Coastal Highway 1
This iconic lighthouse was constructed in 1870, destroyed in a 1906 earthquake and then rebuilt in 1908. It remains the tallest on the US West Coast (tied…
Mark Read
Down south it’s called the ‘PCH,’ or Pacific Coast Hwy, but North Coast locals simply call it ‘Hwy 1.’ However you label it, get ready for a fabulous coastal drive, which cuts a winding course on isolated cliffs high above the crashing surf. Compared to the famous Big Sur coast, the serpentine stretch of Hwy 1 up the North Coast is more challenging, more remote and more real, passing farms, fishing towns and hidden beaches. Drivers use roadside pullouts to scan the hazy Pacific horizon for migrating whales and explore a coastline dotted with rock formations that are relentlessly pounded by the surf. The drive between Bodega Bay and Fort Bragg takes four hours of daylight driving without stops. At night in the fog, it takes steely nerves and much, much longer. The most popular destination is the cliffside charmer of Mendocino.
Coastal Highway 1
This iconic lighthouse was constructed in 1870, destroyed in a 1906 earthquake and then rebuilt in 1908. It remains the tallest on the US West Coast (tied…
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Coastal Highway 1
This gem of Northern California displays native flora, rhododendrons and heritage roses. The succulent display alone is amazing and the organic garden is…
Salt Point State Park
Stunning 6000-acre Salt Point State Park has sandstone cliffs that drop dramatically into the kelp-strewn sea and hiking trails that crisscross windswept…
Coastal Highway 1
In a dramatic, rub-your-eyes-in-disbelief-beautiful location on a bluff over the sea, the wines here don't get pros excited but they are perfectly…
Coastal Highway 1
At the peninsula’s tip, Bodega Head rises 265ft above sea level. It’s great for whale-watching. Landlubbers enjoy hiking above the surf, where several…
Coastal Highway 1
A half-mile trail passes through a large grove of cypress trees leading to a staircase down to this pristine quarter-mile beach. Walkers can follow the…
Westport-Union Landing State Beach
Coastal Highway 1
Located 1.5 miles north of Westport, this ruggedly beautiful beach extends for three miles on coastal bluffs. A rough hiking trail leaves the primitive…
Coastal Highway 1
The renowned collection of modern Japanese prints and California works at this small gallery is a tranquil escape from the elements. Check out the…
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Would you sign up for adult summer camp for a digital detox?Feb 25, 2020 • 2 min read
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