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California’s coastline is beautiful, dotted with sandy beaches, fun outdoor activities, both big and small cities and towns, and state parks with redwood trees. There are many places to stop at and spend time in, whether it’s an hour or a few days! A road trip down Highway 1 is a great way to explore all of these spots – north to south if you’d like to go from slightly colder to warmer weather. With the variety of places and activities along the California coast, there’s surely fun for everyone!
1. Admire redwood trees at Redwood National and State Park
Up in the north of California’s coast lies Redwood National and State Parks, a protected area of land filled with redwood trees, famous and native to California. There are some old-growth woods, where you can see big, tall redwood trees that have been growing for thousands of years. Aside from these forests, there are beaches and grasslands along the coast as well.
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2. Go wine tasting in Napa Valley
Part of wine country, Napa Valley is known for producing world-class wine. There are many vineyards where you can indulge in some wine tastings while admiring the beautiful surroundings with rolling hills, not too far from the coastline. Each vineyard grows their own grapes to produce their own wine, and you can visit a few wineries in one day to taste the different offerings from each one. If your entire party wants to have the experience and nobody wants to miss out on the fun by being the designated driver, there are tours to take you around as well!
3. Ride a cable car in San Francisco
Despite all of the tall, rolling hills right in the city, San Francisco is a great spot to visit with many neighborhoods to wander around in and different architectural styles throughout. There are trams to take you exploring, including Fisherman’s Wharf right by the water where you can find a bowl of clam chowder and seals sunbathing, Ghirardelli Square with its famous chocolate factory and tasty treats, Chinatown, various art museums, and the Ferry Building where you can shop right by the water.
If you fancy an outdoor walk, you can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Marin Headlands and Sausalito, the huge Golden Gate park where you’ll find a botanical garden and many fields with dogs running around, Twin Peaks where you’ll get a great view of the city (especially at sunset or sunrise!), and Dolores Park. As you walk around the city, you’ll notice restaurants with food from everywhere in the world and a lot of tech companies. San Francisco has a lot to offer, just beware of the fog and bring a jacket!
Image source:Contiki
4. Do all of the outdoor activities Santa Cruz has to offer
Santa Cruz is a hippie town filled with college students and liberal minds, but thanks to its varied landscapes including the ocean, redwood trees, and biking paths, it’s a true dream for those who love the outdoors. You can go surfing, hiking, rock climbing, and both road and mountain biking in this city, and when you need a break, there’s a boardwalk with rides, games, and food!
5. Eat seafood in Monterey
A town right by the water, Monterey is known for fresh seafood restaurants and bars, so it’s a great stop to try some clam chowder, crab, fish, calamari, prawns – or have all of it in cioppino! With a full stomach, you can walk around town which has a unique look because many of these buildings used to be factories. You can also take a visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a walkable seaside village right by the ocean. It’s a delight to walk through its cottages, galleries, hidden cafes, and secret passageways. Maybe you’ll even stumble upon a quaint, off-the-beaten-path courtyard!
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6. See all the nature in Big Sur
Big Sur is a beautiful area with rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean on one side and redwood forests on the other. The Bixby Bridge is an iconic landmark and remains one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world at 260 feet above the deep, blue ocean underneath. There are also many state parks to hike for viewing redwood trees or going down to the beach, and the expansive trail network ranges from easy, accessible paths to challenging backpacking routes. On top of that, Point Sur Lighthouse, one of the most secluded lighthouses in the world, is open to the public and a might be haunted!
7. Visit the college town of San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is known mostly as a college town, but it has a lot to offer! You’ll be able to walk around in the city, and fuel up at one of the many restaurants and cafes. Best of all, it’s not overcrowded with people! Nearby to the east is Morro Bay, where you can take a gander along the ocean or on the hiking trails with fantastic views of rolling hills. To the south is Pismo Beach, a beautiful and popular beach with warm water to visit, lots of people swimming, surfing, and enjoying the sun!
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8. Solvang: Visit Denmark without leaving California
A small and cute Danish village filled with authentic Denmark-style houses, traditional windmills, and thatched roofs, Solvang is a quaint and unique spot to stop for a stroll and a meal. It was founded by Danish immigrants in 1911, and Danish royalty has even visited three times! There, you can find northern European culture, food, and boutique shopping without leaving the US.
9. Relax in Santa Barbara
Although the college in town is known for partying, the city itself has a lot of retired people enjoying life slowly and peacefully, with a very laid back vibe. From art galleries and museums to a myriad of outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and hiking, Santa Barbara has no shortage of fun.
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10. Surf the waves in Santa Monica
Famous for its boardwalk and great weather year-round, Santa Monica is a great spot to go surfing and swimming in the ocean. Contrasting with the water temperature in northern California, the water in Santa Monica is quite warm and you can go surfing there without a wetsuit! Once you’ve had your fill in the ocean, you can walk along the boardwalk which is filled with food and games, as well as a majestic view of the ocean!
11. Enjoy Los Angeles culture
Los Angeles: the epitome of hustle and bustle. As the iconic, cosmopolitan city of Southern California, LA is known for Hollywood and movie stars, arts and music, theater and comedy, and of course, amazing Asian and Mexican food. There are different events going on all the time everywhere across the sprawl of the city, so keep an eye to get immersed in the culture and grandeur that is LA!
Image source:Contiki
12. Eat tacos in San Diego
The last big city in southern California before reaching Mexico, San Diego boasts a calmer, slower, and more relaxing lifestyle than neighboring LA. Here, you’ll find amazing tacos, a huge zoo, great boardwalks for biking, walking, and running, and of course great beaches with warm water!
The California coast has a variety of landscapes and activities, all available throughout the year thanks to California’s great weather. Northern California might be a bit colder during winter, but compared to other places in the world, winter is still pretty mild as there’s no snow and rain is rare. Southern California’s weather is great year-round, and you’ll be able to enjoy all of these locations no matter when you go!
