PHOTO: The Pacific Coast Highway stretching through California. (Photo via Flickr/Rian Castillo)

Cruising Route 1 from San Diego to San Fran? Try out some of these experiences along the way.

Sleep at a Winery

Visiting wine country is a long-standing tradition for anyone who lives in or visits California. All fifty states now boast wineries thanks to the interests of tourism, but none compare to the cultural identity that the wine industry brings to California. From the beautiful scenery to the rural lifestyle to the enjoyment of the evolving beverage itself, wine there is a way of life.

Despite the day-trip mentality surrounding wine country – that is, drive in, taste, drive out – you should consider spending the night at a winery. It’s not hard to find ones that have accommodations on site, be it in the form of a guest house, bed and breakfast, or modern inn, such as the Summerwood Winery in Paso Robles, just thirty minutes from the coastal down of Cambria.

You’ll get a more intimate experience of wine country this way. At Summerwood, the fully functioning grape-growing and wine-making facilities are complemented by a small inn of nine rooms, outfitted in a remodeled farmhouse. Each room has a private balcony for countryside gazing, a gas fireplace to make the cool nights cozy, and a free bottle of wine. No DD needed.

Visit Hearst Castle

If you’re wondering who is responsible for the dramatic, packaged mainstream news outlets we have today, William Hearst is not a bad place to point the finger. He is known for creating, or at least best implementing, the concept of “yellow journalism,” or selling the news. He was also a member of the House of Representatives.

His vacation house, Hearst Castle, sits upon an enchanting hill along California’s central coast in San Simeon. It became a getaway destination for L.A. celebrities thanks to its two pools, exotic zoo, and killer views of the ocean. Now a historic house/museum and a California State Park, several different tours are offered daily that allow you to explore this incredible estate. 

Visit Santa Cruz

The last major coastal hub along Route 1 before you hit San Francisco is Santa Cruz, and it tends to fly under the radar. It’s location in the north of the state opens up the opportunity to hike amongst redwood trees, and it sits on the craggy, majestic coastline with an abundance of beautiful beaches. Families will enjoy the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Consider spending a night or two in lieu of San Fran or Big Sur.

Discover California’s Secret Barbecue Scene

Texas has brisket and Memphis has ribs, but Santa Maria is home to America’s most underappreciated barbecue scene, utilizing the tri-tip cut as its base meat and a unique cooking technique.

“Most other regions use a smoker for cooking their meats, which cooks with indirect heat and surrounds the food in smoke,” said Brian Appiano, Chef and Owner of Rib Line Catering. “Santa Maria-style pits cook directly over the coals.”

The meat is cooked in a deep pit with an adjustable rack, which allows it to be raised and lowered based on the temperature, smoke, and wind. It is cooked over a bed of locally-grown red oak and traditionally served as a steak with sides of local pinquito beans and garlic bread. But many barbecue restaurants have evolved to serve it as a sandwich on a toasted, buttered roll.

There are barbecue joints all over Santa Maria and nearby San Luis Obispo who use this style. Try the Hitching Post, Shaw’s Steakhouse, BBQ in the Stix, Old San Luis BBQ, Firestone Grill, F. McLintocks Saloon, and The Rib Line.

Sail to the Channel Islands for a Day of Kayaking or Hiking

The Channel Islands are a chain of five islands that can been seen from the shores of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. They are accessible via a one-hour ferry that shoves off from Ventura Harbor, and the largest island, Santa Cruz Island, is 96 square miles. It offers great opportunities for hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking with its healthy kelp forests, sea caves, and the rolling, wide-open grassy hills and coastal views. There are also campgrounds if you’d like to spend the night. This is a unique side-trip that most people completely bypass.