30 Activities
An Epic Journey Discovering the Coolest Towns, Beaches, and California Weirdness South of San Francisco
Starts from
San Francisco
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
30
Duration
4 days
Length
547 mi
Route details
Starts from
San Francisco
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
4 days
Length
547 mi
Christina Mueller
Travel Expert
- Check out the maker shops, farmstands, and restaurants in Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and everywhere in between.
- Ride the most famous rollercoaster on the West Coast.
- Tilt at windmills in Solvang.
California is not only a beautiful state with stunning scenery around every turn that makes driving the state a pleasure, it boasts amazing restaurants and a thriving maker scene. You can find just about anything here, from small batch sauerkraut to baklava. And you should definitely try it all. On this drive, we'll move from the sights of Monterey and Carmel through the beaches and small town funk of San Luis Obispo, and finally the kitschiest town that isn't Disneyland: Solvang. (It's also got a great Mission.) Of course there will be wine.
There really is nothing like the beaches in California, and the farther south you get, the warmer the waters. Dive in to a journey that hits beautiful beaches, remarkable restaurants, and just enough local color to make you feel like you really got to know California.
There really is nothing like the beaches in California, and the farther south you get, the warmer the waters. Dive in to a journey that hits beautiful beaches, remarkable restaurants, and just enough local color to make you feel like you really got to know California.
Categories
California is not only a beautiful state with stunning scenery around every turn that makes driving the state a pleasure, it boasts amazing restaurants and a thriving maker scene. You can find just about anything here, from small batch sauerkraut to baklava. And you should definitely try it all. On this drive, we'll move from the sights of Monterey and Carmel through the beaches and small town funk of San Luis Obispo, and finally the kitschiest town that isn't Disneyland: Solvang. (It's also got a great Mission.) Of course there will be wine.
There really is nothing like the beaches in California, and the farther south you get, the warmer the waters. Dive in to a journey that hits beautiful beaches, remarkable restaurants, and just enough local color to make you feel like you really got to know California.
There really is nothing like the beaches in California, and the farther south you get, the warmer the waters. Dive in to a journey that hits beautiful beaches, remarkable restaurants, and just enough local color to make you feel like you really got to know California.
Christina Mueller
Travel Expert
- Check out the maker shops, farmstands, and restaurants in Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and everywhere in between.
- Ride the most famous rollercoaster on the West Coast.
- Tilt at windmills in Solvang.
Travel itinerary
7 Activities
Day 1
51 mi
Dig Into the World of Makers
Today's journey does not involve epic amounts of driving. First, meander through Half Moon Bay, discovering its makers, do-ers and shakers, including lunch in what was once a railroad caboose. On the way to Santa Cruz, nosh on berries, check out some sea lion action and maybe even visit a lighthouse before getting to know Santa Cruz's craft brewing scene.
9 Activities
Day 2
59 mi
Scream in Santa Cruz and Enjoy Sunset in Carmel
Shock your system with a ride on an epic rollercoaster before diving into the amazing seafood in Monterey. Finish a day on the Central Coast by watching the sunset with a bottle of wine and a picnic dinner on the beach in Carmel. Does it get any better than this?
6 Activities
Day 3
152 mi
Stroll Carmel and a Magnificent Mission in San Luis Obispo
Spend the morning in Carmel discovering its nooks and crannies before heading onwards to a magnificent castle, and San Luis Obispo's burgeoning dining scene.
8 Activities
Day 4
285 mi
Explore SLO and Solvang
San Luis Obispo is well-known for its Mission, the beautiful beaches of Avila and Pismo close to town, and a gnarly alley known as Bubble Gum. (It really is gross but soooo many people take pictures there.) Spend some time getting to know the town before heading south to Solvang and its windmills.