The crash was reported around 2:45 a.m. at Ocean View Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least one of the cars involved in the crash caught fire.
CHP Sgt. Manuel Rodriguez said a white Mazda sedan was the reported wrong-way driver. The passenger of that vehicle suffered moderate injuries while the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the other vehicle, described as a young male, also died at the scene, officials said.
All lanes were reopened to traffic by 7 a.m.