Road trip!! Who’s in? Maybe not the most traditional of honeymoons, a road trip is a great way to see a bunch of places in one trip while saving some money by driving instead of paying for multiple flights. There are also no memories like road trip memories. You’ll have plenty of time to recount your favorite memories from the big day, take fun selfies, and explore together. For this road trip in particular, we’re looking at the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. This destination is beyond stunning with some great attractions you can’t miss. But what are they? No worries, we’ve got you covered.
Fort Bragg, CA – Glass Beach
A true testimony of trash to treasure, glass beach is covered in what one day was trash. Over the years, the ocean has turned all the glass bottles into beautiful stones. Definitely worth a stop to stretch your legs and get some awesome pictures! After all, how often do you have the opportunity to see a rainbow of sea glass?
Los Angeles, CA – Santa Monica Pier
The historical Santa Monica Pier is another must-see attraction. As the end point for Route 66, it’s definitely a popular road trip stop — and for good reason! This pier has everything you could want: arcades, classic rides, food, people watching, and amazing sunsets. Sign us up please!
Monterey Bay, CA – Monterey Bay Aquarium
What’s so special about the Monterey Bay Aquarium? Well, it focuses on showing the local marine life. There’s a great deck with a phenomenal view of the bay. Some of the most popular and can’t-be-missed exhibits include the Kelp Forest (three stories tall!) and their Open Sea Community exhibit.
Big Sur, CA – McWay Falls
Located in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, you’ll find the awe-inspiring McWay Falls. Only a brief half mile walk from the parking lot, this is one you can’t miss. An 80-foot fall that you can see year round and is just breathtaking. This one pretty much speaks for itself if you ask us.
San Simeon, CA – Hearst Castle
If you’re looking to view some real extravagance, we highly recommend Hearst Castle. This castle boasts a mere 165 rooms, 3 guest houses, two massive pools, and 127 acres for you to explore. Yup… pretty crazy! You won’t be left disappointed by these ornately decorated rooms. Make sure you reserve your tickets ahead of time… over one million people visit on an annual basis and tickets will most likely be sold out if you try to buy day-of.
Grass Valley, CA – Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
If your trip happens to fall between November and February (which it most likely will as that’s the majority of the year!), you have the unique opportunity to see thousands of butterflies flocking to the area. This grove of eucalyptus trees is on the southern edge of the beach and we really think it’s a must-hit spot. Scientists are unable to explain this natural phenomenon, but it’s certainly not one to miss!
San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Park
The Golden Gate Bridge is such a landmark, you can’t miss it! While the highway will actually take you across the bridge, we highly recommend stopping in the National Park for a stunning hike as well. There are some stunning photo ops of the bridge within the park, too!
