The North Coast

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TRAVEL GUIDE

The spectacular coastline between Marin County and the Oregon border defies expectations. The Pacific Ocean defines the landscape, but instead of boardwalks and bikinis there are ragged cliffs and pounding waves—and the sunbathers are mostly sea lions.

Instead of strip malls and freeways, you’ll find a two-lane highway that follows a fickle shoreline. Although coastal towns vary from deluxe spa retreat to hippie hideaway, all are reliably sleepy—and that’s exactly why many Californians escape here to enjoy nature unspoiled. On a detour inland, you can explore redwoods and taste wines at wineries rarely too crowded or pricey. When you travel the North Coast, turn off your phone; you won’t have much of a signal anyway, and this stretch of Highway 1 is made up of numerous little worlds, each different from the last, waiting to be discovered. Everything about life here says slow down. If you don’t, you might miss a noble Roosevelt elk grazing in a roadside field or a pod of migrating whales cruising along the shore. Don't plan to drive too far in one day. Some drivers stop frequently to appreciate the views, and you can't safely drive faster than 30 or 40 mph on many portions of the highway.