California Highway One
Roadway to California's Spirit
By Mark Leger
California Highway One clings to the wild coast of California: a thin, pliable line outlining rugged cliffs plunging to power-mad surf. Traveling Highway One is more than just a scenic drive—it's a pilgrimage into California’s spirits and a reconnection to California's history, environment, and mythology.
I grew up in the northern Sacramento Valley, an area that's bone dry, hot, and dusty by the end of June. Seeking relief and a little adventure, my family made our annual, summertime trip from San Francisco either "up the coast" to Humboldt or "down the coast" past Carmel. In the winter, we might make a weekend of whale-watching, usually off at Año Nuevo State Park. These trips still generate powerful memories: walking along the beach, eating oysters, learning about writers, hiking through redwood forests.
Region: Central coast of California
Length: 122 miles
Endpoints: Monterey and Morro Bay
Features: Dramatic ocean scenery; several ocean-side state parks and the Los Padres National Forest, which includes the Ventana Wilderness; the historic towns of Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Morro Bay, plus Hearst Castle
Side Activities: Hiking, beach combing, wildlife observation, historical exploration |
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from Away.com
