California’s Pacific Coast Highway | A Road Trip Paradise

The coast of Central and Northern California is a bucket list destination for any self-respecting van lifer and road tripper. Spanning over 800 Miles, the Pacific Coast Highway is a multi-day adventure filled with winding roads, charming coastal towns, world-class food, and nature beyond belief.

In this edition of Trail Notes, we are highlighting the must-see attractions that are best experienced with an Outside Van.

Want a van? Check out our current Vans for Sale!

BIG SUR

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most iconic stretches of roadway on the West Coast. Spanning from San Diego all the way up to Seattle, this mostly two-lane highway winds itself through the rocky foothills that define the West Coast. The core of the PCH experience is in Big Sur where majestic bridges span coastal canyons, and rugged roads lead to breathtaking views. Though not a van camping destination, Treebones Resort is an eclectic mix of yurt-based glamping, coastal art, and world class dining, and has a van friendly lot to park and explore the property. It’s the perfect spot to take a breather from the winding highways or a day of snorkeling. It is also home to the Wild Coast sushi bar which is defined by its intimate omakase dining experience where you sit with the chef as they guide you through their expertly crafted sushi dishes caught just yards away in the bays of Big Sur.

Check out highlights from our Big Sur spearfishing excursion with Fin + Forage.

 

After you get your fill, next to the entrance at Treebones is Los Burros Road. This dirt road winds up through the foothills and leads to epic vistas of the coastline. It’s the perfect off-the-beaten-path trip for any adventure van, and if you can brave the fog, is a great place to find a secluded wild camp site to park the van for a night.

 

Los Burros Road Big Sur
Big Sur Cliffs
Big Sur Hike
Big Sur Sunset

MOUNT TAMALPAIS

Moving further North just over the Golden Gate Bridge across from San Francisco lies our next must-see location: Mount Tamalpais. Leading high above the iconic San Francisco Bay fog (affectionately known as Karl by the locals), Mt. Tam is home to epic mountain biking and hiking through massive coastal redwood groves. In fact, Mountain Biking was pioneered on Mt. Tam where some of the very first trails the likes of Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze used to test the first mountain bikes.

Mountain Biker on Mount Tamalpais with Tails Adventure Van

Heading to Pan Toll Road will take you past many iconic Northern Bay Area stops like the Mountain Home Inn,  and the Muir Woods panoramic trail. Stopping at the Rock Springs Trailhead and soaking in the view of the San Francsico Bay area from a red-tailed Hawks perspective is a must. It’s also a great spot to grab a pic of you and your van as you gaze out into the vastness of the Pacific. As you continue up the mountain there is an endless amount of nature walks and serene vistas to take in, and is one of the best spots for star gazing. This area is iconic, and was a known destination for the likes of Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, and Sun Kil Moon to gain inspiration for their music. As you continue past Mt. Tam and back down the mountain towards the Pacific you will be greeted with even more Bay Area gems like Stinson Beach, Tomales Bay, and eventually the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Mount Tamalpais Roadway
Point Reyes Roadway

POINT REYES

An Iconic fixture of Marin County and leading north up the coast to Sonoma County, the Point Reyes National Seashore is a nature lover’s paradise. There is an endless amount of side roads, historical markers, and beaches to explore. Here you can find the insta-famous Cypress Tree Tunnel and Drakes Beach, where Sir Francis Drake, the English explorer and privateer (aka Pirate) made homebase during his circumnavigation of the world. It’s also home to a massive, protected estuary where wildlife is abundant including  herds of Tule Elk and Elephant Seals (however, we don’t recommend you get too close to either!).

 

Point Reyes Park

Bodega Bay

A few miles north of Point Reyes lies the town of Bodega Bay. Famous for its Oysters and being the filming location of Albert Hitchcock’s The Birds, Bodega Bay has world class camping and dining. After exploring the shops, watching the ships sail by, and grabbing some fresh fish tacos at the Fishetarian Fish Market, we recommend booking a few nights at Doran Beach Regional Park. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it puts you right on the shores of Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean and it is a great spot to sit back, catch a wave, and watch the world go by.

 

Doran Beach

These are just a few of our favorite spots along the California section of the Pacific Coast Highway, but there are simply too many great locations to list out. We encourage every Outsider and Van Lifer to spend a few days (or weeks!) exploring this beautiful area unlike anywhere else on earth. See you on the outside!

Pacific Coast Highway Forest