A road trip along California’s stunning coast will not complete your journey west.
If you are in it for adventure, you will want to spend at least one week to explore the Northern, Central, and Southern California regions.
Prepare yourself for a thrilling, window-down, Californian road trip with music blasting, and cliffs hugging!
The most frequently asked questions regarding California Coast road trips
What is the best way to travel along or down California’s coast?
We think that it is best to begin in the North, and then head South. The blog has been arranged by the towns that you’ll pass on Route 1
What is the length of California’s coastline?
California coast spans more than 800 miles!
How long will it take you to drive along California’s coastline?
It will take between 10 and 12 hours without stopping to drive along the California coastline from beginning to end. This road trip, however, is all about those incredible stops! Plan accordingly.
Northern California Coast Road Trip Itinerary
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is the starting point of your Californian adventure.
You’ll need to stop to enjoy the view. It’s important to avoid driving off the edge.
Along California Hwy 1 you will also see the Navarro River Redwoods State Park. It has a prehistoric, unique feel. The ferns peeking out through the stalky Redwoods almost reminds one of a Jurassic Park scene.
Humboldt County, “The Redwood Forest”.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Redwood Forest photos in magazines or Instagram are not even close to the real thing. It’s something you have to experience in person. The Redwoods will be visible until San Francisco. Be sure to bring your camera!
Avenue of the Giants
The tallest and largest Redwoods in the World can be found here.
You’ll be driving on California Hwy 1 from Avenue of the Giants. This will eventually turn into PCH. You’ll be able to see some incredible sights on your California Coast Road Trip.
These towns are also worth a visit for the complete experience.
Meyers Flat
- Shrine Drive-Thru Tree
Theoretically, it is cooler than reality The maximum size is 7″ x 7″. A Tesla just barely managed to make it. My SUV, on the other hand didn’t have a hope.
You can drive through the tree in Leggett, whose “Chandelier Tree”, whose opening is designed to fit SUVs.
- Tree House Village
It’s a beautiful treasure. The elf was so real that I thought he would pop out at any moment.
Dyerville
You can enjoy a secluded view of the water by entering to the left side of Dyerville Overlook. This is a great place to park and think or have a quick snack.
Eureka
This 19 thc. port town is a great place to see Victorian architecture.
- Carson Mansion
- Old Town Eureka and waterfront: Explore the area
- Woody Island is accessible by crossing the bridge.
What to Eat
- Cafe Marina
- Dick Taylor Craft Chocolates
Ferndale
This unassuming town is known as the backdrop for some Hollywood films. You can enjoy oddities such as a store housed in a former banking building and California’s first pharmacy.
- Rings Pharmacy Rexall Drugs
California’s oldest continuously operated drugstore
- Humboldt’s Hometown Store
It’s even possible to step into the vault of the bank, which is really cool. You can also visit the Guy Fieri room, which is dedicated to Guy Fieri who was born in this town.
- Hadley Gardens
A beautifully kept garden that looks like a fairytale, with a dollhouse in life size and a secret garden path made from plants.
Fort Bragg
- The Pudding Creek Trestle
- Parking the car, walk to the Ocean Bridge
- Pudding Creek Beach
- Hike
Mendocino
This beautiful town on the coast overlooking Goat island and Cypress is not to be missed. This town has the feel of a Mediterranean seaside resort.
- Mendocino Headlands State Park
The waves crashing on the shore and the wind blowing all around is a calming experience.
- Point Arena Lighthouse
What to Eat
- Trillium Cafe
Insider tip: As you drive south, it's inevitable that you will pass famous sights like Big Sur’s Bixby Bridge. All of this is part and parcel with the California coast road trip. Take some amazing photos by pulling over on the side. Do not, under any circumstances, stop on the side of the road. This has been done. This is a danger to you, but also everyone else around.
Wine Country
Take a wine tasting tour and sample different Californian wines if you like wine. There are many interactive and fun experiences to be had at the different wineries and vineyards along the route. a Paso Robles winery tour is a lot of fun.
You can visit wineries in different regions by driving from Route 1 up to Route 128, which is a bit inland.
Napa County
Calistoga
- Chateau Montelena
You’ll definitely want to watch “Bottle Shock” before you visit wine country. California Wine was first taken seriously in this country.
A Good Read: Read a book that the movie was loosely based upon to explain the California victory which changed wine forever. The Historic 1976 Paris Tasting: California vs. France and how it revolutionized the world of wine.
Napa
Napa Valley is one of the world’s most famous wine regions. Be prepared for Disneyland-like chaos. Domaine Carneros felt like Disneyland. Other places are worth visiting as well.
Try out these great Napa experiences:
- Napa Wine Train Gourmet Express Lunch Or Dinner
- Napa Valley Wine Tour Guided with Picnic Lunch
- Napa: Napa Valley History Guided Kayaking Tour
- CIA in Copia
The beautiful property includes a large garden, whose produce is utilized in many dishes. Also, you can dine at this restaurant and enjoy your own wine tasting. You can explore the museums to learn about cooking and wine.
Check out these other places in Napa Valley:
- Napa Mill
- Shops, restaurants. Vintage Sweet Shoppe offers wine and truffles.
- Napa Welcome Sign
What to Eat
CIA At Copia offers some incredible restaurants.
The Grove Brunch
Dinner: Le Petit Chef 3D Experience
Experience a whirlwind! This is a show not to miss. It’s a magical evening. You’ll be transported to another world.
St. Helena
- Greystone CIA
Sonoma County
Napa, while famous for wine is also overcrowded. Sonoma has some lesser-known regions that are the real deal.
Take a guided winery tour in the region with a picnic lunch!
Healdsburg
- Alexander Valley Vineyard
Santa Rosa
- St. Francis Vineyards
St. Francis is the perfect place to spend a Californian afternoon riding around a vineyard in a bar-bike, sampling different grape varietals and tasting them fresh off the vine. Francis’s history is as fascinating as the California wildfire that nearly destroyed them.
San Francisco & Sausalito
You’ll soon arrive in San Francisco.
We all know what makes SF so cool and down-to-earth. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, spend time in Sausalito. It is SF’s cute little sister. You won’t need to compete with tourists in order to get a great photo.
- Stroll Fisherman’s Wharf
- Biking the Golden Gate Bridge
Adventurers can start from SF and ride the entire bridge to Sausalito. You can either take the ferry back or ride your bike. It is quite a long distance. After going one way, I was tired.
What to Eat
- Spinnaker, Sausalito
Central California
You’ll now get on Route 1 again and travel down the coast, entering California’s center. This is the perfect mix of Northern and Southern California. There’s a bit of everything… adventure, nature, the ocean, cities, culinary delights, and more.
Santa Cruz
- Amusement Park
- Chardonnay Charters offers a pizza & drinks sail for you to view the seals.
- Watch seals on the Pier
Monterey & Pacific Grove
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman’s Wharf
- Kayak and seals – a great way to see them
What to Eat
- Schooners
This restaurant offers not only incredible views but also delicious seafood. Take a seat outside to enjoy the view. From above, you can watch seals and birds as well as kayakers.
Carmel by the Sea
It’s a storybook village on the coast if ever I saw one. You’ll love the unique feel of Carmel. Visit quaint stores and homes that look like they belong in a fairytale, then hit the beach for a lunch and enjoy the old-world charm of one of Carmel’s many bistros.
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel has many golf courses that are state-of-the-art.
- Drive 17 miles and stop at Pebble Beach. Drive to Pebble Beach and stop.
- The storybook houses have been given different names in place of the numbers
Cambria
- Moonstone Beach has a boardwalk where you can walk and then dip your toes in the water.
- Shops, restaurants and history on Main Street
- Hearst castle
Visit a charming town named Sovang. It is also known as the Danish Capital of America, and was the location where the movie Sideways, starring Brad Pitt, was shot.
Southern California
You’ll then get on Highway 101. You’ll start feeling the surfer, beach vibes of SoCal.
You’ll discover beautiful artist colonies, surfing spots, and beaches that have been made famous by TV shows like The OC and The Hills, as well as Beach Boys songs.
Also see: The Best Hiking Trails of Southern California
Santa Barbara
We are now entering the northernmost part of SoCal.
- Take a surf lesson
- Explore Old Mission Santa Barbara, built in 1786
- Stearns Wharf is one of the largest deep water piers in between LA & SF.
What to Eat
- Of Course, In-N Out! This is a Californian classic.
Huntington Beach
Surf City USA is a great place to visit!
- Zack’s Rental offers surrey bikes for rent. Riding past the beach is a blast! Be careful of pedestrians.
- Surf shops offer a wide range of beachwear.
- Boardwalk stroll
You’re done! What to do on a California Coast Road Trip? You may get some inspiration for your next road trip.
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