Northern California Road Trip Along Highway 1

The California coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world. While you could easily spend weeks driving from one end to the other (and don’t worry an extensive cross-state itinerary is coming soon), today I’m sharing some must-visit spots on your Northern California road trip along highway 1. Whether you’re only spend an hour or a day in each spot, this guide will help you plan your trip.

San Simeon

Things to do in San Simeon:

• Take a tour of Hearst Castle
• Visit the Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Rookery
• Drive over to San Luis Obispo for a day trip

Where to eat in San Simeon:

Where to stay in San Simeon:

Big Sur

Start your trip driving through Big Sur. The drive is windy and long; but also incredibly beautiful. It stretches about 90 miles and goes between Heart Castle and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

A few must-visits in Big Sur:

• Bixby Creek Bridge (pro tip: cross the street going away from the water to get that perfect photo!)
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (also a good option if you want to camp.)
• McWay Falls Hike (provides the quintessential Big Sur experience. This short hike ends at a beautiful waterfall)

Eating in Big Sur:

Personally, I’d skip eating in Big Sur and opt for downtown Carmel instead as there are lots of great options. But if you find yourself in the area some options include:

• Sierra Mar – $$$$ – beautiful coast views perfect for celebrating an event or having a luxurious lunch
• Nepenthe – $$-$$$ – a Big Sur institution (it’s been around 70 years), enjoy a glass of wine with a view of the coat. Everyone raves about the Ambriosiaburger.
• Big Sur Village General Store & Burrito Bar – $ – Grab a delicious burrito on the go at this roadside stop. You can also pick up local produce and other small road trip items you might need.

Where to stay in Big Sur:

• Glamping – Ventana Big Sur
• Camping – Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
• Lodge – Big Sur River Inn

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Instead of driving straight through Carmel to get to Monterey, opt to visit the smaller city of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This community has historic charm with cottages, a quaint downtown, and a historic mission.

Things to do in Carmel:

• Walk down Ocean Ave. (downtown Carmel) and pop in the different shops
• Spa day at the Refuge – Make a reservation at this tech-free and silent spa featuring thermal baths, massages, and saunas. A perfect way to unwind after spending time on the road.
• Tour the Carmel Mission – Visit the historic mission and take a guided tour of the grounds.
• Take the 17 Mile Drive to Pebble Beach – and don’t forget to pull over to see the Lone Cypress.

Where to eat in Carmel:

• Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co – delicious locally roasted coffee on Ocean Ave.
• Seventh and Dolores Steakhouse – opt for a beautiful brunch with stunning decor.
• Carmel Belle – for a quick lunch or light breakfast in a cafe setting.
• La Balena – small and cozy Italian restaurant hidden away off the main street.

Where to stay in Carmel:

• La Playa Carmel – Located in the heart of Carmel and is steps from the beach.
• The Hotel Carmel – Adorable little boutique hotel with cottage-style decor.
• L’Auberge Carmel – 4 star French chateau featuring the Michelin star restaurant the Aubergine.

Capitola

Skip downtown Santa Cruz and opt to check out the colorful community of Capitola. Check out our full day trip guide for Capitola here. Interested in checking out Santa Cruz? Check out our guide here.

Things to do in Capitola:

• Visit the “Hook” and walk along the cliffs after picking up coffee at Verve Coffee Roasters
• Check out Capitola State Beach and walk through the neighborhood of colorful houses.

Eating in Capitola:

• Pizza My Heart – Bay Area classic pizza spot. Pick up a slice next to the state beach and go for a walk along the water.
• Verve Coffee Roasters – For coffee and pastries.
• Taqueria Vallarta – Quick and casual Mexican food.

Where to stay in Capitola:

• Capitola Hotel – Cozy Mediterranean hotel in downtown Capitola with ocean views.
• Capitola Venetian Hotel – Boutique hotel located in Capitola Village overlooking the water.

Davenport

Davenport is a must-stop if you’re doing your Northern California road trip in the summer. Also located within the city of Santa Cruz, it has a small population of just over 400 people. Want to spend the day in Davenport? Check out our guide here.

Things to do in Davenport:

• Take a short hike to Shark Fin Cove – explore the caves and relax at the beach.
• Go strawberry picking at Swanton Berry Farm (they also have a shop for buying freshly picked berries and other local products if you don’t have time to do the u-pick)

Where to eat in Davenport:

• Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn – hearty dishes at reasonable prices. Perfect for a highway 1 breakfast.

Pescadero

In my opinion, Pescadero deserves at least a day. There is a lot to do in this small town – it’s beautiful and quirky! For a full day trip guide check out the article here.

Things to do in Pescadero:

• Grab coffee and check out the vintage items at Downtown Local
• Take photos in front of the Lea Level Farm (address: 1743 Pescadero Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060)
• Pick up fresh goat cheese at the Harley Goat Dairy
• Try artichoke bread at the Arcangeli Grocery Store
• Pop into the boutiques on Stagecoach Road.
• Visit the Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Where to eat in Pescadero:

• Downtown Local – for delicious Sightglass Coffee and a vintage atmosphere
• Arcangeli Grocery Store – for snacks on the go and the famous artichoke bread
• Mercado & Taqueria de Amigos – this taqueria is located in the gas station but is delicious and has won countless awards.

Where to stay in Pescadero:

• Pescadero Creek Inn – Cottage with storybook gardens, perfect for a coastal getaway.

Half Moon Bay

What you might do in Half Moon Bay will depend on what season you visit. (You can check out our day trip itinerary here.) All I can say is that there is always something to explore in the area!

Things to do in Half Moon Bay

• Pick sunflowers at the Andreotti Family Farm (end of August / early September) Learn more about the details here.
• Pumpkin picking all over HMB in the fall – there are lots of spots to choose from so just drive around until you find one you like!

Where to eat in Half Moon Bay

• Moonside Bakery – great to pick up some pastries and coffee
• Half Moon Bay Bakery – if you like savory, try the pesto artichoke bread, or if you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the half moon chocolate chip cookies
• The Fisherman’s Taverna – the chowder is a must!

Where to stay in Half Moon Bay

• The Ritz-Carlton – the property is located on a bluff overlooking the ocean and offers all the luxury amenities that the Ritz name is known for.
• Cypress Inn on Miramar Beach – this beachfront inn’s rooms are pristine, just like the beaches its located on. A plus: they offer evening wine and appetizers!
• Mill Rose Inn – the inn has 18 rooms, but don’t let its small size fool you! The California award winning lodging is a combination of charmingly quaint with a Victorian-esque feel.

San Francisco

No Northern California roadtrip guide is complete without the inclusion of San Francisco. Not only is the city teeming with people and places to see, it’s also perfect for taking that Insta-worthy shot, or using it as a home-base for a hike or a day trip if your road-trip doesn’t have an end date.

Things to do in San Francisco

• Go wine tasting in the city! With its proximity to Napa, there are many tasting rooms and restaurants that offer the regional wines.
• Choose a neighborhood to explore for the day. My favorite is Bernal Heights!
• It’s no secret that San Francisco has some of the most beautiful views and parks, so why not plan a picnic? Here are the best spots.
• Visit Union Square, it’s my favorite during Christmas season
• Go shopping at all the different flea markets in the city

Where to eat in San Francisco

• Little Gem Grove – go here for the best avocado toast in SF
• Jane the Bakery – try to get here early, they have many locations and a variety of pastries (their gluten-free snickerdoodle cookie is the best!)
• Cafe Reveille – there are many coffee shops to try, but this is one of my favorites
• Redwood Room – I love having mezzes at this sophisticated lounge

Where to stay in San Francisco

• The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel – situated near Union Square, this hotel is centrally located.
• Laurel Inn – Boutique hotel in Presidio located amongst historic Victorian homes.

Point Reyes

This touristy destination is perfect if you enjoy hiking and backpacking, or just want a retreat in a scenic peninsula. Not only is it well-known for it’s lighthouse, but it also hosts a popular preserve surrounded by water that brings in visitors every year.

Things to do in Point Reyes

• Visit the iconic Point Reyes Lighthouse
• Hike along one of the many sea-side trails. Read this for more information.
• Go to Sculptured or Palomarin beaches to see the tide pools
• Check out the Cypress Tree Tunnel
• Stop by the Point Reyes Shipwreck

Where to eat in Point Reyes

• Inverness Park Market – their deli menu features meals made with locally sourced ingredients, like cheese from Cowgirl Creamery and Cantina and bread from Brickmaiden Breads 
• Nick’s Cove Restaurant – offer seasonal and sustainable California cuisine where every table has a view
• Saltwater Oyster Depot – is deemed the “neighborhood oyster bar” that offers a great selection of regional wines

Where to stay in Point Reyes

• Camping – Point Reyes National Seashore Campgrounds – for those who want to hike/back pack through the park
• Bed & Breakfast – Point Reyes Station Inn – a cute little bed and breakfast that’s pet-friendly
• Inn – Point Reyes Country Inn & Stables – offer three lodging options and a great place to stay if you want to go horseback riding

Point Arena

This small town has a lot of charm. Its restaurant and lodging embodies the California mindset of “locally sourced” and “organically grown” and is a great stop on your road-trip if you want to enjoy coastal views.

Things to do in Point Arena

• Visit the Point Arena Lighthouse that offers tours of the tower, a museum and a beautiful gazebo (check out our day trip itinerary here).
• Visit the B. Bryan Preserve to see endangered animal species
• Go whale-watching along the coast. Depending on the season, you may see either blue, humpback, or gray whales.

Where to eat in Point Arena

• Bird Cafe – serves a seasonal menu sourced with local ingredients, they’re also located on the historic Main Street.
• Pelican Bread Company – grab a sourdough loaf (or two)
• Franny’s Cup and Saucer – this quaint little shop is blue, so you can’t miss it. Try any of their baked goods.
• Cove Coffee – enjoy one of their breakfast sandwiches with a view!
• Arena Market and Cafe – this small co-op grocery store and cafe offers local and organic produce, and have the best homemade soups.

Where to stay in Point Arena

• The Point Arena Lighthouse Lodge – if you’re looking for a unique experience
• The Oz Retreat Center – situated on 240 acres, perfect for an off the grid retreat
• Roseman Creek Ranch – you should stay here if you like the farmstead life, organic produce, and are traveling with a big group

Mendocino (Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Bodega Bay)

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Mendocino County spans almost 4,000 miles and is bordered by a long coastline. With so many coastal towns and national parks and forests, you could easily stop, regroup, then be on the road again.

What to do in Mendocino

• Explore the instagrammable Glass Beach
• Walk around Fort Bragg’s downtown area and visit the many shops
• Watch the sun set at Seaside Creek Beach
• Horseback ride down the Ten Mile Beach dunes
• Visit downtown Mendocino and shop at the boutiques and galleries

Where to eat in Mendocino

• Flow Restaurant & Lounge – open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or enjoy a cocktail with a view!
• Café Beaujolais – serves food made with organic produce in a charming Victorian farmhouse.
• Good Life Cafe & Bakery – the menu varies by day since everything is made from scratch.

Where to stay in Mendocino

• The Inn at Newport Ranch – luxurious lodging with tons to do! Check out our post about it here.
• Little River Inn – historic inn with beautiful views and an on-site golfcourse