California Coastal Roadtrip: Four days

 San Francisco to Santa Barbara

 

Have you ever imagined taking the perfect road trip? Stunning views, awesome locations and great music? The California Coastline is the perfect place for such an adventure! There are countless amazing things to do and see along the Pacific Coast Highway. No matter how long your journey is these are my recommendations for an unforgettable California Coastal Roadtrip.

Day One:

San Francsico

San Francisco is located on the tip of a peninsula and is known for its year round fog, tech start ups, and expensive real estate. The golden gate bridge is the most recognizable symbol of the city. Have fun exploring the scenery, the AMAZING food, and liberal culture that abounds here.

Grab Breakfast and Fuel up for a day of exploration!

Brenda’s French Soul Food 

This place one of a kind and truly delicious! French Soul Food, whats not to love? Make sure to get there early. We didn’t have to wait but I have heard the lines get pretty long! Try the melt in your mouth Pork Belly and Creamy Cheese Grits! YUM!

Brenda’s also serves Louisiana inspired scrumptious beignets that come 3 per order so you can sample a few!

If Brenda’s doesn’t float your boat, I would also recommend Mamma’s on Washington Square for a more traditional breakfast. This place always has a line so make sure you are an early bird to avoid waiting.

Once you have fueled up its time to go on an adventure!

Adventures

• Take the Scenic 49 mile drive to see a little bit of everything.
• Drive down Lombard street to experience 8 hairpin turns in the span of one block!
• Rent bikes and ride across the golden gate bridge to Sausalito and Tiburon and catch the ferry back
  • Tip: Make sure to start early and follow the signs closely to avoid getting lost.
• See Pier 39 at Fishermans Warf and wave to the California Sea Lions
• Take a trip to Alcatraz (make sure to book in advance as these sell out quickly)
• Take a stroll around Golden Gate Bridge Park
  • Tip: Stop by Haight Ashbury District nearby and grab some vintage goods or just to check out the interesting victorian architecture.
• Take a picnic to Barker Beach
• Hike Lands End Trail

Lands End Trail: San Francisco

680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

Lands End Trail is in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and located on the northwest tip of the peninsula. This was a really easy 3.5 mile hike with beautiful views of the golden gate bridge and the Pacific Ocean.

The Sutro baths are located along this trail and provide some stunning views. They were once the largest indoor swimming pool in the world. Now all that remains is the ruins and crumbling walls and a few pools of salt water. Feel free to climb on down and take a closer look, but don’t spend too much time, there are sooo many other things to do and see!

After exploring the city by day make sure to relax at your hotel with a cocktail or glass of wine and then get out and experience the eclectic night life as well! Check out the dive bars in Haight Ashbury District or even visit a dueling piano bar!

For late night grub Tselogs is the go to place for the best tasting Filipino food. You may be tempted to grab and go at the convenient walk up window, but don’t do it! The wait will be worth it when your food is served on a sizzling platter inside this tiny little hole in the wall! You will be surprised at how luscious the Sisigsilog (sizziling chicken) is here. 

Day Two:

Monterey Penninsula

Grab yourself a cup of Joe and hit highway 1 for a 2 hour scenic drive to Monterey! Crank up the jams and don’t be afraid to stop and take some pictures along the way!

Monterey

Monterey is a beautiful area of central California. Old factories have been converted into restaurants, shops and lively bars on Cannery Row.

Things to Do:

• Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Walk down Cannery Row and grab some salt water taffy from a local candy shop or buy some otter themed nick nacks.
• Stop at Cannery Row Brewing Company and try the delectable braised short rib grilled cheese, you will not be disappointed.
• Have some piping hot clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto (the best clam chowder I have ever tasted, no lie!)
  • Tip: Sit by the windows and watch the otters playing in the bay.

Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove is a quaint little town just north of Monterey and is known as Butterfly Town USA! This town is further away from the hustle and bustle of Monterey and Carmel-by-the Sea, and lodging tends to be a bit less expensive here. The beautiful victorian homes, many of which have been turned into bed and breakfasts, make it quite a charming city.

 

Things to Do:

• Stroll along Asilomar State Beach. Asilomar means refuge by the sea!
• Check out the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
  • Tip: The best time to go is November- February but the Sanctuary is open year round.

Take the Scenic 17-Mile Drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach and end in Carmel-by-the-Sea

This is an absolutely pristine stretch of coastline. It does cost money to drive through ($10.25 per car), However, if you happen to have more time and can bike or walk through, there is no fee.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel is located on the southern most part of the Monterey Peninsula and transports you into an idyllic fairytale setting. If you are looking for high end shopping, art galleries, fine dining, and wine tasting you will love this picturesque little city.

Explore:

•  Play Volleyball on Carmel Beach
• Take a leisurely stroll along the Scenic Bluff Path
• Pop around to multiple restaurants and do some wine tasting! Cheers!

Grab some rich delights at Enzo Ristorante Italiano and a glass of wine or 2 to wind down the evening! There is much more to see tomorrow!

Day Three:

Big Sur

!DETOUR!

UPDATE: The highway has now reopened! No DETOUR necessary!!

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is unfortunately still on my Bucket List due to the road closures in 2017. I actually planned the whole trip around this particular adventure and the dream to see the beautiful beach waterfall within the park. The road to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is now reopened and if you are planning this roadtrip I would suggest going for a quick visit if nothing else. The drive from Carmel to the park should take a little over an hour.

This stretch of highway through Big Sur is truly some of the most majestic coastal driving on the planet and definitely worth the detour.  The roads are still partly closed (shut down from Gorda at the North end and at Salmon Creek at the south side) until Summer of 2018. Drive down to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and enjoy the scenery for a bit before heading out to Paso Robles.

Paso Robles

The drive from Julia Pfeiffer State park to Paso Robles (Pass of the Oaks) should take a little over 2 hours depending on how heavy your foot is that day! Known for its wineries and olive groves, Paso Robles has a lot to offer. What California Coastal Road Trip would be complete with out a little wine time?

Food and Wine

• Visit any of the numerous wineries in this area for a quick tasting, make sure to buy a bottle for the evening!
  • Tip: Visit J. Lohr Winery to sip on special reserves, most of which aren’t sold in stores
  • Tip: Visit JUSTIN winery to tour through the wine caves that were handmade
• Somm’s Kitchen is a must for expertly-paired wine and food hand crafted by the owner Ian himself.
  • Tip: This hot spot has limited hours: Thursday-Sunday 11:30-2:00, 5:00-9:00.
    

Day Four:

San Simeon

Hearst Castle Tour

The drive from Paso Robles is a quick 50 minutes and, although most of it is not oceanside, its gorgeous in its own right. Roll down your windows and enjoy the fresh air!  Hearst Castle is a must see along the route and its worth back tracking a little bit. The Enchanted Hill as William Hearst called it or “La Cuesta Encantada” has numerous tours available. The Grand Rooms Tour will give you an overview of the property and lasts about 60 minutes.

Keep in mind you will not be able to drive up to the castle if you don’t have a tour ticket. Reserving a tour is the only way to view the castle or its grounds. After the tour ends you can explore the castle grounds for as long as you wish.

If your tummy is grumbling after the tour head across the street to Sebastian’s for a juicy burger and beer in a much more casual setting than the castle provides. If you are feeling fancy after touring such an elaborate estate feel free to visit the tasting room here and sip some wines from Hearst Ranch Winery.

Morro Bay

Drive a half hour south and you will end up in Morro Bay! This unique little oceanside village is perfect for fishing or enjoying nature. Make sure to drive down to Morro Rock to see lots of adorable sea otters playing in the kelp beds to the right or the surfers riding waves at Morro Rock Beach.

Hit play on that California Coastal Road trip Playlist one more time, and continue down the coast to the last stop!

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is the picture perfect California beachside oasis. The views here are outstanding, there is nothing quite like seeing the Santa Ynez mountain peaks and the beautiful coastline in one setting. This town is full of wine tasting rooms, delectable foods and awesome adventures.

Things to do:

• Rent a Stand up Paddle Board or Kayak the channel Islands with Santa Barbara Adventure Company 
• Dine, shop, and eat on Stearn’s Wharf
• Get loose and do some wine tasting down town on the Urban Wine Trail. 

I hope you enjoy my suggestions and make your California Coastal Road trip the Adventure of a lifetime!

Have you ever taken this trip? If you have, I would love to hear about anything I missed along the way! If you are planning this trip let me know what you are looking forward to the most? I love hearing from you!

 

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