My 10 Favorite Drives in California
I often enjoy taking road trips, whether for part of a day or over a several day period. It may be en route to a destination, other times it's just a drive. Sometimes a drive is discovered while on business.
California is loaded with amazing views, from the mountains to the desert, the city to the beaches, and a drive on the back roads is the best way to discover them, although the freeway can offer some amazing views sometimes.
I have some favorite drives here in California, many in the Southern ara where I live, that I thought I'd pass on. Some are destinations; others are short and sweet and perhaps a diversion on the way to your home port.
Please feel free to share your faves so others can enjoy at some point in the future.
Historic Route 101from Carlsbad to Torrey Pines in La Jolla - you can see the ocean, mountains, lagoons, and drive through picturesque small towns - Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach and Del Mar..
Route 78 from Escondido to Ramona, then on to Santa Ysabel and Julian - beautiful mountains, grasslands, agricultural areas, small towns and interesting shopping (e.g., antiques in Ramona) and you climb to about 5000 feet above sea leveling at Julian
The drive up Mount Palomar (either the long route or the short) is incredible with views in all directions. On a cloudy day you may get above the clouds. Take the 76 east from Oceanside, or go north on the 76 from the 78 at Santa Ysabel.
Route 74 from Temecula through the San Jacinto Mountains then down into the desert cities of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Indian Wells and Indio. Fabulous views at the top of the mountains looking down into the desert a few thousand feet below.
Route 74 through the mountains from San Juan Capistrano in Orange County east to Lake Elsinore - the views from the top of the mountains; looking down on the valley and the lake are impressive!
The drive up Route 1 along the Monterey coast to Big Sur(Morro Bay is a good starting point) is incredible. Some of the most amazing coastal views you will see anywhere IMO. Be prepared to stop multiple times to ooh and aah and take pics. Nepenthe, just south is Big Sur, is a must do. Stay in Big Sur at Ventana or Post Ranch, if you can afford it.
The drive across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco never ceases to amaze and enthrall. You HAVE to go both ways, and be sure to visit the Marin Highlands on the Marin County side for views of the bay and city
The drive to Point Reyes north of San Francisco is well worth the time. It seems to take a while to get there (about 30 miles), but it is well worth the time. The views from the lighthouse and the headlands in this wilderness are unparalleled.
Driving from Paso Robles west through the mountains to the coast on Route 46 to either Cambria (to the north) or Cayucos (to the south)
And a couple of honorable mentions:
Drive up and over Mt. Soledadin La Jolla. I like coming at it from the south and heading home going north - better views.
The drive on the 101 on the coast to Santa Barbara
La Jolla Shores Drive DOWN from Torrey Pines past Scripps - terrific views of La Jolla and the ocean
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