A dreamy drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (One Week)

Cruise through Humboldt Redwoods State Park's famed forests on the picture-perfect Avenue of the Giants. It's the largest collection of tall redwood trees in California (although none can top Redwood National Park's Hyperion Tree). Stop by the Immortal Tree, which has survived saws and lightning strikes, to see just how tough these trees can be!

There are a few drive-through trees in this part of the country (those huge redwoods lend themselves to being turned into tunnels pretty nicely) and so even though it might set you back a few bucks and take a bit of waiting in line, it's one of those must-do, old-school roadside attractions that's worth doing just to say you did it. It doesn't get any more classic Route 1 than the Drive-Thru Tree Park in Leggett!

And all of that healthy and delicious grub will soak up the wine from Pacific Star Winery quite nicely. The ocean views, cheap tasting fees, and wide variety of vinos make this a great late-afternoon stop. Their white wines are definitely stellar!

From the cliff house to the ocean views to the sculptures that almost blend seamlessly into the surroundings, you won't find a more beautiful natural setting than the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the flowers themselves! The dahlias and roses are especially impressive.

The Point Arena Lighthouse has a fascinating history. Originally built in 1870, it was damaged in a 1906 earthquake, and had to be razed and rebuilt entirely in 1908, helping to pioneer methods to build more earthquake-proofed lighthouses. Oh, and if it looks kind of familiar, don't be surprised: it's the finishing point for the race in the 2014 movie "Need for Speed".

The Tomales Bay Oyster Company is an oyster farm, but if you bring condiments and tools (you can borrow knives and hot sauce from them if you plan to use their grill but forget the essentials) you can have a picnic here, as well! And if oysters aren't your jam, they sell mussels and clams too-- bring along a loaf of baguette and some garlic and butter to eat with your bivalves, and you've got the perfect picnic.

Today, people come to the Moss Beach Distillery for the freshly-made food and views, but back in the 1920's, celebs flocked here for illegal hooch! The private beach located below the restaurant was the perfect place for bootleggers to land their boats loaded with booze so that it could be carried into the restaurant under the cover of night. This restaurant was featured on Unsolved Mysteries for their resident ghost, The Blue Lady, who, according to legend, was a married woman having an affair with the piano player at the eatery. The two were attacked, and she was killed, while they walked on the beach below. Diners and employees alike have reported mysterious happenings, which they think were caused by her spirit.

Pomponio State Beach is another lovely beach right off the highway! Rocky bluffs and stretches of sandy beach, plus a secluded lagoon, make this beach pretty typical of the ones you'll find on the California coast... but don't pass it up! It's especially lovely at sunset.

Seriously, who wouldn't want to enjoy from freshly-grown produce, straight from the farm? Swanton Berry Farm is a local co-op that has a U-Pick option in case you're okay with working for your snack, and a little farm stand where they sell jams, jellies, fruit, baked goods, and tons more.

If you're getting hungry, head to the Santa Cruz Diner. Any place that serves meatloaf, lasagna, and pho all at once definitely has my attention, plus, it was mentioned on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so it's got the Guy Fieri seal of approval. It also has a great diner-y, beachy atmosphere which makes eating here even more fun!

Named after the John Steinbeck novel (also called "Cannery Row") which took place in Monterey, the real-life Cannery Row is a waterfront street that was once home to numerous sardine canneries. In what might be one of the most enchanting opening sentences of any book ever, Steinbeck described it by saying, “Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream." Today, it's more of a tourist attraction, but there are tons of shops for browsing, restaurants and bars, and things to see and do.

It'll cost you about $10 to take the majestic 17 Mile Drive, but it's worth it-- and it's a lot cheaper than playing a round on what is commonly accepted as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world: Pebble Beach. Keep a lookout for otters, golfers, the gorgeous mansions, and, of course, the famed Lone Cypress tree, which is begging for a photo op.

And if all of that fresh ocean air is making you hungry, you'll probably need lunch, or afternoon tea, if you're feeling classy, and The Tuck Box Tea Room is the perfect stop. Sandwiches, salads, and amazing baked goods, as well as a storybook atmosphere will add to the effect of this road trip that often times feels right from a fairy tale.