Berkeley and Beyond

HIGHWAY 1


image courtesy of California State Department of Parks and Recreation


The San Francisco Bay Area is the starting point.

1 NORTH
(scroll down for 1 SOUTH listing)

Highway 1 north from San Francisco allows an escape into a quieter, less-populated area.  The two-lane road leading to Stinson Beach winds through fragrant eucalyptus groves, then rustic countryside that is rife with wildflowers in spring.  It hugs ocean-side cliffs for long stretches, riding like a roller coaster and providing breathtaking views.  The inland route known as Panoramic Highway is steep, with many blind curves.  One of its nicknames is Kamikaze Alley, bestowed because of accidents that occur regularly in the fog.  On sunny summer days, both roads become congested when everyone heads to the beach to soak up some of the famous California sunshine that is so elusive in the northern part of the state.
          A word of warning:  The rocky cliffs and beaches along the coast are scenic and beautiful, and people sometimes forget that they are also dangerous.  Though it is tempting to stand at the edge, where the surf is pounding, people have been washed out to sea doing just that.  Don't be one of them.  Be careful.  Stay on trails.  Obey posted signs.  And take special care not to let children run loose.

STINSON BEACH
     Stinson Beach
     Stinson Beach Books
MUIR BEACH
     Muir Woods National Monument
OLEMA
     Point Reyes National Seashore
POINT REYES STATION
   Article
       Escape to Pt. Reyes:  Elk, Egrets, & Exciting Edibles
   Attractions
     Black Mountain Artisans/Weavers
     Coyuchi Outlet
   Restaurants
     Bovine Bakery
     Osteria Stellina
     Pine Cone Diner
     Toby’s Feed Barn
     Tomales Bay Foods
MARSHALL
     Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages
TOMALES
     Tomales Bakery
BODEGA BAY
     Introduction+town of Bodega
     Children’s Bell Tower
     Fisherman’s Cove
JENNER
   Attractions
     Fort Ross State Historic Park
     Fort Ross Vineyard & Tasting Room
   Restaurants
     Cafe Aquatica
   Hotels
     Jenner Inn & Cottages
     Timber Cove Inn
GUALALA
     Gualala Arts Center
ELK
     Elk Cove Inn
MENDOCINO
   Article
     Souvenir Foods of Mendocino
   Activities
     Artists’ Co-op of Mendocino
     Corners of the Mouth
     The Highlight Gallery
     shops
     The Watertower Gallery
   Restaurants
     Cafe Beaujolais
     Patterson’s Pub
     Ravens Restaurant
   Hotels
     Agate Cove Inn
     Allegria Oceanfront Inn & Cottages
     Blair House Inn
          Victorian pivoting dip sink-VIDEO
     Blue Door Inn
     Heritage House
     The John Dougherty House
     Mac Callum House Inn & Restaurant
     Stanford Inn by the Sea
FORT BRAGG
   Attractions
     Glass Beach
     Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
     North Main Street Shops
     Pacific Star Winery and Tasting Room
     Sea Glass Museum
     Skunk Train
   Restaurants
     The Company Store restaurants
     Headlands Coffee House
     Laurel Deli & Desserts


1 SOUTH

The trip down Highway 1 from San Francisco features a breathtaking, cliff-hugging ride along the Pacific Ocean.
          After passing ridges of boxy houses in pastel tones (referred to as being made of “ticky-tacky” by folk singer Malvina Reynolds in her famous ‘60s song “Little Boxes”) and the beach town of Pacifica, Highway 1 winds to the ocean through a eucalyptus-lined path in the coastal foothills.  A stretch of this road known as Devil’s Slide hugs cliffs dropping steeply into the sea.  In fact, part of the road itself occasionally drops off, causing traffic congestion due to detours.  Though many people make informal stops in the Devil’s Slide area to take pictures, it is unsafe.  Restraint is in order until finding an official parking area.  Once passing this hilly area, the road moves inland and becomes more flat and straight. 
          When the Bay Area is blazing with sunshine, this area is often disappointingly socked in with fog.  And vice versa.  In fact, on many late summer and early fall days when San Francisco is covered with fog, this area is at its most beautiful.  The area’s spectacular unspoiled beaches are a popular destination anytime, but they are especially so then, when the weather is usually warm and clear.
          Be careful, though, about going in the water, as tides can be dangerous.  Always check with a ranger station or lifeguard before swimming.

PACIFICA
   Attractions
     Devil’s Slide Coastal Trail
     Mori Point
     Pacifica Coastside Museum in Little Brown Church
     Shelldance Orchid Garden
   Restaurants+Hotels
     Puerto 27 Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar
     Pacifica Beach Hotel
     Rockaway Beach Section
MONTARA
     La Costanera
HALF MOON BAY
   Shops
     Cunha’s Country Store
     Fengari Fiber Arts
     Half Moon Bay Bakery
     Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel
   Restaurants
     Dad’s Luncheonette
     Sam’s Chowder House
PESCADERO
    Harley Farms
     Luna Sea Artisan Gallery
     Made in Pescadero
SANTA CRUZ
     The Mystery Spot
     West Cliff Inn
CAPITOLA
     Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
APTOS
     Village Fair Antiques
     Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
MONTEREY
   Article
     Everything Adobe
   Attractions
     adobe buildings
     Cannery Row Antique Mall
     Colton Hall+The Old Jail
   Restaurants
     Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Room
     Parker-Lusseau Pastries
     Restaurant 1833
          Absinthe the Russian way-VIDEO
   Hotels
     Casa Munras Hotel & Spa
     Hyatt Regency Monterey
     Intercontinental The Clement Monterey
PACIFIC GROVE
     Fandango
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
     Introduction
   Attractions
     art galleries
     beaches
     Carmel Beach on a perfect day--VIDEO
     historic buildings
     Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
     specialty shops
   Restaurants
     Anton & Michel
     Cultura
     Rio Grill
     The Tuck Box
   Hotels
     The Hideaway
     Hofsas House
     Tradewinds Carmel
CARMEL VALLEY
     Wild Goose Bakery Cafe and Art Gallery
     Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
SAN SIMEON
     Hearst San Simeon State Park
     Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
          VIDEO--overview of Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
          VIDEO--overview 2 of Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
          VIDEO--elephant seal mating dance
CAMBRIA
     Moonstone Beach Drive
     Robin’s Restaurant
     Stolo Family Vineyards
CAYUCOS
     Introduction
   Restaurants
     Honey Girl Cafe
     Schooners
   Hotels
     Shoreline Inn
MORRO BAY
    Introduction
   Attractions
     Giant Chess Board
     Morro Bay Skateboard Museum
     Morro Bay State Park+Morro Bay Musuem of Natural History
     Morro Creek Ranch
     The Shell Shop
   Restaurants
     Dorn’s Original Breakers Cafe
     The Galley Seafood Grill
     STAX Wine Bar
   Hotels
     Anderson Inn
 

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travel writer
Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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