PCH road trip

While in Goleta, visit Gaviota State Park. The consistently mild weather and lovely beach make this park worth a visit. It also offers hiking, boating, camping, and plenty more to see and do. And, it was a filming location for the movie Sideways.

Once you reach Lompoc, prepare for some serious wine tasting. The laid-back vibes at Palmina Wines make the experience of tasting some outstanding varietals (paired with cheese, charcuterie, bread, and olive oils) even more incredible. The winery produces dozens of European (mostly Italian) wines using grapes from vineyards across Santa Barbara County.

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.

Today, people come to the Moss Beach Distillery for the freshly-made food and views, but back in the 1920s, 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 its 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.

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. The white wines here are stellar.

There are a few drive-through trees in this part of the country. Even though it might set you back a few bucks and take a bit of waiting in line, it's a must-do when roadtripping through California. It doesn't get any more classic Route 1 than the Drive-Thru Tree Park in Leggett.

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.

When you reach Trinidad, 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.

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.

Redwood State and National Parks are often grouped together as one entity with several individual units, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of the state parks that falls into that group. There are several groves of notably huge redwoods, and a river that runs through the wooded landscape. It's no wonder that George Lucas used redwood forests like this one as a filming location for the Forest Moon of Endor in Star Wars.