Miles on miles of coastline equals the perfect way to see some of the best views that California has to offer. From waterfalls and beaches to theme parks and giant trees, there’s something for absolutely everyone! Whether you stretch it out anywhere from a weekend to a few weeks, and head north to south or vice-versa, there’s no bad way to explore California’s coastline.
First things first: the practical stuff.
Eureka to San Francisco takes about six hours, with another six on top of that to get to LA--but these routes will take you inland, and more importantly, if you speed down the road you won’t give yourself any time to stop and see the sights! Transportation is usually the biggest cost of any trip I take, and with that in mind, I try to plan it out first. There are of course major international airports in LA and San Francisco, as well as a smaller airport near Eureka (the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, which I’ve flown out of several times). If you’re flying in internationally, it will probably be easiest to go to LA and then drive north. Since this is, you know, a road trip, you’ll also need to find a vehicle of some sort! Some companies charge extra for returning their car at a different location than where you picked it up. There’s been more than one occasion where I budgeted driving all the way back to my starting point, just because it was cheaper than paying the fee! Pro tip: I prefer searching for a rental via Booking.com, because they let me compare companies to see who can give me the best price (y’all know I don’t like to spend any more than I have to, because cheaper trips=longer trips). The weather along California’s coasts during summer is actually less ideal than you may expect. Think coastal fog that lingers until mid-morning to early afternoon, and average temperatures in the low 60s to mid-70s F. I’ve found that autumn is the best season to travel along the coast--it’s the shoulder season, so prices are cheaper, there are far less tourists, the weather is still pleasantly warm, and for the most part, you don’t have to worry about rain. Now onto the good stuff! California Coastal Road Trip Itinerary:1. The World’s Biggest Trees at Redwood National & State Parks
This park contains the tallest trees on Earth alongside miles of dramatic coastline. Maybe it’s a little self-serving to put this place first on a list of the best places to see along the California coast (I did live here for two years, after all), but I think that just means I know all the best places to share!
There are so many hikes to choose from, both directly on the coast as well as inland, and they all offer incredible sightseeing. Don’t forget to check out all the best places nearby the Redwoods, too, ranging from my favorite, lesser-known beaches to the incredible Fern Canyon to the most hilarious stops (a 50-foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, anyone? Or how about one of the strangest, most cartoon-esque tourist traps I’ve ever seen?) 2. Avenue of the Giants
Take Highway 101 down south along the part of California known as the Lost Coast. Eventually, you’ll diverge from the coastline further inland--this is the farthest you’ll be from the coast during this trip, but it will be worth it to drive down one of California’s most famous scenic corridors. You can drive straight through here if you like and admire the trees, or you can stop at one of the numerous short hikes branching right off the highway (the perfect excuse to stretch your legs for a bit).
3. Beaches at Fort Bragg
Merge off of Highway 101 onto Highway 1, and head over to Noyo Headlands Park, part of the California Coastal Trail, which is a network of public trails which aims to stretch all along the California coast.
Marvel at beautiful sea cliffs and stacks as you wander along this five-mile stretch. Make your way down to Glass Beach (which is actually three beaches, all accessible by the trail) for the sheer novelty of a beach made almost entirely of rounded glass pebbles. Once a dumping ground for the city of Fort Bragg, the trash was cleared away decades ago, but the shards of glass that were left behind, worn smooth by the movement of ocean waves, remain. Besides being a beautiful spot to relax or a nice place to snorkel/dive, here you can marvel at the way nature has taken something ugly and transformed it into something beautiful. 4. Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes is a beautiful stretch of coastline an hour north of San Francisco. Although its famous lighthouse is still undergoing restorations, in the meantime, you can still admire the gorgeous clifftop views. I suggest checking out the Tule Elk Reserve and other attractions at Tomales Point, and of course, the famous Cypress Tree Tunnel.
5. San Francisco
Okay, so no California road trip would really be complete without San Francisco, right? I’m lucky to live (and have grown up) only an hour away from the city, so it’s safe to say I’ve spent my fair share of time here.
There’s the classic itinerary--from visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39, to walking down the twisty Lombard Street and riding a cable car, to taking a tour of Alcatraz--or you can branch out a little! I recommend visiting the Mission District for its fun, artsy stores, and North Beach for some incredible food. I’m a sucker for a good museum, and San Francisco is full of some of the world’s best (seriously, half of the time I go into San Francisco, it’s to visit a museum). If you’re in the mood to stay thrifty, check out some of the other free things to do in SF, or if hiking is your game, take a local hike or stop by Muir Woods on your way into the city. Finally, I would recommend finding somewhere to park your car for the day (outside of the city, if you can help it, because parking is expensive) and taking BART or MUNI around, our local public transportation systems. 6. Half Moon Bay
I adore Half Moon Bay. California’s coast is full of small, delightful seaside towns (from Eureka up north to Monterey, a few stops ahead), and Half Moon Bay is among the best of them. You could easily spend an entire day here, but I recommend spending a morning or afternoon to avoid the exorbitant hotel prices. Hit up the beach, explore Main Street (and hit up Cafe Society for some excellent chai), and indulge at Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine, which serves Nepalese and Indian food I could probably eat exclusively for the rest of my life.
7. The Boardwalk at Santa Cruz
An hour south of Half Moon Bay brings you to a town that’s about as California as it gets. Walk the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (if you’ve spent any time in the Bay Area, the theme song is now stuck in your head, sorry), ride the ferris wheel right on the beach, and watch the sun set over the water.
8. Monterey/Carmel-by-the-Sea
Monterey and Carmel (pronounced car-mel, not like the sauce) are some of my favorite towns in the entire state, Monterey being my favorite of the two.
Walk along Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium (included in the San Francisco CityPASS!), window shop in Carmel, view the sights along 17 Mile Drive, or go out on the bay. If you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend visiting the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop (yes, just like the one in San Francisco’s delightful Ghirardelli Square) for a giant sundae, or Parker-Lusseau Pastries for the best French pastries in the area. Only a mile apart, it’s easy to see both of these adorable seaside towns in one day. Monterey is your best option in this area for a good (less expensive) place to stay, as Carmel is decidedly more upscale. 9. Point Lobos
Less than ten miles south of Monterey is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, the “crown jewel” of California’s state park system. It features stunning coves, gorgeous sea cliffs, and incredible opportunities for divers. Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions, seals, whales, and sea otters (and sea birds. Sooooooo many sea birds)!
10. Big Sur
The Big Sur coastline is one of the most famous in the state, and for good reason! With no traffic lights, banks, or anything else that might remind you of city life, Big Sur is 90 miles of sea cliffs and sunshine. I lost count of how many times I stopped on the side of the winding highway just to stare out at the coastline! A few must-do’s here include: seeing McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, marveling at Bixby Bridge, and checking out the purple-streaked sand at Pfeiffer Beach.
Plan to spend at least half a day here, preferably around sunrise or sunset, when the ocean turns the same color as the sky. Be sure to fill your gas tank beforehand, as there’s a 40 mile stretch with no gas stations, and think about staying the night somewhere farther south (unless hella rad luxury hotels are your game, of course). 11. San Simeon for a Castle
California doesn’t have many castles, but the ones we do have are killer. This marks the one place on this list I haven’t made it to yet, but I’ll tell you why it’s on my list of must-sees. Hearst Castle in San Simeon is both a National and California Historic Landmark, and one of the most fabulously bizarre museums you’ll ever visit. If this is your first time visiting, they recommend the Grand Rooms tour to “experience what it was like to be a guest at this hilltop retreat” and check out… well, some seriously grand rooms, plus the immaculate castle grounds. They have wheelchair-accessible tours, as well, so anybody can brag to their friends about how they visited a castle in California.
PS - look for the zebra on the side of the highway as you enter! 12. Santa Barbara
As we make our way into SoCal, take some time in Santa Barbara. Known as the American Riviera, the city is full of Spanish colonial-style buildings, with their red-tile roofs, white-washed buildings and stunning gardens. (It’s also known as the place where the television show Psych was filmed, which I loved).
Visit Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful historic church hailed the “Queen of the Missions,” or take a free climb to the top of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse clock tower for great city views. Learn about the Chumash people, who originally called this land their home, at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Next, visit Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wooden pier in California, before taking some time to relax on the beach! This is a great place to take a surf lesson, or you could even head over to the incredible Channel Islands National Park while you’re here. 13. Los Angeles
I’ll be honest: for a long time, LA was not on my list of places to visit. I don’t like traffic, and I have zero interest in looking at a bunch of stars on the ground (that’s just me!) That being said, I have friends who live there, and eventually I decided to give it a chance. I’m glad I did!
First off, there’s the classics: Hollywood, Venice Beach, Universal Studios, and the ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier (cue the Beach Boys). Then I recommend visiting Griffith Observatory for stargazing or views of the Hollywood sign, and The Broad for modern art (it’s free!). The Last Bookstore is a must-do for all book lovers, or you could take a strange jaunt over to the Echo Park Time Travel Mart. Finally, Little Tokyo’s snacks can’t be beat. You could even drive inland to Palm Springs to check out some giant dinosaur sculptures! 14. Anaheim for Disneyland
Grab your Mickey Ears, folks, because 30 minutes from downtown LA is the most magical place on earth. (Can you tell I'm excited about this stop?) Admittedly, if you’ve visited Disney World, you’re not likely to be quite as impressed (Disneyland is basically a mirror of Magic Kingdom), but for Disney fans and people of all ages who can’t resist all the hype, this place is a must. Plan to spend at least one day here, more if you decide to add on Universal Studios Hollywood or Disney California Adventure Park (which I almost prefer over Disneyland itself!)
Pro tip: buy your tickets ahead of time to avoid the massive entrance lines, and collect fast passes for all your favorite rides first thing! I also usually pick the “single rider” line option--not only do you usually get to sit with the rest of your party, but the lines go so much faster when you do. 15. La Jolla, San Diego
Finally, we come to our last stop. La Jolla is San Diego's "Jewel by the Sea," and features some incredible coastline, from sandy beaches to sea caves to the 6,000 acre La Jolla Underwater Park. This is the perfect place to get out on the water! I took a kayaking tour and loved it, but you can do everything from snorkeling to stand-up paddle boarding. Don’t forget to check out Old Town, too, for its shops and music, and if you’re hungry, there’s no shortage of places to choose from--from brunch at Snooze Eatery to crepes, tea and ice cream at Scoops to tacos at the colorful Lucha Libre.
California is beautiful anywhere you go, but there’s something special about our coast. Whether you stop at every place along this itinerary or if you only have time for a few places, I’m sure you’ll make memories to last a lifetime.
Have you been to any of these places before and loved it? Did I miss anywhere that should absolutely be on this list? Let me know in the comments! Like this post? Why not share it?
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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