MISSION, Kan., June 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features)
If you've never traveled along the Pacific Coast, or maybe you'd
just like to experience it from a new perspective, there are few
things quite like a road trip to take in the sights and experiences
that make the journey one to remember.
A road trip lets you set your own pace and enjoy the
companionship of friends or family. When you're ready to explore,
outdoor adventures, historical experiences and 99
miles of coastline await in Monterey County, California, which is known as a scenic,
beautiful expanse along the Pacific Coast. From wide-open beaches,
verdant vineyards and fields to the peaks of the Santa Lucia
Mountains, there's plenty of room to roam.
Scenic Beauty
Some of the top scenic drives in the
world are along California's
coast, where you'll find a wide range of local topography. One
example is Highway 1, where starting toward the north, you'll see
the state's second largest wetlands, artichoke fields and rolling
sand dunes, as well as cypress forests and the craggy coastline.
Further south, you'll encounter towering cliffs, redwoods and
awe-inspiring bridges.
Other notable sights include fishing ports; beaches; wildlife
including seals, sea lions and sea otters; the famed Lone Cypress; mansions; and several championship
golf courses.
Outdoor Adventure
When you're ready for some action,
there's plenty to find along the coast. From a captivating 18-mile
long recreation trail with coastline views to kayaking, paddle
boarding, surfing, whale-watching excursions and more, there are
numerous ways to whet an appetite for adventure near the ocean.
Inland, you'll find options like hiking, mountain biking, rock
climbing, cave exploring and horseback riding.
Wine Country
Along the California coast, you can find tens of
thousands of acres of vineyards producing more than 53 different
varietals of wine. In Monterey
County alone, you can take your pick among 65 tasting rooms
set against picturesque backdrops. How you choose to experience
wine country is as diverse as the varietals you'll discover. For
example, you might head to the beach with a newly purchased bottle
of your favorite wine, jump aboard a wine trolley to let someone
else do the driving for a while or schedule a tour that takes you
behind the scenes with a winemaker.
Beach Time
No visit to the coast is complete without a
visit to the beach, but not all beaches are the same. From white
sandy beaches to rocky cliffs, you could plan an entire road trip
around the different kinds of beaches waiting for you to discover
their beauty. Enjoy bird spotting, rock collecting, surfing, tide
pooling and more.
Some of the area's greatest treasures are the lesser-known
beaches, including one that sits in the middle of Cannery Row. The
sheltered cove of McAbee Beach was used by Portuguese whalers in
the 1850s and Chinese fishermen in the early 1900s. Today, this
secret beach is a perfect spot to let kids burn off energy before
or after a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Visitors can spot
seals and otters playing offshore, and it's a popular launching
point for scuba divers exploring the kelp forests.
Wellness for Body and Mind
When you've taken in the
sights and explored to your heart's content, be sure to leave time
for rejuvenation. From spas and meditation retreats to spending
time in nature, it's easy to make wellness a priority when visiting
the California coast. You can even
enjoy food that's as good for you as it is delicious with a growing
focus on sustainability by visiting daily farmers' markets and fish
markets, which provide a bounty of locally sourced produce, fresh
meat, seafood and hand-made treasures for a truly enriching
cultural experience.
Start planning your Pacific Coast road trip adventure at
SeeMonterey.com.
About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
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source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden
content, Family Features provides readers with topically and
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Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
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