 20° | 17° | 15° |
| San Simeon high | 12° | 12° | 13° | 13° | 14° | 16° | 17° | 17° | 18° | 17° | 14° | 12° |
| Big Sur rain | 86 | 86 | 70 | 36 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 48 | 106 |
| San Simeon rain | 73 | 72 | 57 | 25 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 20 | 34 | 80 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to San Simeon month guides.
Big Sur to San Simeon: questions travelers ask
How far is Big Sur from San Simeon?
Big Sur is about 87 km (54 mi) from San Simeon in a straight line, with San Simeon to the south-east. By road, we estimate 104–122 km (65–76 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Big Sur to San Simeon?
An estimated 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min, assuming 104–122 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Big Sur to San Simeon?
Our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary includes this leg. Pacific Coast Highway runs about 6 days across 6 stops, best in Apr – Oct.
Onward from San Simeon
- San Simeon to Santa Barbara 194 km
Getting to Big Sur
Guides for both ends
- Big Sur travel guide
- Big Sur weather best time to visit
- San Simeon travel guide
- San Simeon weather best time to visit
San Simeon by month
Plan Big Sur → San Simeon with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.