The largest city, eureka, is roughly a 5hour drive north of san franciscobut what a drive. Are you ready to go on the best northern california road trip. Every town along the north coast celebrates its annual seagoing visitorsfrom december through may, about 20,000 gray whales travel along the coast on their annual migration. North coast road trip from san francisco and back thru napa watch this topic. As you make your way past beach towns and shifting sand dunes, youll find constant stops are necessary to photograph the stunning terrain. The greatest value of a road trip is lost on pragmatists but treasured by romantics. This iconic road continues along most of the california coast and can be enjoyed at any pacewhether its over the course of 1 day or 2 weeks. The north coast travel guide expert picks for your vacation. Eureka california north coast road trip things to do. Perfect 3 day northern california coast road trip via. California road trip stops on the pacific coast highway are some of the most breathtaking and beautiful areas of the whole trip. The american road trip planner american road trip routes.
Pacific northwest road trips lead to ideal destinations for hikers, climbers, nature lovers and wine enthusiasts alike. North coast 500 the ultimate road trip around the north. Strap in and get ready for an exhilarating driving experience. In it, was this exact wild north coast itinerary that spans up the coast of northern california. The feather river highway, one of californias great road trips, has a. Off stagecoach road, forested trails lace across the elk head bluffs, dropping down to secluded college cove beach. Northern california and southern oregon coast road trip.
This was an epic historic trip from back in 2012, before we had become rvers. Start in san francisco, with san diego as your final destination. The ultimate california road trip itinerary the planet d. Check out more than 50 amazing road trip itineraries on our california road trip republic hub, filled with inspiration and ideas for your next adventure. Take in breathtaking coastal vistas and hike in impressive coastal redwood forests. From there, we traveled through more coastal towns including fort bragg home to the famous glass beach, snaked through avenue of the giants, a majestic 30. Inside lonely planet pacific coast highways road trips. Gabes guide to budget travel is a travel guidebook thats packed with.
Road trip republic visit california visit california. Because of the spread of covid19, travel plans are on hold right now but we hope to still offer you inspiration and planning tips for the future. Download your map of top destinations in big sur here. There are aquariums, a castle, and, of course, jawdropping scenery on this route. Planning a road trip in a state that is nearly 800 miles from north to south is no small task. Apr 07, 2020 a california road trip will take you along incredible coastal highways, through, deserts, and sand dunes, and around lake and mountains. Now, being parents, we get to share these awesome adventures with our kids. Planning a california coast road trip hoping to take a drive down the pch youre in the right place. Steps off of santa cruz street in santa barbara, california, usa, north america. Print the itinerary or map your adventure to get started. We got married in december and did this portion of the trip between christmas and new years eve we live in the bay area so we started the trip in northern california. For the ambitious road tripper, the town of eureka awaits on california s north coast. Aug 15, 2019 california is made for road trips a quilt of coastline, sierra, desert and valley stitched together with asphalt. Ive been taking summer road trips to the coastal redwood forests since i was a kid, and i havent even begun to experience everything this land of superlatives has to offer.
Plus it has tips on getting around, where to stay, when to go and a detailed map of the road trip route. Travelers flock from around the globe to rent a car and set out along the sinuous highway that works its way along the coasts of california, oregon, and washington. Endless sunshine, worldclass theme parks, incredible outdoor experiencesdiscover why california is the ultimate road trip destination. California north coast road trip march 2019 humboldt redwoods state park, trinidad, redwoods state and national park, crescent city. Jun 01, 2015 featuring four amazing road trips, plus uptodate advice on the destinations youll visit along the way, explore americas creative coast s breezy, wildliferich highways with your trusted travel companion. I prefer to get wherever i want to go as quick as possible, and being a city girl has made me hate driving. Of course, this region is also the gateway to breathtaking redwood national and state parks, where the tallest trees in the world grow in primeval wilderness. California road trip the pacific coast highway youtube.
Of course, this region is also the gateway to breathtaking redwood national and state. My name is josh, and i am honored that you would take the time to explore california with me, my wife and my bulldog. Then explore the seemingly untouched beauty of the north coast from the craggy coastline at point arenastornetta public lands to the rugged terrain at mendocino headlands state park and the quaint, victorianstyle. In this post ill lay out the itinerary we took with side trip suggestions for you to customize your own trip. The fastest route is a teeming inland freeway, highway 101. Start in yosemite national park with north americas highest waterfall.
Download free california coast nature iphone wallpaper mobile. It is one of the most diverse road trips you can take in the united states. North coast road trip from san francisco and back thru. Experience national parks at their finest at olympic and crater lake. It may feel too early in the trip to stop and take a break, but its well worth the. Here are the stops i suggest for a pacific coast highway california road trip itinerary.
Road trip exploring the north coast of california on hwy 1. The trip begins in californias central valley, meanders through high elevation forests and snakes up the aweinspiring pacific coast. Jump in the car, turn up the tunes, and hit the road. So ive mentioned a few times that greyson and i went on an amazing road trip up the north coast of california. As it stands we would be driving the west coast south to north this is partly to avoid the potentially scary cliff side drive, but also because the trip just feels right to me this way in terms of the places i would want to besee at what stage of the trip. I dont think there is any state in the us that is better for driving than california.
The perfect northern california road trip itinerary follow me away. View topquality stock photos of road trip exploring the north coast of california on hwy 1 heading to mendocino and fort bragg from san francisco. Get information on the north coast hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Hwy 128 was a surprise for us we thought it would be scenic and we knew that there were some wineries along that route, but we didnt realize how pretty that road is wineries, small farms, redwood. This year, visit california published a magazine called 50 amazing california road trips. Following the wild waves of the northern california pacific coast from leggett to san franciscos golden gate bridge, travel through the jug handle state reserve h4 where you can walk through over 500,000 years of history, salt point state park h9 where sandstone has been naturally formed into nearly every geometric shape imaginable, and muir woods national monument h, described by. California road trip, north to south itinerary check. Sep 14, 2010 get stopbystop directions for a driving tour of californias pacific coast highway from national geographics ultimate road trips. Flexible itineraries including six days in central california, five days on the north coast, and multiple road trip itineraries that can be combined into an epic twoweek pacific coast road trip. Take the 60mile drive north from san francisco to bodega bay, for example. Nicknamed the nations mother road by novelist john steinbeck, this string of smalltown main streets and country byways first connected bigshouldered chicago with the waving palm trees of.
If youre planning your own california road trip, our hope is youll find some ideas for where to stop. Enjoy spectacular ocean views and whale watching along the pacific coast and visit more than 500 wineries in oregons willamette valley. Travelers flock from around the globe to rent a car and set out along the sinuous highway that works its way along the coasts of california, oregon, and. We live in san jose, so to get to the mendocino coast, we headed north through sf, then north on hwy 101 to cloverdale and took 128 to the coast. Plus it has tips on getting around, where to stay, when to go and a detailed map of the road trip. Eureka is about a fourhour road trip from san francisco. Lonely planet pacific coast highways road trips travel guide. A nature lovers ultimate northern california road trip guide live. The ultimate california coast road trip all the best stops. From americas pacific coast highway and nepals kathmandu loop, to europes majestic national parks and icelands 830mile ring road, discover the worlds most incredible drives and the best regions to explore by car.
Oct 06, 2016 california and road trips have been synonymous since the gold rush and the glory days of route 66. North americas five best road trips outside online. My reason for creating this site is to spotlight all of the fantastic adventures california has to offer and to encourage people visiting to make the most of their trip and those that live here to take more time to explore our amazing state. A road trip down the california coast on the pacific coast highway highway 1 is an unforgettable way to see so much of what the state has to offer. Its all quite rough and vague so far, but i just want to make sure im on the right lines. Explore opulent castles, sample a dram of whisky or take an exhilarating wildlife safari, enjoy a truly unique touring experience. This is a five day driving itinerary that allows you to fully explore the region. With its cliffhugging views of crashing waves and mindboggling opportunities to explore outdoors, a road trip down california s big sur coast highway and san luis obispo north coast byway to. Inland you can find giant redwoods trees at redwood national and state parks. We managed to hit a bunch of mustsee spots, both well known and off the beaten path. The pacific coast highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. The north coast travel guide expert picks for your.
Each morning we could choose to go north or south to check out all the. For a classic american road trip, nothing beats good ol route 66. The top 10 motorcycle road trips in the us going places. We spent most of the month of october on a road trip through california. The redwoods of northern california are less than a 5 hour drive from the bay area, making the foggy coast around humboldt county a quick scenic jaunt up the highway 1.
On your northern california coast road trip, youll feel closer to the laidback. Not to be rushed, this extraordinary route is winding, narrow and flanked by ocean and redwood. The classic road trip route, the famous highway 1 runs 550 miles along the stunning california coast. A northern california road trip is easy and awesome with a family.
The pacific coast highway, also known as the pch, is one of americas most scenic road trips, particularly the coasthugging stretch through california. These are some of the sights and treats along the way, listed from north to south. Eastern california is blessed with prolificand diversenational parklands. There are two directions to do a pacific coast road trip, driving south or driving north. If youre visiting from out of state and only plan on driving a portion of the coast, we suggest flying into sf and going from north to south to be closest to the coast. California travel guide expert picks for your vacation. A road trip guide to californias wild north coast bon. Im interested in taking a 45 day leisurely road trip starting in sf but i have no idea where i should stay, eat, see. Were yet to book our openjaw flights, but i just wanted to check our itinerary is sound before we do so.
Explore an iconic city, stroll along the foggy cliffs of the coast, or climb the peaks of the sierra nevada. Looking for a weekend escape into a lush, thick forests. Weve done two west coast road trips since having kids and they were each quite different. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road. Perhaps the most iconic of road trips, californias pacific coast highway takes you all along the states picturesque coastline. With crashing waves along the coast and soaring redwood trees blanketing miles of uncrowded parkland, this is one of california s most spectacular regions. If the ultimate california coast road trip is on your bucket list weve been everywhere and have some ideas for you. Nov 16, 2014 download free california coast nature iphone wallpaper. But the road worth traveling carves a leisurely path after you cross the golden gate bridge, on scenic, snaking highway 1. Wild north coast visit california visit california. Answer the call of the open road with moon northern california. California has some of the most iconic driving routes in the united states, including route 66, the pacific coast highway and highway 101.
Gas or charge up the car, download your tunes or podcasts, pack a few. Forget about fighting the crowds on highway 1, and make for roads less traveled that will ferry you from dramatic river canyons to hollywoodworthy pinnacles, deserted blacksand beaches to goat cheese fresh from the surprisingly friendly goat. Here are some travel tips on where to stay and what to see in on your vacation. Tips for driving the california coast the ultimate. Road trip california on the classic pacific coast route. Dec 10, 2019 the pacific coast highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world.
Jul 06, 2018 nothing quite compares to the classic american road trip, and cruising down the pacific coast highway is one of the most exhilarating of them all. A california road trip along the pacific coast route is an epic drive that rewards travelers with both rugged wilderness and lively cosmopolitan culture. Experience the trip of a lifetime on one of americas iconic road trips by space coast daily april 8, 2020 route 66 is the most famous stretch of road in the united states, and perhaps in the. By placing this order you will receive the california. Road trip highway 1 from golden gate bridge to bodega bay. Crescent city, california is the first city youll enter when driving southbound into california along the pacific coast highway or last if youre headed northbound. Highlights of this northern california coast road trip include stops at famed glass beach, avenue of the giants and charming ferndale. The one to california s north coast so you can finally see the worlds tallest trees, take a scenic drive along the avenue of giants, and explore the lost coast. The ultimate california coast road trip all the best.
Northern california s highway 101 road trip guide the northern california coast is a place of quiet redwood groves, isolated coastline, and great natural wonder. Time seems to slow down in this part of the world, creating an idyllic environment for road trippers who cherish breathtaking scenery, new discoveries around every bend, and hyperlocal dining. California honeymoon california camping california coast cambria california northern california west coast road trip us road trip road trip. The highway 1 road trip that passes through big sur on californias central coast is perhaps the most famous scenic drive in the golden state. Plan on spending a few days in eureka to explore the region. Hi, were planning a sortoflastminute trip to cali in late septemberearly october 2015, for 1517 days roughly. Winding through beach towns, big cities, and miles of untouched coast, pch is the perfect way to see the golden state. Eureka is a perfect base for exploring california s north coast. Find the perfect tours and activities in the north coast. The big city on this stretch of the california coast, santa cruz pop.
Enjoy the waves at the outer banks, get a stunning view of the great smoky mountains along the blue ridge parkway, slip down the sliding rock in pisgah national forest, and if you need a place. Use the ultimate american road trip planner and discover everything america has to offer from the freedom of the open road. Drives along the coast, redwoods, and mountains with the best stops along the way travel guide kayla anderson, stuart thornton on. One of northern californias prettiest villages, the seaside enclave makes a great base for exploring up and down the redwood coast or staying local and discovering undertheradar beaches.
If you are looking for the perfect northern california road trip itinerary, this is it. Californias pacific coast highway national geographic places to. The route borders the great smoky mountains national park, and winds along the tennessee north carolina border the hairiest bits are in tennessee and is a short ride away from the cherohala skyway. California s northern coast isnt the most accessible part of the stateand thats a big part of its appeal. A california road trip will take you along incredible coastal highways, through. Luckily, tripit is here to help with our california road trip planner.
How to plan a road trip on the pacific coast highway. Every golden state road trip must stop in wine country. Experience the trip of a lifetime on one of americas. Then explore the seemingly untouched beauty of the north coast from the craggy coastline at point arenastornetta public lands to the rugged terrain at mendocino headlands state park and the quaint, victorianstyle town of mendocino. This is not the legendary california of the beach boys song there are no palmflanked beaches and very few surfboards. Then, download our free vacation guide to get more recommendations for the. So when asked to experience it firsthand and get to go on. Discover the quirks and allures of some of california s lesserknown towns. My husband and i actually did this road trip as part of our honeymoon. While youll be encountering a lot more sunshine in this section of the road trip the northern california coast can be a little temperamental. Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery in the far north of scotland, the north coast 500 is one of the worlds most beautiful road trips. Our road trip along the california and southern oregon coast. Wild north coast visit california visit california road trips. Driving highway 101 through northern california to the beautiful and remote lost coast.
235 689 30 1272 106 1280 149 216 243 865 1584 871 215 379 554 546 826 746 405 309 209 371 641 748 751 399 1220 1567 227 1329 744 751 764 1335 921 425 653 726 1009 85 1341 452