Picture it: Driving down the scenic California coast, in the awesome car of your choice, windows (or top) down, blasting your favorite tunes…sounds like the perfect road trip, right? Well, the Pacific Coast Highway, formally known as California State Route 1, is the ultimate road trip route. It’s designated an All-American road for its scenic views, and it packs one heck of a path that takes you past some pretty rad attractions and places. Here’s a guide to the must-see spots while road tripping the PCH!
3914 Pacific Way, Seaview, WA 98644, Long Beach, WA, US
The Trees of Mystery is a classically kitschy roadside stop built around some of the coolest and most unique redwoods in the state. There's the fallen Candelabra Redwood, with smaller redwoods growing out of it, the twisting Cathedral Redwood, made of several intertwined trees, educational trails to hike, an aerial tramway to ride, and you can even get married inside of a redwood, if you're feeling impulsive.
When you reach Trinidad, CA, head to Patrick's Point State Park. This secluded and misty park, with its hikes through forests and along the beach, is the perfect place to really feel like you're getting away from it all. Search for agate stones on the shore, appreciate the view from the lookout, and enjoy the solitude with some camping, if you're equipped.
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!
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".
Most people know that California has a strong Spanish heritage... but Fort Ross State Historic Park features a fort that was actually founded by Russian fur traders! The southernmost point in a Russian colonization of America between the 1810's and 1840's or so, it's been restored and buildings have been recreated. Plus, besides being on the coast, you can also explore the nearby redwood forests, too.
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.
It may not look like much now, but back in the early 20th century, these crumbling ruins were once the largest indoor swimming pool in the world, called the Sutro Baths. Seven massive pools could hold up to ten thousand swimmers, and there was even a museum, amphitheater, and ice skating rink inside as well. But the huge attraction proved hard to maintain, especially as its popularity waned, and it caught fire shortly after it closed in the 1960's. The remains are pretty fun to explore, though!
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.
The best time to travel the Pacific Coast Highway: It should be noted that June, July and August are particularly foggy months. If you're looking for a time of year with the clearest views and best weather, October is generally the best time to road trip down the PCH. Also, the summer months can get very crowded at many of the attractions along the route, plus since it's high tourist season you'll experience higher rates at hotels and longer waits at restaurants (many of which are also seasonal and closed in winter).