A week exploring the state and national parks along the Pacific Coast Highway

Before heading on your national parks tour, spend some time in San Francisco. Take a moment to appreciate the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which you can cross by bike or by car. Or ride the city’s famous cable cars, a system dating back to the late 1800s that survived the great San Francisco earthquake and political opposition. Today, only three lines remain, including one running between Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf and another that runs along California Street.

Speaking of Union Square, there you’ll find some of San Francisco’s best shopping and theatres. Fisherman’s Wharf is known for Pier 39 and the sea lions. If you’re hungry, stop by Boudin Bakery, the city’s longest operating business, and try their signature sourdough bread that’s been around since 1849. For dinner head to Mission Street Burrito for a delicious, fresh-ingredient filled burrito the size of your forearm.

Rather than driving north to Redwood National Park, we recommend heading to the less-known but just as beautiful Muir Woods National Monument. The park’s coastal and forest views are worth the hour’s drive from San Franscico. Wander through towering redwoods on an easy, moderate or hard trail of your choosing. Both Fern Creek and Hillside Loop and Bootjack Loop are great options for day hikes. However, make sure to call ahead and reserve parking for your car.

Abandon the Pacific Coast Highway for a day to drive down to Pinnacles National Park. Around 1.5 hours outside of Monterey, Pinnacles has a striking landscape formed by volcanic eruptions over 23 million years ago. Hike past imposing rocky peaks and deep canyons. Some of our favorite trails include the Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop and Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop.

On day four, take CA-25, a state highway that cuts through the base of the Diablo Mountain Range, for two hours back to the coast and Los Osos Oaks State Nature Reserve. There you’ll trade rocky trails for sandy dunes covered in oak trees. Unlike your standard oak, these coastal trees are wide and stubby, rarely growing over eight feet tall, with thick branches sprouting in every direction. For easier paths just under two and a half miles, try the Oak Trail and the Los Osos Loop. Stroll through a sea of greenery and spot wildlife, like wild brush rabbits and California valley quail.

Make day five a beach day. Take the Pacific Coast Highway (aka Highway 1) south to Gaviota State Park, the “Gateway to the Pacific Ocean.” Gaviota is just an hour outside Santa Barbara and allows visitors to hike and camp near a secluded beach. The Gaviota Wind Caves Trail takes you further inland and is great for explorers. Or try horseback riding and find natural hot springs on the Hot Springs and Trespass Trail.

On your last day in nature, it’s time to head inland a bit. Take the 101 east two hours and you’ll find yourself at Los Padres National Forest. It has everything: rocky coasts and beaches, redwoods and conifer forests, grasslands and desert areas. Each terrain can be explored by different trails. Hike Saint Paula Canyon to First Falls Trails past swimming holes and a waterfall, or get adventurous and trek across uneven boulders on Lizard’s Mouth Trail.

Wrap up your week by spending a day in Los Angeles. LA is a sprawling city that’s most easily explored by car… and multiple days. So, we’ve narrowed down our recommendations by interest.

If you like architecture, check out the Bradbury Building for its marble staircases and skylights (several movies have been filmed here, like Blade Runner and (500) Days of Summer). If you love escaping into a museum’s large halls, LA County Museum of Art is a must-see. Spend the full day there or choose one building and deep dive into its housed collection. For some infamous LA sites, head to Venice Beach and Melrose Place, then Grand Central Market and the Hollywood sign.

You’ll eventually get hungry, and when you do, grab dinner in Koreatown. Other popular spots are Tacos Los Cholos for authentic tacos or crispy fried chicken from Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen. And, when it’s time to head back home, you can easily return your rental car at the airport before dropping off your bags.

Ready to hit the road? Book your flight and rent your car today.