No journey to the west coast is full with out an epic highway journey journey alongside California’s stunning coast.
Assuming you’re on this for the journey (you’re taking a California coast highway journey in any case), you need to plan on spending at the least every week exploring to see what the completely different locations California’s Northern, Central and Southern areas have to supply and get the total expertise.
Prepare for an exhilarating, cliff hugging, home windows down, music loud California highway journey!
See additionally: Fascinating Info About California
Mostly requested questions on California coast highway journeys
Is it higher to drive up or down the California coast?
Personally, we expect it’s greatest to start out North and head South. This weblog is organized so as of cities you’ll hit driving on Route 1.
What number of miles is California’s coast?
California’s coast spans over 800 miles!
How lengthy does it take to drive California’s coast?
With out stopping, it’ll take you between 10 – 12 hours to drive your complete California coast from begin to end. Nonetheless, this highway journey is about making these wonderful stops! So, plan accordingly.
Northern California coast highway journey itinerary
Your California journey begins on Pacific Coast Freeway, higher generally known as “PCH”.
The ocean views from above are so beautiful that you just’ll have to drag over to take all of it in. You don’t wish to drive off the cliff. 😉
Alongside the highway, driving on the California Hwy 1, you’ll additionally encounter the gorgeous Navarro River Redwoods State Park which has a singular, prehistoric really feel, nearly like a scene from Jurassic Park, with ferns peaking by means of the thick, stalky Redwoods.
See additionally: Greatest Seashores in Northern California
Humboldt County: “The Redwood Forest”
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The Redwood Forest is each bit as epic because the pictures you see in magazines and Instagram, solely 10x higher. It’s a must to see it in particular person. You’ll see the Redwoods just about till you attain San Francisco. Have your digital camera prepared!
Avenue of the Giants
That is the place among the greatest and tallest Redwood bushes on the earth are.
From Avenue of the Giants, you’ll drive on California Hwy 1 which finally turns into PCH. These are among the most unimaginable views you’ll see in your California coast highway journey.
You’ll additionally wish to cease in these cities for the total expertise:
Meyers Flat
Cooler in principle than in actual life. Max dimension is 7’ x 7’. I watched as a Tesla barely made it by means of. However, my SUV didn’t stand an opportunity.
When you actually wish to drive by means of a tree, you’ll be able to attempt the “Chandelier Tree” in Leggett whose opening has match SUVs.
That is an lovely treasure. It felt so lifelike, at any given second, I used to be anticipating to see an elf come out of the door.
Dyerville
Enter to the left of Dyerville Overlook for secluded views of the water. It’s a pleasant place to park your automotive and accumulate your ideas or have a snack.
Eureka
Take a look at the Victorian type structure on this 19th c. seaport city.
- Carson mansion
- Discover Previous City Eureka & waterfront
- Drive throughout bridge to Woody Island
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Ferndale
On this unassuming little city identified for its backdrop in some huge Hollywood motion pictures, you’ll get to take pleasure in some odd curiosities like a store housed inside a former financial institution and California’s oldest pharmacy.
- Rings Pharmacy (Rexall Medication)
California’s oldest, constantly working drug retailer
- Humboldt’s Hometown Retailer
You possibly can even step contained in the financial institution’s vault which is fairly superior. Then, stroll by means of the room that’s devoted to Meals Community Star, Man Fieri, who was born proper on the town.
Fantastically stored fairytale-like backyard with a life-sized doll home and a hidden backyard walkway manufactured from crops.
Fort Bragg
Mendocino
You don’t wish to miss this stunning seaside city overlooking Goat Island and Cypress. It provides the vibes of a Mediterranean coastal city.
- Mendocino Headlands State Park
Standing on the bluffs looking to sea is probably the most calming feeling because the waves are crashing and wind blows throughout you.
The place to eat
Insider Tip: On the drive down, you’ll inevitably be passing well-known websites like Massive Sur’s Bixby Bridge. It’s all a part of the California coastal highway journey! Pull over to the aspect to snap some epic pictures. However, no matter you do, don't cease in the course of the highway. Sure, I've seen this completed. It’s a security hazard to your self but in addition, everybody round you.
Wine Nation
When you take pleasure in wine, take a tour by means of wine nation and check out completely different Californian wines. You’ll discover a variety of enjoyable, interactive experiences at completely different vineyards and wineries alongside the best way.
We’re going somewhat inland right here, going from Route 1 to the 128, however with many wine producers positioned only a brief drive off the coast, you’ll be able to hop from vineyard to vineyard and see what completely different wine rising areas have to supply.
Napa County
Calistoga
When you haven’t seen the film “Bottle Shock”, you’ll wish to earlier than heading to wine nation. That is the place California wine turned heads worldwide and began being taken significantly.
Good Learn: Learn the e-book the movie was (loosely) based mostly on explaining the massive California win that modified wine ceaselessly: Judgment of Paris: California Vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine.
Napa
Napa is probably the most well-known of the wine areas. Put together for a Disneyland chaos type of vibe. Not less than that’s what it felt like at Domaine Carneros. There are additionally different spots value trying out.
Listed here are a number of nice Napa experiences to check out:
Discover the gorgeous grounds which features a backyard whose contemporary produce is utilized in most of the dishes served on property. You may also dine right here, take pleasure in a self-wine tasting expertise and discover their museums and study extra about wine and cooking inside.
A couple of extra locations to take a look at in Napa:
- Napa Mill
- Outlets, eating places. Cease into Classic Candy Shoppe for some wine and decadent truffles.
- Napa Welcome Signal
The place to eat
CIA at Copia has some wonderful eating places.
Brunch: The Grove
Dinner: Le Petit Chef 3D Expertise
A whirlwind of an expertise! Undoubtedly to not be missed. It is a really magical night. It’ll actually transport you to a distinct world.
St. Helena
Sonoma County
Napa is known for its wine but in addition a bit crowded and overdone should you ask me. Strive among the lesser identified areas right here in Sonoma, the actual deal.
Be a part of a guided vineyard tour with picnic lunch within the space!
Healdsburg
- Alexander Valley Winery
Santa Rosa
If using by means of a winery on a bar bike whereas sampling grapes off the vine and sipping on completely different varietals seems like a enjoyable California afternoon to you, you’ll love St. Francis whose historical past is simply as attention-grabbing as its fortunate escape from the California fireplace that attempted to take them down.
San Francisco & Sausalito
Take Freeway 101 North throughout the Golden Gate Bridge until you’ve entered San Francisco, the land that wants no introduction.
We’re all conscious of the issues that made SF famously all the way down to earth and funky. However, if you would like one thing somewhat extra particular, be unique and spend a while in Sausalito, SF’s lovely little sister. She’s simply as nice and…you received’t need to battle vacationers for a superb photograph.
For the adventurers, begin in SF & trip throughout the bridge all the best way to Sausalito. Take the ferry or bike again. I’ll warn you, it’s a little bit of a distance. I used to be exhausted after going 1 means.
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Central California
Now you’ll get again on Route 1 and proceed down the coast getting into the middle of California which is an ideal mix of the Northern and Southern areas its sandwiched between. You’ll get somewhat little bit of every part… nature, journey, ocean, metropolis, culinary delights and extra.
Santa Cruz
- Amusement Park
- Pizza & drink sail to see the seals, Chardonnay Charters is a superb firm
- Stroll the pier and watch seals
Monterey & Pacific Grove
The place to eat
Not solely does this restaurant have unimaginable views, it has scrumptious seafood! Seize a desk outdoors and take all of it in. You possibly can even watch kayakers, birds and seals from above.
Carmel by the Sea
It is a little storybook coastal village if I ever noticed one! Right here, you’ll benefit from the one in all a sort really feel that’s uniquely Carmel. Discover quaint outlets and fairytale-like houses then, hit the seashore and go for some lunch at one of many city’s bistros with outdated world attraction.
- Carmel Seaside
- Get your golf on at one in all Carmel’s many state-of-the-art golf programs
- Do the 17 mi. drive, cease at Pebble Seaside
- See the storybook homes which have completely different names as a substitute of numbers
Cambria
- Stroll the boardwalk of Moonstone Seaside and dip your ft within the ocean
- Principal Avenue outlets, eating places & historical past
- Hearst Fort
For one more enjoyable cease additional inland, go to an enthralling village named Solvang, higher generally known as the Danish capital of America and the city the place the wino film Sideways was filmed.
Southern California
Then, you’ll get onto Freeway 101! That is whenever you’ll actually begin to really feel these surfer, seashore vibes which might be quintessential to SoCal.
Right here, you’ll discover beautiful artist colonies, surf spots and seashores made well-known on TV collection like The OC, Laguna Seaside, The Hills and each Seaside Boys track.
See additionally: Greatest Mountain climbing Trails in Southern California
Santa Barbara
Right here, we enter the Northernmost level of SoCal.
- Take a browsing lesson
- Go to Previous Mission Santa Barbara inbuilt 1786
- Stroll down one of many longest deep-water piers between LA & SF – Stearns Wharf
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- In-N-Out of Course! It’s a Californian staple.
Huntington Seaside
Welcome to “Surf Metropolis, USA”!
- Hire a surrey bike at Zack’s Rental. It’s a variety of enjoyable to trip previous the seashore! Simply be careful for the pedestrians.
- Go to the surf outlets for some nice beachwear
- Stroll the Boardwalk
The place to eat
Laguna Seaside
Whereas Laguna Seaside is in fact identified for its seashore, I encourage you to skip it (not the prettiest, I do know, I grew up right here) and as a substitute, try these different spots…
- Stroll to Hesler Park gazebo, look out to the ocean, see an artist portray the scene
See Paegaent of the Masters which is a superb present! Stroll round and see completely different artwork galleries. You possibly can even paint a vase and take it dwelling with you.
- See St. Francis by the Sea- Guiness E-book of World File’s smallest cathedral on the earth
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Sit outdoors for beautiful ocean views. The seafood was contemporary and attractive.
La Jolla
Discuss a enjoyable spot! It is a traditional Cali beachtown with a mixture of upscale and lowkey outlets and eating places with the seashore as the middle focus. You’ll know you’re in the fitting place whenever you hear the seals!
- Stroll Avendida de la Playa
- Seaside sundown
- Go kayaking at La Jolly Cove
- Birch Aquarium
The place to eat
Malibu
In order for you a style of glamour and beautiful seashores, head to Malibu.
- Stroll Malibu Pier, numerous outlets & eating places
- Level Dume
- Matador Seaside
- Surf at Zuma Seaside
The place to eat
Don’t go away with out trying out this wonderful restaurant! Reservations are extremely really helpful. I watched the large waves do their very own little present and obtained sprayed with sea mist whereas sipping cocktails earlier than diving into a tremendous 8 course seafood & sushi meal.
San Diego
It is a stunning location away from the remainder of town.
- Stroll round (or keep at) Historic Resort de Coronado
- Have a drink and take heed to reside music on the seashore
- Sea World
- Balboa Park
- Level Loma
- Previous City San Diego
Some nice spots to hit are Previous City San Diego Historic Park and Whaley Home.
- Woflie’s Carousel Bar
- Breakfast & Bubbles
- Rockin Baja Lobster
See additionally: Plan an Epic Baja California Trip
And there you might have it! The place to cease alongside a California coast highway journey! Hopefully you get some concepts on your upcoming highway journey!
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