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Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip — Northern California Itinerary

May 20, 2019 No Comments

From the dazzling and rocky seascapes of the Northern Coast to the sun-drenched beaches of Southern California, this road trip is filled with scenic vistas, sandy beaches, majestic cliffs, and ancient forests. Pacific Coast Highway, California State Route 1, runs north to south along the coast through (sometimes unnerving) twists and turns that curve through seascapes, mountain roads, and redwoods. SR 1 starts near Interstate 5 (I-5) near Dana Point, California up to its northernmost part near Leggett as its intersections with US Highway 101.

At times, parts of the road are closed by frequent landslides, especially during seasonal rains. Check the weather and to see if the route along SR 1 is open. [Want to try something different? Take Amtrak’s Coast Starlight up the coast and avoid the traffic issues.]

This road trip is broken up into three parts—Northern California, Central California, and Southern California. I recommend heading north to south as you get closer and better views of the water. Feel free to mix it up! The endpoint is Dana Point, where Highway 1 ends.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip — Northern California Itinerary

This portion of the Pacific Coast Highway focuses on northern California and works its way down to the Marian Headlands and San Francisco.

How long? 200 miles, around 5 hours without stops. If you plan on stopping for camping or trails, make it a two-day trip.

When to go? Without much winter weather, it’s popular all year long. Winter, spring, and fall are optimal as summer can bring in fire season. Summers are also really foggy going down the coast.

Fort Bragg

MacKerricher State Park

24100 Mackerricher Park Rd, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

MacKerricher State Beach [J.smith [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]] — MacKerricher State Beach

Start at this spectacular 2,200-acre preserve, with more than 10 miles of ocean frontage, cliffs, beaches, and headland. Playful seals bask on the rocks below Laguna Point, and you can find fields of tall grass, and poppy in the park as well. For people interested in preservation, you can find a wetland ecosystem and native dunes at the Ten Mile Dunes complex. The park is also home to more than 90 species of birds. Walk down the Haul Road Trail, which hugs the coast for several miles.

Jug Handle State Reserve

CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

The next stop on the Pacific Coast Highway, Northern California Itinerary journey is Jug Handle State Reserve, another dream for geology-geeks (like me). Coastal erosion and shifting land masses have led this 776-acre park to have five marine terraces of sediment. Each terrace has its own history, and each layer of sediment is 100 feet higher and about 100,000 older than the one beneath it. The lowest terrace supports prairie, followed by a redwood forest, followed by a pygmy forest of cypresses and pines. You can walk along a well-marked 2.5-mile Ecological Staircase Trail that explores flora and fauna at three wave-cut terraces. There is also a sandy beach where you can stop and view both the terraces and the ocean.

Mendocino

Russian Gulch State Park

CA-1, Mendocino, CA 95460

South of Point Cabrillo, you’ll cross the Russian Gulch Bridge, where you can stop and view the bridge, take the North Trail Trailhead or visit Russian Gulch, State Park. Beaches, coves, tide pools, and woodland forests make this park. You can find 15 miles of trails, with five miles open to bicycles, with the Headlands Trail offering different views of the Pacific Ocean and the Devil’s Punch Bowl sinkhole. This point of interest is a 200-foot-long sea cut tunnel that collapsed at its inland end. Going deeper into the park, you can find woodlands of pine, maple, alder, and laurel trees along with a 36-foot waterfall. Swimming is allowed from the beach at the mouth of Russian Gulch Creek, along with SCUBA diving and tide pool exploring.

Little River

Van Damme State Park

8001 CA-1, Little River, CA 95456

Van Damme State Park is a 1,831-acre park where the forest meets the sea. The park offers a lush fern-filled forest, scenic beach, and ten miles of hiking trails that lead into the mature forest with Douglas firs, Pacific hemlocks, and redwoods. Walk along the Fern Canyon Scenic trail, into Fern Canyon with its growth of assorted wildflowers, rhododendrons, and trees. The trail itself is east of the beach while the parking lot is to the west. Don’t try to swim at this beach, however, as like most of the northern coastal beaches, the waves are cold and swift. Also, it gets fairly chilly and foggy even during the summer, so bring a light jacket.

If you only have an hour at this stop, the state park suggests taking Airport Road out to the pygmy forest. A 5-mile walk through the redwoods and ferns is another amazing trail with beautiful views.

Point Arena

Point Arena Light Station

45500 Lighthouse Rd, Point Arena, CA 95468

Pointe Arena Lighthouse [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/12019-12019/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1599168">David Mark</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1599168">Pixabay</a>] — Point Arena Light Station

Point Arena Lighthouse is two miles north of Point Arena, once a busy logging port. The 115-foot Lighthouse Tower and its 1896 Fog Signal Building can be toured by climbing up its 147 steps. You’ll also take in stunning views of the sea and coastline, including the 23 acres of coastline nearby. Museum and tower tours are currently $8 per person for ages 12 and up, $1 for ages 5 to 11, and free for those under 5.

Gualala

Gualala Point Regional Park

42401 CA-1, Gualala, CA 95445

Gualala Point Regional Park is where the Gualala River meets the sea. You can stop and walk the 2.9 miles of trails that connect the beach to the coastal bluffs and estuary. Rarely ever crowded, this beach is popular for whale watching, beachcombers, and day hikers.

Jenner

Fort Ross Chapel [By User:Introvert - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=525364] — Fort Ross Chapel

Salt Point State Park

25050 CA-1, Jenner, CA 95450

Salt Point State Park is a 6,000-acre state park with over 20 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of rocky coastline. It’s a beautiful place to stop on the ride for a (stony) walk along the shore. Stump Beach is a great little beach with lots of driftwood and mountains on both sides. You will also have limited cell service, so be sure to print out directions when going in. It’s also close to the next stop, Fort Ross State Historic Park.

Fort Ross State Historic Park

19005 Coast Hwy, Jenner, CA 95450

This 3,400-acre park offers unspoiled natural landscapes in addition to a reconstruction of an Imperial Russian-era fur trading outpost. Surrounded by redwood forests and sandy beaches, the park was established in 1090. Fort Ross itself was active from 1812 to 1841, built by representatives of the Russian-American Fur Company. The park includes the 1836 Rotchev House, the Kuskov House, a weathered redwood blockade, a commander’s headquarters, and a Russian Orthodox chapel, crowned by two towers.

Guerneville

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446

One of the first virgin redwood preserves, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve preserves 805 acres of coastal redwoods. Twenty miles of trails with varying difficulty lead you dense forests of pine and oak into the slopes of McCray Mountain, and fields of wildflowers. The tallest tree in the park is the Parson Jones Tree, which is more than 310 feet in height and is less than a mile from the park’s entrance. Also, less than 0.5-mile from the park entrance is the Colonel Armstrong Tree, estimated to be over 1400 years old. One of the easiest one-mile is the Pioneer Nature Trail that leads from the park entrance to the Armstrong Tree and Forest Theater.

Bodega Bay

Sonoma Coast State Park, Bodega Head Trail Beach

3799 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923

Sonoma Coast State Park on Pacific Coast Highway Roadtrip [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/abalboa-8748544/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3335157">Angelito Balboa</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3335157">Pixabay</a>] — Coastline at Sonoma Coast State Park

Moving through the village of Bodega Bay, famous for its seafood and harborside views, you’ll find Bodega Head, which marks the start of the Sonoma Coast State Beach. This chain of parks spans 17 miles from Bodega Head down to Vista Trail. Bodega Head itself is the rocky headline that forms the entrance to the harbor. There are many hiking trails on the ocean side. Picnicking beneath the cliffs of Schoolhouse Beach is another great option.

Inverness

Tomales Bay State Park, Heart’s Desire Beach

Protected by winds by Inverness Ridge, this park covers the 13-mile inlet that separates Point Reyes from the mainland. The park is divided into three distinct park areas, with Heart’s Desire Beach which offers a gently sloping, surf-free relaxing seashore that is the heart of the state park. Hiking trails lead to Indian Beach, Pebble Beach, and Shell Beach. In addition to the beaches, you will also find forests, grassy meadows, and marshes with a variety of trees, wildflowers, and wildlife.

Point Reyes National Seashore

1 Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd, Inverness, CA 94937

The Point Reyes National Seashore extends around the Point Reyes Peninsula, a craggy stretch of shoreline that extends for some 70 miles. Expansive sandy beaches, open grasslands, grassy hillside, and forests cover this park. You can also walk a short paved loop that explores the San Andreas Fault Zone. Take a leisurely drive through Inverness Ridge to the beaches and wildlife viewing areas. Whale watching is a popular activity as you can watch gray whale migrations from the Chimney Rock and Lighthouse areas. It is a huge park, so stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to get different itineraries for your stay.

In 2019, the National Park Service is restoring the Lighthouse so there will be closures. Check the state website for specific dates.

Mill Valley

Muir Woods National Monument

1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

The last remaining strand of redwoods in the Bay Area, Mui Word’s Cathedral Grove soar up to 250 feet above the forest floor. Over six miles of trails lead visitors along the banks of Redwood Creek and into the heart of the grove. The trails include a 1/2 hour loop, a 1-hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop. Longer trails lead up into surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park. Climb up the Ben Johnson and Dipsea trails for views of the treetops, Mount Tamalpais and the Pacific Ocean.

There is no cell phone service or WiFi at or around the monument. Be sure to print your directions (or Atlas), reservation or shuttle ticket in advance. What shuttle? You might want to get a hotel in Sausalito and then take the shuttle up to Muir Woods. Will save you the headache of getting a reservation for personal vehicles. Plus you’ll already be in town for the next and last stop. Also, reservations are now required for private vehicles and shuttle riders going into the park, so plan ahead.

After visiting Muir Woods, you’ll head south on SR 1 to where it merges with 101 down into Sausalito.

Sausalito

Marin Headlands

Fort Barry, Building 948, Sausalito, CA 94965

View of San Francisco from Sausalito on Pacific Coast Highway Roadtrip [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/fortechsol-391099/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=859244">Kathryn Fortin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=859244">Pixabay</a>] — Marin Headlands overlooking San Francisco Bay

Just north of San Francisco, lies the Marin Headlands, a 5-mile stretch of coastal basalt headland, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. White sand beaches, rounded hills, and seaside cliffs. Before you head to the coastline, stop at the Marin Headlines Visitor Center at the intersection of Field and Bunker Roads. Take in the astonishing views of the Pacific Coast and drive along Conzelman Road to the northern foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can access the Marin Headlands off Highway 101 from Rodeo Avenue Exit and Trailhead. While in Sausalito, check out some of the area’s other attractions.

Vista Point (Us-101, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, CA 94965) or Battery Spencer (Conzelman Road, Sausalito, CA 94965). With magnificent views of the bridge, these are two of the places to get a fantastic view of San Francisco. It does get very crowded at the Vista Point so Battery Spencer may be the better bet.
Sausalito Boardwalk (Sausalito Yacht Harbor, Sausalito, CA 94965). Walk along the harbor and enjoy the beautiful boats along with restaurants, shops, parks, and cafes.
Sausalito Ferry (Anchor St & Humboldt Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965). Wanting to venture into San Francisco (without the drive)? The Sausalito Ferry drops you off at the end of Market street within walking distance of Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square.

Ready to keep going? Here are the two other itineraries for following the Pacific Coast Highway.

How long does the full route take? From MacKerricher State Park in Northern California to the southern point in Dana Point, the drive takes just a little over 12 hours without stopping. I highly recommend breaking this up into three portions and taking your time. The dramatic sweeping views of the ocean to the West and the mountains to the east are meant to be traveled slowly. This portion covers the Northern California part from Fort Bragg down to San Francisco.

What time of year? Summers are the busiest time of year, and you can honestly spend half of the day on the road going between Malibu and Santa Monica as everyone heads to the beaches. Spring and the Fall are the best time of years, especially with the weather. Winter is the rainy season and is more likely to have mudslides and other issues along the route.

Finally, What to Pack?

Disclosure: The links below contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Ready to hit the road? Be sure to pack along some must needed items for your trip.

Road Trip Essentials - Cooler Weather

Roadside Assistance Kits

Backup Battery Chargers

Looking for national and state parks in California? Click here

Going hiking (or during the rainy season)? Check out some ideas for rain gear

In California

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip — Central California Itinerary

May 12, 2019 No Comments

Central California, often called the Big Sur Coast, stretches between beautiful Monterey and San Luis Obispo. Wave-battered cliffs, shady forests, sandy beaches, and rich history make up this portion of the Pacific Coast Highway.

How long? 158 miles, about 5 or more hours without traffic or stopping for much. Roundtrip? It is around 313 miles, or 7 hours without traffic (coming back up 101 rather than Rte 1). Traffic is key—this stretch can get CROWDED during the summer months.

When to go? Optimal all year long. Be sure to watch out during the rainy season of mudslides. Summers are also really foggy going down the coast, and hotel and flight costs are also highest during this season. Offseason is considered December to March, although April and September can also offer great prices. Be sure to bring a sweater or jacket as the weather can be changeable and windy along the shore.

This itinerary will start in Monterey. The closest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), but flights from Oakland (OAK) or San Francisco International (SJC) may be slightly cheaper. This Pacific Coast Highway Central California style starts up north and heads south along the highway so that you are driving closer to the ocean. Either way, have fun!

Monterey

Cannery Row. [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/12019-12019/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=71836">David Mark</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=71836">Pixabay</a>] — Cannery Row at Night

Cannery Row / Monterey Bay Aquarium

886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Start this section of the Pacific Coast Highway in Monterey, a beautiful seaside community south of San Francisco. Festivals can be found year-round, and most of the city can be tracked by foot. Cannery Row is a picturesque street that offers restaurants, shops, waterfront hotels, a wax museum, and the top-notch Monterey Bay Aquarium. The seaside marine park is full of over 35,000 animals in 2.3 million gallons of water. Parking can be tricky, so the afternoon is a good time as there are usually more spaces than first thing in the morning.

Pacific Grove

Asilomar State Beach

Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Follow Ocean View Boulevard along the shores of Monterey Beach, where you’ll see Lovers Point Park and Point Pinos Lighthouse in what has been called Butterfly Town USA, Pacific Grove. Next, go to Asilomar State Beach, a narrow, one-mile strip where you can go for scenic walks along the beach and through the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve. The preserve has several boardwalks that provide panoramic views of the beach and the Pacific Ocean.

17-Mile Drive

Pebble Beach

17 Mile Dr, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

After Asilomar State Beach, Sunset drive intersections with 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road which hugs the Pacific coastline. Going down this short road, you can see 1920s mansions, rocky headlines, and the Pacific Ocean. There is an admission fee of $10.50 per vehicle, and the drive is open to the public from sunset to sunrise. You can find tour maps online or at the entrance tollgates. This route helps you avoid some of the traffic that occurs on the Pacific Coast Highway as you head into Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Point Lobos [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/PicsByJana-2753358/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2282950">Jana Last</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2282950">Pixabay</a>] — Point Lobos State Park

Carmel River State Park

26478 Carmelo St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923

Once in Carmel-by-the-Sea, follow Scenic Road down to Carmel River State Beach, one of the less crowded sandy beaches. The beach features a 1-mile-long protected beach with a lagoon. Monastery Beach is popular with scuba divers. History lovers should also stop at the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del río Carmelo or Misión de San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, first built in 1797.

Point Lobos State Reserve

62 CA-1, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923

Continue down the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) toward Point Lobos State Reserve, a scenic coastal area with trails that wind around steep paths to land’s end. You can see down to the inlets and watch the surging waves crash onto the inlet and sea lines on the small island that fringe the mainland. Walk down to Whalers Cove, a small cabin from the turn of the century.

Garrapata State Park, Soberanes Point

Whale Peak Trail, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923

In the southern portion of Carmel-By-The-Sea lies Garrapata State Park, a 2,939-acre park with rocky headlands in the north and sandier beaches to the south. Highway 1 passes for four miles through the borders of the park. If you’re interested in pulling over, gates 13, 15, and 16 offer some of the best scenery in the park and cross Soberanes Point. This is a 1.8-mile loop trail with wildflowers and a rocky shoreline. You can pull over into any of the other trailheads (such as Soberanes Canyon Trailhead) in the

Point Sur State Historic Park

CA-1, Monterey, CA 93940

The Pacific Coast Highway continues down the coast across the famed Bixby Bridge, and you’ll find turnouts for dramatic overlooks. Five miles to the south of the bridge, the drive nears the 92-acre Point Sur State Historic Park, with an 1889 Point Sur lighthouse (which is currently closed for tours).

Big Sur

Andrew Molera State Park

45500 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Heading down Highway 1, the road then navigates through Andrew Molera State Park, with wind-sheltered beaches, stark cliffs, meadows and rivers, and a 3,450-foot mountain. This park is officially in Big Sur and is still relatively undeveloped. Pull over and go hiking on the Andrew Molera Loop (ridge/coast loop) and beachcombing in this beautiful park. You do have to pay $10 to park, but you can use the receipt at the next stop, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920

The Pacific Coast Highway then curves inland a little and passes through the town of Big Sur and along the valley of the Big Sur River. On this river lies Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which covers approximately 1,006 acres of land on the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Trails lead through a redwood grove to waterfalls and up to pools edge with smooth boulders. The trails are fantastic, with lots of wildflowers and trees. Just be sure to check the trails as they have seasonal hours and may be closed. About a mile south of the entrance, you can also take Canyon Road for Pfeiffer Beach. It’s a small privately-owned beach, which charges a separate entrance fee, where small batches of the beach can be found among caved rocks. While heading through the parking area down Route 1, you’ll also find a couple of gas stations on the side of the highway to buy gas and snacks.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

52801 California State Route 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

After leaving the Big Sur State Park, you’ll follow Pacific Coast Highway as it descends nearly 1,000 feet above the sea into the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Due to severe storm damage, the park has been closed during the week but is still open on the weekends. Otherwise, I’d highly recommend taking the Overlook Trail that navigates cliffs high above the ocean. These ragged cliffs here are incredibly high and hazardous; there is also no beach access. Redwood trees grace the park’s interior. You can still see the McWay Cove Waterfall near mile marker 36, which is an 80-foot waterfall.

Your cell service will be spotty in this area. You’ll lose your access to directions on your smartphone. Be sure to print out your directions or take an Atlas just in case.

Limekiln State Park

63025 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Heading further south on Highway 1, you’ll pass through Limekiln State Park, a 711-park with a sandy beach, redwood forest, and 100-foot Limekiln Falls. Four historic kilns, used in the making of mortar and cement in the late 1880s, can be reached by an easy 0.5-mile trail through the redwoods and footbridges. None of the trails are too long or difficult. After finishing the inland trails, take the road that goes under Highway 1 and out to the beach.

Sand Dollar Beach (plus Jade Cove)

CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Continuing on the Pacific Coast Highway south, you’ll meander past Sand Dollar Beach in San Padres National Forest. It’s a great stopping point if you want picnics, viewing the ocean, or looking for Jade-filled rocks along the beach. Look for the Jade Cove Parking Lot signs and park there and follow the trail down to Jade Cove. The beaches themselves are hemmed in by cliffs, with semiprecious bits of jade rocks. Here’s the trick. The beach itself is down a steep escarpment (and you’ll need to take the bottom half via rope), so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for a day trip. If you decide to walk down the side, be sure to wear hiking boots and sturdy footwear as the worn paths can get slippery. However, the views from the top of the bluff are stunning. (I’m afraid of heights so I stay “upstairs.” LOL) Here is a great blog from Monterey Farmgirl called Sand Dollar Beach & Jade Cove in Big Sur with a lot of extremely useful information from someone more local (it was extremely helpful for the trip).

San Simeon

Hearst Castle [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/sarangib-37542/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1043075">Bishnu Sarangi</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1043075">Pixabay</a>] — Hearst Castle

Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452

Built between 1919 and 1947, Hearst Castle San Simeon State Historical Monument is a palatial estate holding a treasure trove of paintings, mosaics, tapestries, and statues. The 250,000-acre spread was conceived by William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan as La Cuesta Encantada—Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” The estate, which includes the gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways encompass 123 acres. Choose from one of the different types of tours at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center, where you can also grab a bite to eat. Prices start at $25 for adults, $12 for children ages five through twelve, and free for children five and under. Nearby, take a tour of San Simeon’s 70-foot, 1874-era Piedras Blancas Light Station or visit one of the area beaches, including the William R. Hearst Memorial Beach or Hearst San Simeon State Park.

Morro Bay State Park

60 State Park Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Morro Bay State Park on the Morro Bay lagoon features a marina, natural bay habitat, lagoon, and the Morro Rock landmark. A saltwater marsh can be found on the northeast edge of the park. You’ll find ample opportunity for hiking, sailing, fishing and bird watching. A museum features the ecological and cultural history of the area. While in Morro Bay, feel free to take the time to visit Morro Rock, the Museum of Natural History, and the Morro Bay National Estuary. Interested in visiting the beach? The Morro Strand State Beach is a protected beach that is not as busy as many of the other state beaches.

Pismo Beach

Dinosaur Caves Park

2701 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Perched atop oceanfront bluffs sits Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach. This 11-acre park includes a grassy area for picnics, an amphitheater, and a large play area with a dinosaur-based theme. You can also see the caves in the cliff-faces once you move beyond the playground and start walking through the gardens. It sits at the end of Shell Beach and is just a little fun distraction just right off the freeway. Nearby are Pismo State Beach (399 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449), Margo Dodd Park (Shell Beach), Eldwayen Ocean Park, and the Monarch Butterfly Grove (400 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449).

That’s it for this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary!

Ready to go back to Monterey? Once you’re finished, take Highway 101 back up through San Luis Obispo, San Miguel, and it will take you up to outside of Salinas, CA. Highway 68 will take you back east into Monterey or you can continue north into San Francisco and go up the coast for the Northern portion of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Keep going south? If you want to continue on with the Southern California portion of the highway, follow Highway 1 down through Santa Maria and down into Santa Barbara.

Finally, What to Pack?

Disclosure: The links below contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Ready to hit the road? Be sure to pack along some must needed items for your trip.

Road Trip Essentials - Cooler Weather

Roadside Assistance Kits

Backup Battery Chargers

Looking for national and state parks in California? Click here

Going hiking (or during the rainy season)? Check out some ideas for rain gear

In California

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip — Southern California Itinerary

May 6, 2019 No Comments

Southern California is one of the best places to travel in the United States as far as attractions, weather, and scenic views. Walking trails, surfing spots, and dramatic views of the Pacific coastline can be found all along the Pacific Coast Highway. Step back in time at a 200-year-old Spanish mission or even further at a Roman-style villa. Whereas central and northern California offers the dramatic, rocky coastlines, this Southern California Itinerary is all about surf and sun. The Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip along California State Route 1, runs north to south along the Pacific coast. This Southern California Itinerary starts in Santa Barbara and glides down the Pacific Coast Highway towards Dana Point, California.

How long? The length of the trip can vary, depending on traffic and the time of year. Traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway in the summer can be stop and go, mainly stopping. It’s best to pre-plan precisely what you wish to see and plan to see it in segments. A solid seven days wouldn’t be out of the question to visit even the significant towns, much less all of the attractions.

When to go? Spring and Fall are your best bets when visiting Southern California. Winter, especially December, is the rainy season and you may run into mudslides, especially near Malibu. (That said, nothing beats standing on a misty Malibu beach with no-one else around in December). Summer brings the crowds, hotter weather, and higher risks for wildfires. Prices are also lower in the Spring and Fall months.

This itinerary will start in Santa Barbara. Although flying into LAX is the cheapest way to get into Southern California, you can also fly directly into Santa Barbara and then rent a car. This Pacific Coast Highway Southern California style starts up north and heads south along the highway so that you are driving closer to the ocean.

Coming from the Bay Area? Take Rte 1 down from Monterey for the Big Sur part of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Either way, have fun!

Santa Barbara

Old Mission Santa Barbara

2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

A great place to start exploring Santa Barbara’s Spanish roots, the Mission Santa Barbara was founded in 1786. Founded by the Spanish Franciscans, the Mission is the only California mission continually occupied and used since its founding. To learn more about the Spanish history of Southern California, visit the El Presidio Historic Park, which was founded in 1782. The town of Santa Barbara is often called the jewel of the American Rivera. Slightly different in tone than greater Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara’s Spanish style architecture, indie boutiques, and beaches make the town a must-stop. Feeling sunburned from all of the sun-drenched beaches?

Here are a few other Santa Barbara stops:

Santa Barbara Harbor (132-A Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109) allows you to walk from beach to beach and experience many of Santa Barbara’s sites such as shoreline park and Stearns Wharf.
Head down Historic State Street, which is lined with a variety of big-name shopped and boutiques. Think of it like a mini-Rodeo Drive, just much less expensive.
Ready to visit one of the local beaches? Try East Beach (1400 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108-2880), West Beach (State St and W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103), Leadbetter Beach (Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)
Shoreline Park (Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa Place, Santa Barbara, CA 93109), is a popular 14.6-acre that offers sweeping views of the coastline, the city, and the Santa Ynez mountains.
Stearns Wharf (217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101) is California’s oldest working wharf and is a great place to go for a walk or a ride on the water taxi.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center (211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101) is an interactive marine education facility located on Stearns Wharf.
To finalize your first stop, go to the Santa Barbara Courthouse (1100 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101), and take in the views from their clock tower.

Malibu & Pacific Palisades

Zuma Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway — Zuma Beach, Malibu, California

Exhibition inside of Getty Vila — An exhibition inside of Getty Villa

Getty Villa

17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

I know that Malibu is most commonly known for its beautiful beaches, but they also have one of the state’s best museums on Grecian and Roman history and art. Visit the ancient world by seeing beautiful gardens, architecture, historic statues, and a killer view of the Pacific Ocean from the authentically re-created first-century Roman gardens. One cool tour that they have is an audio tour from the World of Pearcy Jackson as you walk through the different exhibits. Located at the easterly end of the Malibu Coast, the Villa, one of the two J. Paul Getty Museums. The museum itself is free, but parking is $20 and is well worth it.

Point Mugu State Park (9000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265) is a bit of a ride off the Pacific Coast Highway into the mountains. The stunning ride offers five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, and over 70 miles of a hiking trail.
El Matador State Beach (32215 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-2529). Not your average sandy beach—this one offers cliffs, boulders, rock formations, and a taste of the beaches Central California.
Zuma Beach (30000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-3601). A more traditional beach, Zuma is the quintessential beach with long vast sands, clean water, and perfect surf.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-4937). Walk around the lagoon for a great view and an entrance into the Pacific Ocean Beach. It’s also not as crowded as some of the other beaches in the area.
Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum (23200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265) is a historic house and gardens within Malibu Lagoon State Park.
Malibu Pier (23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-4936). Malibu Pier is a lot quieter than many of the other piers in Southern California, but it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat while watching the sea and the surfers.
Charmlee Wilderness Park (2577 Encinal Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265). It’s currently closed due to the Woolsey Fire. Once it opens, 532-acre park and nature center is a great place to explore the canyon and wilderness of Western Malibu.
Will Rogers State Beach (17000 CA-1, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272) is near the intersection with Temescal Canyon Road and is one of the most popular swimming and skin-diving beaches. It is one of the filming locations for the original Baywatch and is excellent to walk and job on during the early morning hours. (Parking also isn’t heinous).
Tuna Canyon Park (2802 Tuna Canyon Rd, Topanga, CA 90290) gives you a great view of the ocean, Malibu, San Fernando Valley and of the mountains.

Santa Monica

Aerial view of Venice Beach[/caption]

Butterflies on Venice Beach [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/dazman-3141761/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1609855">dazman</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1609855">Pixabay</a>] — Butterflies on Venice Beach

Venice Beach Boardwalk

1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Founded in 1905, Venice Beach has humanmade canals, gondolas straight from Italy, and is a place to see everything from an amusement pier, boutiques, art galleries, and a miniature steam railroad. The Venice Canals and walkways are beautiful in the morning or the evening, and you’ll avoid the largest of the crowds. Walk along the boardwalk to see a variety of restaurants, spas, and places to shop. You’ll also find plenty of street entertainers and skateboarders along the pier.

Venice Oceanarium (330 Market St, Venice, CA 90291) is an outdoor museum that hosts various educational about wildlife along the boardwalk. It’s often called a “museum without walls.”
Mosaic Tile House (1116 Palms Blvd, Venice, CA 90291) is a 1940s home that has been covered inside and out with colored tile and splintered-glass mosaics.
Muscle Beach (1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291). Once the home of bodybuilders, Muscle Beach is steps from the Venice Beach boardwalk. It’s a piece of living history and has an outdoor weight room.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard (Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291) is a mile-long stretch of fashionable shops, fashion houses, art, and food just minutes from the beach.

Tip. After Venice Beach, go off route for a bit. You’ll exit the Pacific Coast Highway but you’ll also avoid going through LAX and the majority of its traffic. You’ll also stay closer to the beach.

One route is to

From Venice Beach or Abbot Kinney Boulevard, take Venice Way down to Ocean Avenue, and down to Admiralty Way. This will take you around Marina del Mar and down to Fiji Way. Head east on Fiji Way to Lincoln Boulevard.
Lincoln Boulevard turns into Highway 1, take it down to W. Jefferson Boulevard and then turn right (west) towards W Jefferson Blvd.
As you head west, Jefferson Blvd turns into Culver Blvd. Culver will take you south down to onto Vista Del Mar.

You’ll then pass on to the Playa Del Rey Beach (7313-7351 S Marine Ave, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293). This gets you back near the ocean and helps you avoid LAX traffic (yes, I’m double stressing it). Vista Del Mar turns into Highland Ave and heads down towards Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.

Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Pier & King Harbor

121 W Torrance Blvd #103, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

With over 150 acres of land and water area, the Redondo Beach Pier and King Harbor is a great place to walk along the waterfront. You can swim, fish, boat, or visit any of the shopping and restaurants along the pier. It’s one of the oldest piers in Southern California and retains some of the quirky shops. The arcade is also fun, and you can still take a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl. Nearby you can find:

Torrance State Beach (201 Paseo De La Playa, Torrance, CA 90277) is a small beach tucked at the south end of the strand that is often quieter and allows you to sit and enjoy the views.
Seaside Lagoon (200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277) is a large saltwater lagoon open for public use starting in May through September.
SEA Lab (1021 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277) is a public aquarium and marine-life rehabilitation center with a native plant nursery and environmental outreach program.
Hopkins Wilderness Park (1102 Camino Real, Redondo Beach, CA 90277). With a forest, meadows, pond, an amphitheater, the Wilderness Park offers a little bit different view of Orange County.

Once you start going south on Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll veer into city territory again through Long Beach and a few internal towns. (You’re not lost, there’s just no water view for a while). It will start curving down south towards the beach.

It’s off the beaten path a little, but if you have a short time, stop in Long Beach to visit the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802) or the Korean Friendship Bell (3601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731) near the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731).

Huntington Beach

Surf’s Up [Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Free-Photos-242387/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1246560">Free-Photos</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1246560">Pixabay</a>] — Visit the International Surfing Museum…take a lesson or two.

International Surfing Museum

411 Olive Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Just down the street from Huntington Beach and the Huntington Dog Beach is the International Surfing Museum, which captures the town’s love for surfing by offering exhibits on longboards and other surf memorabilia. On Sundays, stop by to listen to surfing music in town while strolling along the beach.

Just down the street is the Huntington Beach Pier (Main St. and Pacific Coast Highway; Huntington Beach, California). The Pier was first built in 1904 and then rebuilt over time with much of the current pier using the 1914 design.
Huntington Beach State Park (21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646-7600) is a 121-acre clean beach with soft sand (no burning your feet on rocks…), swimmable water, built-in fire pits, and a variety of restaurants.
Huntington Dog Beach (100 Goldenwest St F, Huntington Beach, CA 92648). Forget people watching, this is the perfect beach to dog watch and take your pup for off-leash exploring.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (18000 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648) is a great place to see wildlife, take long walks, and view many marine animals. Be sure to wear shoes due to snakes; leave the flipflops for the beach.

Laguna Beach

Steps leading from Crystal Cove State Beach up to parking lot. — Steps leading from Crystal Cove State Park to the parking lot.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Not your typical Southern California beach, Crystal Cove State Park is a quiet beach where you can reconnect with nature. It is a little bit of a walk from the car park (walk down a path), but it is worth it once you start walking along the beach, hidden by the rock walls. The parking spot also has a tunnel to help you access the historic district in Laguna Beach. Other beaches in Laguna Beach:

1,000 Steps Beach (31972 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651) is famous for surfing, sunbathing and volleyball. Like with Crystal Cove, it also has steep stairs down to the beach.
Main Beach (107 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651). A 1929 lifeguard tower rests over this historic, centrally-located sandy city beach. This beach is one of the most well-known beaches on the planet due to its popularity in television shows and movies.
Table Rock Beach (31681 Sea Bluff Ln, Laguna Beach, CA 92651). Tucked away in South Laguna Beach, this sandy beach is one of the most beautiful as the north and south ends are capped with cliffs. Like most of the beaches in the area, it’s a steep climb with over multiple steps (195 on one side) to get there.
Treasure Island Beach (Wesley Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651). Treasure Island is a sandy beach with high cliffs surrounding it where you can walk to Middle Man Cove and Goff Cove. Scuba diving, swimming, tide pooling, and sunbathing are favorite activities.
Heisler Park (375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651) is also a great outdoor place with access to a marine refuge with tide pools, tide pools, walking trails, and gardens. Beautiful Picnic Beach is located at the northern branch of the Park.

Dana Point

Doheny State Park

25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629

Doheny State Park is a smaller beach surrounded by a multitude of beautiful sandy beaches, including Salt Creek Beach and Baby Beach. It’s a smaller beach that is used a lot for concerts and events. The nearby pier has places to eat and view the sunset. Take a moment also to visit:

Dana Point Bluff Top Trail (34342 Street of the Amber Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629) is a short and easy walk that offers beautiful views of Dana Point Harbor along with a commemorative plate.
Dana Strands Beach (34001-34099 Selva Rd, Dana Point, CA 92629) is a sandy beach that is popular with surfers. There’s a boardwalk that allows you to walk north or south to other spots in town. For example, walking north will take you to the main part of Salt Creek Beach.
Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area (34558 Scenic Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629) is part of a public trail system that links the conservation parks, the Nature Interpretive Center, and public areas.
Dana Point Hilltop Park (34392 Street of the Green Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629) is a short trail that leads to panoramic views of Dana Point from the top of the hill.
The Catalina Express (34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629) departs from this area to Catalina Island.

Finally, What to Pack?

Disclosure: The links below contain affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Ready to hit the road? Be sure to pack along some must needed items for your road trip.

Road Trip Essentials

Roadside Assistance Kits

Backup Battery Chargers

Looking for national and state parks in California? Click here

Going hiking (or during the rainy season)? Check out some ideas for rain gear

In California

Ready to hit the beach? Here’s a map of state beaches in California

August 6, 2018 No Comments

Follow the coastline from the Mexican border to the Oregon state line and you’ll find some of the best beaches in the Golden State. Some of the beaches are more commonly known (like the one in Santa Monica) and others are hidden treasures. All these beaches are owned by the state (and a few local jurisdictions) and are open to the public. You’ll find the name of the beach, the address, and a link to the state site with details on admission, camping, and any potential closures. The great thing about California? The majority of beaches are open year-round, so even on a gloomy December day, you can still stand on the beach and watch the shoreline and wildlife.

Sometimes you’ll see a state park near a shoreline, but it is not listed as a beach. This is because either it is a protected area, or the beaches are in extremely hazardous areas. For example, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has a beach, but it is off limit. The park is mainly for hiking and viewing the Big Sur coastline and the trees, waterfall, etc.

Happy Surfing!

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California National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

August 6, 2018 No Comments

California needs no introduction. The most populous state stretches from the Mexican Border to Oregon with 900 miles of coastline. Twenty-eight national parks can be explored cheaply or for free. There are over 1.6 million acres of beaches and parks in California. From beaches to redwood forests and the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Mojave Desert, the state has a variety of landscapes for outdoor adventurers. Plan your travel accordingly. Also, watch for fire season and landslide warnings.

Here’s a list of beaches, attractions, and parks in California.

Sometimes you’ll see a state park near a shoreline, but it is not listed as a beach. This is because either it is a protected area, or the beaches are in extremely hazardous areas. For example, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has a beach, but it is off limits. The park is mainly for hiking and viewing the Big Sur coastline and the trees, waterfall, etc.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA

Get a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public, and the history-making 18-month occupation by Indians of All Tribes. Rich in history, there is also a natural side to the Rock—gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare. Read more

Cabrillo National Monument

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

Climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. In addition to telling the story of 16th-century exploration, the park is home to a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Join us and embark on your own Voyage of Discovery. Read more

California National Historic Trail

Various

Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons. Read More

Castle Mountains National Monument

Castle Mountains National Monument, Barstow, CA 92311

Nestled between the Nevada state line and Mojave National Preserve, the nearly 21,000 acres of Castle Mountains boasts Joshua tree forests, unbroken natural landscapes, rare desert grasslands, and rich human history. This intriguing area provides serenity and solitude from nearby metropolitan areas. Read more

César E. Chávez National Monument

29700 Woodford-Tehachapi Rd, Keene, CA 93531

Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, César E. Chávez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country’s first permanent agricultural union. His leadership brought sustained international attention to the plight of U.S. farm workers, and secured for them higher wages and safer working conditions Read More

Channel Islands National Park

1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was. Read More

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley, CA, NV

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley. Read more

Devils Postpile National Monument

Devils Postpile Access Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery. The formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry. Read More

Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site

1000 Kuss Rd, Danville, CA 94526

America’s only Nobel Prize winning playwright, Eugene O’Neill, chose to live in Northern California at the height of his writing career. Isolated from the world and within the walls of his home, O’Neill wrote his final and most memorable plays; The Iceman Cometh, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and A Moon for the Misbegotten. Read more

Fort Point National Historic Site

Long Ave & Marine Dr, San Francisco, CA 94129

From its vantage point overlooking the spectacular Golden Gate, Fort Point defended the San Francisco Bay following California’s Gold Rush through World War II. Its beautifully arched casemates display the art of 3rd system brick masonry and interact gracefully with the Golden Gate Bridge. Read More

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

U.S. 101, San Francisco, CA 94109

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history from California’s indigenous cultures, Spanish colonialism, the Mexican Republic, US military expansion and the growth of San Francisco. All of this and more awaits you, so get out and find your park. Read more

John Muir National Historic Site

4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553

John Muir played many roles in his life, all of which helped him succeed in his role as an advocate for Nature. As America’s most famous naturalist and conservationist, Muir fought to protect the wild places he loved, places we can still visit today. Muir’s writings convinced the U.S. government to protect Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon and Mt. Rainier as national parks. Read more

Joshua Tree National Park

Southern California between I-10 and Hwy 62; headquarters in Twentynine Palms, CA

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself. Read more

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Various; Nogales, AZ to San Francisco, CA, AZ, CA

“¡Vayan Subiendo!”(“Everyone mount up!”) was the rousing call from Juan Bautista de Anza. In 1775-76, he led some 240 men, women, and children on an epic journey to establish the first non-Native settlement at San Francisco Bay. Today, the 1,200-mile Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail connects history, culture, and outdoor recreation from Nogales, Arizona, to the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Mineral, CA

Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land. Lassen Volcanic offers opportunities to discover the wonder and mysteries of volcanoes and hot water for visitors willing to explore the undiscovered. Read More

Lava Beds National Monument

1 Indian Well Hqts, Tulelake, CA 96134

Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 700 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you! Read more

Manzanar National Historic Site

5001 US-395, Independence, CA 93526

In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were incarcerated during World War II. Read more

Mojave National Preserve

90942 Kelso Cima Rd, Kelso, CA 92309

Singing sand dunes, cinder cone volcanoes, Joshua tree forest, and carpets of wildflowers are all found at this 1.6-million-acre park. A visit to its canyons, mountains, and mesas will reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts. Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mojave provides serenity and solitude from major metropolitan areas. Read more

Muir Woods National Monument

1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908, this primeval forest is both refuge and laboratory, revealing our relationship with the living landscape. What will you discover in Muir Woods? Read more

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

Various

Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses. Read More

Pinnacles National Park

CA-146, Paicines, CA 95043

Some 23 million years ago multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form what would become Pinnacles National Park. What remains is a unique landscape. Travelers journey through chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms. Hikers enter rare talus caves and emerge to towering rock spires teeming with life: prairie and peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and the inspiring California condor. Read More

Point Reyes National Seashore

1 Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd, Inverness, CA 94937

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 species of plants and animals to discover. Home to several cultures over thousands of years, the Seashore preserves a tapestry of stories and interactions of people. Point Reyes awaits your exploration. Read more

Pony Express National Historic Trail

Various

It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. This relay system along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph. Read More

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Concord, CA 94520

On the evening of July 17, 1944, residents in the San Francisco east bay area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that cracked windows and lit up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theater troops blew up. It was WWII’s worst home front disaster. Read more

Presidio of San Francisco

West Bluff Picnic Area, Long Ave, San Francisco, CA 94129

For 218 years, the Presidio served as an army post for three nations. World and local events, from military campaigns to World Fairs and earthquakes, left their mark. Come enjoy the history and the natural beauty of the Presidio. Explore centuries of architecture. Reflect in a national cemetery. Walk along an historic airfield, through forests or to beaches, and admire spectacular vistas. Read More

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks, California

Most people know Redwood as home to the tallest trees on Earth. The parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild river-ways, and nearly 40-miles of rugged coastline. For thousands of years people have lived in this verdant landscape. Together, the National Park Service and California State Parks are managing and restoring these lands for the inspiration, enjoyment, and education of all. Read more

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

1414 Harbour Way S #3000, Richmond, CA 94804

Explore and honor the efforts and sacrifices of American civilians on the World War II home front. Find out how they lived, worked and got along. Many faces, many stories, many truths weave a complex tapestry of myths and realities from this time of opportunity and loss. Read more

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco, CA 94109

Located in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers visitors the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Pacific Coast maritime history. The Park includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships, a Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and Aquatic Park Historic District. Read more

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Newton Canyon, California

Hidden in plain sight from Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites, from old movie ranches to Native American centers. What will you and your family discover? Read More

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271

This dramatic landscape testifies to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity–huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees. These two parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada east of the San Joaquin Valley. Weather varies a lot by season and elevation, which ranges from 1,370′ to 14,494′. Read more

Tule Lake Unit

CA-139, Newell, CA 96134

The Tule Lake National Monument includes both the Tule Lake Segregation Center, the largest and most controversial of the sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, and Camp Tulelake, which was first a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, then an additional facility to detain Japanese Americans, and finally a prisoner of war camp. Read more

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Whiskeytown, CA 96095

Beautiful crystal-clear waters, surrounded by mountain peaks, are perhaps the most prominent feature of Whiskeytown Lake. However, water-based recreation is only a small part of what the park has to offer. The 39,000 acres surrounding the lake hold four waterfalls, pristine mountain creeks, 70 miles of trails, and opportunities to explore the history of the California Gold Rush. Read more

World War II Valor in the Pacific

Honolulu, HI, AK, CA

At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, learn about one of the most pivotal moments in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. The monument preserves and interprets the stories of the Pacific War, from the internment of Japanese Americans to the battles in the Aleutians. Read more

Yosemite National Park

Sierra Nevada, CA

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Read more

The map would be unreadable if we listed every historical site in California. To find all of them, plus other sites of interest, go to Visit California.

California Road Trip Ideas

Planning a California road trip this summer? Here are itineraries that will take you down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Pacific Coast Highway — Northern California Itinerary

Central California Itinerary

Southern California Itinerary

Finally, What to Pack?

Disclosure: The links below contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Ready to hit the road? Be sure to pack along some must needed items for your trip.