Northern Pacific Coast

Following the wild waves of the northern California Pacific Coast from Leggett to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, travel through the Jug Handle State Reserve (H4) where you can walk through over 500,000 years of history, Salt Point State Park (H9) where sandstone has been naturally formed into nearly every geometric shape imaginable, and Muir Woods National Monument (H13), described by John Muir described this as “the best tree-lover’s monument in all the forests of the world.”

Point Reyes National Seashore

While this drive is suitable for all seasons, we recommend avoiding it when it’s foggy or close to dark.

This scenic drive can be done in either direction, but it is described here as starting in Leggett and is easily reached from US-101, continuing from the Redwood Highway. From Leggett, consider stopping at the Standish Hickey State Recreation Area (H1) for a hike through the Grove Trail, featuring coastal redwoods.

Heading South on CA-1, the road continues through the forests. Adventurous explorers may consider a side-trip to Sinkyone Wilderness State Park (H2), often referred to as the “Lost Coast” because highways do not go through it. This no-services park features camping, fishing, hikes, biking, horseback trails, and picnic areas. To reach it, turn right (west) on Usal Road.

21 miles from Leggett, the CA-1 starts to hug the coastline. In 3 miles, the Westport Union-Landing State Beach (W1) offers more than 3 miles of scenic, rugged coastline with the picturesque Coastal Mountain Range as a backdrop.

In 14 miles, the MacKerricher State Park (H3) features dunes and a wonderful bluff, and the nearby forests offer hiking opportunities. The beach’s nearby rocks are frequented by seals and the area is home to more than 90 species of birds. The Guest House Museum (M1) in the next town, Fort Bragg, provides information about the area’s rich logging history.

In 5 miles, the Jug Handle State Reserve (H4) offers the rare opportunity to walk through history with its unique coastal erosion and land shifts staircase, each step moving 100,000 years older than the one below it.

Mendocino is a Victorian village known for its art scene since the 1950s. Visit the galleries at the Mendocino Art Center (M2). The Kelley House Museum (M3) prides itself of having more than 150 years of the Mendocino history. Wineries, boutiques and restaurants blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the Redwoods and coastline.

Another gem is the Mendocino Headlands State Park (H6). If you were only to visit one park on your trip, this is the one. The bluffs, grasslands, and tidepools along with the views are unparalleled. Explore the many miles of trails, enjoy a picnic, or watch the migrating whales.

Continuing south on CA-1, the Van Damme State Park (H7) has forests of mature trees whose growth has be stunted by their environment, some of these trees not even reaching your knee. Trails through the park will bring you through Douglas firs, Pacific hemlocks, and coastal redwoods. The park does extend to the ocean where you can explore tidepools, kelp, and if you brought your equipment, you may snorkel here. The Van Damme Visitor Center (I1) is just south of Mendocino.

Along the side of CA-1 are many pullouts that you should take advantage of. As you approach Manchester, consider stopping at Manchester State Park (W4) whose beach and sand dunes are surrounded by grasslands. The coastline from the north creates a catcher’s mitt, resulting in a lot of driftwood on the beach.

After Manchester, keep an eye out for Lighthouse Road which will bring you to Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum (M4). The lighthouse features a Fresnel lens from the original 1870 lighthouse and offers a spectacular view onto the ocean. The Arena Rock Marine Natural Preserve is also here and is one of California’s Underwater Parks. Snorkelers will enjoy exploring the underwater ecosystem at the submerged Arena Rock.

Continuing south on CA-1, Gualala Point Regional Park (W5) is a beach set on a peninsula offering wonderful views of the ocean and is an ideal picnic spot. The park is also very popular with driftwood hunters.

In 18 miles, the Kruse Rhododendron State Park (H8) has more than 317 acres of rhododendrons. The best time to stop by is in the spring. Further ahead, Salt Point State Park (H9) features sandstone formations meticulously formed over the past 50 million years by the wind and ocean. California’s first underwater reserves is also at this park.

Continuing south for 9 miles, Fort Ross State Historic Park (H10) is the home of an Imperial Russian outpost created in the 1800s by Russian fur traders. After the sea otter population was nearly depleted, the land was sold. Although the buildings are mostly reconstructed, the scene and views are amazing.

As you approach Jenner, consider taking the Vista Trail (H14), a beautiful, romantic, 1-mile loop trail along the coast. After the trail, the Sonoma Coast State Beach (W6) is a public beach spanning the 4-miles between Jenner and Bodega Bay.

After Bodega Bay, the CA-1 leaves the coastline. After Valley Ford, the CA-1 turns off to the right. If you were to continue heading straight, you will reach US-101.

Shortly after Tomales, the road will follow the coastline of Tomales Bay. The bay offers warm ocean water popular for swimming, clamming, birding, or having a beachside picnic. To enjoy the bay, head to the Tomales Bay State Park (H15).

The nearby Point Reyes National Seashore (H16) preserves the wilderness and ecosystems in an undeveloped area on the coast. More than half of the bird species in North America have been spotted in this preserve. The Point Reyes Lighthouse also offers a great view of the Pacific Ocean and migrating whales.

Continuing south on CA-1, Stinson Beach (W7) has a sandspit that jolts into Bolinas Lagoon. Bird watchers will enjoy watching the great blue heron and the snowy egrets fish in the lagoon. Just after Stinson Beach, consider a side trip to Mount Tamalpais (H17) by heading up the Panoramic Highway. Mount Tamalpais is very popular for biking and offers an amazing view of the Ocean and San Francisco. On the clearest of days, you might be able to see over the Sierra Nevada’s snow-covered mountains 150-miles away.

In 5 miles, stop at the Muir Beach Overlook (V3) to a grand view of the Pacific Coast and the Golden Gate Bridge. In less than a mile from the overlook, consider turning onto Muir Woods Road to access the Muir Woods National Monument, home of old-growth redwood forests that are over one thousand years old.

The CA-1 joins onto the US-101 and crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco where this drive is completed. From here, enjoy a day in San Francisco and consider heading south to Big Sur Coast.