California North Coast: From San Francisco to Redwood National Park - Mendocino CA Scenic Drive

Preview: Driving the California coast’s Route 1 is a beautiful experience, especially if taken at a leisurely pace. Bear in mind that while distances seem short, there are many portions of the highway along which you won’t want to drive faster than 20 – 40 mph. Also, your drive might be slowed down by seasonal influences — namely rain and early darkness in winter, and slow-moving travelers in summer. There’s a lot more to the coast than what you see from the road, so leave time to explore. Weather on the North Coast is unpredictable — December can yield a sunny beach day, while August can be unexpectedly cool. Still, the temperatures are always mild, making this a year-round trip. When you visit, though, determines what you’ll see. The migration of the Pacific gray whales is a winter phenomenon, roughly from mid-December to early April. Autumn is the quietest time of year — a wonder, since the season’s wild mushrooms, fresh crab, and Indian-summer produce bring out the best of local cuisine. Fog can be maddening in July and August, when it obscures views and dampens the warm weather. This chapter provides a complete driving itinerary with detailed directions, a route map, and what to see, where to eat, and where to stay at each destination along the way.
© Copyright Carissa Bluestone, Editor published by Fodor's Travel Publications all rights reserved.


Duration: 7 days
This travel guide comes from:
Fodor's Great American Drives of the West Guide Book