My favorite way to experience California is traveling by road. This state is expansive – it can take nearly a day to drive from Northern to Southern California – and is also home to a beautifully diverse landscape of beaches, mountains, deserts, and forests full of trees.
On a Saturday afternoon in February, my friends, my partner, and I travel from San Francisco to Mendocino via Highway 1, making scenic stops along the way.
Highway 1, famously known as the Pacific Coast Highway, winds through Northern and Southern California, offering a drive that is often as thrilling as the destination–if not more so. Vast bodies of water shimmer under a sunlit sky, sprawling mountains stretch across the horizon, and waves split into soap-like bubbles at the base of jagged cliffs. No matter how many times I’ve stared out the window on this drive, the view never ceases to amaze me.
Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, we glide past rolling green hills in Marin County, trading San Francisco’s skyline for miles of open road, sea breeze, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Bodega Bay
Duncan’s Cove Overlook
Sea Ranch Chapel
Point Arena Lighthouse
Little River
Pudding Creek
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California is home to some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. Whether you drive South towards the streets of Santa Barbara or North towards Mendocino, the views along the Pacific Coast Highway are worth looking out of your window for.
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Good To Know
The journey: With stops, we reached our Airbnb in Little River in ~6hrs. Depending on how many stops you make and your final destination, it might take you longer or shorter. Parts of the highway are narrow and winding, so make sure you feel confident driving on these roads before starting your journey.
Where we stayed: At a cozy airbnb in Little River (10 mins away from Mendocino): Little River Airbnb
Where to eat: Check out the Bird’s Cafe in Bodega Bay (1hr+ into the drive from San Francisco) and Cafe Beaujolais and Trillium in Mendocino (make reservations in advance for both).
To read about my previous journey along Highway 1, click here.
As always,
thank you for reading!
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Ooh this post brings back wonderful memories of our road trip from San Francisco to LA, stopping in different cities along the way. It was a gorgeous and scenic trip and the views were awesome!
That Airbnb looks fabulous!
Isnt it just the best?! California road trips are in a league of their own in my opinion. I’ve driven SF to LA a few times and the views never get old. thanks for reading, hun!!