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Cruisin’ The Northern California Coastline Road Trip – Part I

I'm a long-time Californian, so come cruise with me through an ideal California Coastal Road Trip and then use our Road Trip Planner to customize your own California Cruisin’ Dream Trip. 

With California running the length of nearly 800 miles, it’s actually the equivalent of driving through nine eastern states.  Yet, you’ll be amazed at the different ambiances you’ll find in the many cities dotting this expansive coastline.  In fact, we’re only going to cover the Northern half of California this week because there’s so many things to discover here, you could easily make this half a 2-Week Road Trip in itself!

Life in Northern California, in cities like Eureka, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, is laid-back, even bucolic, but oh, you’ll see some of the prettiest coastlines imaginable along this stretch of highway.  Get your camera ready to catch the rock formations jutting dramatically out of the deep ocean blue, or capture the fog rolling through tree skeletons stretching out to greet the horizon, and yes, even the occasional cow meandering across the road as you round the next bend.

Of course, just because you’re hugging the coastline doesn’t mean you’ll be relegated to endless beach views (though that’s an excellent way to cruise!).  Include in your Road Trip Planner a hike through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Eureka, California's largest redwood state park with more than 52,000 acres of old growth coast redwoods.  Stop for the Mendocino Music Festival in Mendocino & sip wine while enveloped in a blanket of music.  Take your shoes off at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg & marvel at the colors of the pebbles,  all rounded smooth through years of wave action.  In fact, Glass Beach is purported to hold the highest concentration of sea glass in the world. 

A relatively unknown attraction to add to your Road Trip Plan is to stop in at the Sea Ranch Chapel, one of my favorite examples of “free-hewn” architecture I’ve ever seen.  Traveling south toward the Bay Area, I’d recommend a stop at Tiburon for lunch & take the Ferry to Angel Island for the day.  Beautiful Bay views and a fun ferry ride to the West’s Ellis Island.  From the island, you’ll see spectacular views of the San Francisco Skyline.

Another quirky town to hit before “crossing over” is Sausalito.  A water-front community, it’s filled with houseboats on one side and quaint shopping areas on the other.  Finding a water view to accompany your dining should be a relatively easy task.

As you cross over the marvel of the Golden Gate Bridge, know that local lore has it that once painters finish painting the bridge, it’s so expansive that they have to start repainting from the other end again!   Once in San Francisco, must-sees are the Golden Gate Park and Fisherman’s Wharf.  Go ahead, grab a loaf of San Franciscan French Bread and a freshly cleaned/boiled crab, dangle your feet from the pier & simply savor the flavor of “a day in the life” of a San Franciscan (at least on weekends :>).

Keep heading south from there toward Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and Monterey; each city has a distinct pace, yet the easy going atmosphere perseveres.  Personal favorites in Half Moon Bay is the Moss Beach Distillery, boasting a spectacular ocean view from the dining room and... a firmly entrenched ghost!  In Santa Cruz, there’s the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, containing a wooden roller coaster, honored as a national historic landmark in 1987, and still providing thrills after 84 years!  A summer plus here are the free beach concerts held every Friday night.

The Monterey–Carmel-Big Sur area is my favorite recommendation to add to your Road Trip Planner  because of all this area offers:  Old Fisherman's Pier, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel Beach, the world-renown Pebble Beach, Point Lobos, and a breathtaking meeting of land and water as you travel to the stunning  Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur.

Next time, we’ll continue even further south, all the way to the Mexico border.  I suggest you start filling your Road Trip with the Northern California things to do now (with help from our Road Trip Planner) because soon we’ll be cruisin’ through some of the most famous spots in Southern California.

Ingrid McCleary

Southern California Summer Road Trip

Whenever you get  the chance to explore the stunning beauty of Southern California by taking a summer road trip. Visit three of the state's most well-known cities – San Diego, San Clemente and Santa Barbara.

Start your road trip this summer in sunny San Diego. The city is known for all its family-oriented attractions such as SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo.  However, If you are traveling with your better half or with your friends you can still find yourselves with lots of things to do in San Diego to discover.  The Gaslamp Quarter is an eclectic part of Downtown San Diego that you will most definitely find interesting. Within the Gaslamp Quarter are sixteen blocks of novelty shops, historical sights, hip and trendy restaurants and bars, Victorian and Queen Anne houses, and numerous hotels. You can check in at the Horton Grand Hotel, right in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, to free yourself of your luggage and start your San Diego adventure. You can join the guided Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour to get to know the area. Stop by at The Field for lunch for some authentic Irish cuisine after the tour. Continue walking around Downtown San Diego on your own and you will realize that each street has a unique character that will intrigue visitors and entice them to stop for a closer look. Visit San Diego's Little Italy for a little Italian experience in California. Head to Anthology for dinner with a live jazz band for your background music. Chances are, you might even catch live performances of jazz legends such as Mose Allison during your visit.

Drive a little more than an hour from San Diego to San Clemente to continue your summer road trip. San Clemente beaches are among the most beautiful beaches in Orange County and have increasingly become some of the hottest vacation destinations in Southern California during the summer. The San Clemente Pier is just within walking distance from the metered parking along Parque Del Mar. You will find mostly surfers in the north side of the pier, while swimmers and body boarders enjoy themselves in the south side. Whether you choose to get stoked or simply bask under the sun, you are sure to enjoy the summer in the city. There has been a boom in restaurants and shops in Downtown San Clemente. Cafe Calypso, according to residents and a great number of visitors, serves the best breakfast meals, and if you are looking for a filling lunch or dinner, the Beach Fire Bar and Grill is highly recommended. Accommodations are aplenty in San Clemente. There is one that will surely suit your taste and budget such as the San Clemente Beach Travelodge.

Carry on with your road trip the following day with a more or less three-hour drive to Santa Barbara. The city is a haven for those who are looking for recreational activities. Head to the waterfront where the choices of transportation are beach bicycles, roller blades, roller skates, skateboards or your own ever-reliable pedals. The beach offers all sorts of summer activities such as swimming, surfing, volleyball and soccer. Dining options are spread all over Santa Barbara. Try some exquisite German cuisine at the Dutch Garden Restaurant while listening to the music of the restaurant's umpah band.

Whether you are a Southern California regular or visiting for the first time, you are sure going to enjoy exploring the region. With cities like San Diego, San Clemente and Santa Barbara, you are most likely to take summer road trips to Southern California year after year!

California Summer Road Trip

Summer road trips are very popular, and fun.  The nice sunny weather just entices everyone to go out and make the most of the sunshine the season has to offer.  California is among the best destinations for a road trip during the summer. The state is home to millions of people of different backgrounds, molding California into a truly unique place rich with incredible must-see attractions and interesting activities for those who want to discover the state's cultural diversity.

Kick off your California summer road trip in San Francisco. Drive across town through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area where you can find the Coastal Trail that will lead you to the Land's End and enjoy the breathtaking views.  Following the trail will lead you to the Palace of the Legion of Honor that houses the masterpieces of Rembrandt, El Greco and Rubens. Outside the so-called palace, you will find an interesting landmark of Rodin's The Thinker. Head off the world-famous Fisherman's Wharf to relax and breathe in the San Francisco air. While you are there, you can try out one of the many restaurants for lunch. Alioto's seafoods, Sicilian specialties and homemade pastas are highly recommended. Take a stroll around the Wharf and you will find interesting things to see and do that are worth stopping for such as the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Catch the city's eventful sunset before your oysters and Chardonnay dinner at the Hog Island Oyster Company, and tucking yourself in at the Argonaut Hotel.

No road trip through California is ever complete without a stop at the world-famous Napa Valley. Start early to continue your summer vacation and drive approximately forty six miles to the hundreds of wineries within the thirty five-mile range of the valley. Get acquainted with the food and wine culture at the Copia Center which offers wine processing demonstrations and wine tasting. Leave some room to have a taste of the meals served at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and Pere Jeanty. As you drive along the Silverado Trail, you will be tempted to stop at the Darioush winery for another round of wine tasting before retiring for the night at Napa Valley's Milliken Creek Inn and Spa.

From the luxurious Napa Valley, continue your summer road trip to the rustic and low-profile Gold Country, right in the foothills of Sierra Nevada, known for its gold mines that attracted the 1849 immigrants known as the 49ers. To explore Gold Country, it is best to follow the hilly State 49 that will link you to different towns like Amador City, Sutter Creek and Placerville, which are places you would want to check out. Take your last stop at Coloma and visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and James Marshall's, the carpenter who first discovered gold in the area, cabin. The Gold Country Inn is a nice comfortable place for lodging surrounded with nature and offers outdoor activities like rafting and hiking.

Make your way to the Sierra Nevada through the US 50. The views of the seemingly endless ranges of mountains at 7,382-foot elevation alone is already a trip. Then, you will spot a jewel dazzling in crystal blue, the Lake Tahoe, boasting its 72-mile shoreline. The Tahoe Basin offers all sorts of activities you would want to do during the summer, such as swimming, fishing, waterskiing, sailing, hiking and more, making Sierra Nevada the perfect last leg for this California summer road trip.

Road Trip To San Diego, California

Relax and unwind. Here is one vacation you should build in your road trip planner: San Diego, California! Grab your friends, pack your flip flops and swimsuits, and get ready to experience all the fun things to do in San Diego.

San Diego is one of California's most popular vacation destinations, and it is no wonder why. The year-round  fair weather and the fabulous coastline with about seventy miles of beach front are already inviting enough. Add the extraordinary list of San Diego things to do, and you are sure to be planning a road trip to one of the California's biggest cities in no time.

If you are coming from Arizona, the best thing to do is to take AZ-85 and then I-8 West. The drive takes about seven hours, but the road trip is well-worth it. Your San Diego adventure begins as soon as you step foot in the city. Going around San Diego is very convenient as the most popular attractions are located close to each other (and the ocean) and various pay parking areas.

Drive to Old Town for your first stop in this road trip. Old Town is called the birthplace of California due to its significant role in the state's past. You will find history coming to life all over the place. Old Town does not only cater to the interest of history enthusiasts. The place also houses a number of restaurants and retail stores as well as performances by dancers, artisans, mariachis and other theatrical acts. Experience some more of San Diego's history as you see the beauty of nineteenth century avant-garde Victorian architecture along the Gaslamp Quarter, which covers sixteen blocks of Downtown San Diego. You will also find novelty shops as well as restaurants and bars that stay open until very late. From the antique ambiance of the Gaslamp Quarter, head next to the contrasting Horton Plaza where you would definitely be impressed by its modern architecture. You will also find yourself surrounded with hundreds of upscale retail stores in Horton Plaza as well as trendy restaurants. Retire for the night at The Westin Horton Plaza San Diego.

A visit to San Diego Zoo is among the top things to do included in every road trip planner's San Diego itinerary. The zoo is a major hit not only to kids, but also to those who are fascinated with wildlife (or simply remain kids at heart). You will find yourself with your hands full at the zoo. You do not only get to see both endangered and backyard animals, you also get to join various events such as Snow Day for Pandas (April 27), and participate in animal causes like Bear Awareness Days (May 8-11).

No road trip to San Diego is ever complete without having to experience at least one of the city's beautiful beaches. Aside from the regular swimming and basking under the sun, there are a lot of other activities you can do in the beach. You can also surf, kayak and sail. Or you can challenge San Diego locals or other visitors for a friendly game of volleyball, basketball, soccer or tennis.

Fun and sun – two things that America's Finest City guarantees. Check out all the Things To Do in San Diego to get more ideas to include in your road trip planner.

California Central Coast Family Road Trip

Now is a great time to plan a getaway with your family to the golden state of California! There are so many things to see, it will probably take you weeks to visit them all.  To make your family trip planning easier, here are some suggested destinations and attractions you might want to consider for your Californian family road trip.

Begin your California adventure at Big Sur.  This is a region in the central California coast where the mountains of Santa Lucia stand from the Pacific Ocean. Big Sur is where you'll find the Cone Peak, the highest coastal mountain in the lower states.  It stands a little over 5,000 feet above sea level. You will also find one of the world's highest single-span concrete arch bridges, the Bixby Bridge which runs 13 miles.

Moving along to the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, you'll find a small town blessed with rich history in arts, Carmel-by-the-Sea or simply Carmel.  The town is the hometown of a lot of artists, poets, writers and actors.  Early city offices were even dominated by these artists. Actors such as Herbert Heron and Clint Eastwood also served in this city. There are a lot of art galleries (African Odyssey, Center for Photographic Art), historic sites (First Murphy House), orchestras (Monterey Symphony), theaters/auditoriums (Golden Bough Theater, Carl Cherry Center for Arts), and more that await the culture enthusiasts.

While you're in Monterey County, take the time to visit the city of Monterey.  Known for the rich history of their resident artists, they are also known for their much famed fishery and, of course, their cheese: Monterey Jack! You'll also find quite a number of undergraduate and graduate schools in Monterey - Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Defense Language Institute and the California State University Monterey Bay. There are also attractions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey American Viticultural Area, Fisherman's Wharf, and Marine Mammal Center in the area.

Wrap up your California road trip as you move forward to Santa Cruz.  The town is best known for its Coastal Redwoods and beaches.  Remember to bring bathing suits on this trip as the idyllic beaches of Santa Cruz will surely tempt you to dive in!  It is also proud to have prestigious colleges and universities such as the University of California Santa Cruz and the Cabrillo College.

All throughout this trip, there are a significant number of hotels, cabins and inns to take care of your accommodation needs. From the humble Big Sur Campgrounds and Cabins to the elegant Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa overlooking the Monterey Bay to the very cozy Hinds Victorian Guest House in Santa Cruz, you're sure to find something comfortable for your family and your budget. This California road trip is a must-do!