Orange and Los Angeles Counties
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===[[San Diego County]]===
===[[San Diego County]]===
[[File:Old Point Loma lighthouse 11.JPG|thumb|300px|Point Loma Lighthouse, Cabrillo National Monument]]
[[File:Old Point Loma lighthouse 11.JPG|thumb|300px|Point Loma Lighthouse, Cabrillo National Monument]]
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While California Highway 1 doesn't start until just south of [[Dana Point]] in [[Orange County (California)|Orange County]], it's worth your time to start at the southern end of the California coast in [[San Diego]]. San Diego offers many interesting attractions to the visitor in the neighborhoods away from the beach, such as [[San Diego/Balboa Park-Hillcrest|Balboa Park]], [[San Diego/Downtown|Downtown]], and [[San Diego/Old Town-Mission Valley|Old Town]], but if you're just interested in seeing coastline then a worthy place to start is '''Cabrillo National Monument''' at the tip of [[San Diego/Point Loma-Ocean Beach|Point Loma]]. There, you can get a gorgeous view of San Diego, the Bay, and the ocean, and learn about some of the history of the area. Also in the monument is a lovely tidepool area at the base of the ocean cliffs.
+
While California Highway 1 doesn't start until just south of [[Dana Point]] in [[Orange County (California)|Orange County]], it's worth your time to start at the southern end of the California coast in
'''
[[San Diego]]
'''
. San Diego offers many interesting attractions to the visitor in the neighborhoods away from the beach, such as [[San Diego/Balboa Park-Hillcrest|Balboa Park]], [[San Diego/Downtown|Downtown]], and [[San Diego/Old Town-Mission Valley|Old Town]], but if you're just interested in seeing coastline then a worthy place to start is '''Cabrillo National Monument''' at the tip of [[San Diego/Point Loma-Ocean Beach|Point Loma]]. There, you can get a gorgeous view of San Diego, the Bay, and the ocean, and learn about some of the history of the area. Also in the monument is a lovely tidepool area at the base of the ocean cliffs.
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Heading north, you can drive along the beaches through the communities of [[San Diego/Mission Beach|Mission Beach]], [[San Diego/Pacific Beach|Pacific Beach]], and [[San Diego/La Jolla|La Jolla]] (La Jolla is also noted for its scenic sea cove), or just drive up I-5 and skip the beaches. You can continue through north San Diego County on I-5, although a far more scenic route runs along the coastal beaches; from I-5 after you pass La Jolla, head west on Genessee Avenue (exit 29) and continue straight as it turns into Torrey Pines Road (from La Jolla, just take Torrey Pines Road north). This will take you pass '''Torrey Pines State Park''', between La Jolla and
[[
Del Mar
]]
, which makes for a scenic stop with cliffs overlooking the coast and trails leading down to the beach. Continuing north along the coast will take you through the lovely towns of Del Mar, [[Solana Beach]], [[Encinitas]], [[Carlsbad (California)|Carlsbad]] and [[Oceanside]], where you'll drive right next to the coast and over a few nice lagoons connected to the ocean.
+
Heading north, you can drive along the beaches through the communities of [[San Diego/Mission Beach|Mission Beach]], [[San Diego/Pacific Beach|Pacific Beach]], and [[San Diego/La Jolla|La Jolla]] (La Jolla is also noted for its scenic sea cove), or just drive up I-5 and skip the beaches. You can continue through north San Diego County on I-5, although a far more scenic route runs along the coastal beaches; from I-5 after you pass La Jolla, head west on Genessee Avenue (exit 29) and continue straight as it turns into Torrey Pines Road (from La Jolla, just take Torrey Pines Road north). This will take you pass '''Torrey Pines State Park''', between La Jolla and Del Mar, which makes for a scenic stop with cliffs overlooking the coast and trails leading down to the beach. Continuing north along the coast will take you through the lovely towns of
'''[[
Del Mar
]]'''
,
'''
[[Solana Beach]]
'''
,
'''
[[Encinitas]]
'''
,
'''
[[Carlsbad (California)|Carlsbad]]
'''
and
'''
[[Oceanside]]
'''
, where you'll drive right next to the coast and over a few nice lagoons connected to the ocean.
In Oceanside, you'll have to get on to I-5 to continue driving north. Just proceed on the Coast Highway through Oceanside until you get to the I-5 exit.
In Oceanside, you'll have to get on to I-5 to continue driving north. Just proceed on the Coast Highway through Oceanside until you get to the I-5 exit.
===[[Orange County (California)|Orange]] and [[Los Angeles County|Los Angeles]] Counties===
===[[Orange County (California)|Orange]] and [[Los Angeles County|Los Angeles]] Counties===
−
In
[[
San
Clemente]]
,
you can get off I-5 at El Camino Real
(
exit 74
)
, turn left, and drive by the Capistrano Beach until you get to California Highway 1 and the official Pacific Coast Highway
.
Head north on Highway 1 through [[Dana Point]], [[Laguna Beach]], [[Newport Beach]] and [[Huntington Beach]]; all four are scenic resort towns with great surfing beaches, and Huntington Beach is noted for its pier. Continuing north, you'll cross into Los Angeles County and enter [[Long Beach]], where Highway 1 heads inland to cut through the [[South Bay (Los Angeles County)
|
South
Bay]]
region of Los Angeles County. However, you can make an easy detour to see the attractions of Long Beach, namely the Aquarium of the Pacific and the ''Queen Mary'' ocean liner. The Pacific Cost Highway also skirts just north of [[Palos Verdes
]]
, with its ocean cliffs, tidepools, and scenic groves of eucalyptus trees. Hwy. 1 rejoins the coast near [[Redondo Beach]] and continues slightly inland through [[Hermosa Beach]] before becoming Sepulveda Boulevard and passing through [[Manhattan Beach]], [[El Segundo]], and directly under a runway at [[Los Angeles International Airport]].
+
[[
File:Santa
Monica
,
California
(
5633511158
).
jpg
|
thumb|300px|Santa
Monica
Pier
]]
+
In '''[[San Clemente]]''', you can get off I-5 at El Camino Real (exit 74), turn left, and drive by the Capistrano Beach until you get to California Highway 1 and the official Pacific Coast Highway. Head north on Highway 1 through '''[[Dana Point]]''', '''[[Laguna Beach]]''', '''[[Newport Beach]]''' and '''[[Huntington Beach]]'''; all four are scenic resort towns with great surfing beaches, and Huntington Beach is noted for its pier. Continuing north, you'll cross into Los Angeles County and enter '''[[Long Beach]]''', where Highway 1 heads inland to cut through the [[South Bay (Los Angeles County)|South Bay]] region of Los Angeles County. However, you can make an easy detour to see the attractions of Long Beach, most notably the '''Aquarium of the Pacific''' and the '''''Queen Mary''''' ocean liner. The Pacific Coast Highway also skirts just north of '''[[Palos Verdes]]''', with its ocean cliffs, tidepools, and scenic groves of eucalyptus trees. Hwy. 1 rejoins the coast near '''[[Redondo Beach]]''' and continues slightly inland through '''[[Hermosa Beach]]''' before becoming Sepulveda Boulevard and passing through '''[[Manhattan Beach]]''', [[El Segundo]], and directly under a runway at [[Los Angeles International Airport]].
Be careful on the stretches of PCH that go through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach -- there are many uncontrolled "zebra crossing" crosswalks that pedestrians can make use of -- at times, they have popped out onto the street with little warning. The area is also notorious for pedestrians jaywalking across the highway to get to buildings on the other side of the street. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled and practice defensive driving techniques while on the PCH in the Beach Cities.
Be careful on the stretches of PCH that go through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach -- there are many uncontrolled "zebra crossing" crosswalks that pedestrians can make use of -- at times, they have popped out onto the street with little warning. The area is also notorious for pedestrians jaywalking across the highway to get to buildings on the other side of the street. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled and practice defensive driving techniques while on the PCH in the Beach Cities.
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Furthermore, be aware that during times of moderate to heavy rain, the eastbound I-105 onramp just south of the Sepulveda Tunnel at Los Angeles International Airport floods, forcing drivers intending to use the freeway to suddenly merge back onto the PCH. This often causes long delays on the southbound lanes of PCH/Sepulveda from the Lincoln Boulevard-PCH/Sepulveda Boulevard fork until the southern end of the tunnel. Allow yourself at least a half a hour more time to get through the tunnel on rainy days.
Furthermore, be aware that during times of moderate to heavy rain, the eastbound I-105 onramp just south of the Sepulveda Tunnel at Los Angeles International Airport floods, forcing drivers intending to use the freeway to suddenly merge back onto the PCH. This often causes long delays on the southbound lanes of PCH/Sepulveda from the Lincoln Boulevard-PCH/Sepulveda Boulevard fork until the southern end of the tunnel. Allow yourself at least a half a hour more time to get through the tunnel on rainy days.
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After passing the airport, exit onto Lincoln Boulevard and follow Hwy. 1 back toward the coast through [[Westchester (California)|Westchester]], [[Marina del Rey]], [[Venice (California)|Venice]], and [[Santa Monica]]. Hwy. 1 hugs the coast on through [[Pacific Palisades]] and [[Malibu]].
+
After passing the airport, exit onto Lincoln Boulevard and follow Hwy. 1 back toward the coast through [[Westchester (California)|Westchester]],
'''
[[Marina del Rey]]
'''
,
'''
[[Venice (California)|Venice]]
'''
, and
'''
[[Santa Monica]]
'''
.
Marina del Rey is noted for its huge yacht harbor, Venice for its colorful boardwalk and famed street performers and body builders, and Santa Monica for its pier and old-fashioned amusement park. Continuing north,
Hwy. 1 hugs the coast on through
'''
[[Pacific Palisades]]
''', home to the '''J. Paul Getty Villa''',
and
'''
[[Malibu
]]''', with its famed mansions and beaches at the foot of the [[Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area|Santa Monica Mountains
]].
===[[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]]===
===[[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]]===
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[[File:Bixby Creek Bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|
Big
Sur
]]
+
[[File:Bixby Creek Bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|
Bixby
Creek Bridge
]]
From Malibu, Hwy. 1 continues along the coast through Point Mugu State Park to [[Oxnard]]. Before reaching Oxnard, the road passes by '''Mugu Rock''', formed by the cut the road made through the mountain. After Mugu Rock, the road travels inland through Oxnard north to US-101. Get onto US-101 and head west through [[Ventura]], where it rejoins the coast. US-101 continues along the coast through [[Carpinteria]], [[Santa Barbara]] and [[Goleta]]. At the Gaviota State Park, US-101 breaks away from the coast and Hwy. 1 restarts, breaking away from US-101. Hwy. 1 heads north through [[Lompoc]] and Guadalupe before rejoining the coast at [[Grover Beach]]. At the northern end of Grover Beach, Hwy. 1 merges with US-101 again which proceeds through [[Pismo Beach]] before breaking away from the coast to head north to [[San Luis Obispo]]. There, Hwy. 1 splits off of US-101 again, traveling northwest to the coastal community of [[Morro Bay]]. Hwy. 1 continues along the coast through [[Cambria]]; [[San Simeon]], home to the '''Hearst Castle'''; and along the very scenic cliffs of [[Big Sur]]. Several miles north of Big Sur, Hwy. 1 crosses over the beautiful '''Bixby Creek Bridge''' and the less famous but still beautiful '''Rocky Creek Bridge'''.
From Malibu, Hwy. 1 continues along the coast through Point Mugu State Park to [[Oxnard]]. Before reaching Oxnard, the road passes by '''Mugu Rock''', formed by the cut the road made through the mountain. After Mugu Rock, the road travels inland through Oxnard north to US-101. Get onto US-101 and head west through [[Ventura]], where it rejoins the coast. US-101 continues along the coast through [[Carpinteria]], [[Santa Barbara]] and [[Goleta]]. At the Gaviota State Park, US-101 breaks away from the coast and Hwy. 1 restarts, breaking away from US-101. Hwy. 1 heads north through [[Lompoc]] and Guadalupe before rejoining the coast at [[Grover Beach]]. At the northern end of Grover Beach, Hwy. 1 merges with US-101 again which proceeds through [[Pismo Beach]] before breaking away from the coast to head north to [[San Luis Obispo]]. There, Hwy. 1 splits off of US-101 again, traveling northwest to the coastal community of [[Morro Bay]]. Hwy. 1 continues along the coast through [[Cambria]]; [[San Simeon]], home to the '''Hearst Castle'''; and along the very scenic cliffs of [[Big Sur]]. Several miles north of Big Sur, Hwy. 1 crosses over the beautiful '''Bixby Creek Bridge''' and the less famous but still beautiful '''Rocky Creek Bridge'''.