Part 2 | California’s Central Coast
Lodging - An evening in Santa Barbara, a night in Solvang, and then an adventurous day up to the coast to the Monterey Peninsula offer a plethora of options on any budget.
Destination : Huntington Beach to Carmel
Miles: 400
Days Needed: 3-4 Days
Best Time of Year: Spring
Adventure Factor 1-5: 3-4 for Cliff Side Driving
Hidden Gems: Sandpiper Golf Course, Sanford Winery, Los Olivos, Figueroa Mountain Road, Rocky Point Marina (Lunch with Epic Coastal Views)
Bonus Stops : Pfeiffer Burns State Park, 17-Mile Drive
Shortcut - Fly into Santa Barbara and begin there.
Santa Barbara (Stop 1)
The American Riviera (Sorry Laguna, I only speak the truth)
Cruise north from Huntington and hit the coast again near Santa Monica. Highway 1 takes you through Malibu and the quaint town of Oxnard before beginning the heart of our journey in Santa Barbara County.
Fairways & Greens Evening light casts shadows on the 10th fairway of Sandpiper Golf Course.
Santa Barbara Wine Country (Stop 2)
Home of the World's Greatest Pinot Noir (with apologies to Burgundy)
Breathtaking vacant coastlands usher you into wine country where Sanford Winery awaits you in the Santa Rita Hills with what I believe to be the greatest Pinot Noir year after year on the planet. Spend a day exploring blockbuster wine towns Solvang and Los Olivos, and if you're feeling adventurous, take the road up Figueroa Mountain for sweeping valley views and brilliant wildflower blooms in late April.
Vin Divin The moon rises as the sun sets over the vines of Firestone Vineyards near Los Olivos, California.
Wild at Heart Lupine and Poppies bloom atop Figueroa Mountain high above the Santa Ynez Valley.
The Evening Dusk settles over the Syrah vines on Ballard Canyon Road between Los Olivos and Solvang California. Cold nights combined with hot days during the growing season even out the ripening process leading to wines of beautiful balance.
Alive The morning sun shines on the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley in early spring.
Montaña de Oro State Park (Stop 3)
The Gold Coast Begins
With wine country in the rear view, we are greeted with the scent of eucalyptus groves as we begin our journey along California's rugged and awe-inspiring Central Coast.
Gathering 'Round the Sun Dolphins and Sea Birds gather as the sun sets over the horizon at Montaña de Oro State Park.
The Big Sur Coast (Stop 4)
The Most Dramatic Meeting of Land and Sea on Earth
We head north along Highway 1 through Morro Bay and San Simeon where endless coastal meadows give way to rugged cliffs and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean from the Highway in the Sky.
NOTE! Temporary Road Closures on Highway 1 prevent a straight shot up the coast to Carmel. Backtrack through Paso Robles or for the bold, you can cross the Coastal Range via the Nacimiento Fergusson Road (A white-knuckle adventure but highly rewarding) and make your way to Carmel.
The Big Bang Evening light shines through breaking surf along the Big Sur Coast.
Soberanes A two-minute exposure looking captures dusk on a clear evening along the Big Sur Coast.
Somewhere Along the Big Sur Coast (Via iPhone Pic)
Pfeiffer Burns State Park (Via iPhone Pic)
Paso Robles (Stop 5 Option 1)
The Wild West of Wine Country
For those who elect the more mellow detour from the Big Sur Coast, Paso Robles offers epic wines of all varieties and a ton of great dive dining options.
Renaissance After a season of dormancy, the hills between Cambria and Paso Robles California come to life again in early spring.
Awakening An oak stands amidst vines waiting for bud break in early spring in the Paso Robles Wine Country.
Nacimiento Fergusson Road (Stop 5 Option 2)
The Greatest Views All Rest Outside of the Comfort Zone
For those looking for adventure with out-of-this-world views, take the Nacimiento Fergusson Road on winding switchbacks to the top of the coastal range with an optional traverse on the Prewitt Ridge Road (One lane unpaved with severe exposure) from the summit for a true mountaintop experience overlooking the Pacific.
Emergence (Sold Out) On the Prewitt Ridge Road thousands of feet above the Pacific, a centuries-old oak tree emerges from the coastal fog.
Way Back When
Car camping nearly 15 years ago on the Prewitt Ridge with Nacimiento Fergusson Road winding up the coastal range in the distant right (Via iPhone Pic)
Carmel (Stop 6)
The Martha's Vineyard of the West
We end our Central Coast journey in a place of legend. It's hard to describe the enchanting character of the Monterey Peninsula - if you can imagine, the Garden of Eden with ocean-front views. Beloved by literary legends and a haven for the wealthy elite, this idyllic coastal retreat has retained its quiet, timeless allure.
The Guardian An iconic cypress tree stands guard as dusk falls over the Monterey Peninsula. This is a rare look at this iconic tree as it once was before is was snapped in half a few years ago in a coastal storm.
Vanilla Sky The setting sun shines through salty air above turbulent surf along the iconic 17-mile drive.
UP NEXT : PART 3
NORTH COAST + WINE COUNTRY
Bobby Wheat Gallery | Downtown Summerlin
1825 Festival Plaza Dr. Suite 160
Las Vegas, NV 89135
United States
T: 702.569.7080