Unforgettable California Family Road Trip Stops

For those paying any attention to social media, it's clear the world is re-opening and people are jet setting once again. Still, not everyone (my family included) is quite ready to hop on a plane amid concerns about the Delta variant. For this contingent, a road trip can be a more comfortable alternative. And few destinations provide a more picturesque road trip than California thanks to its stunning Pacific Ocean coastline, iconic cliff hugging Highway 1, and long list of charming, culturally rich, and family-friendly beach cities. A road trip in the Golden State not only makes for an unforgettable vacation, it's also one that can be designed to accommodate travelers of all ages and interests. Here are some of the most memorable and charming California beach cities to put on your family's road-trip agenda and a few must-visit hotels as well that young travelers won't soon forget.

The Central Coast beach community of Cambria was the first stop on my family's recent California road trip and for good reason. It showcases an incredibly pure, unhurried, and accessible version of the state's coastal beauty. You won't find chain restaurants or chain hotels here. Nor are there any loud, sprawling amusement parks or the throngs of travelers such attractions bring with them. Instead, Cambria offers a quiet splendor where days can be spent exploring the picturesque coastline with your children, teaching them about nature, and taking in all of its remarkable sights (and sounds) including the abundance of marine life on display. There's a seemingly endless array of hiking and walking trails in the greater Cambria area and many are appropriate for all ages. Some of the most notable options for those in search of tranquility and a diverse display of nature and wildlife include Fiscalini Ranch trail and Leffingwell Landing Trail. Come sunset, don't miss securing a prime viewing position along Moonstone Beach Boardwalk to watch the dazzling display as the sun slips below the horizon.

Perched on a bluff along the craggy Pacific coastline slightly north of Cambria, Piedras Blancas Light Station provides travelers, especially inquisitive young children, with a fascinating glimpse into the past and a time when lighthouses were vital to maritime navigation. Constructed in 1874, the light station is part of the federally designated Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area. In addition to being the site of the historic lighthouse and a cluster of supporting buildings, the bluff is part of an important habitat area for seabirds and marine animals, including endangered species. There's a not-to-miss walking trail in front of the lighthouse that takes visitors along coastal cliffs where it's easy to spot the boisterous and very vocal northern elephant seals. You might also spy sea otters floating offshore and see more than a few of the area's charismatic turkey vultures, which are present in abundance. Be sure to make reservations well in advance for light station tours, as that's the only way you can access the property.

Another highlight in the greater Cambria area (about seven miles north of San Simeon) is the Northern Elephant Seal Rookery. It's the only elephant seal rookery in the world that's free and open to the public every day of the year. The specific time of year you visit plays a big role in what you'll see here (but rest assured, there's always something to see). In June, young male elephant seals start to arrive at the rookery to molt. From September through October the newest generation of juvenile seals arrive. And in November, adult male elephant seals begin to take up residence. For perhaps the most memorable experience, however, consider visiting between December and January when males fight for mating rights. No matter when you stop by the sound of the elephant seals barking (or roaring) is a thrill for kids-almost as much fun as spotting the animals themselves.

The legendary and fabled California beach city of Monterey is far more more bustling and crowd-filled than Cambria. But it remains a must-see for a family road trip and there are plenty of options to peacefully explore nature here and enjoy quality time. As a base to see and do as much as possible, the upscale Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa couldn't be a better choice. Perched on bayfront property, the hotel puts you within easy walking distance of such sights as Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

There are few more memorable ways for young travelers (and adults for that matter) to experience Monterey's marine life in its natural habitat then an Elkhorn Slough Safari. The pontoon boat safaris depart from a marina about 20 minutes outside downtown Monterey and take participants on naturalist-guided explorations of the Elkhorn Slough, a seven-mile-long National Estuarine Research Reserve. One of the largest wetlands in the state, the slough is teeming with colonies of sea otters (or more properly called "rafts" of sea otters). By the end of a tour, you'll have adorable sea creature overload. With the help of the naturalist guide, we spotted 114 sea otters during our safari, including 16 pups. This was in addition to the more than 100 harbor seals and 37 sea lions we observed. Elkhorn Slough is also a bird watchers' paradise-more than 300 bird species living here. Just be prepared, it can get extremely chilly while in the slough, so bring warm clothing to bundle up.

Kayaking Monterey Bay (which is a National Marine Sanctuary) is yet another nature experience your children won't soon forget. My son and I spent a fascinating few hours paddling around observing sea otters resting on the bay's kelp forest canopy (some with babies sleeping on their chests), as well as spotting harbor seals, sea lions, and all manner of marine birds. Kayaks are available for rent throughout downtown Monterey and taking a self-guided journey of the bay allows you to get an up-close look at all of the marine life, and to do so at your own pace.

When you're ready to face the crowds, book yourself a time slot to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. My son was engaged and enthralled from the minute we walked through the aquarium's door (which is saying a lot in the age of the ever-present iPad.) And really, a visit to Monterey would not be complete without a stop at this world-class facility. The innovative exhibits wow travelers of all ages, making it incredibly evident why the aquarium is consistently ranked the best in the United States. We were especially impressed (okay, mesmerized) by the jellyfish exhibits and also heartened to learn about the aquarium's role in helping to preserve endangered penguins from South Africa whose numbers are being diminished by human development and habitat destruction, as well as climate change.

Making your way along the coast of California, hopping from one beach city to the next can become challenging for antsy younger travelers who don't relish long stretches of driving (Let's all say it together: "Are we there yet?") Santa Cruz offers an entertaining midway stop on a beach cities journey where you can enjoy classic family fun in the form of rollercoasters, haunted houses, vintage video games, and all the chocolate-dipped soft serve ice cream your stomach can handle. You'll find all of these things at The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which dates back to 1865 and is among the last classic seaside amusement parks in this country. Still considered one of the best such parks in the world, there's more than 40 rides here including a rollercoaster that's a National Historic Landmark. Among the most thrilling ways to take it all in is the Sky Glide and its colorful, two seat gondolas that transport riders above the boardwalk providing panoramic views of the neighboring beach and all the boardwalk action below.

Amid all the jaw-dropping beauty that's showcased along California's Highway 1 and throughout its variety of beach communities, Gualala is a particularly special and magical place. Located in a region that's sometimes referred to as the secret coast, Gualala offers a much, much slower version of life. With a population of just over 2,000 people and perched on the northern-most edge of Sonoma County, Gualala is all about quiet stretches of startlingly beautiful coastline and craggy bluffs, mist shrouded forests, and picturesque country drives. Gualala is also an artistic hot-spot (which is understandable given the region's inspiring beauty). And with that in mind, you won't want to miss stopping in to the Gualala Arts Center.

Like nearly all the beach communities we visited, it was almost hard to decide where to start our explorations amid the many pristine beaches, picturesque trails, and expansive coastal vistas. Gualala Point Regional Park provided an easy-to-manage first choice for my family's multigenerational group of travelers. The park's mostly flat, three-mile Bluff Top Coastal Access Trail offered one awe-inspiring view after another of the beaches and coves below the cliffs, as well as the many magnificent offshore rock formations that make the entire region look like an old masters landscape painting.

Beaches, beaches, and more beaches, right? Wrong. Bowling Ball Beach is in a league of its own. My son and I have a habit of going out on early morning walks together, well before 8 a.m., whenever we're traveling and engaging in what we call our "magic hour "explorations-a time when few other people are up and about. There's no better place to do this type of walk then Bowling Ball Beach when the tide is out, exposing the enormous, spherical sandstone creations that give the beach its' name. A favorite of professional photographers, many of whom set up tripods to photograph the unusual looking site of the rocks, the beach is also a fascinating place for viewing tidepools with young travelers. Just be sure to consult tide charts before you go to ensure you're able to see the striking rocks, which look like the playthings of giants.

Mar Vista Farm + Cottages is the perfect complement to Gualala's slow-paced allure. Located just outside the village of Gualala and across Highway 1 from the Pacific Ocean, Mar Vista is a vintage cottage community and organic farm that gives new meaning to the phrase soul-enriching family escape. The cottages themselves, with their wood burning fireplaces, country kitchens, and giant picture windows, encourage the perfect combination of quality family time, relaxation, and communing with nature. Beyond your cottage accommodations there are goats for the kids to feed at Mar Vista, eggs to be collected each day from the chicken coop, and a resident bunny to pet. (The farm's kittens are an added level of animal cuteness young travelers can't resist.) Forested trails, private access to a secluded beach, and a vibrant organic garden from which guests are encouraged to harvest vegetables for meals, are all icing on the cake here, making leaving Mar Vista and heading back to the real world, almost too difficult to contemplate as a visit winds down.

Yet another destination where natural beauty is the star and main attraction, Big Sur is a legendary destination along California's central coast and a place made even more famous by Jack Kerouac who spent time here in the 1960s and penned a book named after the region. You could easily fill hours (if not days) just taking in the iconic and postcard-famous coastline vistas and ragged, plunging seaside cliffs along the 90-mile stretch of Highway 1 that Big Sur encompasses. Every twist and turn of the narrow, two-lane road here delivers another jaw-dropping view that will leave young travelers oooh-ing and ahhh-ing. In addition to the many opportunities for memorable cliffs walks or hikes, family visitors can spend time camping, beach combing, and hiking amongst the towering trees of the Santa Lucia Mountains. We did nearly all of the above during our visit, but be prepared, one or two days won't be nearly enough to take in all the highlights.

If you have a limited amount of time in Big Sur, don't miss Pfeiffer Beach. It's easy to access for travelers of all ages and abilities and you'll find unique, purple or violet-hued sand created by manganese garnet deposits washing down to the beach from surrounding hills. The beach is also well-known for its striking sea stacks and rock formations, the most famous of which is Keyhole Arch. Watching waves come crashing through the narrow hole that gives Keyhole Arch its name is a kid and crowd pleaser, and another photography hot spot. Sunset is a memorable time to visit the is beach. But if you're looking for actual sun, visit in September or October, once the June gloom (which extends through July and August) has subsided.

It can be hard to pry yourself away from all of the dramatic beach and cliff views when touring coastal Highway 1 destinations (or maybe by this point you've had your fill). Whatever the case, don't miss exploring the towering forests in Big Sur as well, where you can wander among the redwoods, oaks, and sycamores. Forest trails here reward visitors with swimming holes and picturesque waterfalls. As an added bonus, forest hikes provide an opportunity to escape the mist and fog that often dominates the coastline. The moderate, two-mile (round-trip) Pfeiffer Falls Trail that begins at the Big Sur Lodge lobby is a great choice for younger hikers when visiting Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The trail winds through redwood and oak woodlands to the 60-foot Pfeiffer Falls.

After 12 days of exploring California's many legendary beach cities, we couldn't have picked a better place to spend the final night of road trip than El Capitan Canyon, a Sun RV Resorts property on the outskirts of Santa Barbara. The uber-family friendly luxury retreat located in a historic, 350-acre grove of oak and sycamore trees features cedar cabins, yurts, and safari tents. To say El Capitan offers a memorable experience would be an understatement. In addition to just the joy and comfort of the charming cabin we stayed in here, the stargazing was among the best my family has ever experienced. We sat outside at night marveling at the vibrancy and multitude of stars that left us totally awestruck. The many yard games on the lawn in front of the El Capitan's Canyon Market also provide a pleasant way for weary road trippers to decompress. There's also a pool and playground on site, and a llama and goat farm within walking distance. Like much of the rest of our beach cities road trip, the memorable highlights of El Capitan were among the simplest kind: breathing in the fresh air, experiencing simple pleasures, and taking in all of the stunning natural beauty California has to offer.