Drive to San Francisco Via the Northern California Coast Route

By taking the California coastal route into Los Angeles, you'll be driving along one of the most scenic highways in the USA. If you're looking for a great road trip idea, why not consider traveling the California coast?

Steps

  1. Enter the state of California at the northern end of the California Coast route. You'll find yourself at Redwoods National Park. There, you may view beautiful "original growth" redwood trees, go camping, do some fishing, view educational exhibits at one of 5 visitor's centers, or simply enjoy a picnic.
  2. Head south on US Highway 101. You'll pass the coastal city of Eureka, CA, then start to head inland...towards the very heart of "California Redwood Country." If you stop at the small town of Scotia...about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} south of Eureka...you can tour the Pacific Lumber Company sawmill. Watch wood go from the "whole trunk" stage to the finished product!
  3. Take the "Avenue of the Giants" scenic drive. You'll pass mile after mile of beautiful, huge California redwoods.
  4. Visit Humboldt Redwoods State Park (in the middle of the Avenue of the Giants drive), where you'll tour lovely old groves directly off the highway. Enjoy displays in the visitor's center. Camp in developed or primitive sites; aah, the aroma of the trees is a treat! Hike along miles of trails through the trees.
  5. Go inside the kitschy "One Log House" (which you'll get to near Piercy, CA, if you keep on the Avenue of the Giants drive). Can you believe that the California redwoods are big enough to hollow out and use as a small house? They are!
  6. Try to fit your car thru the Chandler Drive-through Tree. (That's further south yet, in Leggett, CA.) The drive through the tree is just plain fun...and the tree itself lives on in good health...despite having a "tunnel" through its base.
  7. Take California Highway 1 at Leggett (US Hwy 101 heads to Napa Valley Wine Country at this point). As you drive south on Hwy 1, you'll be able to view the Pacific Ocean much of the time as you continue to travel south to San Francisco.
  8. Visit a Russian outpost! At Fort Ross, you'll see what's left of a fort and trading post established by Russian explorers, traders and military men 2 centuries ago.
  9. Tour charming Mendocino, whose buildings hug bluffs overlooking the Pacific. You'll find an art colony, a selection of quaint bed and breakfast inns, and opportunities for outdoor sports and exploring.
  10. Head further south on CA Hwy 1 and you'll reach Bodega Bay. Check out filming sites made famous in Alfred Hitchcock's tense thriller, "The Birds."
  11. Enjoy a swim at the sandy beaches of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Most of northern California beaches are rocky, so cherish it!
  12. Take a drive across that stunning marvel of engineering, the elegant and graceful Golden Gate Bridge, and there you are -- San Francisco!

Tips

  • As you pass through Mendocino and Sonoma you will find wineries that offer wine tasting of their world-class wines. If you are a wine drinker, now's the time to stop and sample.
  • This route is great both for spectacular ocean views and awe-inspiring redwoods-viewing.
  • You'll be passing through mostly small towns along the northern California coastal road. Don't expect to see a lot of fast food outlets or large chain stores.

Warnings

  • Gas up when you can...much of the route is very rural. Plus, keep a snack in the car in case you get hungry when you're away from facilities.
  • Pacific Coast Highway 1 contain sharp curves and hairpin twists. Drive during daytime, and pay attention to the road. Stop by the side of the road to look at the scenery.

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References

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