Pacific Coast Highway Adventure, Part One

A true sense of adventure and freedom reward those who drive the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway (also known as “PCH”).  Mostly called Highway 1, this 790 mile long road begins in San Diego, California, and runs all the way to the Olympic Peninsula.  A great deal of it hugs the coastline and offers spectacular scenery and beautiful vistas; occasionally the road turns inland to skirt government or protected land, and sometimes changes names to Highway 101. 

A road trip was calling, so I researched the PCH, named “America’s Favorite Drive” as well as one of the “Top 100 Places in the World” by Absolute Visit.  This area had always intrigued me, ever since the Partridge Family discussed driving a colorful school bus to Big Sur.  I just love the TV sports car commercials with the newest convertible speeding along the coast or expertly turning hairpin corners.  These are mostly filmed on the PCH, and this was my kind of driving!

There are many beautiful stretches of the PCH, some more interesting than others.  My research showed that the most scenic section is the 140 miles stretching from Morro Bay near San Luis Obispo to Monterey, or for those with more time, the 240 miles from Monterey to Santa Barbara.  My husband and I decided to drive the section from L.A. to San Francisco, although I have to say that, after experiencing this drive, we are ready to plan our next segment – perhaps San Francisco to Seattle. 

After our flight landed in Los Angeles, we rented a car, hubby was called on to navigate, and we toured the city for a few days.  Then we began our leisurely and very scenic four-day drive to San Francisco.

Driving Northbound or Southbound?

The first thing a traveler must consider when planning to drive the PCH is the amount of comfort one has driving (or riding) close to cliffs and often sheer drop-offs.  I suggest that those afraid of heights or not comfortable hugging a cliff, should drive south to north.  This puts you on the “inside” of the drive, closer to the rocks than the sea, although further from the view.  Those who drive north to south get a close-up ocean view, right on the edge of a narrow highway, often without shoulders, that makes many feel uneasy.

My husband rejected my plan of the north to south drive.  He knew he would be nervous, slamming on the imaginary brake on his side of the car if I drove that direction!  Don't worry, daredevils!  You'll still get a chance to try your skills on those hairpin turns, no matter what side of the road you drive.


Which side of the road 
would you drive on?


The time of year to enjoy this drive is an important consideration.  The PCH can be very crowded on weekends and during the summer, and yet, mid-week in March, we had it almost to ourselves.  This particular stretch is also blessed with great weather from mid-September to the end of October.  "Shoulder seasons”, Spring and Fall, are the least crowded and the least expensive time to travel.

Day One - Leaving L.A.

And so our journey began.  On our first day, we drove out of Los Angeles through Venice to nearby Santa Monica.  We stopped to visit Santa Monica Pier, at the end of another famous Road Trip, the nearly cross-country Route 66, which begins in Chicago, 2,300 miles northeast. We had absolutely no trouble finding parking at the Pier in March, but my sister and her family spent almost an hour looking for a space in the Summer.  I rest my case.

Carnival rides, restaurants, and tourists.  On left is the sign marking 
the end of Route 66. 








             
              Ferris wheel and roller coaster 
              on the Santa Monica Pier.

My navigator (my husband) 
and me on the Pier.







After enjoying the view and bird-watching on the Santa Monica Pier, we passed through Malibu.  I had hoped to see some of the famously expensive Malibu beach homes, but alas, the owners prefer the beautiful ocean vista over that of the highway, so gawkers disappointingly view mostly garages. 

The next big city north is Santa Barbara, a lovely city and a pleasant surprise to us.  We explored the interesting gem of the Old Mission, built in 1786, which does make it officially "Old".    It was one of 21 missions founded in California by the Spanish Franciscan priests.

Old Mission Church and Museum of Art

     Charming downtown Santa Barbara








After the Mission tour, we drove around Santa Barbara, admiring the pretty town and homes.  We discovered the downtown had great shopping, antiques and dining.  This is a place where I said I could live!  My frugal husband said we could not. 

Join us in my next blog for Part 2 of our Pacific Coast Highway adventure, where we visit Hearst Castle and Morro Bay, as well as some gorgeous state parks.

Acts 4:24 - ". . . they raised their voices together in prayer to God. 'Sovereign Lord,' they said, 'you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.'"