Highway 1, CA
Hey GPS, Let’s Take the Scenic Route Today.
Highway 1 is a classic California road trip that you should take at least once in your lifetime. It runs along the Pacific Coastline, showcasing a breathtaking ocean view. I rented a car and planned this road trip with my dad, a father-daughter trip that I will always remember. When my sister joined us at the last minute, it became even more enjoyable. When I say last minute, I do mean last minute. I arrived to pick up my dad. We had finished packing and were ready to leave. That’s when my sister announced, “I wish I could join you too.” Don’t get me wrong. I had already invited her countless times and she always had an excuse for why she couldn’t join us. Within 30 minutes, she was packed and ready. I will always wonder if she had packed the night before and simply wanted us to beg her to join us one last time. We started our journey from my hometown of San Diego, and to make it comfortable and easy for my dad, we made stops along our way to our final destination in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Our first stop for lunch was in Malibu. We then spent our first night in San Luis Obispo. For two nights, we stayed in Carmel and then drove south to Santa Barbara for some wine tasting. After that, we headed back home.
Our stops:
Geoffrey’s Malibu: Our first stop for a late lunch was at this restaurant with ocean views. It was my first visit here and I had read many good reviews, but I did not enjoy it. We ordered crispy shrimp and they were not fresh. The main course was not very tasty and rather bland. After reading so many good reviews and knowing that it is a celebrity haunt, I was very disappointed.
Sycamore Canyon Campground: We made many stops along the way to take photos and simply enjoy the scenery. One of these stops was at Sycamore Canyon. It is a great place to get some snacks or stop for a picnic.
Hotel San Luis Obispo: A beautiful and modern looking hotel. Everything was super clean and chic. I highly recommend this place that is right in the heart of San Luis Obispo where all the shops and restaurants are.
Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steakhouse inside the Madonna Inn: This restaurant is known for its quality steak and also its interior decor. The hotel also has super funky rooms, which we did not stay in, but was definitely fun to check out. Everything is super bright pink and the food portions are extra large. I highly recommend sharing food here. It may not be a fine dining experience, but you will definitely have a fun, one-of-a-kind experience.
Bishop Peak Trailhead: Since I was with my dad, I picked short and easy hikes so that we could all enjoy it and spend quality time together. It is a few miles of uphill hiking, super quiet, and peaceful. We even saw a few deer on our hike.
Mint and Craft: After our morning hike, we went for some coffee and breakfast at this local cafe in the heart of San Luis Obispo. We ordered their mouth-watering avocado toast that boasted super fresh ingredients and great quality. My sister fell in love with one of their espresso glasses and my dad ended up getting it for her as a gift. She uses it as her port glass now.
Morro Bay: When driving along the highway, there are many side roads and exits you can take to visit small towns, go for hikes, or simply enjoy the beach. One of these small towns is Morro Bay. It was on our way and we made a quick stop. It was foggy and a little chilly so we didn’t spend much time there, only taking a 20-minute walk.
Nepenthe Big Sur: A well-known spot for all travelers. It is a great stop to get food and drinks and enjoy the spectacular view. The first floor is more like a souvenir store and the other two levels are both restaurants. One level is more like a coffee and sandwich place where you can order and then sit outside. The third floor is the actual restaurant with table seating. On our way to Carmel, we tried the restaurant. We were able to sit outside at a table with an exceptional view, and the food was great. We also got some drinks and spent about an hour or so taking photos, and simply unwinding. On our way back to San Diego, we also made a stop here. But this time, we only ordered sandwiches and some hot coffee.
Wayside Inn, Inn by the Sea: A cute little inn in the heart of Carmel. It is located where all the shops and restaurants are. You can simply walk around the neighborhood and explore all the cute little houses and shops. When I first planned this trip, it was only going to be my dad and me, so I only booked one room with two beds. But when my sister decided to join at the last minute, I booked another room with a king bed for my dad, and it was a great decision. Their king-size bed is more like a suite with a fireplace and an extra sitting area. Their 2 queen bedroom is smaller, definitely space for only 2 people.
Cantinetta Luca: We had our first dinner in Carmel at this remarkable restaurant. Carmel is super strict with their Covid-19 rules. There is a $100 fine for walking outside without a mask, and a dine-out only policy for restaurants. Cantinetta Luca was no exception. When I called and told them we wanted to have another guest at our table they had to confirm with their manager that they could accommodate us. I actually felt super comfortable when I heard all these restrictions. The food and drinks were exceptional, and their dessert was so delish that we wanted to go back again the next day.
Huckleberry hill: I don’t consider this to be a hike, more like a walk and explore. I thought this would be a great morning hike, but when we arrived it looked more like a camping area.
17-Mile Pebble Beach: Another must go or do that every tourist visits. 17 Mile, as the name suggests, is a 17-mile loop to drive and explore. You can, of course, make stops at the viewpoints or just simply park the car and walk by the beach, which is something that we did.
La Bicyclette: After our walk and drive and sightseeing, we decided to go back to our hotel, change, and get some lunch. OMG! Without a reservation or plans, it was so hard to make a decision! We could not pick a restaurant for lunch. We went up and down the streets and simply could not pick a place. There were so many enticing options, especially when we knew this was our last day to explore Carmel. We wanted to try all the places. Finally, after an hour, we all agreed to go to La Bicyclette, only because we had seen their dessert the night before and we wanted to try it. I am so happy we picked this place. The food was phenomenal, and the dessert we so wanted to try was available and did not disappoint. I highly recommend this spot.
Aubergine: We ended our night at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Aubergine. Michelin-starred restaurants are usually high-end, with a dress code, and super expensive. I really wanted my dad to enjoy this trip and thought this would surely excite him. All three of us had a great and memorable night. The food was unbelievably delicious and the fact that the chef comes out to explain some of the dishes is also entertaining and lovely.
I went to bed happy with a full belly, ready to hit the road again the next day. We now headed back, with a two-night stop in Santa Barbara where my husband joined us for wine tasting.
Pfeiffer Big Sur: An unbelievable hike to the top, with beautiful and breathtaking views. Even my dad, with heart conditions and high blood pressure, wanted to finish it. And YES, we did it! It was challenging for him to go uphill for so long, but we made many stops for him and it was worth it. I love hiking, especially when it’s full of trees and a little foggy. It keeps you cool and that air is so refreshing and keeps you energized throughout the day.
Bluewater Grill Santa Barbara: On our arrival in Santa Barbara, before our dinner reservation at The Lark, we were super tired and hungry so we decided to grab some appetizers and drinks from the Bluewater Grill that was right next to our hotel.
The Lark Santa Barbara: Located in the heart of the Funk Zone in downtown Santa Barbara, The Lark serves family-style locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. We spent our first night at this urban, vintage-style restaurant and we had a blast at dinner.
I had visited Santa Barbara many years ago when I was still in college. Either it has improved dramatically or I was super bad at picking good places when I was younger. Either way, I‘m fond of Santa Barbara. This town is an awesome college town, full of young and lively people. Everyone seems super happy and like they are enjoying life to its fullest. What’s cool about Santa Barbara is that it offers wine tasting rooms from wineries all around Santa Barbara. So instead of hours spent driving from one winery to another, you can simply walk from place to place.
The Harbor View Inn: This seems to be an old motel that has been renovated and upgraded. They also added on a brand new building as part of the hotel. Our room was in the brand new building and the rooms were modern, spacious, and clean. We were all happy with our rooms. I hope to stay with them again on my next visit. And who knows, maybe we can collaborate and have a giveaway for my Instagram followers.
Fess Parker Winery: An elegant, yet adorable and lovely place to enjoy wine. You can bring snacks and have a cute picnic with your family or you can just have a wine tasting inside the vineyard. We decided to buy a bottle of red wine and enjoy some snacks sitting outside.
Pence Vineyard: No, this place has nothing to do with Mike Pence, Vice President. It simply shares the same last name. You absolutely need to make reservations here. There are many options for where you can have your wine tasting, for example, by the pond or inside the vineyard. This place is super cute and fun. It’s almost like a farm. They have peacocks, cats, dogs, cows, and chickens. It is something fun for both kids and adults.
P.S: clearly my sister does not know how to hold a cat. LOL. I love you sis….
Bouchon Santa Barbara: Another marvelous restaurant is Bouchon. Even though it is not located in downtown Santa Barbara, it is certainly worth the 10 to 15-minute drive. A delicious menu paired with spectacular wine can never be wrong.
