Page 88 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

HIGHWAY 1
DISCOVERY ROUTE
Experience the perfect 10
»DRIVE, TASTE,
HIKE, SURF!
California Highway 1
Discovery Route
Visitor Information
highway1discoveryroute.com
AVILA BEACH, above;
Ragged Point, below.
THE BEST ROAD TRIPS require some
essential elements: a comfortable vehicle,
a pleasant companion, and beautiful
views. You’re in charge of acquiring the
first two, but coastal San Luis Obispo
County can easily take care of that last
item on the Highway 1 Discovery Route.
This 101-mile stretch of California’s
Highway 1 winds between state parks,
uncrowded beaches, wildlife habitats,
wine regions and towns featuring deli-
cious farm-to-table cuisine. Load up the
car, get your trusty travel buddy, and start
making your list of stops.
State Parks & Wildlife
Along the route, you can find 12 of Cali-
fornia’s State Parks, from the coastal bluffs
and promontories of Hearst San Simeon
State Park in the north to Oceano Dunes
State Vehicular Recreation Area in the
south—the only California State Park
where vehicles may be driven on the
beach. Other great spots are Pismo State
Beach (with the largest over-wintering
colony of monarch butterflies in the
United States), Montaña de Oro State Park
(whose name “Mountain of Gold” comes
from the golden wildflowers that bloom in
spring), Morro Bay State Park (whose most
prominent landmark, Morro Rock, is a 23-
million-year-old volcanic plug), and
Estero Bluffs State Park (where migrating
whales, harbor seals, sea otters and
western snowy plovers thrive).
86 2018 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
B Y J I L L K . R O B I N S O N
Wine Regions
Two adjoining American Viticultural Areas
(AVAs) along the Highway 1 Discovery
Route, Arroyo Grande Valley and Edna
Valley, share a proximity to the ocean and a
cool climate that naturally lends itself to
growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vari-
etals. The area’s history dates to 1772 when
Father Junipero Serra founded a mission,
planted grapes, and made sacramental
wines. Today wine fans can visit wineries
to sip and savor the region’s best vintages.
From Laetitia Vineyard & Winery in Arroyo
Grande to Chamisal Vineyards in Edna
Valley, the wineries here welcome those
looking for a sense of place in their glass.
Beaches & Castles
There’s a beach for everyone along the
Highway 1 Discovery Route, from the wide,
sandy Avila Beach with its restaurants and
shops to driftwood-studded Moonstone
Beach in Hearst San Simeon State Park.
Beach preserves, boardwalks, piers and
sandy strands along the coast play host to
surfers, paddlers, beachcombers, sun wor-
shippers, whale watchers and evening
bonfire enthusiasts. The area’s most
famous castle isn’t made from sand. It’s San
Simeon’s Hearst Castle, perched above the
clouds on The Enchanted Hill. Designed by
architect Julia Morgan for newspaper mag-
nate William Randolph Hearst, the
property now exists as a museum that lures
romantics from around the world.
CARON KRAUCH: HIGHWAY1DISCOVERYROUTE