Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles is the myth that delivers: Golden Gate fog, Big Sur's cliffs and condors, elephant seals lolling at San Simeon, surf towns fading into LA haze. Drive north to south to keep the ocean on your side. Three days minimum with stops at Monterey and a Big Sur lodge — book the latter early; the redwoods have a following.
Featured in Ten epic road trips for your someday list · Adventure