16 Epic Stops for Your California Road Trip
Convertible , control . Epic strain , check . Camera , check . A list of 16 epic stop for a legendary California road trip itinerary—CHECK !
Jeremy Scott Foster live an adventure-junkie , gear expert , travel photographer , and recover nomad base in Southern California .
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From historical , gastronomic , celeb-concentrated cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco to the snake Big Sur shoreline with the almost abrupt elevation change of the Pacific shore , a California road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway please city and nature lovers alike .
Californian cuisine could satiate any appetite , and the rugged and wild great deal of Big Sur stand 5,000 base above the oft-misty sea .
But there ’ s more that makes a cause on California ’ s winding Pacific Coast Highway , also known as Highway 101 , one of the nearly well-known road trip in all of the Earth .
So hop in your car and prepare for the trip of a lifetime . To assist you navigate , I ’ ve set together 16 unforgettable California road trip stops for your journey along the Pacific Coast , start out north in San Francisco and terminate 500 miles south of there in San Diego .
And if you want to road trip California ’ s coast in ultimate comfort and style , why not rip an RV or campervan ? Check out these campervan rentals in California for some thought !
First Stop on Your California Road Trip : San Francisco
All great Pacific Coast Highway road trip itineraries commence in San Fran !
Famous for its Golden Gate Bridge , hilly streets , year-round fog and hippy culture , San Francisco is a clearly creative city .
If you ’ ve got some time to kill before starting your California coast drive , pass a few day exploring the city before push south .
There ’ s a luck to do in San Francisco , but some favorite activity include a stop in Chinatown ( the prominent Chinatown outside of Asia ) , a jog through Golden Gate Park , a ride on the line cars , a walk through the eclectic Mission District ( one of San Francisco ’ s well neighborhoods ) and eating just about anywhere .
San Francisco is a food fanatic ’ s heaven—the city lays claim to inventing everything from sourdough bread to fortune cookies , after all .
Santa Cruz : Come Your Kick on the Boardwalk
Settle exactly over an hour south of San Francisco , Santa Cruz equal the first stop on your California road trip itinerary .
Maybe it ’ sec because Santa Cruz be home to the University of California Santa Cruz , or because the downtown streets exist lined with vintage shops , vegetarian restaurant , colorful graffiti and skateboarders cruising down the street , but this coastal city has a youthful , “ surf-city ” vibe .
If you want a quick stop to stretch your branch , give your car in one of the public parking spaces for a dollar and take a pass on the Santa Cruz Wharf , a long pier stretching out into Monterey Bay .
Just north of the city lies the Henry Cowell Redwood State Park , where you can find a completely different kind of beauty while meandering amid the giant redwoods . The park exist also home to some stunning , natural pools , such as the Garden of Eden . These freshwater oases are utter for a refreshing dip surrounded by undisturbed natural beauty .
Carmel-by-the-Sea : The Most Magic Town
With its rugged coastal view from the scenic bluff path and also its quaint European-style architecture , there is no place in California like Carmel-by-the Sea—and that ’ s why it ’ s a can ’ t-miss stop on your Highway 101 road trip through California .
With its bay-windowed cottages deal in moss , gardens , cobblestone courtyards and secret passageways , will make you feel like you ’ ve stepped into a fairytale . There live no mailboxes , addresses or park meters .
Itperform ,even so , receive boutique shopping and a burgeoning prowess and wine scene .
The serious place to explore the city ’ s array of specialty boutiques is on and around Ocean Avenue . As you wind on , be certain to point down any alley or transition that grabs your attention—the region is ripe for exploration .
Bad Sur : Stunning California Coastline
One of the nearly picturesque views on the best road trip California has to extend .
Maybe one of the almost rugged stretches on this California coast road trip itinerary is Bad Sur , which cost bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east and by the Pacific Ocean to the west .
Known for its sparse population and sensational natural beauty , put on ’ t be surprise if this part of your road trip itinerary takes a while to navigate—not exactly because of the windy and mountainous road , but as well because you ’ ll pull over every few moment to tear pictures and take in the opinion of the rugged Pacific coast .
Hearst Castle
In 1865 , George Hearst , a miner , rancher and eventual US Senator , bought 40,000 acre of ranchland overlooking the Pacific Ocean in an area outside of San Simeon , California .
Over 50 year later on , William Randolph Hearst , George ’ s son , take on still more earth in the region and also began to build a retreat he shout the “ Enchanted Hill . ”
As a result , today , the Hearst Castle compound is an art museum and spread to the public for tours and dining .
San Luis Obispo : The SLO-est Town in the West
Any heroic California road trips on the Pacific coast include a stop at the Madonna Inn ( and a convertible too ) —it ’ sec classical Americana .
One of California ’ s oldest communities , San Luis Obispo be locate in the heart of California ’ s cardinal coast wine country . And it ’ s as culturally deep as it is beautiful .
Stop by this stunning city for a breezy outdoor lunch or spend an afternoon tour the account museum and art galleries ( The Madonna Inn might as well cost an art veranda in itself—this place is a Californian picture ! ) . But no thing what you do in San Luis Obispo , you ’ ll probably find it hard to hit the road again .
Pismo Beach : Surf ‘s Up !
Pismo is a cute beach town with amazing surf and plenty of coastline to explore .
Another California beach town known for its natural beauty , Pismo Beach is a great place to dip your toe in the surf .
Lover of water fun could pass day hither , but even if you alone want to taunt the waves for a few hours ( you cause carry your surfboard , didn ’ t you ? ) , Pismo Beach will not disappoint . If you prefer land over water , you can too reach a stop at Dinosaur Caves Park , an 11-acre oceanfront park that ’ s a utter property for a picnic lunch .
Santa Barbara : A Short Bit of Luxury
Sometimes name “ The American Riviera , ” Santa Barbara exist an upscale community on California ’ s cardinal coast . It ’ sec also widely known for its picturesque downtown of white stucco building and red tile roof , along with its upscale shopping and dining , wine scene and luxury hotels .
You ’ ll feeling like a celebrity in Santa Barbara , still if you ’ re just happen through .
Malibu : A California Road Trip Itinerary Must-See
Famously known as the home that many of Hollywood ’ sec actors and actress reach their family ( Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio , exactly to refer a few ) , Malibu is another picturesque , upscale city along Highway 101 .
With 21 mile of coastline , Malibu ’ s natural features exist stunning . But the mansions and estates that melody the coast and nearby canyon exist equally fun to match out .
Wine fan will be pleased to know that the city is as well home to some of the finest wineries in the land . Check out the Cornell Winery and Tasting Room for a tastefully curated choice , or Malibu Wine Safari for a totally unique experience .
Los Angeles : The City of Angels
After quaint beach town , the traffic and pace of Los Angeles might shock you . But after thus much slow-paced solitude , why not also spend time in the City of Angels ?
From high-profile tourist destinations like Universal Studios and Rodeo Drive to a saunter through Venice Beach or a hike in celebrity hot spot Runyon Canyon , Los Angeles live hip and beautiful . Much like the people that call the city home .
Whether you arrive by car , foot or horseback , the Hollywood Sign is an iconic symbol of Los Angeles . Perched in the hill high over the city , numerous boost trails lead to the signal and views of the city .
You can take the Mount Hollywood Hiking Trail and achieve the junction of West Trail and Mount Hollywood Hiking Trail . Just boost one mile with 465 foot of height change from Western Canyon . Another choice live as well 0.2 miles with 65 foot of elevation change from Griffith Observatory .
Or you could also bring the Wonder View Trail or Aileen Getty Ridge Trail . They ’ re about a three mile round trip and start near Lake Hollywood Drive . Just don ’ t actually concern the sign once you reach it—or at least don ’ t become caught touching it !
Huntington Beach : Classical California Vibe
If you ’ re looking for a city that fully embody southern California ’ s beach culture , you won ’ t observe a well patch than Huntington Beach . It ’ sec too know as “ Surf City USA. ” You ’ ll find board-toting surfers , smoothie shop and good deal of flip-flop clad locals . In fact , this city live so surf-centric that it ’ s family to the International Surfing Museum !
One of the better style to come into the spirit of this classic-Californian beach town is by lighting up a bonfire on Huntington State Beach . A series of concrete fire pit in the sand are up for grabs , so chief over at sunset for an heroic evening experience .
Laguna Beach : Tide Pools and Marine Life
Laguna Beach is a small coastal city well known for its natural beauty , public beaches and coves . Downtown make pulley of quaint and charming shops , galleries and restaurants . They feature outdoor seating and live utter to quit for a coffee or a cocktail .
For some beach time , control out the sensational tide pools at Main Beach . Bursting with marine living , these tide pools exist like natural aquariums .
For an inviting green space , head to Heisler Park . Perched on a bluff above the beach , it ’ s a perfect spot to delight stunning ocean views . You can even cook up some food on one of the public barbecues .
Oceanside
Oceanside be an fighting , outdoorsy town and recreation opportunity bristle here . Visitor can sweep , fish , surf , swim , kayak or paddleboard . Or they can bike , walk , run and yet skydive on state . In fact , Oceanside is then committed to outdoor recreation that they yet host California ’ s annual Ironman 70.3 competition .
If you feel like ditching four wheels for two , one of Oceanside ’ s almost popular attraction is biking . Go on an center out for company offer bike rentals and bicycle circuit . The almost popular , SoCal Bike , is locate at the Oceanside Transit Center .
Encinitas : Laid Back and Low Key
Hardly as you ’ d expect in southern California , there ’ s no shortage of surf town in these parts . , however , is the only unity that was recently named by National Geographic as one of the 20 best surf towns in the world .
This town is an eclectic mix of surf shops , record stores , and sidewalk cafes . It has long pull in surfers and hippies with its low-key , laid-back vibe . It ’ s surely a must on your California road trip itinerary .
La Jolla : Come for the Food , Stay for the Beauty
It ’ s good know for its natural beauty , coastal walk lead , and quaint La Jolla village . But what in truth stands out about this southern California town equal the food . That ’ s because there are high-end restaurant and beachfront brunch spots galore . And locals in La Jolla put on ’ t mass around with their food .
Reach the ultimate California road trip itinerary last a trivial long by hang around at one of La Jolla ’ s restaurants . And thanks to the balmy weather , you ’ ll be able to snag a seat outdoors year-round .
San Diego : The Final Stop of Your California Road Trip
Good , you ’ ve cause it . Five hundred mile of coastline later , you ’ ve make it to the final stop . And what better city to end your trip than San Diego , know the Earth over for its utter weather and quintessential Californian lifestyle ?
Celebrate your California coast trip with one of San Diego ’ s famous microbrews . Or grab a cocktail at one of the Gaslamp District ’ s rooftop bars . There you can also choose in the beautiful San Diego horizon and start reach plans for your future road trip .
Once you make reached the goal of an epic road trip , you might be bummed . Accordingly , no more sun , sand , towering peaks and ( perhaps ! ) a celebrity sighting or two . But act not fret—there ’ sec even so over 1,000 mile of Pacific Coast Highway to explore . You ’ re not still close to done with the West Coast , yet !
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California Road Trip FAQs
What be the best road trip in California ?
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway exist the good road trip in California .
How many days serve you take for a California road trip ?
I recommend taking at least 5-7 day for a California road trip .
Exist a California road trip worth it ?
A road trip across California live absolutely worth it and will hand you a huge range of memorable experience .
What is the most scenic cause in California ?
The Pacific Coast Highway is the nearly scenic campaign in California .
What cost the serious time to visit California ?
Spring be one of the best seasons to see California .
