Last summer I took a road trip with my Father and Step Mother from Southern California to San Francisco, California. I’d like to share with you the must see stops along the way.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a beautiful nature reserve with hiking trails that reward you with the most spectacular views. The foliage in this area is one of a kind, with cypress trees galore. Along the hiking trails, you will find elevated sections with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and it is easy to see whales spouting in the distance.

Carmel, California is another must see stop along the way. There are plenty of fun shops and great restaurants. More importantly, Carmel is home to the famous 17-mile drive, and, as pictured above, the Lone Cypress. The 17-mile drive is filled with numerous land marks and beautify scenery. It is also where the highly regarded Pebble Creek golf course is located.

Finally, the Muir Woods in San Francisco are a must see for any outdoorsy folks. It is a great escape from the city and the forests are unimaginably large. If you’ll notice, there are two people in the lower right corner of the picture above. The scale of these beautiful giants is unimaginable.

I hope that you consider visiting these places if you find yourself traveling along the coast of California.