Photo by Robert Mullan at Shutterstock
Extending from Los Angeles going north towards Mendocino County and covering much of the land between LA and San Francisco, a central California coastal road trip is a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Not only does it have a wonderfully warm climate, extraordinary beaches, a never ending number of wineries, and famous attractions, but it’s also home to Highway 1’s most famed coastal stretch and some of this state’s most charming small towns and cities.
Add to this unique wildlife, delicious foods, and incredible history, and you’ve got yourself a road trip to remember for the rest of your life. Ready to explore? Read on to see our 7 favorite stops and you can finally take that perfect central California coastal road trip!
Click “Next” to begin your adventure!
We could throw you into the heart of Tinsel Town to begin your central California coastal road trip and visit all the tourist hot spots you’ve heard so much about.
But let’s skip all that and start at the Getty Center to get your culture fix for the day. Art collector and Oil tycoon J. Paul Getty first built the Getty Villa in Malibu, designed by Richard Meier, to house his collection of European art.
His foundation continues to this day to fund this Must-See landmark and the Getty Center. You can take a ride on the tram up to the top of the hill and spend a couple of hours exploring the grounds and galleries.
And before you drive north for your central California coastal road trip, make a quick stop to visit Avalon on Catalina Island. This town, which can be reached via a quick ferry ride from the coast, has a rich history.
It’s frequently compared to the Mediterranean’s strikingly blue waters, rich vegetation, and hillside homes.
Here, you can enjoy some of the best diving and snorkeling in the continental US and many other outdoor activities, including browsing art galleries, shopping, and dining on delicious meals at eateries with stunning views of the water.
With its white-washed Spanish architecture and the Santa Ynez Mountains as its stage, this city is truly a sight to behold.
Its coastal roost lures infinite surfers drawn by its strong swells, and the palm-lined State Street on this central California coastal road trip is where you’ll find boutique shopping and excellent eats.
This is one of our favorite central California coastal road trip destinations because you can hop on a beach cruiser to take in all this “American Riviera” on two wheels has to offer or watch the beautiful sunset from Stearns Wharf.
On a hilltop overlooking the city, Mission Santa Barbara offers tours of its on-site museum, dense fruit-filled garden, and historic cemetery.
It has the burial spot for the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, the last member of California’s Native American Nicoleno tribe.
Venture north from Santa Barbara on your central California coastal road trip, and you have a quick choice to make. Both of them are fantastic options.
You can keep driving on the coastline taking Highway 1 to Gaviota State Park, where you’ll stay with US-101 up to Los Alamos to visit the famous attraction.
Or you can cruise the Santa Ynez ridge line on Highway 154 and merge with Highway 246 for a drive through the charming Danish town: Solvang, with perhaps a stopover to feed the massive, flightless birds inhabiting Ostrichland USA.
Danish Americans founded the city of Solvang in 1911, and it maintains that same heritage and then some! We highly recommend you choose this route on your central California coastal road trip.
You’ll find that Solvang is like a slice of Copenhagen on California’s central coast, complete with replicated windmills, Danish-style architecture, and even a statue of “The Little Mermaid” perched right in the heart of the town.
Take a stroll among half-timbered houses, dine on Danish cinnamon crisp pastries and kringle, or peruse Solvang’s Elverhoj Museum of History and Art to learn more about Danish history and its local roots.
As soon as you get to the section of the Pacific Coast Highway, which connects Carmel-by-the-Sea to Big Sur on your central California coastal road trip, you’ll start seeing many vista points where you’ll want to pull over and snap some pics.
Be sure to catch the one approaching Bixby Bridge. Even though you’ll find many other tourists getting out of their cars to take selfies with a stunning view like that, can you blame them? While in the area, stop and check out Hearst Castle, off Highway 1 in San Simeon.
This Mediterranean Revival-style mansion, perched on a hilltop above Highway 1, is well-known for its extreme luxury, which is on full display in the mansion’s private library, its Neptune Pool, and the international antiquities that Hearst cultivated primarily through Sotheby’s auction house.
At one point, Hearst Castle was even home to the world’s largest private zoo.
Nowadays, the property is part of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, and visitors on this central California coastal road trip have many Must-See landmarks to choose from, including “Designing the Dream” and “Art of San Simeon.”
Standing on the southern tip of Monterey Bay, this area is one of the most sought-after road trip destinations because it’s an epicenter of marine mammal life and was once the core of the sardine packing industry.
Travelers still visit in droves on this central California coastal road trip to Cannery Row. This Must-See landmark was immortalized in a Steinbeck novel of the same name.
While here, be sure to check out the seafood and stop in at the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Historic sites, including adobes, can still be seen around town, including California’s oldest church, the San Carlos Cathedral, and the one-time home of “Treasure Island” author Robert Louis Stevenson.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the Golden State’s most charming, pedestrian-friendly villages. Carmel-by-the-Sea, a former artists’ colony, is one of the top coastal towns for romance.
While on your central California coastal road trip, you’ll enjoy the blissful sounds of the waves slamming into the rocks, nestling next to your loved one by a bonfire along the shore, and spoiling yourself with one of the numerous wine-tasting venues downtown.
There are also many romantic places to eat, serving gourmet cuisine and incredible ocean views, as well as high-end boutiques and jewelry stores like Tiffany & Co.
If you want to stay the night, the L’Auberge Carmel and Mission Ranch, which is an old dairy farm saved by the city’s most well-known former mayor, Clint Eastwood, offer two of the most unique places to stay.
Possibly the most charming town on your central California coastal road trip and the only one designated as a historical landmark, Mendocino was established in the 1850s and has grand Victorian buildings alongside saltbox cottages.
We highly recommend you include this stop on your central California road trip itinerary. The former artist colony is set atop a bluff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
It also happens to be the setting for the popular TV show, “Murder, She Wrote,” acting as Cabot Cove, Maine. This location was chosen for filming due to its New England vibe.
Amid the jaw-dropping landscape and lovely homes are countless eateries, Bed and Breakfasts, a museum, a book store, a toy shop, and unique stores.
Nearby, you can hike through the redwoods, relax and enjoy some wine tasting, and visit one of the world’s most spectacular botanical gardens.
Did we miss any of your favorite spots for a central California coastal road trip? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
And if you love exploring our beautiful nation just as much as we do, check out: 4 Best Midwest Road Trips in the US
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