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May 20, 2024 · Head north of Carmel to visit the Pebble Beach Golf Links for a round of golf overlooking the Pacific Ocean. To the south lies the Big Sur wilderness, typically considered the bridge between Northern and Southern California. Monterey. The best spot on the California coast for marine wildlife experiences.
- Best Northern California Coastal Towns
- Morro Bay
- Cayucos
- San Simeon
- Monterey
- Santa Cruz
- Half Moon Bay
- Pacifica
- Stinson Beach
- Bodega Bay
Our tour begins south and winds its way north. We start our road trip in Northern California in Morro Bay (3 hours north of Los Angeles) and end near the Oregon border, in a village you’ve probably never heard of. We hope you brought a big suitcase because you’re about to fall in love and might never leave.
Morro Bay is a charming little coastal town of about 11,000. The bay is a protected harbor and marine sanctuary, so its wildlife spotting opportunities are endless. Depending on when you visit, you can go on a whale watching expedition to spot humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales, orcas and, of course, dolphins. If that’s not enough, saunter along t...
Just 9 minutes north of Morro Bay is Cayucos, a tiny town of about 2,600 people. Now, it may be small, but this quaint coastal town is big on personality – and one of the cutest Northern California beach towns. It’s like stepping back in time. One of the best things to do in Cayucos is stroll along the 950-foot wooden pier, lined by fisherman vying...
Next up on your tour of seaside towns in Northern California is San Simeon. It’s only 30 minutes north of Cayucos, but worlds apart.
Big Sur Highway
The extraordinary landscape and ocean views along the Pacific Coast Highway, especially near Big Sur, are breathtaking. You can’t help but stop for pictures. The Bixby Creek Bridge, for example, is one of the most photographed bridges in California. The Big Sur Coast Highwayis ranked one of the prettiest highways in the world for a reason.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
When you do reach Monterey, head straight to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s the aquarium to end all aquariums. Not only is it a wildlife refuge returning rescued marine life to the ocean, its conservation efforts are front and center. See sharks, rays, sea otters, local bay pipefishes (which look like green eelgrass), an amazing variety of jellies and more!
Cannery Row
Besides the aquarium, Monterey is known for Cannery Row, the street made famous by John Steinbeck’s 1945 novel of the same name. Today, it’s worthy of a stroll for all the restaurants, hotels and shops housed in former sardine cannery buildings.
Some 40 minutes north of Monterey is the quirky Northern California coastal town of Santa Cruz. It’s got an old-school beach town vibe, blended with a happening brewery scene populated by the university crowd. The town is snuggled between the giant redwood forests that tower over everything in the area and the beach. One of the best things to do in...
Drive north for an hour, and you’ll hit Half Moon Bay. It’s a must-see stop on your tour of Northern California coastal towns! If you’re a surfer, you’re in luck. The waves at Mavericks Beachcan reach up to 60 feet and are legendary. The town used to hold a big-wave international surfing competition, but it’s been canceled in the last few years. Th...
About 20 minutes north of Half Moon Bay is a tiny hidden gem of a town called Pacifica (one of the cutest beach towns near San Francisco). Pacifica is a charming and underrated surf town – with the tremendous honor of having the most beautiful Taco Bell in the world. That’s right… in the world! It’s right on the beach. So, if washing down your chal...
Some 24 miles north of San Francisco is the booming metropolis of Stinson Beach– all 630 people of it! What it lacks in size, though, it makes up for in nature. It’s one of the only swimming beaches in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Now, the water might be a tad cold – certainly not like the warm beaches in Kauai, Hawaii! But the beach i...
On your way to Bodega Bay, just outside the town of Inverness, make a pitstop at the Cypress Tree Tunnel (in the Point Reyes National Seashore). Monterey cypress branches have grown over the road here, creating a tunnel effect. It’s a pretty popular spot for photographers, so try to get there early before the crowds if you want an Insta-perfect pic...
- Half Moon Bay. Even though it is only about 1 hour south of San Francisco, you'll feel like you are in a different world when you visit Half Moon Bay.
- Bodega Bay. Another delightful beach town that is well worth the visit is Bodega Bay. I love this one because, depending on our route, you can either cruise the whole way by the coast or hit the wine country on the way.
- Pacific Grove. If you decide to go south of San Francisco, you will find the beautiful town of Pacific Grove. This is another one of the gorgeous northern California beach towns as its population is only about 15,000 people, and it is located about 2 hours south of SF.
- Crescent City. Heading back up north, we go towards Crescent City, about a 6-hour drive away from San Francisco. It is another small northern California beach town with about 7,000 people in it and is mostly a stopping point as people travel back and forth from Oregon to California.
May 29, 2020 · Santa Cruz. Just south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a laid back, quirky hippie town. From the beach boardwalk to the lush redwoods, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway. And it’s hard to miss: you’ll be driving right through, so when you see roller coasters, it’s time to stop.
The Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip. While many travelers begin in Los Angeles and head north, driving the Pacific Coast Highway from north to south keeps you in the lane closest to the ocean. In Washington, Oregon, and at the northern end of California, the Pacific Coast route follows US Highway 101.
Nov 28, 2023 · The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience – for good reason...
People also ask
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Construction of the Pacific Coast Highway, California State Highway 1, started in the 1920’s as a planned 1,400-mile link between the Mexican and Canadian borders. The road now runs nearly continuously from San Juan Capistrano in Orange County in the south to United States Highway 101 near Leggett in Mendocino County in the north.
