Highway 1 from LA to San Francisco is the sort of road you see in car ads and movies, one that begs to be driven in a red convertible. It has stomach-dropping turns, wide, clean beaches, and cliffs that plunge to the frothing ocean. No wonder this highway is one of America’s unofficial pilgrimages. First stop north of Santa Barbara is the Danish town of Solvang. Try the pastries at Danish Village Bakery, owned by the same family for four generations, and featuring a yummy almond-raspberry tart. Spend the night at the sleepy hamlet of Avila Beach, staying at a room overlooking the water at Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites.

The next morning, tour Hearst Castle and see the dreamy blue-tiled indoor pool, inlaid with 22-karat gold. No wonder Cary Grant visited the estate more than 40 times.  Four miles north of Hearst Castle, a must-stop is the beach of Piedres Blancas to watch hundreds of large elephant seals lounging, grunting, wrestling, and diving into the Pacific. 

Continuing north, the mountains of Los Padres National Forest rise above the Pacific and the road becomes a mix of ups, downs, and hairpin turns as you enter Big Sur.  A quarter-mile walk at Pfeiffer Burns State Park leads you to the precipitous rock, waterfalls, and wildflowers of this rugged paradise. For lunch, stop at Nepenthe to dine on nachos while overlooking the stunning surroundings. The next two nights are well spent in Monterey, to visit one of America’s most innovative aquariums, bike along the waterfront past seals, and dine at seafood restaurants on the street coined Cannery Row.  San Fran is another two hours north.

The California Travel & Tourism Commission puts out a Road Trips magazine that describes in detail other great road trips in the state. Here, you’ll find a 5 to 6-day itinerary that continues on Highway 1, north of San Francisco, through some of the world’s most magnificent Redwoods (Avenue of the Giants), stopping at small artsy communities and wineries. This part of the state is still very wild and undiscovered.