After spending a few days staying near Ocean Avenue in Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive is a welcome break from civilization. Detour from the highway to Pebble Beach and a winery in Carmel Valley. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the morning, before the crowds. Cruise on to Santa Cruz, wander the boardwalk, and indulge in locally made, artisanal ice cream (with flavors like chamomile apricot and black sesame) as you breathe in the town’s hippie-surf vibe. Later, continue to Half Moon Bay, where you can ride western style down the redwood-coated coastline. Check into a quiet boutique hotel by Pillar Point Harbor, and opt for an evening massage. For the final stretch into San Francisco, get on Highway 1, or 19th Avenue, which will bring you across the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop at City Lights to take in the Beat energy. Spend the night with friends in Bolinas. 2014 |