Known as Route 1 in California, this fabled highway follows the Pacific coast from the beaches of Southern California to the rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest, although most limit their drive to the 800km stretch between LA and San Francisco.
On PCH, you don’t open your window for a breath of air; you roll it down to feel the wind blast through your hair. Better still, take windows out of the equation completely and have your Travel Counsellor book you a convertible, because the wind in your hair and the sun on your face are all you’ll need.
Travellers heading north usually commence in Santa Monica. Once a sleepy beachside village, today it’s a bustling vibrant community; much favoured by the Hollywood set for its wide sandy beaches and lively café culture. A few km west is the star-studded enclave of Malibu. Surf, sand and stars are de rigueur in Malibu, in any order you like. Continuing west you’ll pass through Santa Barbara before turning north past Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Next stop is Pismo Beach, the destination Bugs Bunny made famous. At nearby San Simeon allow time to inspect the Hearst Castle. Here you’ll find a hilltop mansion with 165 exquisitely overblown rooms, gardens and Roman baths built by eccentric billionaire William Randolph Hearst.
North of San Simeon the highway runs through the beautiful Big Sur, where you can stop off at Nepenthe, a cliff side home built by Orson Welles for bride Rita Hayworth, before arriving at Carmel-by-the-Sea, once governed by Clint Eastwood. An attractive small town, Carmel comes with friendly locals and great food. One must-do is the 17 Mile Drive - a tour through one of California’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. It’s so exclusive, unless you’re a resident you have to pay a fee to get your vehicle through the gate.
Next stop, Monterey was the capital of California for a brief period. Today it’s mostly known as the setting for many of John Steinbeck's novels. North of Monterey your landscape begins to urbanise, until morphing into the conurbation known as the San Francisco Bay area.
Pacific Coast Highway fun facts
McDonalds’ Egg McMuffin was invented in 1968 in Santa Barbara by a franchise owner, Herb Peterson
Neon signs, billboards and hot dog stands are prohibited in the village of Carmel, and a (free) permit is required to wear high-heeled shoes
Shirley Temple was born in 1928 in Santa Monica
HULA HAWAII
Sunday 3rd January 2010
Travel Counsellor: Romanie Thomas
I have been to Hawaii twice and Hawaii is one of my favourite holiday destinations. The reason why I love it so much is because it has everything you could ask for – the weather, the beach, the food and the shopping. Obviously the main strip of Waikiki is very touristy but if you hire a car and drive to the other side of the island it gives you scenery, surf and the peace and quiet that some people are looking for. Turtle Bay Resort is a fantastic property 45 minutes from Honolulu with almost 5 miles of beachfront and is the perfect place to experience the North Shore tranquillity.
I have stayed at the Halekulani and the Sheraton which are right on the beach and would highly recommend either of these hotels. I have also stayed a few blocks away from the beach (but still walking distance) at a property called the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber which is located right next door to the International Market place so you still get the feeling of being in the heart of things.
One of the main... view full story
click a circle on the map to view a Travel Counsellor's Diary