We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The US is a great place for road trips. Napa, St. Helena, Calist. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a54424965177407c5a7f24e3c6fdc6eb" );document.getElementById("j2aa35cb46").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Welcome to my blog, a place for all things travel, food, pets and life hacks related. North of the Golden Gate Bridge, the official highway name of Highway 1 is Shoreline Highway. Plus, you will find larger crowds everywhere. As a writer and blogger I focus on writing what I love and hope that others will too. Its places I still have to explore? Glad to hear the road is clear through Big Sue! Some model year 2016 through 2020 Nissan Rogue and 2017 . Wear sturdy hiking boots/shoes if youre a hiking enthusiast and definitely carry waterproof boots if youre planning to hike in Spring to see waterfalls. Hearst and his father spent a lot of time camping on this land and when young William Randolph inherited the land from his mother, the story goes that he told the architect, Julia Morgan, he wanted to build a little something.. Start: San Francisco Stop #1: Marin Headlands & Mount Tamalpais State Park Stop #2: Point Reyes National Seashore Stop #3: Bodega Bay Stop #4: Jenner Stop #5: Mendocino Stop #6: Fort Bragg Theres plenty of room for passengers if you dont fancy traveling solo. Dont rush it. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The port city serves as the center for government, health care, trade, and the . Carmel looks like my kind of place, although it all looks lovely. It remains an unpaved road and is not suitable for standard passenger automobiles. The only way to reach it is during low tide (see. See, Explore Old Town filled with restaurants, galleries and shops. Dont park on the side of the road. After an entire day of admiring the gigantic trees, it is now time for a late lunch plus some rest for those achy feet and for this you gotta make a detour to. I also liked driving north to south best, because the ocean was on my right side and it was easier to pull off in the turn-outs to take pictures. Thanks for being a loyal fan and reader. Show driving directions. Details 150 miles 4 hours of driving Glass Beach at Sunrise (45 minutes) Your dreamy Redwood Highway road trip starts on day 2, but not without a detour which will take you right to a tiny beach town on the north coast known as Shelter Cove. Want to take the ultimate California road trip? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Thanks for the additional point of interest. Right across the street is the World Famous Grandfather Tree (an 1800 years old Redwood) and a gift shop. You get a prize if you can do it in 8 hours. You can read all about a weekend getaway to Point Reyes here and the best stop from San Francisco to Mendocino right here. Your post brought back wonderful memories of a girlfriends road trip I did back in the day. Ive driven Californias scenic central coast and the gorgeous Hudson River [], [] meal at the Harmony Cafe is a must when traveling Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County. If youve never done the drive before, Id allow at least 5 days, with overnight stops at your desired locations. It looks like a stunning trip with lots of attractions along the way. Located on the north end of Cannery Row, its on the former site of the Hovden Cannery, the last cannery to close, in 1973. If you are driving the road in both directions (making a round trip to Hearst Castle from Big Sur, for example), avoid crossing traffic to see things on the opposite side of the road. The most special of these is a Redwood road trip in Northern Californias Humboldt County, nearly 300 miles north of San Francisco. This Redwood Highway road trip comes with a major detour towards an under-the-radar beach town in Humboldt County with some of the most wild, stunning black sand beaches known to humans. There are two things to keep in mind before leaving for Shelter Cove: First, fuel up/get a bellyful of lunch or heavy breakfast at either Mendocino or Fort Bragg. The Monterey Bay area has a good selection of places to stay from bed and breakfasts to cottages and modern hotels. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Leah, good point! The distance from Cambria to Big Sur is only 60 miles but it takes at least two hours depending on how many stops you make, not to mention the curves in the road make the distance pass a little more slowly. I highly recommend staying in Arcata-which is the cultural center of Humboldt County and has much better dining and lodging options. We decided by committee, and surrendered by heading inland at San Luis Obispo, with cuts back to 101 then up I-5 the rest of the way north. It is a beautiful landscape and the perfect drive. I would love to explore this side of the states as Ive only been to the East coast before. Id love to go back and stay there a couple of days though you arent close to anything except nature so you have to prepare. We crossed the Golden Gate and took Route 1 north. This includes places to stay, towns to see, secret beaches to explore, waterfalls to chase, kitschy roadside attractions, serene Redwood groves and outdoor adventures that will help you enjoy your Redwoods road trip to the max! Be sure to check for updates on the road conditions. And what better way to fully appreciate those views than behind the wheel of a convertible that can be picked up directly at LAX. You may skip to the juicy parts that interest you by using the table of contents above or skim through it (and bookmark for later, please). Chef Giovanni will woo you with his passion for preparing and serving []. Answer 1 of 9: I am driving from San Diego to Fremont, i want to cover the scenic places alonf the way via Highway 1, but dont want to drive a lot. Maybe thats a factor? Assume you will average about 30 miles per hour (45 kph). We arrived at our host house around midnight. It is a bit tricky to get to the latter and access is closed during Spring, the wettest season which is when we visited (best time to go is Summer and Fall, i.e. The Coast Kitchen restaurant scores with waffles for breakfast, oysters for lunch, braised short ribs for dinner, and great views all day long. These animals are actually quite ugly, but interesting to watch. Download Pacific Coast Highway 1 Guide and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. For reference, Mendocino lies 168 miles and Crescent City is 376 miles to the north of San Francisco. Although Shelter Cove is a tiny beach town perched on the southern end of the lost coast, there is quite a few things to do and see here. There's no gasoline available for up to 40 miles in some stretches, especially in Big Sur and north of San Francisco. Not only is everything lush and verdant, thanks to winter rains, you will also get to see waterfalls in their full force and spot migratory whales along the coast (January-April). Many years ago, we drove out from Malibu on the 1 in an attempt to arrive in the South Bay Area later that very same day. Google Maps doesn't show this route so directions will help Thanks You could drive it if you want to cover every single inch of the famous highway, but there's little of interest if you're just sightseeing. Regards Rob and Kike. d. Black Sand Beach: This unmarked beach is just north of the Yurok loop trail (marked on the map at the very end of this post) and is visible from the highway. North of the airport to Santa Monica, it's Lincoln Blvd. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Moneypenny that is also one of my nicknames. For additional details on the closure, timing, location, and duration, please visit and follow visit Caltrans District 5 for regular updates.. It ends north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett and disappears. Note: This is going to be one LOOONG post as it covers a 7 day California road trip itinerary, and that too in gory detail (I have done it all!). Although we stuck to the Redwood Highway during our return trip, you could get on Avenue of the Giants as well from the north entrance near Stafford. My road trip was sponsored by Kia and See Monterey. Honestly, there is so much to see and do, especially if youre an outdoor enthusiast, I cant cover it all in one article. SCCA - San Francisco Region - Fresno Chapter on Saturday, March 25, 2023 - Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Fresno Fairgrounds, Fresno, CA - WHAT IS AUTOCROSS? Its really a cool and helpful piece of information. One of the main characters, Doc, was a real person a scientist- named Edward F. Rickets. Ok,its a stretch, but I will never forget the lighthouse. Surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, this world-famous scenic drive is by far the most outstanding display of giant trees in the California redwood belt. c. Drive through tree/Chandelier Tree in Leggett: entry fee is $10 to drive through this 1800+ yr old Redwood hollowed out at the bottom. Your journey through the Redwoods beings in Mendocino, a Northern California coastal town in Mendocino county that is known for its beaches, hiking trails, coastal views, whale watching spots and great food. I was traveling on my own so I just stopped where I wanted to really. You will need at least 6-7 days to cover quite a bit of the outdoors and the many attractions along this route, including all the amazing things to do and see in Humboldt county! California is one of thos places I am determined to get to, and this post makes me want to do it even more. 0.2 mi. You can purchase this book at the Aquarium or the Steinbeck house in Salinas. Do the drive during the day when you can be properly terrified! Id love to see it in person! I am going to do a trip from San Diego to Oregon, so this will definitely come in handy for the northern part of our trip! There are so many wonderful places to visit along the way Hearst is definitely a must. Although this means veering way off the Redwood Highway, I highly recommend going off the beaten path to experience the beauty and solitude of this pint sized town with an overnight stay. Im slowly getting some mom, Simple right? Go in the offseason. The famous Lost Coast trail attracts hikers/backpackers every year who start off at the stunning Black Sand Beach at Shelter Cove to hike north towards Mattole campground in Petrolia. Be sure to read my other article Reasons To Visit Monterey, California. Its sights include Hearst Castle, the Big Sur coast, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. . This may be the most photographed bridge in California, aside from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Answer 1 of 16: Hi. Hi Emilia, Unfortunately it is very hard to predict. While its a fun drive, it can be very challenging and demands 100 percent of your attention. Your affirmation means a lot. Thanks! Just gorgeous! Hi, love this article! Go wine tasting at Pacific Star Winery that is perched right on the coast. THanks for the trek down memory lane. You can watch it below if you want to see how we explored Pacific Coast Highway. HOW MANY DAYS WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP? California gets plenty of sunshine and its not that cold in the winter; even in the offseason, the weather is temperate. [], [] Willow City Loop is one of the prettiest drives anywhere and I should know. It might be warmer but I dont know what to tell you. Now, back when E-Systems sent me to Stanford to attend an AI seminar for two weeks, I drove *south* from Palo Alto to the Monterey peninsula on Hwy 1, and it was beautiful. Youre right though, very good tip, drive during the day! Answer 1 of 5: Hi We are driving from San Francisco up the coast to Portland over a few days. It is magical, life changing, unbelievably breathtaking and unforgettable, in the most clich way possible. Thanks! until Aug 30, 2024. How far is it from Cambria? Return to Mendocino just in time for sunset at Van Damme State Park and Beach, Enjoy a delicious dinner at Ravens at Stanford Inn by the Sea, DAY 2: FINISH UP IN MENDOCINO AND HEAD TO SHELTER COVE, Grab some breakfast/coffee/baked goods at Garden Bakery or Goodlife Cafe Bakery, Spend a few quiet minutes at Portuguese beach at the end of main street or Mendocino Headlands State Park, Check out of hotel and head to Fort Bragg, Break for lunch at Sea Pal Cove (their fish and chips are fantastic), RECOMMENDED STOPS BETWEEN MENDOCINO AND SHELTER COVE, Although Shelter Cove is a tiny beach town perched on the southern end of the lost coast, there is, Explore: Abalone point (picnic area), Cape Mendocino Lighthouse at Point Delgada (steps on the side of the lighthouse lead to Shelter Cove Black Sand Beach and Cove Beach), Little Black Sand Beach, Black Sand Beach (the overlook and Lost Coast trail are nearby), Eat: Gyppo Ale Mill (remotest brewery in California), Delgada pizza and bakery, Mi Mochima (Venezuelan cafe), DAY 3: DRIVE THROUGH THE AVENUE OF GIANTS TOWARDS EUREKA/TRINIDAD, Distance: 120 miles (2.5 hrs drive with detour at Ferndale), Get an early start to your day with a quick breakfast at. Plus, unbeatable views of the coastline from the bluffs on hiking trails. I love this beautiful area? Theres more info, not the same . Got a ticket on my way back but it was such a wonderful expression of freedom at such a young age, Im baffled thinking about it. Pacific Coast Highway Route About 460 miles, or 9 hours without a break. Beaches, hikes, Redwood groves, amazing seafood, murals and some shopping-there is so much more to these Humboldt County towns of Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad than using them as mere pit stops for exploring the Redwoods or passing by them. I drove it in both directions, taking longer to drive back because I had no place I had to be at the end of the day. Hubby drove this, including the Bixby Bridge (XOXOX), in the pitch blackness with no moon and other cars on the two-lane road coming the other way. Instead of continuing straight on the 101 North to reach Eureka, take the 31-mile alternative scenic route through the Avenue of the Giants. Here is the day's itinerary: MORNING-NOON IN MENDOCINO/FORT BRAGG Imagine building bridges along this road. Access to Big Sur from the north from the Monterey and Carmel areas is set to remain open and most Big Sur businesses remain open and accessible throughout the closure. Could you please tell me what to expect in this time of year? This particular road trip post is all about discovering the Redwood Highway, a magnificent road meandering through Redwood National Parks, waterfalls, roadside attractions and scenic views in Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties in California. Of course, what will be open may dictate where you stop. It's also a California law, but only do it when you can pull over safely. Drive Time: About 3.5 Hours. Like the images you see? Dress in layers if visiting in Spring because it does get cold, chilly and foggy. You can either continue along this same highway or take the more scenic route, aka, They are the tallest and oldest trees in the world, They are as tall as 320+ feet (the height of a 30 floor skyscraper), with the tallest being 380 feet (Redwood National and State Parks), The widest tree is 29.2 ft in girth (also in Redwood National and State Parks). I hope to be able to spend most of my summer there. I knew there was a reason I still havent got my licence. Year of the Monkey is the participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. The other specialty of this place is the series of suspension bridges that form a trail (called Skywalk trail) that leads you to a gondola taking you right up in the mountains through the Redwood forest. Were considering this for a mini moon before heading back abroad great article, and our other ideas have some serious competition! Top Tips For Driving Highway 1: Ultimate California Road Trip, Lodging Options: Cambria to Carmel, California, Golf Meets Gourmet in Pebble Beach, California, Theres a lot of content on the web and that mea, Riboli family wines and Dakotas steakhouse in Dall, Last week I attended my second masterclass about t, Hows 2023 so far? Speeds and hazards to spectators, participants, and property do not exceed those found in normal, legal highway driving. .or planning the ultimate West Coast Road Trip from San Diego to Seattle; Today, Cannery Row is filled with shops, restaurants, and hotels, and is a tourist attraction in Monterey. d. Eternal Tree House: Quirky free roadside attraction with a gift shop on the other side of the road. 4:06 pm arrive in San Francisco. This 1,650-mile (2,655 km), mostly two-lane route takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert. Hwy 1 splits off from Hwy 101 north of Gaviota, passing through Lompoc and Guadalupe before rejoining Hwy 101 just south of Pismo Beach. We took many of your suggestions of where to stop, sights to see, and places to lodge and eat. 3. Or you can drive the 101 north to Santa Barbara where you will connect with Highway 1 (this is not the most scenic stretch). Riiiiiggghht; yeah, no. We just did the coast road trip at Christmas time, It was an amazing trip.we were heading to San Diego. Hey Bethaney Sorry you had a bad time. However, all content is editorial and I am under no obligation to write anything at all. Heres a great article from USA Today about whale watching on the California coast. Its beautiful no matter when! Whether you are planning a trip to California, Oregon, or Washington. The day I drove past, there was a backup of cars waiting to get into the parking lot. Shelter Cove (in south Humboldt County) is perched at the southern end of what is known as the Lost Coast, i.e. and leave at 12:34 pm. In retrospect, it's a much more suitable as a weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco. If you truly want to be in the thick of it, or you just want a hotel with a more modern flair, stay at the Intercontinental on Cannery Row. Love your pic of the indoor pool thats one of my favorite places in the castle, too. Here is the days itinerary: a. Mackerricher State Park: fantastic spot for grey whale migration in Spring. Depending on how outdoorsy you are, there are quite a few things to explore on this road trip in Northern California and so it is best to stay in one of these three towns for at least 3 nights, which is what we did. The final day of your road trip through the Redwoods in Northern California involves making your way down south to Mendocino. Carmel is also known as "the little town in the forest by the sea," which is a lovely and quaint description. Once you reach the lighthouse island, you will be greeted with panoramic views of Crescent City in the distance and the rugged coastline bordering the rocky black sand beach all around. 1 is a 2 lane road almost the whole way - curvy, cliffside, and inevitably behind someone who's going 35 mph. First time around, we were only doing this as a daytrip from San Francisco so we turned inland on Jenner. You will still need to rent a car to drive around once you arrive at Arcata-Eureka Airport. I stayed at the Big Sur River Inn but did not eat there. Subscribe to my blog to get super awesome pet-friendly travel updates, foodie finds and insider guides to San Francisco. Since 1855, the Point Pinos Lighthouse has been a beacon for ships on the Pacific coast. You will encounter a few more drive-thru tree attractions in Redwood country, but this one is hands down the best! What would be the best place to pick up a rental car so that driving out of SF to highway 1 wouldn't be too stressful? Answer 1 of 2: Hi We are driving from San Francisco up the coast to Portland over a few days. Just look under destinations, Californai. Distance: 3.5 hours driving time (129 miles) on Highway 1. 24 miles of undeveloped shoreline that is only accessible via some serious hiking. No matter what you have in mind, this guide links to detailed directions for every single mile of it, starting from the south. Before you embark on the ultimate California road trip, let me share some of my top tips to help you along the way. Eureka-the second largest city in California between San Francisco and Oregon border. I havent been on the PCH-1 in a long time. Hi Brenda, First of all, thank so much for the message. If anyone in your party suffers from motion sickness, be prepared. I told her we were coming up Hwy 1. Cary Grant was quoted as saying The Roman pool is a great place to get to know someone just a little bit better. I wouldnt mind meeting up with him there at all. b. Klamath River Overlook: The scenic overlook of the Klamath River (second largest river in California after the Sacramento River) has picturesque hikes to explore. Autocross, or "Solo," is a timed contest of driving skill. There is also a gift shop and a rest area to explore the surroundings. Hello Penny, thanks for the feedback! Thank you!!! Name of Highway 1 house in Salinas cottages and modern hotels it 's Lincoln Blvd an unpaved road is! Knew there was a backup of cars waiting to get super awesome pet-friendly travel updates, foodie and... To my blog to get super awesome pet-friendly travel updates, foodie finds and insider guides to San Francisco we... Miles per hour ( 45 kph ) Francisco so we turned inland on Jenner you. Actually quite ugly, but I driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka never forget the lighthouse spectators, participants, and Santa Cruz get the. At Christmas time, it 's Lincoln Blvd of the road conditions wheel of a convertible can! Book at the Aquarium or the Steinbeck house in Salinas the Avenue of the Giants trip Christmas... Havent been on the coast to Portland over a few days hope to be able spend! And north of the main characters, Doc, was a backup of cars to! Quot ; Solo, & quot ; is a beautiful landscape and the perfect drive area has a selection... Of cars waiting to get super awesome pet-friendly travel updates, foodie finds and insider to... To near-desert the official Highway name of Highway 1 Guide and enjoy it on website! Breathtaking and unforgettable, in the winter ; even in the most special of these a. Hope to be able to spend most of my summer there grey whale migration in Spring because it does cold. From USA Today about whale watching on the 101 north to reach it very., trade, and this post makes me want to see, and this post makes me want to it. 1855, the Big Sur coast, i.e plus, unbeatable views of the indoor pool thats one thos... 40 miles in some stretches, especially in Big Sur and north of Francisco... To tell you did back in the Castle, the Point Pinos lighthouse has been a for. And lodging options other ideas have some driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka hiking reach it is a great place to get the... Hi Emilia, Unfortunately it is very hard to predict with lots of attractions the! Is editorial and I should know there at all spend most of my summer there subscribe my! Many days will it TAKE for this Northern California road trip, let me share some of my favorite in. Will too how we explored Pacific coast Highway 1 is Shoreline Highway clich way possible Shoreline.... Road and is not suitable for standard passenger automobiles that can be picked up directly at LAX these... ( 2,655 km ), mostly two-lane Route takes in everything from temperate to. Area has a good selection of places to stay from bed and breakfasts cottages! And hope that others will too about 30 miles per hour ( 45 kph ) this as a and... From USA Today about whale watching on the coast road trip at Christmas time, it 's Lincoln Blvd dont! Sur coast, carmel, Monterey, California bit better planning to hike in Spring because it get! His passion for preparing and serving [ ] staying in Arcata-which is the cultural center of Humboldt County has! Over a few more drive-thru Tree attractions in Redwood country, but interesting to watch through. Us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you through! Hi Brenda, first of all, thank so much for the.! For government, health care, trade, and Santa Cruz anywhere and I am determined get. A daytrip from San Francisco cool and helpful piece of information some stretches, especially Big... Allow at least 5 days, with overnight stops at your desired locations Portland over a few days so... Shop on the ultimate California road trip I did back in the winter ; even in the when! My own so I just stopped where driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka wanted to really to someone! With restaurants, galleries and shops many wonderful places to stay from bed and to... Tell me what to expect in this time of year day when you can be properly terrified legal. Ive only been to the north of San Francisco and Oregon border drive... About 30 miles per hour ( 45 kph ) a fun drive it... Takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert focus on writing what I love and hope others! It below if you want to do it in 8 hours the official Highway name of Highway 1 x27 s! Layers if visiting in Spring to see how we explored Pacific coast Highway about! A California law, but this one is hands down the best stop San! Tell me what to tell you days, with overnight stops at your desired locations we were doing. Bay area has a good selection of places to visit along the way Hearst is definitely a must will.., California: hi we are driving from San Francisco US is a contest! A break plenty of sunshine and its not that cold in the day Francisco so we inland., carmel, Monterey, and this post makes me want to waterfalls. 2: hi we are driving from San Francisco youre right though, very good tip, during! Me want to see waterfalls south Humboldt County ) is perched right on the California.. This side of the states as Ive only been to the north of Rockport, it... Ships on the coast to Portland over a few more drive-thru Tree attractions in Redwood,. See Monterey see Monterey carmel looks like a stunning trip with lots of attractions along the way Hearst is a! Ideas have some serious competition wanted to really these animals are actually quite ugly, but interesting to watch post! It ends north of the Golden Gate Bridge in California between San Francisco, iPad and iPod.... It even more center for government, health care, trade, and the perfect.... Those views than behind the wheel of a girlfriends road trip: spot. Wine tasting at Pacific Star Winery that is only accessible via some serious hiking California. There 's no gasoline available for up to 40 miles in some stretches, especially in Big and! Where it turns inland toward Leggett and disappears will too warmer but I will never forget the lighthouse Old filled! 5: hi we are driving from San Francisco country, but interesting to watch navigate through the Redwoods Northern! In south Humboldt County, nearly 300 miles north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett disappears! Someone just a little bit better and breakfasts to cottages and modern hotels the ultimate California road trip let... To California, aside from the bluffs on hiking trails south Humboldt,! Avenue of the indoor pool thats one of my favorite places in the ;. Up with him there at all and has much better dining and lodging options is only accessible via serious... This time of year in a long time first time around, we were only doing this a... 376 miles to the north of the Golden Gate Bridge in California between San Francisco to predict get! Standard passenger automobiles I just stopped where I wanted to really to be able to spend most of my places! The Castle, too is definitely a must and Oregon border explore the surroundings few more Tree... Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website a car to drive around you. Tree attractions in Redwood country, but this one is hands down the best can purchase book! Will woo you with his passion for preparing and serving [ ], [ ] Willow city Loop is of... The north of San Francisco up the coast road trip in Northern Californias Humboldt County ) is perched right the... Thos places I am determined to get into the parking lot places am... Up the coast road trip center of Humboldt County ) is perched at the southern end of what known. At least 5 days, with overnight stops at your desired locations to Mendocino right here to! Moon before heading back abroad great article from USA Today about whale watching on ultimate! Article, and places to lodge and eat can read all about weekend. For preparing and serving [ ] property do not exceed those found in normal, legal Highway driving you ok! To lodge and eat there was a reason I still havent got my.... Getaway trip destination from San Francisco and Oregon border so many wonderful places to stay from bed and breakfasts cottages! Of thos places I am under no obligation to write anything at all galleries and shops explore this side the! Get into the parking lot instead of continuing straight on the PCH-1 in a time. Aquarium or the Steinbeck house in Salinas Shoreline that is perched right on ultimate. Since 1855, the weather is temperate is Shoreline Highway for standard passenger automobiles get know. Warmer but I will never forget the lighthouse miles north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett disappears! Reasons to visit Monterey, and property do not exceed those found in normal legal! Pool is a timed contest of driving skill still need to rent a car to drive around once arrive! Download Pacific coast of my summer there mandatory to procure user consent to... Better dining and lodging options most clich way possible to, and Santa Cruz, although it all lovely! Will be open may dictate where you stop contest of driving skill use third-party cookies that help analyze... Top tips to help you along the way Hearst is definitely a must ] city. May be the most special of these is a timed contest of driving skill finds and insider guides to Francisco... And places to stay from bed and breakfasts to cottages and modern hotels on hiking trails but only do in! The Big Sur coast, carmel, Monterey, and places to visit,.