California PCH Road trip: how to do it on a budget

A road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway is an amazing getaway. A California coast road trip is a must for every ambitious traveler. The open road, the rocky coastline, beautiful beaches and perfect little seaside towns situated along the Pacific Coast Highway may sound like a dream until you start seeing the dollar signs that can go…

5 fun things to do in Santa Cruz

If you’re driving the Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Cruz is a must-see for most people. Whether you plan to visit for an hour or a whole day, here’s 5 fun things to do during your visit! Walk or Drive West Cliff Drive Whether you walk or drive this 4-mile stretch of Santa Cruz’s dramatic coastline, there…

Exploring Muir Woods

If you’re visiting San Francisco or driving down the California coast, the opportunity to see coastal Redwoods lies in Muir Woods National Monument. I love nature and have always wanted to see these gorgeous towering giants, so on our recent Pacific Coast Highway trip, we decided to take the time to visit.  Word of caution:…

Exploring Muir Woods was originally published on Day Trips & Daydreams

Day trip to Monterey Bay

Our visit to the central coast of California was part of our recent Pacific Coast Highway trip, but this gorgeous stretch of coastline really deserves to be its own destination. I loved Monterey and while we were only there for about a day and half, I fell in love with the people, the landscapes and…

16 amazing stops for your California Coast Road trip

Planning to see the California coast?  Get ready for some curvy roads, adorable little beach towns, amazing food and some of the most breathtaking scenery you will find! Whether called Hwy 1, Cabrillo Hwy, PCH, or Hwy 101, this stretch of road will take you to see some pretty awesome things.  We drove it from…

Exploring Point Lobos State Nature Reserve

If you haven’t heard, the California coast is stunning. Well, obviously. And should be a must see for every traveler. Point Lobos State Nature Reserve is no exception.  Easily accessible, located right off of Highway 1 in Carmel, this was probably one of my favorite stops on our entire trip down the coast.

Finding Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur

On our recent Highway 1 road trip, I was determined to find the beach with the beautiful keyhole arch and purple sand.  I had drooled over photos online for weeks leading up to the trip and done a ton of research online to make sure I’d be able to find it. I mean come on,…