I’d read that if you visited northern California you should take a road trip along Pacific Highway 1, so we planned a summer holiday there with an RV. First, we stayed in San Francisco for a couple of nights but unfortunately, our timings clashed with some big conferences. I understand the San Francisco area is generally expensive but for the days we wanted hotels were fully booked or extortionately priced. The location of the only affordable hotel/motel that we found was good, just a short walk from the water but that’s about all that was good so I’m not going to mention it further. We were there at the end of July, the skies were blue but the breeze was quite cool, especially for us Miamians!
We walked down to Fisherman’s Wharf, starting at Pier 39 and the sea lions then wandered along with many other tourists. Musée Mécanique was a fun way to spend some change with lots of retro arcade games. There are also 2 ships from World War II at Pier 45, tours are available but we just took a quick look around the exhibition.
We didn’t decide on this trip until a couple of months before so the popular Alcatraz tours were booked up, but there are other boat options that go from the Wharf that give you the view. We went on the ferry across to Tiburon, passing Angel Island State Park which looked like a good place to stop and hike for another time. Tiburon is a pretty town and we had a quiet wander around, then lunch at a waterside Mexican restaurant. To get back, instead of the ferry, we took an Uber which would drive us over the Golden Gate Bridge. Tick!
The following morning our RV was being delivered. We waited and waited, and called, and emailed, and nothing. Scammed! But with 10 days of holiday ahead of us we had to regroup and rustle up Plan B. Keeping to the route we had wanted as best we could, we cancelled and rebooked accommodation, hired a car and headed south. We went to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, found an info point and followed a gentle trail to Sea Lion Cove. Binoculars were available to borrow so we could watch the sea lions and then to turn the day around we saw whales! Out in the distance, but we definitely saw tails and spouting from their blowholes. The walk continued along the coast with plenty of rocks to scramble and rabbits to spot in the bushes. Time then to check-in at our next stop, a cabin on Salinas Campground. Inland the sun was out so we enjoyed time at the pool before heading back to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. During the summer Wednesdays and Thursdays are Coca Cola nights, ie. reduced price tickets with proof of purchase – so it had to be done!
The following morning we went to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Parking is limited in that area so it’s recommended to park downtown and take the free tram to Cannery Row. We had a good morning exploring, watching the shows and feeding times – otters are always the best! For lunch, we came out for a picnic on the beach and to have our first taste of Ghirardelli at their ice-cream and chocolate shop. Tickets allowed you back in so one more stop at the aquarium to catch the last few exhibits before walking back to the car – at the end of the day the trams were overloaded and the walk through town wasn’t far. Another night at the campground, then the following morning we travelled north again back to Santa Cruz to walk along the clifftop to Lighthouse Point, visit the tiny Surfing museum, watch the surfers at Steamer Lane and splash in a few waves ourselves (well not me, the water’s far too cold!) at Lighthouse Field State beach.
Later that day we moved inland to visit The Mystery Spot. Great, mind-blowing, fun place in the forest, but I won’t spoil it by saying any more.
My husband travels a lot for work so using the points from some loyalty scheme or other we had booked a villa at The Chaminade. Location wise it worked out well after the Mystery Spot and in the morning we had time to follow their ‘Green trail’ through the grounds of the resort.
Next stop, not to be missed in this area, were the giant redwoods. We visited the Henry Cowell State Park. It was easy to park close to the visitors’ centre where we picked up the self-guided walk brochure. We followed the trail through the forest, using the guide for info and keeping our eye out for banana slugs! The Roaring Railroad also departs from here and we saw the steam train passing close to our trail.
From here we started the drive back towards San Francisco and our final night at an airport hotel before our early return flight the next morning. Taking our time along the coastal road we spotted lots of kite surfers so pulled over to watch in the wind at Waddell State park beach. Next stop was Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Steps down to the beach and more rocks to climb. Then at Pacifica, some of us went a short way on the Devil’s Slide Trail, others were happy to wait in the shelter and warmth of the car. Finally, we got to the hotel in time for happy hour!
