California Route 1

I've waxed lyrical over many American roads in my time... US 30 in Oregon, US 101 up the Washington coast, SD 87 in the Black Hills, US 395 through the interior of California... but maybe the purdiest of them all is California's Route 1.

For much of the way down the coast it is identical with US 101, but in the places where it runs by its own, sweet self, it is definitely one of the nicest, funniest roads to drive in the whole, wide world.

It starts with a winding, narrow, dark ride through some of the best forests in the union, then it hits the sea and takes in the wonderful views along the California coast. The path is a bit straighter for some of the sea stretch, but some of it is also among the most narrow and winding of the whole route. Here is the winding road in all its glory.

All pics here.

A definite touch of LOTR. This is right next to the Pacific ocean, you can see how windswept the trees are.


A proper alley this was.


Also out by the sea.


Yet another from the sea area.


I think I spent an hour covering the first 20 miles of the road.


Have I told you that I loooove these winding roads?


Oh yeah.


From Giants Alley up in the Redwoods area.


The mighty redwoods.