A California Road Trip Along the Coast
From Redwoods to the Open Ocean. This California road trip follows the coast through some of the most grounding and awe-inspiring landscapes we’ve ever experienced — towering redwoods, quiet beach towns, dramatic cliffs, and long stretches of road that invite you to slow down.
7/17/20267 min read
Enjoy the Road
Our Route Overview 2025
Colorado → Utah → Nevada → Northern California
Coastal Northern California → Central Coast → Southern California
Our journey in 2020 begins on the Western Slope of Colorado. As the morning sun shines bright, we find ourselves looking towards the colorful Colorado border with Utah, and it feels like staring at a painting. Stopping for a nice morning brew while we fill up the gas tank, we have a dozen hours on the road ahead of us. That's part of the charm of a road trip though — the music, the podcasts, and the conversations make everything absolutely perfect.
California evokes many emotions in people nowadays. Whatever they may be, it can't be denied that it's one of the most beautiful and diverse places on Earth — beaches laid in front of mountains, surrounded by magnificent forests and lakes. Some may ask: why don't we just start at the destination? The truth is that the road traveled is equal to the destination on this journey.
The trip from the Western Slope of Colorado to the Northern California coast is 20 hours long, not counting stops, and passes through Utah and Nevada.
Our 2025 trip began in Washington State, tracing the coast down through Oregon and into California. We stopped at every place from our first trip in Northern California — Big Lagoon, Trinidad, Redwood National Park, the Avenue of the Giants, and Westport-Union Landing State Beach — making sure to revisit all our favorites from that first journey, and adding a few new ones along the way. From there we passed San Francisco and Santa Barbara before making our way to Palm Springs, since we needed to be in Arizona for Alex's parents' Ironman race.
Honestly, everything was amazing — saying "I love you" in the very same place we did all those years ago, eating at the same cafés and restaurants while discovering new ones, falling for new small towns along the coast, and so much more. But the thing we discovered and want to share with you is this: enjoy the road. Yes, the places matter — but the journey itself, the car, the driving, the moments that happen inside it, matter just as much.
Our Route Overview 2020
Washington → Oregon → Northern California
Coastal Northern California → Central Coast → Southern California
Stop 1: Big Lagoon
A quiet coastal campground surrounded by water, fog, and stillness. Perfect for slowing down and grounding at the very beginning of a trip.
This is one of the best camping spots we could find to be close to the ocean and yet still be able to camp.
Why we loved it:
Beach access
Peaceful atmosphere
Incredible sunsets and morning light
Camping tip: Camping in Northern California... let us tell you. You NEED layers. It gets so cold at night, and being close to the water makes it even chillier, so we absolutely recommend layering up — maybe even sleeping in thermals. One of our best purchases in a lifetime was with us on this trip, and it pretty much saved our cold lives. (link to sleeping bag).
Feeling like explorers, a great morning coffee is the perfect way to start the day and get up and about.
If you're a hiking lover just like us, there are so many amazing hikes around Big Lagoon. Stagecoach Hill Azalea Nature Trail is a magical place to hike and feel like you're in Jurassic Park — tall trees, water running down rock walls, giant barks that make you realize how small we really are, and water running everywhere, just deep enough to submerge your feet.
Hiking tip: Always bring a nice pair of waterproof hiking boots, or be ready to dip your toes in cold water to avoid getting your shoes drenched.
The Coast
Why we loved it:
The food at both restaurants was outstanding
Trinidad is a beautiful small coastal town
The little details all around town — flower beds, wood-carved benches, sea glass art
Stop 2: Trinidad
A charming small town with local shops and cozy restaurants.
Don't miss:
Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery (breakfast)
Seascape Restaurant (lunch)
Restaurant tip: During summer and early fall, Seascape Restaurant offers outdoor seating overlooking the bay — well worth requesting if it's available. After lunch, take a walk out on the pier and soak in the view before heading to your next stop.
Trinidad tip: Give yourself time to just walk around. Immerse yourself in the local art and the small stores scattered around town — it's the kind of place that rewards wandering rather than rushing through.
Driving through ancient redwoods feels humbling and grounding.
Why we loved it:
The drive toward Humboldt Redwoods State Park gives you the feeling that magic exists
Gigantic trees stretching along the road for miles
Pull-over spots along the way where you can stop and take a small hike alongside these incredible trees
Tip: Plan time to stop, walk, and hike — not just drive through.
Stop 3: Avenue of the Giants
One of the most memorable hikes of our lives — so much so that we've done it twice, once in 2020 and again five years later in 2025. Getting the chance to repeat this hike was so worth it. We explored more than one area to hike, and all of them are just as magical as the others, so there's no shortchanging any of them — this is a must-do on your bucket list.
There's nothing more adventurous than camping under the tallest trees in the world, just a short drive from the beach and the endless ocean — an old, vast forest that felt almost unexplored. But we were doing it in the fall, and that added a whole different layer to the adventure. Camping got a little more challenging: it was colder by the water, and the wind helped the cold along as it danced through our tent. The mornings came with a denser fog, leaving everything around us a little damp and mushy. At night, starting a fire took a bit longer, and our food cooled faster than we expected — but somehow, that all just became part of the adventure.
Why it's special:
Towering ancient trees
Quiet trails
A deep sense of scale and perspective
Stop 4: Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Remote coastal camping with ocean breeze and endless stars.
After a couple of days camping in the forest, we made our way back to the ocean and camped at Westport Landing State Beach. The ocean breeze and the stars shined for us during our stay and made it one of the most magical experiences.
At night, the sound of the waves was the perfect lullaby, and a fire right before bed warmed us up for a cozy night's sleep. During the day, we loved watching the sunset from up top, taking in the view of the vast ocean stretching out in front of us — and then heading down closer to the water for a walk along the edge, where the water touches the sand, either in the early morning or at sunset.
Perfect for:
Stargazing
Quiet evenings
Reconnecting with nature
Stop 5: Westport Landing State Beach
On our way down the coast, we stopped at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park — a super cool and cute little stop, with beautiful ocean views, a lighthouse and museum with plenty of history to take in, and a cool coastal breeze. After exploring, we resumed our drive down the coast and made it to Santa Cruz, where we spent the day under the sun at the beach and on the boardwalk.
Why we loved it:
Pigeon Point Light Station — history, ocean views, and a lighthouse worth exploring
A full day of sun at Santa Cruz Beach
The boardwalk, with its energy and classic beachside charm
Stop 6: Santa Cruz
Road Trip Tips
After a whole day and night in Santa Cruz, we made our way down to Santa Barbara — our last stop. We got a hotel for a couple of nights and settled into this beautiful small town, spending our final days baking under the sun and enjoying the beach.
At night, we'd walk along the pier, where everything lights up in a very romantic way. We also found a few cute hotels with lit-up fire pits, perfect for the chilly night breeze, and dined at restaurants right by the water.
A gentle transition back into city life after days immersed in nature.
Tip: Bring a light layer for the nights, and book a hotel near the water — beach or pier — so you can walk out and enjoy the evening without needing to drive anywhere.
Why we loved it:
A beautiful small town with a relaxed, upscale feel
Days spent under the sun at the beach
Nighttime walks on the lit-up pier
Cozy fire pits and waterfront dining
Build flexibility into your schedule
Keep simple cooking gear accessible
Plan fewer stops, stay longer
Let the weather guide your pace
Pack layers, even in summer — Northern California nights and coastal camping get cold fast, especially near the water
Invest in a good sleeping bag — it makes all the difference on chilly camping nights
Bring waterproof hiking boots — many trails have stream crossings or wet ground you'll want to walk right through
Time your stops around sunset — some of the most memorable moments of the trip happened watching the sky change over the water
Book hotels and campgrounds with fire pits when you can — a small comfort that makes cold nights feel cozy
Don't skip the small towns — some of the best moments came from wandering, not from checkboxes on an itinerary
Final Stop: Santa Barbara
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