Traveling Along Hwy 1 in California

If you are ever considering taking a road trip in California, I would encourage you to take the California State Highway 1. It will be a slightly longer drive, but you will not regret your time on the 1. The California Hwy 1 is built right along the entire California coast and while the route sometimes runs inland, Pacific Ocean is in view a majority of the time. You might think miles and miles of beaches and Ocean views would be boring, but that is far from the case. The sights from the highway and from designated “Vista Points” along the way are unbelievably incredible and serve as great reminder of what a great creator we have. In addition, there are some fantastic opportunities to view wildlife. Finally, the coastal towns are quaint and welcoming; they are great places to find seaside lodging or a nice meal.

While there are some attractions in the coastal towns, the main purpose of driving on the 1 should be for the views. I could write pages about the drive and things you can do, but what would take decades to write about I can show in some incredible photos I have of the coast and the picturesque scenery. Below, I have posted a number of pictures that I think you will find to be quite remarkable. If you do plan to take a trip up or down the 1, try to make a stop by your local AAA office or travel agency to pick up some maps and travel guides that will help you get the most out of your trip. In addition to the pictures below, I have listed a few points of interest that I you might find enjoyable. There are also a few web links that might be useful. Have fun touring California!

Sea Elephant Viewing Area – located 7 miles north of San Simeon. Also very near San Simeon is the famous Hearst Castle and Hearst State Park. http://www.hearstcastle.org/, http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=591, http://www.sansimeonsbest.com/

Sea Lion viewing area Carpentaria Near Carpentaria State Beach.

Golden Gate Bridge and Recreation Area - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge, http://www.nps.gov/goga/

Many, Many Beautiful State Beaches. Visit the California State Parks Website to Find Details on the various parks and beaches. http://www.parks.ca.gov

If you liked this hub, consider reading some of my other travel guide hubs: 

The Top Twenty Must See Places in North Carolina

Visiting In Montreat 

and

Seeing Fall Foliage In Western North Carolina