| California day trips, weekend getaways and Pacific | | | | Ocean. This scenic drives offers an abundance of |
| Coast highway vacation | | | | marine life, sandy beaches and breathtaking views. In |
| Don't let summer pass you by! In the spirit of Jack | | | | general, Route 1 from San Francisco to San Diego is a |
| Kerouac - take the weekend off and head out on the | | | | drive worth-taking and renting a convertible is |
| highway. Here are some of the best California scenic | | | | recommended. For photos visit TravelPost blogger |
| drives, Pacific Coast highway vacations and California | | | | Marlon's entry. |
| day trips. | | | | Carson Pass Scenic Byway: Jackson to Woodfords |
| Sonoma Mendocino Coast Scenic Drive: Marin City to | | | | The Carson Pass Scenic Byway travels along through |
| US 101 | | | | alpine forests and meadows and over the towering |
| This California scenic drive starts on the Marin | | | | Caron Pass in the central Sierra Nevada region. |
| Peninsula just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and | | | | Spectacular views of rocky peaks and lakes, coupled |
| follows Highway 1 up the beautiful Pacific coast. The | | | | with volcanic landscapes, deep canyons and dense |
| highway passes through historic sites, redwood | | | | forests make this seventy-five mile long scenic drive |
| forests, wave carved coves, quiet sandy beaches and | | | | as varied as it is beautiful. There are plenty of historic |
| much more. From Muir Woods to Point Reyes National | | | | sites, camping, hiking, fishing and backpacking to be |
| Seashore there are tons of state parks and beaches | | | | done for this California day trip or weekend getaway. |
| to visit and be awed by. It's the perfect day or | | | | Sonoma-Napa Valleys Scenic Drive: Santa Rosa to |
| weekend retreat away from the bustle of San | | | | Hopland |
| Francisco. | | | | A scenic drive and wine tasting extravaganza! This |
| Angeles Crest Scenic Byway: La Canada to Mountain | | | | 132 mile scenic drive loops through the wine country of |
| Top Junction | | | | Sonoma and Napa and follows three California |
| Only sixty-six miles long, this California scenic drive | | | | highways. Winding through rolling mountains and dense |
| offers a secluded and scenic getaway from the traffic | | | | forests, the scenic drive also passes through Clear |
| laden Los Angeles. The Angeles Crest Scenic Byway | | | | Lake, the largest natural lake entirely within the state. |
| climbs up from La Canada into the San Gabriel | | | | Along with wine tastings, there are numbers state |
| Mountains, offering a stunning panoramic view. From | | | | parks and sites including Old Faithful Geyser in |
| the many vista points along the way, travelers can | | | | Calistoga and the Jack London State Historic Park |
| view the Mojave Desert, the San Gabriel Mountains | | | | along the way on this California scenic drive. |
| and Pomona Valleys. This Pacific Coast highway | | | | BONUS Scenic Drive: San Francisco |
| vacation is so peaceful, you'll forget about your busy | | | | At only 49 miles, San Francisco's official self-guided |
| life. | | | | driving tour is one of shortest. Simply begin anywhere |
| Route 1: Monterey to Morro Bay | | | | you see one of the Scenic Drive signs with the big |
| Not that it needs mentioning, but Route 1 from to Morro | | | | seagull, and follow the looping route counterclockwise |
| Bay is a scenic drive that tops them all. Beginning south | | | | to Mission Dolores, Coit Tower and other San |
| of Monterey, the highway takes you along the Big Sur | | | | Francisco highlights. Be wary of rush-hour traffic, I |
| where the Santa Lucia Range meets the Pacific | | | | recommend hitting it up mid-week during the day. |