by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Fri January 16, 2015
Photo courtesy of Discover America. All other photos courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
So this year, you have decided to rent a convertible and take a classic road trip along the coast. There you are, top down, hair blowing back, '80s music blaring. But where are you? Which coastal drive do you take? Here are a few great choices.
Pacific Coast Highway - California
This is the no-brianer of the group and probably most people's first choice. Hwy 1 runs from San Diego all the way up to the town of Leggett where it joins with US-101 which continues along the coast and eventually goes all the way up to Redwood National Park. These two bookends make for a great week of travel along the coast.
Stops can be made almost anywhere, but hit San Fran and Los Angeles for a big city stop or Carmel and San Luis Obispo for smaller towns. If you are looking for a must-see food stop, hit Neptune's Net in Malibu where the location of their grill and fryer hasn't moved in over 50 years. (Let's hope they have moved it every once in a while to clean back there).
Cape Cod Scenic Highway - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Known as the Old King's Highway, the Cape Cod Scenic Highway or Route 6A can trace its routes all the way back to old Native American trails. The route starts in Sagamore and goes all the way along the northern coast up to Provincetown. Pass through the town of Sandwich where this year they are celebrating their 375th anniversary.
Seafood is your fare of choice on the cape and you have plenty of choices for it, too. One of the favorite restaurants for real casual cuisine (which is a reflection of this drive) is Spanky's Clam Shack. Wait until summer to take this ride, because the cape really does have an off-season where pretty much everything shuts down.
Hana Highway - Maui, Hawaii
I know, you are already in one of the most beautiful places in the world, so what could possible make it even more beautiful? Take a 64-mile drive in that convertible you rented down the coast of Maui and take in the view.
The drive will take you about two and a half hours because of how winding it is and because you have to cross over 59 bridges; 46 of which are only one lane. There aren't a lot of places to eat, shop or get gas along this route so fill everything up before you go.
There is one detour you should take and that is to go to T Komoda Store & Bakery in Makawao. You will want to run all the way back to your hotel after you have one of these donuts on a stick and a Danish and a pastry and, well, the list goes on and on.
Overseas Highway - Florida Keys
Built on parts of the original Florida East Coast Railroad right of way, the Overseas Highway connects Miami with Key West. The highway is 127 miles and gives you great views of the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean and the Florida Keys. If you can drive this one at either sunrise, sunset or both, do it.
You can make it to Key West in four hours from Miami if you drive it straight through, but don't rush it. Take your time to soak up the scenery. Stop at places like the Cocomo's Food Truck at mile marker 49.5 and take in the food, the friends and the beautiful view.
Coastal cruising is what vacations are all about. We are fortunate here in the United States to be blessed with many scenic drives, many of them along the coast. This year, take some time and enjoy a ride with your hair pulled back and top down on the car. You deserve it.
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