California Highway 1

San Diego
California dreamers, endless coastline & sunshine

Start in one of Californias sunniest destinations, not just in terms of the weather, but also in attitude. In
the heart of the city, shop in Horton Plaza, or catch a baseball game at Petco Park. See the giant pandas
at the San Diego Zoo. Next, explore one of the citys diverse neighborhoods, Little Italy, North Park,
South Park, East Villagepedestrian-friendly enclaves are the epicenter of San Diegos burgeoning
culinary movement, progressive art scene, and craft beer boom. Start your own sampling in North Park,
the neighborhood bordering Balboa Parks northeast side. Along 30th Street and University Avenue,
enjoy farm-to-table cuisine and boutique wines at Urban Solace, or wing it at local favorite Carnitas
Snack Shop (the menu changes daily depending on fresh produce and other ingredients available that
day). Work off lunch by heading down to San Diegos sparkling Mission Bay to rent stand-up
paddleboards or kayaks. Finish with dining and dancing after dark in the lively Gaslamp Quarter.
Splurge on a night at one of Californias iconic lodgings, the Hotel del Coronado, on idyllic Coronado
Island, connected to the city by an arcing bridge that makes you feel like youre a million miles away.
Continue your drive heading north on Highway One, with a visit to beautiful La Jolla (classy shopping
and sidewalk cafs abound), ending in the California surf capital of Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach
Endless summer, surfers paradise

Plan at least a day to hang out and get the surf vibe in this classic beach town, where the main drag
heads straight to the beach. Southern Californias beach culture thrives along this citys curving
shoreline, where you can bicycle down an oceanfront path, play volleyball, and, of course, surf. Surfing
definitely sets the tone in Huntington Beach, and even if you never grab a board, theres shopping at
leading surf retailers and great viewing of some of the local dudes riding the waves alongside the
landmark Huntington Pier.
From the pier, its a short walk to Main Streets stylish boutiques and restaurants, many with sidewalk
tables or decks that let you bask in Huntington Beachs fresh ocean breezes and sun-soaked afternoons.
You can get a taste of the Surf City life with stays at Huntington Beach luxurious oceanfront resorts. Or
discover more natural sides of town by trying horseback riding in 354-acre/143-hectare Huntington
Central Park, and with bird watching and by exploring trails in Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a
restored wetlands and one of Southern Californias most vital coastal habitats.
Next, follow the coast north to Californias largest metropolitan area, Los Angeles, with big city
museums, dining, entertainment, and other attractions.

Los Angeles
Rooftop Restaurants, A-List Celebrities

Californias largest city has nonstop action and things to do, but it can be a challenge to navigate, so
planning your trip in advance is a big plus. Start in the coastal city of Santa Monica, with a wide,
uncrowded beach, a signature pier topped by carnival rides and restaurants, and outstanding shopping
at Third Street Promenade and fancy Santa Monica Place shopping center (great for rooftop dining with
ocean and city views). Follow the Santa Monica Boulevard northeast to visit legendary Beverly Hills,
where cars with tinted windows pull up to Chanel and other deluxe boutiques along Rodeo Drive.
Continue east to Hollywood to stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame and visit TCL Chinese Theatre.
Drive east to visit hip and historic downtown Los Angeles (or simply DTLA). An influx of new
residents has helped energize the area, and downtowns re-emergence has also been spurred by such
attractions as Grand Park, an urban oasis with views stretching from the Music Center (including Walt
Disney Concert Hall) to City Hall. Vintage buildings have been transformed, including the ornate 1927
United Artists building on Broadway, where the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles offers stylish digs
and a restaurant. Crowds flock to the sports and entertainment combo of Staples Center and LA LIVE,
where you can also see music artifacts (Elviss sheet music, Michaels glove) at the Grammy Museum
and catch concerts at the Nokia Theatre. Finish your L.A. experience with a visit to Universal Studios
Hollywood, with movie-themed rides and back-lot tours.
Return to the coast to drive north past Malibu and on to one of Californias prettiest cities, romantic
Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara
With its Mediterranean climate and cache of culture, this seaside city deserves to be called the
American Riviera

Next stop on your coastal cruise is this elegant city hugging the coastal hills, where classic Spanish
architecture gives the region a sun-washed European look straight out of the Riviera. The Santa
Barbara may have a burnished antique look, the current fantasy of Spanish colonial-style architecture
all red-tiled roofs and whitewashed courtyards covered in climbing bougainvilleadidnt take root
until 1925, when an earthquake damaged downtown buildings, making room for a whole new style.
And in this case it was a romantic look back, a nod to the regions first Spanish visitors more than 150
years before. The elegant building style has stuck around, and become the citys visual touchstone.
Perfect architecture, and perfect setting. Tucked into the lee of the Santa Ynez Mountains and protected
from the brunt of Pacific wind and waves, The American Riviera enjoys a dreamy Mediterranean
climate, with plenty of sunny days and mild winters. Add wine country producing award-winning
vintages, outdoor adventures on land and sea, big-city arts and entertainment, and you have a city thats
a poster child for the California good life. Stroll State Street for excellent shops and dining, launch a
kayak from East Beach to paddle under Stearns Wharf, visit the classic Old Mission Santa Barbara, and
tour the 1782 presidio for a look at original adobes like El Cuartel, the second oldest surviving building
in the state.
Now drive north to sample the regions legendary vintages in beautiful, uncrowded wine country.

Santa Barbara
With its Mediterranean climate and cache of culture, this seaside city deserves to be called the
American Riviera

Next stop on your coastal cruise is this elegant city hugging the coastal hills, where classic Spanish
architecture gives the region a sun-washed European look straight out of the Riviera. The Santa
Barbara may have a burnished antique look, the current fantasy of Spanish colonial-style architecture
all red-tiled roofs and whitewashed courtyards covered in climbing bougainvilleadidnt take root
until 1925, when an earthquake damaged downtown buildings, making room for a whole new style.
And in this case it was a romantic look back, a nod to the regions first Spanish visitors more than 150
years before. The elegant building style has stuck around, and become the citys visual touchstone.
Perfect architecture, and perfect setting. Tucked into the lee of the Santa Ynez Mountains and protected
from the brunt of Pacific wind and waves, The American Riviera enjoys a dreamy Mediterranean
climate, with plenty of sunny days and mild winters. Add wine country producing award-winning
vintages, outdoor adventures on land and sea, big-city arts and entertainment, and you have a city thats
a poster child for the California good life. Stroll State Street for excellent shops and dining, launch a
kayak from East Beach to paddle under Stearns Wharf, visit the classic Old Mission Santa Barbara, and
tour the 1782 presidio for a look at original adobes like El Cuartel, the second oldest surviving building
in the state.
Now drive north to sample the regions legendary vintages in beautiful, uncrowded wine country.

Santa Ynez Wine Country

Tour an iconic wine region with fog, sun, and plenty of Pinot

This next stop encourages you to slow down, relax, and really savor your surroundingsand the
amazing wines produced here. The Santa Ynez Valley, just north of Santa Barbara, is one of most
diverse grape-growing regions in the county. Near the Pacific, fog and cool air rolls in at dusk, ideal for
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Thirty miles inland at Happy Canyon, its sunny and hotperfect
for Bordeaux varieties like Cab Franc and Merlot.
And scenic? How about rolling hills, endless vines, and ancient oaks to the horizon. Between the wines
and the views, its easy to see why the region became a star in the 2004 surprise hit, Sideways. Take a
self-guided tour of the films many shoot locations in Buellton, Los Alamos, and Los Olivoseven if
you dont remember the movie, these places are all worth a visit.
Where to go? Why not start at Sunstone Winery. It has a cool wine cave, sustainably grown grapes, and
a spectacular limestone chateau available for overnight stays. Another tip: buy a pass from Santa Ynez
Valley Wine Country Association to save on tastings at 15 participating boutique wineries.
Next stop is a visit to one of the statesif not the countrysremarkable structures, the ornate
compound known as Hearst Castle.

Hearst Castle
Wraparound Views, Lavish Designs

From Highway One, youll see this incredible complex of ornately embellished towers and buildings
perched high on a coastal hilltop, like a coastal Shangri-La with 360 views. Park in the main lot of the
state park grounds, then check in at the visitor center to ride one of the parks shuttle buses up to the
castle for a guided tour. (Make online reservations well in advance, especially during the busy summer
months.) Lavishly designed by Julia Morgan (Californias first female licensed architect), as the private
residence of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, the complex, completed in 1947, is an
extraordinary temple to opulence and excess. Now showcased within one of Californias most visited
state parks, it is a must-see to end all must sees, an eye-popping extravaganza with a 165-room castle,
127 acres/51 hectares of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools.
In fact, the castles two pools are standout attractions. The outdoor Neptune Pool, 104 feet/32 meters in
length and with an oil-burning heating system, evokes ancient Greece and Rome, with marble statues
of Neptune and Nereid guarding over the aquatic paradise. The second, smaller indoor Roman Pool has
the look of a decadent Roman bath, with rich details including cobalt blue and gold smalti, or glass
tiles. Look up to see intricate mosaics depicting a star-filled night sky, spreading across the roof and
dome. The pool is surrounded by eight marble sculptures of Greek and Roman gods, goddesses, and
heroes, carved by Italian sculptor Carlo Freter.
From Hearst Castle, turn north to twist along the iconic Big Surwith towering redwoods, and sheer
cliffs plunging into the sea.

Big Sur
Art and nature merge on this rugged coast, one of Californias most spectacular settings

Welcome to one of the worlds most unforgettable stretches of coastline. This roughly 90-mile-long
stretch of redwood- and fog-trimmed waterfront between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hearst Castle has no
specific boundaries, no urban core, drawing you (and writers like Henry Miller and Beat Generation
darling Jack Kerouac) in with a magic allure that is almost palpable. This is, quite simply, a place you
want to bebluffs, sea, and sky.
"This is, quite simply, a place you want to bebluffs, sea, and sky."

Drive Big Surs length via twisting Highway One, with plenty of pullovers at places like Bixby Bridge.
Another favorite photo op: McWay Falls, a silvery cascade that falls some 70 feet from the sea cliffs to
a remote beach below. Look up to see endangered California condors, North Americas largest birds, or
look down to scan the swells for migrating whales or sea otters floating among dense beds of kelp,
Californias signature seaweed. Try the famous Ambrosia burger on the deck of Nepenthe, then nurse
your beer to watch the sunset. Campgrounds abound, as do rustic cabins at Deetjens and other
(sometimes funky) resorts. The regions beauty also makes it a magnet for exclusive, splurge-worthy
hotels like the cliff-hugging Post Ranch Inn, or luxurious Ventana Inn and Spa.
Continue north along Highway One towards your next stop, romantic Carmel and historic Monterey.
Along the way, consider a detour to explore Andrew Molera State Park, where you can ride horses right
next to crashing waves.

Monterey & Carmel

Romance and a big blue sea

Wrapped by the Pacific on three sides, the Monterey Peninsula at once offers wind-tossed beaches and
quiet coves, fine dining and casual eats, early history and postmodern art. Youll first arrive in artsy
Carmel-by-the-Sea (locals just call it Carmel), a town that deftly straddles the balance point of rich
history and new wealth. The Carmel Mission is one of the states most beautiful, and shady trails fan
out from the site into lush Mission Trail Nature Preserve. Stroll the white sands of dog-friendly Carmel
Beach, or explore a mosaic of meadows, wave-battered bluffs, and wind-twisted trees at nearby Point
Lobos State Reserve. Come back to explore Carmels main village, with gallery-lined streets, cozy
gastropubs, and even cozier inns.
Continue around the arc of Monterey Bay to visit the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, with
its psychedelic jellies and bat-ray petting tanks is a must-visit, especially for families. Mesmerizing
tanks and exhibits showcase more than 35,000 animals and plants representing over 550 speciesa
large number of them California natives, including California sea otters. Insider tip: Get tickets online
in advance to skip long lines.
Step outside and find yourself among hotels, shops, and restaurants filling former fish-packing plants
along Cannery Row, made famous by local author John Steinbeck. Rent bikes to follow the coast south
around the peninsula to Pacific Grove, Asilomar State Beach, and the sea-and-spray beauty (and
gazillion-dollar homes and celebrated Pebble Beach golf courses) along the 17-Mile Drive.
Continue north to the boho-funky beachfront town of Santa Cruz, where surfers carve waves and kids
play on a classic waterfront boardwalk.

Santa Cruz
Surf's up at NorCal's friendly beach getaway
This ultra-mellow beach town has a decided split personalityand both sides are cool. First, theres the
woo-hoo family fun of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a yesteryear-style esplanade lined with classic
coasters, arcade games, corn dogs, and a historic carousel. Then theres downtown Santa Cruz, where
local college students browse for vintage and boho chic, and relaxed restaurants focus on organic, local
ingredients.
But at its heart, Santa Cruz is a surf town. This is where the sport was originally introduced in
California, and top surfers know that the place to be is Steamer Lane. Need more proof? Nearby lives
Jack ONeill legendary surfer and force behind the ONeill empire, pioneer of the wetsuit and elder
statesman of everything surf in the Golden State.
In the center of town, away from the beachfront crowds, Pacific Avenue offers many shops with a local
twist, including the venerable ONeills where surfer guys and girls can find a bikini or board shorts,
flip-flops, or a wetsuitthe creation and design of the citys favorite son, the legendary Jack ONeill
(he still lives a beach ball toss from the beach here). The independent Bookshop Santa Cruz is packed
with happy locals, especially during frequent author talks, and many other boutiques offer art, clothing,
and home furnishings (check out the gorgeous artisanal glass at Annieglass).
Next, travel to your last stopthe beautiful City by the Bay, San Francisco.

San Francisco
Sparkling Bay, Magic City

Finish your trip in one of the worlds great cities. For a novel way to visit the City by the Bay park
your car and explore by foot, bike, and unique public transportation. Pedal bikes across the Golden
Gate Bridge and back, then explore the lush Presidio, a former military base thats now a park, or head
into Golden Gate Park to visit museums and row across a secret gem, Stow Lake. Continue along the
flat Embarcadero to Fishermans Wharf and the Exploratorium science and learning museum. Park
your bikes and hop a cable car to ride over the hill to the high-end shops and enormous Macys,
NikeTown, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus around bustling Union Square, with a stop for
Italian pastries and cappuccino at Emporio Rulli right in the square. Nearby, stroll boutique-lined
Maiden Lanepedestrian only thoroughfare during the day, when cafes set up tables and chairs right in
the street. Nearby Westfield Mall, a dazzling complex on once scruffy but now spiffed up Market
Street, glitters with even more stores, including an deluxe food court on the lower level. At night, catch
a show in the theater district, or head to North Beach to see Beach Blanket Babylon, a raucous and
irreverent San Francisco institution. For more nightlife and dining, stroll Valencia Street in the Mission,
a trendy and eclectic hotbed of restaurants and bars, and awesome late-night scoops at Bi-Rite Ice
Creamsweet way to finish your road trip.