10 Coastal Towns To Explore Along California’s Highway 1

Stretching more than 650 miles, California’s Highway 1 has long been the best way to take in all the sights the California Coastline has to offer. When you think of the West Coast of the United States, images of beach attire and surf culture might spring to mind, along with cities such as San Diego and San Francisco. While it’s perfectly acceptable for these to be the first things that you think of, the California coast is much more than just big cities and bigger personalities!

This stunning stretch of coast offers visitors its own idea of rest and relaxation in a unique Californian style, with quaint towns and cities that are the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation. These coastal towns are only bettered by forests and towering mountains that provide the backdrop to the blue hues of the ocean. The best part about these towns is that they’re all easily accessible from Highway 1!

Here are ten coastal towns to explore and spark adventure on your road trip along the California coast.

Fort Bragg

Unlike some of the other villages and towns on this list, Fort Bragg may not quite exude the same quaintness as those to come, but it is worth visiting. Here you can take in the coastal views while enjoying the variety of flowers and grasses at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, or hunt for a new favourite wine at the Pacific Star Winery.

Mendocino Village

This hilly peninsula is surrounded by bluffs on three sides and is home to many Victorian-era houses. Within the village, you will find artists coming together as a community with galleries and various shops.

Capitola Village

This hotspot is one of the oldest vacation seaside retreats on the Pacific Coast. Equipped with a Mediterranean atmosphere; the downtown is built with colourful buildings, Victorian homes, and numerous boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.

Moss Landing

With a population of around 200 people, Moss Landing is the quintessential quaint town. In addition to the arts, the city offers access to Elkhorn Slough Reserve, one of the largest wetlands in California. There you can look to the sky and spend hours bird watching.

Monterey

Monterey might be a destination you’ll want to discover in more than one day. The town is most famously known for its aquarium (which typically takes 3-4 hours to go through), as well as 17 Mile Drive, a scenic private road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove that twists and turns mostly along the coastline. There is an admission fee at the gate of $11.25 that is reimbursed if you spend $35 or more at any of the Pebble Beach Resort restaurants. It’s well worth it!

Carmel-by-the-Sea

With a village-like atmosphere, this coastal town is sure to sweep you off your feet! Not only are there luxury inns and hotels to help you get your pampering on, but there is also Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, which is a museum with extensive knowledge of the mission, as well as a peaceful garden where you can get lost in your thoughts and meditate.

San Simeon

Within the relatively small town, two major attractions are worth checking out. Hearst Castle allows you to explore the hilltop historic estate of media maven William Randolph Heart. The other attraction is the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, which sees numerous seal mammals come atop the rocks to breed, molt, give birth, and get some much needed R&R.

Cambria

In this seaside village you can enjoy rugged coastal views from the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve or take a stroll down Moonstone Beach and explore the unique translucent stones that seemingly light the shoreline.

Morro Bay

One of the few remaining fishing villages along the coast. You can take your time exploring the Embarcadero, the town’s major waterfront boardwalk, or take part in a harbor cruise that will allow you to catch a glimpse of sea creatures in their natural habitats.

Oxnard

While much of Oxnard is more urban than quaint and quiet, the western side of town offers visitors a sandy beach area with many dunes and walking trails. A portion of this beach has earned the name Hollywood Beach due to the abundance of celebrities living there. Oxnard is also known for producing some of the sweetest strawberries around the country.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of road trips and taking your time to get out and explore quaint little towns filled with artistic flair and laid-back vibes along the way, then add California’s Highway 1 to your list! If you would like to get more ideas for your next adventure or have done this road trip already, we would love to hear all about your experiences, see your pics, and hear any other tips or suggestions you might have. Our travel club brings together like-minded female travelers from around the world. Find out more about our club can offer you here.