View of Big Sur from the Pacific Coast Highway.
Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco get all the attention, but California’s Central Coast has an abundance of natural wonders and other attractions that make for quite an enjoyable road trip. In fact, it can safely be said that the 280-mile journey from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. What’s more, the trip is adaptable enough to be molded into either an adult-friendly or a kid-friendly adventure.
Although the driving part of this trip can be done in less than six hours, you’ll want to spend a week or so taking in all the sights along the way. At the end of this article is a Google map that provides more details about the route.
Santa Barbara to San Simeon
Santa Barbara, which lies between the Santa Ynez mountains and the sea, is often referred to as the American Riviera for its Mediterranean climate and appearance. You’ll delight in the beaches, of course, with at least 10 to choose from, including popular East, Goleta and Leadbetter beaches. But you’ll also appreciate the restaurants and shopping in Santa Barbara.
If you like history, then be sure to check out Old Mission Santa Barbara, one of the most beautiful sites on the California Missions Trail. Or, if you have children with you, consider a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo, where kids will love the zoo train, carousel and giraffe feeding, not to mention the views over the Pacific Ocean.
When you’re finally able to tear yourself away from Santa Barbara, just point your car north. If you’re interested in some unique non-coastal attractions, then in less than an hour you’ll stumble across the Danish replica village of Solvang, as well as the distinctive park known as OstrichLand, where you can see and feed a collection of ostriches and emus.
Eventually, though, you’ll make your way to the lovely town of San Luis Obispo, where you can kick back in an eclectic and appealing college town. While you could spend more hours at a nearby beach, you might enjoy even more the chance to sip wine at a vineyard, check out an olive oil tasting at an olive farm, enjoy some of the region’s miles of hiking and biking trails, or make time for more history at Mission San Luis Obispo.
Just north of here is San Simeon. There, you’ll find the remarkable Hearst Castle, an opulent 90,000-square-foot mansion that belonged to William Randolph Hearst. Of course, you may be just as amazed by the thousands of elephant seals that converge on nearby Piedras Blancas beach.
The Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur
From here, you’ll be heading to the town of Monterey. This is only about a two-hour drive from San Simeon, but this section of the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the more famous roads you'll ever drive so allow time to enjoy the vistas. The section known as the Big Sur Coast Highway takes in some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the country as it passes Big Sur and makes it way to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
If you’re able to stop for a while, you can hike one of the beautiful trails that overlook the Pacific in Point Lobos State Reserve or Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, or perhaps enjoy the restaurants and art galleries of Carmel.
Monterey to Santa Cruz
Just a few miles north of Carmel is Monterey, where there is plenty to keep you busy for several days. A highlight will be the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you’ll be enchanted by the wonders of the sea, from octopus, sharks and otters to penguins, jellyfish and sea dragons. Monterey also offers an abundance of other activities, including a scenic tour of 17-Mile Drive, bike rides along the Coastal Recreation Trail, kayak excursions in Monterey Bay, and whale watching expeditions.
Finally, Santa Cruz is just one more hour north. There are more miles of beaches to enjoy here, along with an amusement park at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Anyone who loves the ocean will surely appreciate the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, or perhaps even a trip to Cowell's Beach for surfing lessons.
If you want to go beyond the beach, you can enjoy a different sort of nature at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The best part is that you can take the Beach Train there straight from the boardwalk. A train trip, a redwood forest and a beach all folded into one activity: it's a splendid way to wrap up your tour of the Central California coast.
Map and directions
Here is a map of the road trip. If you click on the “central coast” link, it will take you to a larger map and more detailed information.
View Central Coast of California in a larger map
Photo credit: Calilover via Wikimedia Commons.
Comments
The Hearst Castle is amazing! We went without a reservation and almost did not get to see it. There are 4 different tours to choose from it is so big.
I've heard a lot about the Pacific Coast highway--looks like a beautiful place, even though I'm more of an East coast gal.
I've traveled many famous and beautiful roads, but Highway 1 is still right up there with the very best,if not the best.
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