Photo by A Cruising Couple
One of the most scenic stretches in the United States, Highway 1 is over 600 miles of dramatic cliff-side driving. Running all the way from San Francisco down to San Diego, there are plenty of pit stops along the way that are bound to leave nature-lovers awestruck. Here are a few of our favorite Highway 1 pit stops that will have you exploring the best outdoors attractions along the way:
San Francisco
Driving from North to South will put you on the outer side of the highway, closer to California's expansive ocean views. What's more, the "City by the Bay" is the perfect place to start your coastline tour. Kick off your road trip with a journey across the massive 1.2-mile long Golden Gate Bridge. Before you get started, stretch your legs along the Battery Park trails, which have spectacular views of the bridge and surrounding coastline.
READ MORE: The 4 Best Coastal Drives in the Country
San Gregorio State Beach
Photo via Flickr/Nosha
Visible from the highway, the San Gregorio State Beach is a beautiful barrier beach formed from where the river flows to meet the ocean. You can choose to either venture down to the beach area and walk along the sand or take in the spectacular view from one of the hiking paths that run along the sandstone cliffs above the beach. Nature lovers will be happy to note that birds can be spotted wading through the lagoon year-round.
Pescadero State Beach
Photo via Flickr/Stanislav Sedov
Another favorite stop for its unique terrain is Pescadero State Beach. The mile-long shoreline varies from rocky tide pools to sandy coves to jagged cliffs. The Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve is just on the other side of the highway and is another great spot for spotting birds and other wildlife.
Santa Cruz
Photo via Flickr/Davide D'Amico
The laid-back surf city of Santa Cruz is overflowing with great gems. The Natural Bridges State Beach just to the north features a natural bridge that towers over a section of the beach. This is also a great spot to see Monarch butterfly migrations.
Once you get to town, take a stroll down the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the Wharf and then up West Cliff Drive to Seal Rock where you can see local surfers catching waves before they crash alongside the rocky cliffs.
Monterey Bay
Continuing your drive south you'll hit the town of Monterey, famous for its aquarium (which sees some two million visitors a year!) The aquarium is host to all kinds of marine animals including sea turtles, otters, sharks, and penguins!
Big Sur
Photo by A Cruising Couple
The dramatic landscape of Big Sur will have you stopping to snap photos around every bend. Sparsely populated and bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountains, this stretch of the drive is our favorite along the entire route.
Don't miss a stop at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, known for having seals, sea lions and sea otters, and the California Sea Otter Game Reserve further south where you can hike out to Point Sur and the Point Sur Lightstation. Also, be on the lookout for McWay Falls and Cove, a waterfall that spills into the beach and ocean below the highway.
READ MORE: The Jucy Camper Van Makes Camping on California's Coast a Breeze
Los Angeles
Although the sprawling city of Los Angeles may not appear to have a lot to offer nature lovers, one of our favorite hikes was along the Mt. Hollywood Trail in Griffith Park. The climb takes you up close and personal to the famous Hollywood sign and has excellent views out over the valley.
San Diego
Photo via Flickr/Mity
Highway 1 ends as you arrive in San Diego, a great place to finish your trip, considering how much there is to do. Home of the renowned San Diego Zoo, start by visiting the more than 3,500 animals including giraffes, koalas, apes, hippos and plenty more! After exploring the park, take a walk around the 1,200-acre Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S.
Have you driven the coast of California along Highway 1? What were your favorite stops for nature lovers?
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