Best California Road Trip - Up or Down the Coast all the way on Highway 101 and 1. Southern California to the Redwoods.... or just keep going right into Oregon and it'll make the trip even better! Here I'll recount some of our all time favorites and notable campgrounds, attractions, sites, etc... and maybe even some things to avoid. I'm going to plot this out heading North from San Diego.
First off, leave after 11pm and before 4am. My recommendation is to leave between 3:30-4am. This way you'll miss all of the L.A. traffic, it starts at 5am and you want to be well past it. (Obviously this does not apply on Sat & Sun) Plus if you leave closer to 4am the sun will come up just around the time you are hitting highway 101 and you will be able to see all of the beautiful ocean views on the drive. Also, I recommend you take the 5 Fwy until you hit highway 101. Santa Monica is pretty, but the traffic is not worth it, especially if you're from Southern California.
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If you leave at night, like we have before, once you get to Santa Barbara you'll be ready to get some shut eye. We've stayed at Carpinteria State Beach, it's not the best campsite, but it's the first one you hit when you come in to Santa Barbara and you can make reservations, which is nice to make sure you have a spot to get there... if that is your plan.
The coveted campground just north of Santa Barbara is El Capitan State Beach, you can make reservations here as well, but only April 1 - November 30, the rest of the time is first come first serve which can be good and bad. Good as long as there is a spot available when you show up.
From Santa Barbara head further up the coast to Pismo Beach and set up camp (if you didn’t stay the night in Santa Barbara
I highly recommend camping on the beach. You wont want to do it for multiple nights, but as a once in a life time thing, it’s freaking awesome! At Oceana Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area you can drive your car right out onto the sand, set up camp, and even build a fire right in the sand, and the best part, if you’re on a budget it’s only $10 to camp.
If you decide camping on the sand just isn’t for you, at least take a drive on it for the $5 day use fee, or if you’re camping at another state park it may cover the day use fee. You can also rent OHV’s (Off Highway Vehicles) near both entrances and it is so fun to go quading on the dunes!
If you decide camping on the sand just isn’t for you, at least take a drive on it for the $5 day use fee, or if you’re camping at another state park it may cover the day use fee. You can also rent OHV’s (Off Highway Vehicles) near both entrances and it is so fun to go quading on the dunes!
If you’re skipping camping on the sand, another awesome campground in Pismo is North Beach Campground. It’s just up the road from Oceana Dunes and is a standard campground with showers and bathrooms. The only thing separating you from the sand here is a little dune and some trees. The best spots are near the trail to the beach. In the summer you have to make reservations here, but in the off season you’ll likely fine some spaces. The coolest thing about this campground is the group of Eucalyptus trees in the back corner of the campground where migrating Monarch Butterflies make the trees their home in the winter. There can be thousands of them flying around just above you. It’s worth stopping just to check it out. North Beach
If you can avoid it do not camp at Coastal Dunes RV Park and Campground across the 1 from North Beach Campground. The sites are small, there is no privacy, and the train comes barrelling through right next to the sites in the middle of the night and it will wake you up feeling like the train is in your tent.
Now for the next leg of your trip, pack up camp from Pismo and head to Big Sur, but along the way there are a ton of great stops to make.
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Drive up the coast and have lunch at the Olde Port Inn. Or just stop for their appetizer of bacon wrapped cheese stuffed prawns. They are amazing! Follow the exit signs to Avila Beach, which is a beautiful little harbor with 3 piers. The Olde Port Inn is at the end of the 3rd pier, you drive right out on to it and park. Then the tables you sit at have glass tops and you can see right through down in to the water below and watch the seals and otters. But the prawns are to die for. This is a great place to watch the sun set too.
Stop in San Luis Obispo for lunch or dinner, or just a walk around down town and window shop. Grab a slice at Woodstock's Pizza, check out Bubble Gum Alley, see a movie at the at the old theater The Big Freemont, visit the Mission San Luis Obispo downtown. For novelty alone, visit the Madonna Inn, every room is themed, the rates are reasonable and the rooms are dated, but it's interesting to say the least.
From San Luis Obispo heading north on the 1, turn left on E Foothill Blvd and then turn right on Turn right at Los Osos Valley Rd and go for about 6 miles and Los Osos Oaks State Reserve will be on your left. Stop for a hike, even if it's a short one, it is so worth it. The Dwarf Oak Trees and moss are amazing looking, this place is a gem and a must see.
From Los Osos Oaks, continue on Los Osos Valley Rd, Take the 3rd right onto S Bay Blvd, then turn left to turn merge back on to the 1. From there head towards Cayucos. Once you're out of Morrow Bay about to Cayucos, stop and take a look behind you at Morrow Rock and take a picture. It's quite a site. I think it's about this point on the trip where you are able to take in the real beauty of where you are. There are less and less people and buildings and more and more nature, beauty, and wonder. The central coast is a truly magical place and it's hard to believe that the southern coast of California once was like this too.
Just north of Cambria keep your eye out for the Elephant Seal Viewing Area. Stop and check out these giant seals, the best viewing time is winter when pups are on the beach and mating season when the males fight each other. It can be very entertaining. And some times gross when they're humping.
Next, if you have time stop at Hearst Castle and take a tour. Take the one that has the most pools because those are the best sights, my personal favorite is the indoor pool, it is so much like the ruins I've seen in Pompeii of ancient Roman baths, it's how I image they would look when intact. Or the night tour is cool, but more expensive. Docents dress up in era style clothing and act like guests at William Randolph Hearst's dinner party.
After Hearst Castle, this is where the roads become more treacherous, winding around cliff edges with 1,000 foot drops to the thrashing ocean below. The views are spectacular!
Once you get to Big Sur, plan on camping! Our friends showed us the BEST spot. It's called Fernwood Resort and it is a real treasure, it's tucked away off of the east side of Highway 101, it has tent camping, camping tents (similar to yurts), and cabins, and cabins with hot tubs on the deck. You can hike up a huge set of stairs to the Motel, Restaurant, Tavern, and Local Store. They have live music on the weekend.
To be continued....
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