| Last time, we cruised along the Northern | | | | at Venice Beach. |
| California Coastline; now it's time to rev up | | | | |
| your Road Trip Planner and zip along the | | | | By now, you're in the thick of Southern |
| southern coastline to complete your own | | | | California, a region where sunglasses, |
| California Cruisin' Dream Trip. | | | | shorts, and flip-flops are the main attire. |
| | | | Another well-to-do city is Newport Beach, |
| We left off in one of my favorite areas, Big | | | | worthy of inclusion in your road trip |
| Sur. Simply put -- and the main reason to | | | | planner. A delightful surprise on my last |
| include this in your road trip planning -- | | | | trip south was the Dana Point Harbor, one of |
| Big Sur offers stunning views. It's that | | | | the prettiest harbors I've come across in my |
| stretch of highway where land meets sea in a | | | | journeys. Nearby, you'll find San Juan |
| jaw-dropping way because the Santa Lucia | | | | Capistrano, another great cultural stop, this |
| Mountains rise like colossal sentries from | | | | time with a Spanish twist, as you stroll the |
| the Pacific Ocean. | | | | grounds of the California icon, Mission San |
| | | | Juan Capistrano. |
| I recommend staying on Highway 1 for an | | | | |
| unforgettable coastal road trip. This way, | | | | If you want to taste the salt air & be |
| your Road Trip Planner will include | | | | completely surrounded by water, then add to |
| highlights like hiking at Limekiln State | | | | your road trip planner a stop near Newport |
| Park, and treasure hunting at Jade Beach, one | | | | Beach and hop a ferry to Santa Catalina |
| of the few places in the world where you can | | | | Island & explore the appealing city of |
| find quality Jade strewn about like pebbles. | | | | Avalon. This is a popular cruise stop |
| | | | destination so you can enjoy glass-bottom |
| Settle into your road trip with a scenic | | | | boat rides, take a trolley car up to some |
| drive along the Cabrillo Highway till it | | | | lush gardens, or enjoy snorkeling to the left |
| turns into the San Luis Obispo North Coast | | | | of the pier (on the pier, facing land). |
| Highway. Soon you'll find San Simeon, home | | | | |
| of the opulent Hearst Castle. Hearst Castle | | | | Now it's San Diego time, the biggest southern |
| is the palatial estate built by newspaper | | | | city before you hit the Mexican border! |
| magnate William Randolph Hearst. It's one of | | | | There you'll find a thriving city with |
| the largest of historic house museums in the | | | | distinct areas like Little Italy, the Gaslamp |
| U.S. and well worth the ticket price for the | | | | Quarter, and Balboa Park. Include in your |
| informative tour. | | | | road trip plans a fun side trip by driving to |
| | | | an island, compliments of the San |
| From here, suggested places to add to your | | | | Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. You'll easily spot |
| road trip planner are Morro Bay, San Luis | | | | the famous Hotel Del Coronado, a sprawling |
| Obispo, and Pismo Beach (a popular ATV | | | | white and red-roofed resort, which housed |
| camping spot because of all the sand dunes). | | | | Presidents, movie stars & tycoons in its |
| | | | illustrious past. From there, scoot along |
| Now here's where I'll recommend cutting over | | | | the Silver Stand Highway just for the sheer |
| to Highway 101 to discover a California city | | | | enjoyment of cruising a highway flanked by |
| with a decidedly Danish twist, Solvang. I | | | | water on both sides. For even more fun, |
| found it utterly charming, with stores | | | | enjoy a sunset gondola ride and pretend |
| offering delicate lace and handmade quilts, | | | | you're in Venice, Italy! From there, you're |
| Danish cuisine in quaint restaurants, and a | | | | less than 5 miles from the Mexico border with |
| European flavor to the buildings lining the | | | | San Ysidro being the southernmost community. |
| main streets. Of course, you'll see the | | | | |
| ocean again once you head into Santa Barbara, | | | | So there you have it. Between this blog and |
| a quintessential California coastal city. | | | | Cruisin' The California Coastline Road Trip - |
| | | | Part I, you've now hugged the California |
| Below Oxnard, you'll find the sexy city of | | | | coastline from stern to bow, complete with |
| Malibu, full of opulent homes on the lolling | | | | side-trips only the locals know about. To do |
| hills and beautiful bodies on the beaches. | | | | this road trip justice, I'd recommend at |
| Be sure to enjoy the Santa Monica Pier as you | | | | least two weeks. But however you fill your |
| continue south. It's a fun place to spend the | | | | Road Trip Planner, you're guaranteed awesome |
| evening. But you'll definitely daylight to | | | | photos, spectacular sunsets, and a lot of |
| people-watch the myriad of characters found | | | | cool cruisin! |