California is the third-largest state in the US, and you could easily spend weeks navigating its blue highways and rural byways, safely distant from the nerve-jangling, always-jammed interstate system.
These classic road-tripping routes are soaked in enough epic scenery to make each deliciously slow, winding mile of your detour worthwhile.
Pacific Coast Highway
Although CA Hwy 1 runs almost the entire length of the state, it is the official "PCH" stretch from Orange County north into Los Angeles, past Santa Monica and Malibu, that gets raves for its oceanfront views.
Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway
From Lake Tahoe, mountainous US Hwy 395 traces the rugged backside of the Sierra Nevada, passing the otherworldly tufas of Mono Lake, pine forests, alpine lakes and hot springs galore.
Route 66
Get your kicks on America's "Mother Road", which brought Dust Bowl refugees, Hollywood starlets and hippies to California. Pull up alongside retro relics, like in downtown Bakersfield, sleep at vintage motor lodges and stuff yourself silly at mom-and-pop diners.
CA Hwy 49
That highway number is no coincidence - it commemorates the '49ers who came seeking fame and fortune in California's original Gold Rush. Today, the route winds through Gold Country towns such as Placerville and Nevada City, past ghostly Old West mines and Victorian buildings housing inns, restaurants and museums.
Avenue of the Giants
Even before Hwy 101 crashes into the Redwood Coast proper, this 32-mile, scenic, two-lane byway passes right alongside some of the tallest trees on earth. Drive it in the morning, when sunlight glints off dewdrop-laden ferns.
Trinity Scenic Byways
Near Mt Shasta, CA Hwy 3 plunges into the Trinity Alps, with verdant forests and alpine lakes, on its way south to Weaverville, connecting with equally scenic CA Hwy 299, winding west toward the Pacific.
Further Information
An essential road-trip companion is the California Road and Recreation Atlas (Benchmark Press), which answers the perennial question, "What's over there?". With a four-wheel-drive vehicle, it will take you off-road and help you get unstuck from highway traffic jams courtesy of locals-only back roads.
The epic scenery along Highway 1 is an unmissable California road trip experience. (Eddie Brady/LPI)
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar