Pacific Coast Highway: California Adventure

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If you would like to experience the Californian wind in your hair and you drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, Oxwich Travel can help you book the trip of a lifetime. From the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco to the harbour seals of Monterey Bay this truly is a magical experience for you and your friends or loved ones. Our team can help you book your flights, car hire, hotels and more so call our team of travel specialists on 02921 286655 to discuss your Pacific Coast Highway roadtrip.

San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

Start your Californian adventure in one of the best cities in the world. The vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco is infectious. Take in the views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point or head out into the bay and explore the infamous Alcatraz. For those who have a head for heights you can cycle across the bridge and enjoy the view of San Francisco from Vista Point in Sausalito.

Fisherman’s Wharf

If you love food then a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf is a must. The deep fried shrimp from the little food stalls is amazing. Walk and talk with your friends and family as you head down towards Pier 39 to see the world famous sea lions, trust us you’ll hear them before you see them.

San Francisco City Centre

Stay in the heart of the city with plenty of hotels around Union Square, from here you are just a short walk to China Town. Some of the other famous sights in this amazing city include the twists and turns of Lombard Street, the house from Mrs Doubtfire, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Don’t forget to ride the historic cable cars which definitely help out when you have tired legs from hiking the hilly streets of San Francisco.

Top 5 Things To Do In San Francisco
  • Cycle Across The Golden Gate Bridge
  • Visit Lombard Street & Ride The Cable Cars
  • China Town
  • Alcatraz Tour
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39

Monterey

Monterey Car Week

Home to the best aquarium on the Pacific coast, Monterey is a hive of activity in August in particular. Hosting the annual Monterey Car Week the town welcomes car enthusiasts from across America to showcase their vehicles, with everything from classic Porsche’s to eccentric Lamborghini’s, there are cars lining every street.

Monterey Bay Aquarium & Whale Watching

Take some time away from the sun and head indoors to the world famous aquarium. If you prefer to see the animals in the wild simply look to the sea where you will see sea lions, seals and otters just off the shore. For whale lovers you can take a tour from Monterey so you can enjoy a day of whale spotting.

17 Mile Drive

Take in the views of the Pacific from 17 Mile Drive, you can spend hours driving this road checking out all the beautiful little coves and beaches along the way. If you are on the lookout for a bargain a visit to the Del Monte shopping centre should be on your list, think of it as the equivalent of a designer outlet shopping village in the UK.

Top 5 Things To Do In Monterey
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Whale Watching Tour
  • 17 Mile Drive
  • Cannery Row
  • Del Monte Shopping Centre

Carmel-By-The-Sea

The main street

Founded in 1902, Carmel-By-The-Sea was a hub for artists and beach lovers. It sets itself apart from other towns in California with its distinctive European architecture. The area has tried to maintain it’s charm by enforcing strict regulations when it comes to high street décor. Aiming to keep big brands at bay, the shops are uniform in style and can only display a small wooden sign outside. The benefit of this is that there are dozens of small boutiques which makes it a must-visit spot for anyone who enjoys fashion and a little bit of window shopping.

17 Mile Drive, Carmel

The coastal road that connects Monterey Bay to Carmel is called 17 Mile Drive, this is a beautiful section of road which hugs the coastline providing you with amazing views of the Pacific. There are several fantastic lookout points where you can stop and take in the views, including the ‘Lone Cypress Tree’ which has been a symbol for the area for over 250 years. Around this area you will also find lots of beautiful mansions dating back to the roaring ’20s.

Bixby Creek Bridge

If you continue down the coast past Carmel you will reach Bixby Creek Bridge which you will recognise from dozens of images of the Pacific Coast Highway. The land around is private so be careful where you stop to take photos of this beautiful bridge.

Top 5 Things To Do In Carmel
  • Carmel Beach & Ocean Avenue
  • Carmel Mission Church
  • Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (China Beach)
  • Pebble Beach
  • 17 Mile Drive

Yosemite National Park

Driving to Yosemite

Although this incredible national park is not near the Pacific Coast Highway, Yosemite is a must for any California roadtrip. The drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park takes just over 3 hours, there are some fantastic fruit stands on the side of the road selling incredible oranges and citrus fruit just in case you need a roadtrip snack. Stock up at Denise’ Farmers Market in Ripon if you want high quality fresh produce. If you are staying in self-catered accommodation in Yosemite national park it is much cheaper to stock up on food before you enter the park. There are also only a handful of restaurant options once you enter the park so make sure you have food for your first night if you just want to stay in your accommodation after the long drive.

Mariposa Grove

The park is famous for the towering Sequoia trees which can grow up to 250ft tall and 30ft wide. There are three groves within Yosemite National Park where you can see these spectacular trees, the most accessible is Mariposa Grove where you will find incredible trees but also a few local creatures, in particular keep your eyes out for bears which frequent the area on an regular basis.

El Capitan & Half Dome

Take in the breathtaking views of Half Dome and El Capitan which are part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range that runs most of the length of California. If you’re lucky enough to visit mid-late February you might just catch a glimpse of the spectacle known to many as ‘Firefalls’, for just 6 or 7 days at sunset the light hits the upper section of Horsetail Falls at it looks as though fire if spilling over the edge of the cliff.

Top 5 Things To Do In Yosemite National Park
  • Mariposa Grove
  • Railway Dinner Experience
  • Half Dome, El Capitan & Yosemite Waterfalls
  • Hike Yosemite Trails
  • Glacier Point Lookout

Contact Us

Planning your next California roadtrip? Get in touch with out team and let us know what you are looking for and we will get back to you as soon as possible so you can discuss your options with your fellow travellers. Call our team on 02921 286655 and we will be able to help you book your Californian adventure, alternatively fill out our contact form.