A trip to California on The Pacific Coast Highway is possibly one of the best trips you could make in your life.
Best things to do in California! Before I knew California, I had no interest in going to the United States.
I imagined being a very different country than it really is, and I discovered that sometimes we have a preconception without having the real idea of what life is, in practice, without theories.
With great weather, some of the best parks and beaches in the United States, and world-famous cities to explore, you’ll never get stuck in California!
This post isn’t a guide, but some of the best things to do in California.
You who want to take the road two weeks is the least time for a trip like this, although you can of course extend it for a few days, if you want to see a little more, or want to slow down.
One of my favorite places to explore, some of the best things to do, is California.
Santa Monica and Venice Beach
Internet mobile during a trip is very practical
Accessing maps, applications, opening hours of establishments, etc. is very important. Nowadays, one of the first things we want to know when we travel to a country is: how to access the internet.
You can buy a Prepaid SIM Card, on the internet, through T-Mobile or if you go shopping in California, you can look for stores like Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T.
First of all, one tip is, rent a car, it’s virtually impossible to get to know California without a car.
Los Angeles is a city made for cars.
The biggest proof of this is the chaotic traffic, night and day, which is constant even on weekends. There is no efficient transportation that is not a car, so everyone has and uses a lot there.
The perfect method is to rent your car already at the airport is probably the best thing you can do, so you already have ample mobility, comfort and speed in the city. Don´t rent the car in town because there is no advantage.
If you arrive through Los Angeles, you can stay closer to downtown (West Hollywood), or same in the region of beaches (my sugestion).
Beach or city? This is a decision you need to make while choosing your Los Angeles hotel. You can stay for 4 days in this region, enough to know a lot before you take the road to San Francisco.
In the region of the beaches, you have many options, the best known is Santa Monica. With its half-city, half-bath environment, it offers a quieter experience than the central neighborhoods. It’s nice to walk on the boardwalk. And you can walk at night: the nearby seaside blocks are full of restaurants and shops.
Going to one quiet place, you have options like Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, or same Long Beach, this region with the more accessible prices.
In the Los Angeles area, your have many option things to do, at the end of this post you will find a map where you can see the main attractions.
On every trip, I try to get to know also the local culture, most of all the cuisine
and if you are in California, you can not miss typical American restaurants, on the map you will find some, that is with the American flag icon.
Other must-see places include eating a hamburger in the In-n-Out Burger, and in the restaurant Five Guys, you are sure to find several.
Hit The Road !
Now it’s time to pack up and take the road to San Francisco. You can listen to a music playlist, listen to some here.
My tip is you leave Los Angeles, along the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) and go to San Luis Obispo, which is a very interesting stop for an overnight stay.
On the way out of Los Angeles, be sure to stop at the Camarillo Premium Outlets, you can go through Santa Barbara and get to know the famous ice cream in McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, then continue trip going through Solvang (a little Danish town in California), then by Pismo Beach and arriving at San Luis Obispo.
If you’ve found the right path here, prepare yourself now for the best part, finally Big Sur!
The Big Sur region is located on the California coast in unparalleled beauty. It is about 140km along Highway 1, considered the most scenographic road in the country.
Put gas in the car and get off early from San Luis Obispo, head towards Carmel on Highway 1, there are several stopping points for photos such as Sand Dollar Beach, Gamboa Point, Big Creek Bridge, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Point South Light Station, Bixby Bridge and Garrapata Beach. All points are on the map at the end of the post.
Make this route carefully, Highway 1 is a narrow road and much of the way, single lane. Even though it is very safe, drive slowly and pay close attention to the other cars and also with the cyclists.
Best things to do in California
Arriving in the Carmel region, you can store your car and walk around the downtown, snooping around the shops and galleries and choosing a restaurant.
To stay, you can choose between Carmel or Monterey, which has much cheaper hotels
I prefer to stay in Santa Cruz because of the city’s surfing atmosphere, Santa Cruz is an hour’s drive from Monterey.
The Monterey bay Aquarium (886 Cannery Row, Monterey) is an aquarium that even those who do not like aquariums will enjoy. It’s incredible!
Packed with colorful fish, dancing sardines, fabulous live waters and sea otters, worth knowing! On the map, you can find some attractions in the area.
Best things to do in California
Santa Cruz is the kind of city that appeals to everyone. It has amusement park on the beach, atmosphere of the surf and also a beautiful beach that enchants anyone.
Santa Cruz is known worldwide as the surf capital
If you are passionate about the sea, beach and waves, you also need to include this city in your California travel plan.
Leaving Santa Cruz you can continue on Highway 1, stopping at Half Moon Bay, famous for harboring Mavericks, one of the big waves on the planet.
You are already arriving in San Francisco, on the map that I provide at the end of the post, you will find several attractions in the city.
Before you start in Big Sur, check the road conditions, it may be banned in some points, you can check by clicking here.
California inspired me to do many arts! Enjoy and get into the spirit!
Best things to do in California
Obsessed with yours California’s arts. 👏👏👏👏👏
Hi Julian, I’m glad you liked it! Thank you Lobo
Thank you! will help me on the next post pandemic trip!
Hello Pamela, I hope you have a good trip! Lobo