California Dream’n – The Iconic Road Trip Along the Pacific Coast Highway

Picture the silhouette of a lone cypress tree against a backdrop of endless ocean, winding roads, hairpin turns and sheer granite cliffs that plunge into foaming aquamarine waters. An iconic stretch of road, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful routes in America. Also known as California State Route 1, the scenic Pacific Coast Highway stretches along most of the state’s coastline, with the most dramatic scenery found between Monterey and Santa Barbara. It’s a road trip that romances the open road, seduces the senses and flirts with the idea of classic Americana.

Eager to check this drive of a lifetime off my bucket list, I rented a sexy silver Corvette convertible and eagerly arranged an impromptu three-day road trip from Santa Monica, Los Angeles up the Central Californian coast. The goal? Explore some of the region’s highlights, from the historic Hearst Castle, to the quaint Danish town of Solvang, the vineyards of Santa Ynez, the seal sanctuaries of Point Lobos State Park to the awe-inspiring vistas of Big Sur. Here are a few of the best spots to check out:

Eat at Cold Springs Tavern

I navigated my way through the sticky LA traffic, past the beaches of celebrity-strewn Malibu to a stretch of open road. Cutting inland, temporarily leaving the Pacific Coast Highway for other ribbons of asphalt, I found myself at Cold Springs Tavern, an old stagecoach stop that dates back to 1865. It was a place for travelers to rest, eat, swap out their horses and relax from their long journeys. Today, the travelers rest stop tradition continues. Hopping out of the car, wandering into the small rustic restaurant, I ordered their legendary chili and took in the quirky taxidermy décor of mounted deer heads and wolf hides. With the rustic charm of early 19th century lodge life, Cold Springs Tavern is the perfect California road trip stop to stretch your legs and grab some grub.

Travel Back in Time in Solvang

Belly full, I waddled back to the car, secured my seat belt, revved the engine and made my way towards Solvang, a quaint Danish inspired village. Visiting Solvang makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a medieval European town of windmills, Chocolatiers and traditional handicrafts. Hop aboard the “Honen,” (a replica of the 1800’s Danish streetcar pulled by two Belgian draft horses) for a 25-minute sightseeing tour of Solvang’s downtown area. If you’re a wine lover, Solvang is also a hub for wine tours. With labels like Firestone and Sun Valley, visitors can spend their days enjoying fine Chardonnays and Cabernets in the vineyards and tasting rooms of Santa Barbara’s Santa Ynez region.

Drink Fine Wine in Los Olivos

For those travelers who love fine wine, I highly recommend allocating a few days in your schedule to exploring the Santa Ynez region, a wealth of wineries and vineyards. Be sure to stop in the charming town of Los Olivos, where the main strip is chock full of tasting rooms, art galleries and restaurants. A great stop for lunch or dinner is Petros Restaurant, an upscale California-Hellenic cuisine serving up classic Greek and Mediterranean food. Among many items on their menu, their Taramosalata red caviar dip and the Baklava are sinfully delicious bookends to a meal of belt unbuckling satisfaction.

Tour the Historic Hearst Castle

Next stop on my California road trip adventure took me to the legendary Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a must see on any trip up the coast. Perched in the Santa Lucia Range, this epic mansion was owned by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Also known as La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for Enchanted Hill) this estate is now open to the public and offers an incredible collection of antiques, art and architecture. I booked a 45-minute tour called “Grand Rooms Tour” (tours are year round and cost $25 for adults, I recommend having your travel specialist reserve tickets in advance) that provided a broad overview of the property and took me to some of its 165 rooms, across the rolling 127-acre estate. One of the most spectacular features of the compound was Neptune pool, complete with Roman columns and an atmosphere so inviting I was tempted to just break the rules and jump in.

Back in the car and on the road, I continued along my journey north from Hearst Castle. Gradually this stretch of highway presented the picture-perfect postcard — dramatic stretches of coastline and crazy winding roads that hug the rocky coastline of ocean panorama. Welcome to Big Sur, I thought to myself.

Historically a popular area for philosophers, yogis, creative types and spiritual gurus, bohemian Big Sur inspires an atmosphere of calm and reflection. In this section of the drive I felt time slow down. There was room to relax, breathe in nature and find stillness in oneself amidst the silence in the surroundings. It’s no wonder why so many artists have found themselves drawn to Big Sur. There is something almost magical about its vibe. It inspires and soothes the soul.

Big Sur is a particularly special place to visit when traveling with that special someone. Tangerine sunsets over a turquoise ocean and  intimate candle-lit dinners at cozy five-star boutique resorts could put anyone in the mood for love.

Sleep at Post Ranch Inn

When looking for romantic accommodations, Post Ranch Inn, the award-winning luxury hotel with some 39 guestrooms, proves itself as the pinnacle of rustic romance in an atmosphere of serenity and intimacy. Though it is pricey, it’s a great choice for those celebrating a special occasion. While some rooms have ocean views, others offer sleeps in triangular tree houses built on stilts, about nine feet above the forest floor. Each room features lavish linens, a fireplace, spa tub and skylight for stargazing among the redwoods.

Stroll the Charming Carmel-by-the-Sea

If you’re able to drag yourself out of your tree house, another big draw for road trippers is the adorable town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This charming seaside resort of storybook English cottages and Swiss Alpine chalets dates back to the early 1900s, and today it’s a mecca for tourists driving along the California Coast.

Strolling around town, passing candy shops, art galleries, boutique wine shops and solame of the most expensive real estate in the country, I can’t help but feel like I’ve stepped into an almost mystical land. With charming homes with unique architecture, it’s no wonder why the cultural elite with an affinity for fine wine, delicious cuisine and expensive art, have adopted this fairy tale town.

Carmel’s culinary highlights include: La Balena, serving artisanal rustic Italian; Grasing’s Coastal Cuisine, a relaxed bistro serving regional dishes made with farm-fresh local ingredients; and Carmel Bakery, serving Scottish shortbread, English scones and giant soft Bavarian pretzels since they opened in 1906.

Spot Otters and Octopus at Monterey Bay Aquarium

From quaint Carmel, I made my way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Renown for its impressive collection of sea creatures, everything from hammerhead sharks to giant octopus, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is widely considered one of the world’s best.

While there were many exhibits featuring everything from the secret lives of seahorses to the open sea, one of the best is Jellies Experience, a psychedelic display of jellyfish from around the world. After an afternoon of touring the aquarium, you gain a new appreciation for these translucent clumps of goo that soon become some of the most graceful, ethereal creatures in the ocean.

Having reached my final road trip destination, I looked back on my adventure. Stage coach eateries, historic estates, rolling vineyards, romantic retreats and adorable sea otters are just some of the moments I experienced on my classic California road trip.

I said goodbye to Monterey and prepared for my journey home but one thing was for sure – a road trip adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway lives up to the hype. Gorgeous vistas, never-ending sunshine. Cruising up the coast brings an incredible sense of freedom. You can’t beat a Cali road trip!

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