Beautiful beaches, cool ocean breezes, history, vibrant cultural towns, dining, shopping, and world-class vineyards are all part of one of the most scenic and adventurous driving experiences that anyone could imagine. What type of driving experience are we talking about? It is the incredible adventure that you will remember for a lifetime when you go on a Highway 1 road trip.
You can begin your adventure in Santa Cruz County where you will discover a part of the Redwood Forest that has trees as high as skyscrapers. Santa Cruz County is home to the University of California which means that there is a continual college vibe along with amazing outdoor activities. Make sure you take the time to explore the surrounding farmland and vineyards. You will be able to experience the century old Santa Cruz Wharf as you view whales and migratory birds.
Of course, a hike through the Redwood Forest is a must. Head over to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park where you will be surrounded by 19 m tall, old-growth trees. There are more than 100 km of hiking trails which will provide you with fantastic views of wildlife and waterfalls. You can even set up your tent and enjoy a few days camping.
You continue your adventure along Highway 1 as you enter Monterey County which is another iconic California destination. As you drive along Highway 1 the breathtaking coastal views will be hard to resist. One of the must see attractions is Cannery Row. John Steinbeck was inspired to write a novel of these once dominated sardine canneries.
If you enjoy a glass of wine, travel a short distance inland to the Monterey Wine Country. In the Salinas Valley there are wonderful tours of vineyards and tasting rooms. Here you will find award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. You can finish your time in Monterey County by visiting either the Monterey Bay Aquarium or Pinnacles National Park.
San Luis Obispo is considered to be one of the jewels by the water and is perhaps the most photographed area on the California coast. Buckle up your seat-belt as your journey takes you beside towering seaside cliffs. Below you hear the thunderous sounds of waves crashing onto the rocks. Along this section of the highway do not neglect to stop and view the many elephant seals that lounge on the rocks at Piedras Blancas.
Other adventures on your Highway 1 road trip include San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, and Ventura.
Photo by Rafa Win 
Photo by seefit
Photo by fabraw
Related posts:
If you are someone that enjoys going camping, you are going to want to learn about some Mono Lake camping hacks that you can implement to use on your next trip. Below, we will be going over some of the best camping hacks. Best Mono Lake Camping Ha...
Big Bend National Park, located in southeast Texas and with the Chisos mountains in the southeast, includes the large swath of the Southwest Chihuahua Desert and the mountains of the Chisos Mountains. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive takes visitors to t...
The Yellowstone Volcano is an active super volcanic caldera located in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, United States. The caldera has a diameter of nearly 20 miles and has the most active volcanoes and eruptions on earth. This caldera has a gre...
Spread across 243,921 acres, the Capitol Reef National Park is a natural showpiece in Utah. It has a charming essence that's impossible to ignore and it offers a delightful set of attractions that make you want to enjoy the moment to its fullest pote...
Yosemite photography workshops offer unique learning opportunities to develop an eye for the world's most stunning natural landscapes. At these workshops, professional nature photographers and amateur landscape photographers both gather together to t...
Arches National Park lies in Northwest Utah in the state of Utah. Bordered on the west by the Colorado River, it is known as the site of over 2,000 unique natural sandstone arch structures, including the colossal, red-colored, 300-foot long Delicate ...