33 Pacific Coast Highway Packing List Essentials (+ Free Checklist)

1. A Raincoat!

Nothing is more essential on the Pacific Coast Highway than a rain jacket! Because you’re on the road, choose one that’s lightweight, but super sturdy.

We love San Poncho’s Legacy rain jacket – it holds up in the biggest downpours, and stows away really small in your bag!

Read More: The 7 Best Rain Jackets For The Pacific Northwest

2. Lots of Layers

The days are pleasant, but the mornings and evenings can be quite chilly! It’s essential to be prepared for any type of weather on the west coast.

Here are the layers you should be packing:

• Base Layers: Merino wool or quick-dry synthetic fabric. NO cotton. (Cotton can hold on to water and make you feel colder.)
• Fleece Jacket: This layer retains heat and keeps you warmer.
• Rain shell or wind breaker. Depending on the weather, the outer layer should keep you away from the elements, but especially the wind.

3. Long Pants

No matter what time of year you visit, long pants are always a good addition to your Pacific Coast Highway packing list.

Not only do they keep you warmer, but they can also protect your skin from the harsh sun and wind. They can prevent you from getting scratched by underbrush and keep mud off your body. This is especially true on some Oregon coast hiking trails that can have some narrow trails with scratchy underbrush.

Try the zip-off kind! These pants are cool again, and allows you to pack shorts and pants at the same time.

4. Shorts

A good pair of shorts in the summertime is such a valuable addition to your Pacific Coast Highway packing list! From museums to overlooks, they can be a comfortable and breezy staple for hotter days on the coast/

My personal favorites are the Wanderwell Pleated Shorts by Toad&Co. They are super comfy and great for outdoor activities, but also feel put together enough for a nice meal at a restaurant!

Either way you go, make sure your shorts and comfortable enough while sitting (in the car), walking, standing, and moving around!

6. Wool Socks

Why wool socks specifically? Wool socks wick the moisture off your feet, which is important on those humid, coastal hikes. They also keep your temperature regulated! Our favorites are these thin ones from REI and Darn Tough.

7. Waterproof Shoes or Boots

It’s essential to keep your feet dry in the Pacific Northwest! We recommend adding a pair of sturdy shoes to your Pacific Coast Highway packing list. Look for ones with Gore-tex for waterproofing.

During your trip, you may find yourself hopping over rocks in Oregon coast tide pools, or following trails full of tree roots and uneven surfaces. Choose shoes with traction, for more grip on heavily textured terrain.

Looking for the perfect pair? Read these articles:
> The 12 Best Hiking Boots For Pacific Northwest Adventures
> 7 Features You Need to Know When Choosing Hiking Boots
> How To Break In New Hiking Boots

8. Fleece Sweater or Jacket

A fleece jacket is an excellent layer to add to your Pacific Coast Highway packing list.

Fleece is lightweight and cozy! Paired with other layers, it keeps you warm during those cool mornings and evenings.

9. Windbreaker Jacket

Let’s face it. The seaside is windy! You need to add a windbreaker to your packing list. Windbreakers will keep you warm even when the wind is whipping, which is quite often on the coast!

If you find rain in the forecast, you can double up on a windbreaker/rain jacket combo too, so you don’t have to pack two separate coats.

10. Hoodie

For casual evenings around a beach bonfire, a casual hoodie will do just fine! No need to get fancy on this one, choose your favorite zip-up hoodie or pullover one from home.

11. Baseball Cap

Despite the PNW getting the reputation of always being rainy, there are more sunny days than you would expect! Make sure to protect your face with a baseball cap. There are endless choices out there. Pick your favorite brand or choose a simple 5-panel hat like the one from REI.

12. Sunglasses

You many not expect to pack sunglasses for a rainy coast trip, but they are important! Along with a hat, sunglasses will protect your eyes from the harsh rays, from the car to the beach.

We really like these ones from Goodr. They stay on your head even on strenuous hikes, even when trail running! They are inexpensive too, so no need to cry if they break or get lost in the waves.

13. Warm Hat

Planning a Pacific Coast Highway road trip in the late fall, winter, or early spring? The mornings are quite cold, so it’s important to bundle up!

We like to pack at least one or two beanies with us on our trips. They will keep you warm as you walk along Cannon beach for sunrise, or if you’re sitting outside enjoying an evening sunset at Samuel H Boardman.

14. Packing Cubes

To stay organized on trips, we highly recommend using packing cubes! Tidiness is especially important on road trips, when you are moving and changing locations almost every day.

I personally sort my clothes by type (shirts, pants, underwear, etc) or by outfit.

We also pack an empty packing cube on purpose, to use for dirty laundry. This way, they stay separate in your bag!

15. Hair Ties

The coast can get windy, especially on Oregon Coast hikes that have cliffside views of the ocean!

Pack a few extra hair ties in your bag to tame those flyaways and keep the hair out of your face.

16. Small Wallet / Waist Pack

Generally speaking, stops along the Pacific Coast Highway are safe places. However, we don’t recommend leaving valuables in your car anywhere you park.

For comfort, pack a small waist pack to keep cash, cards, and keys on hand. If you don’t want your items visible, you can also opt to get a small neck wallet, and tuck it away under your jacket or in your shirt.

17. Cash & Debit/Credit Card

Most places along the Pacific Coast take credit cards. However, in smaller towns on Highway 1, you may encounter cash-only transactions!

Pack both cash and cards in your wallet to prepare for any situation. ATMs are common in bigger cities like Portland and San Francisco. Even places like Canon Beach, Crescent City, or Eureka, CA.

18. Travel Insurance

As stated above, Oregon Coast towns, and places along the PNW are generally safe places to travel. However, in today’s world, travel circumstances change so quickly! If you are concerned about your trip being interrupted, it’s a safe bet to purchase travel insurance. Our personal preference is from VisitorsCoverage. They have tons of options to choose from!

Travel insurance can cover things like a health emergency, travel changes, and even more specifics if you want.

19. Hands-Free Phone Mount For Your Car

Keep distractions at bay with a hands-free car phone mount! We own this one by Belkin, and love that it’s compatible with Magsafe iPhones.

Not an iPhone user? We also really loved this phone mount that can fit on any car vent. It’s super versatile! Now, you can listen to your Pacific Northwest podcasts without any hassle!

20. Camera

Some of the best West Coast photography locations are location on the Pacific Coast Highway!

Don’t forget to capture those moments and bring a camera. It doesn’t have to be fancy either – smartphones nowadays take high quality images that rivals its DSLR counterparts! If you’re coming with just your phone camera, here’s how to take amazing landscape photographs with your smartphone.

Want To See Our Setup? Read Our Complete Travel Photography Gear List

21. Drop-Proof Phone Case

If you are planning to spend an extended amount of time around cliffs, rocks, or sandy trails, it’s essential to keep your gear protected!

We can’t even count how many times our phone has dropped out of our pocket in the dirt or sand. We really love the Scooch case and screen protector combo. It’s been our favorite for years.

22. Power Bank

Have you ever been stuck in an unfamiliar place with a dead phone? Trust us, it’s not fun! Especially in remote places along the Pacific Coast Highway where cell service is few and far between.

Pack a pocket-sized power bank and an extra phone charging cable. This way, you have power on hand when you need it.

23. Extra Cords or Chargers

Because Berty and I travel a lot, we’ve learned that outlets in hotels or Airbnbs are not always where you expect them to be! (Cue halfway across the room from your bed!)

This is why we bought 6ft phone charging cords on Amazon. When the only outlet is clear across the room, it’s a lifesaver!

24. Backseat Organizer

If you have passengers of any kind, consider getting a backseat organizer! You can find them fairly cheap, and they includes tons of pockets for all your road trip essentials.

Books, water bottles, tissues, an iPad – everything will have it’s place and keep your car mess-free.

25. Paper Map

One of the most essential items you need to guide you to points of interest is a map! Maps come in handy when you need to navigate, but find ourself without cell service.

Get one that’s up to date with the latest new roads and attractions. (2021 or newer.)

• Want to go digital instead? Download Google offline maps, and discover even more road trip planning apps here!

26. Cute Road Trip Book

A cute road trip book can hardly count as road trip essentials, but it sure makes for fun in the car! We LOVE Pacific Coasting by Danielle Kroll – it’s beautifully illustrated and provides tons of attractions to look for on your journey!

28. Empty Tote Bag

Tote Bags ALWAYS come in handy with Berty and I on road trips. From packing away muddy shoes to a quick grocery trip, there are endless uses for them.

We know everyone got at least 10 in their house somewhere, so throw a few empty ones on yur Pacific Coast Highway packing list and you’re good to go!

29. Day Pack

Pack up all your hiking gear and snacks in a daypack. We like to choose one with comfortable shoulder straps and made of a water-resistant material.

Berty and I recommend the Flash packs from REI. They come in tons of sizes and colors, and pack down SMALL.

Mosquitoes are a nuisance in the summertime! This is especially true on nearby lakes, as still water is a breeding ground for these pesky insects.

Pack some bug spray for use in the mornings and evening (which is peak time for mosquitos).