While some road trips are intricately planned, others have no explicit destination and the unexpected moments along the way are what make the drive so special.
Head north from Los Angeles and discover the Golden State’s attractions. Here are some favorite memorable experiences to inspire your next journey north from LA.
Santa Barbara Coast
Steps from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, the Goleta Beach Lagoon Trail is a breathtaking beachside stroll around a natural lagoon, featuring a large variety of bird species and by a meditative labyrinth located on a bluff next to the hypnotic pounding surf. Meander the paths to feel inspired.
Steps from the sand, The Ellwood at Goleta Beach is an exciting new restaurant with outdoor seating, at the base of the Goleta Pier. A well-thought-out craft cocktail menu includes unique elixir options and an impressive spirits selection. Take a sunset seat, where the view pairs perfectly with coastal cuisine. Share an assortment of items like the crab cake, hamachi crudo, clam chowder and branzino. A foodie’s playground, nothing will disappoint in this best kept secret.
Santa Ynez Valley
In charming Solvang, stroll the town to find its newest resident, a colossal troll named “Lulu” made from recycled wood and wine barrels. Tucked into the California Nature Art Museum, it’s the latest work by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, known for his monumental wooden trolls that pop up all over the world.
PONY Cocktails + Kitchen is the latest cosmopolitan newcomer to the tiny cowboy town of Santa Ynez, serving expertly crafted cocktails and a rollout of flavor bomb dishes like steak frites, risotto with scallops and uni, and pistachio affogato.
Paso Robles
The Allegretto Vineyard Resort, in the heart of Paso Robles wine country, has one of the most impressive art collections of any American hotel. The resort is built on geometric principles related to the cosmos and energetic zones, with the placement of items correlating to astrological signs. A complimentary docent-led art tour unveils stories of the treasures in the halls, courtyard and land—like sculptures, an obelisk, colorful textural abstract art, a cross-section of a giant Sequoia tree and 2-million-year-old concretion mined from the Fontainebleau shores of France. Feel enlightened with a walk to the top of the vineyard for the sunset glow with a glass of their 2019 Willow Creek Cabernet, surrounded by lavender, large chunks of rose quartz and a Buddha.
San Francisco
Tucked under the Fairmont San Francisco Beaux Arts landmark, the legendary Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar is an indoor tropical oasis, where it actually thunders and rains. Arrive for live music on a moving boat stage. Tiki drinks like the festive Zombie and hand-shaken Colada are sure to bring smiles no matter your mood.
Sonoma Coast
At the seaside in Sonoma County, walk the blufftop trails just outside Timber Cove Resort, with benches to rest and absorb the blustery Pacific Ocean scenery, or hike down to a waterfall and rustic beach cove. A colorful 93-foot Peace Obelisk, created by artist Beniamino Bufano, stands like an exclamation mark next to the resort on a 60-foot diameter plot, designated the second smallest California state park.
Napa Valley
In the historic town of Calistoga, at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, settle in with a healing mineral soak in three pools of various temperatures or detoxify and relax with the resort’s signature mud bath treatment, introduced to the area nearly 70 years ago. The Mudslinger treatment begins with sliding into a blend of peat moss, volcanic ash and mineral water, followed by a whirlpool mineral bath, geo steam room, cool blanket wrap and facial mask made with coffee clay and grapeseed oil.
Steps away from the North Block Hotel in the dreamy culinary town of Yountville, indulge in wood-fired crisp pizza, like stracciatella anchovy, at the rustic Ciccio, or a tasting flight next door on the terrace at Hope & Grace Wines, where your taste buds will determine your favorite varietals and vintages with small barrel productions are celebrated. For us, the 2017 Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands was a winner, appreciated on their terrace with warm breezes.
Anderson Valley
Arrive for the Anderson Valley White Wine Festival in February, the Pinot Fest in May, harvest in the fall, or create your own wine tasting tour any time of year. This laidback vino paradise produces some of the best small production wines, most notably Pinot Noirs and traditional method sparkling wines. Brashley Vineyards tasting room surprises wine lovers with amazing dry Riesling with Finger Lakes grapes and an exceptional White Pinot Noir, thanks to winemaker Ashley Holland, who also produces incredible wines under her own Read Holland brand, like the 2021 Deep End Pinot Noir and Peter Martin Ray Chardonnay, named Top 50 Wines in the U.S. by Decanter. Other female winemakers to watch include Shalini Sekhar, the force behind Ottavino, with an exceptional St. Laurent varietal from Los Carneros AVA. Discover more wines at the Disco Ranch, a wine bar and specialty market in the heart of this cool-climate rural wine region.
Mendocino Coast
In coastal Mendocino County, the culinary experience at Elk Cove Inn is taken to another level, as Innkeeper and Sommelier Melissa Boon and partner Chef Victor Passalacqua delight guests with French Cali cuisine so hyperlocal and sustainable that orders are placed the night before. Relish in fresh menu items presented beautifully in their intimate restaurant, perfect for sunset above the ocean. Don’t miss ordering clam chowder, octopus ceviche and escargot followed by entrees such as Coq au Vin, Short Rib Bourguignon, Linguine de la Mer, Lamb Tenderloin and seasonal specials like lobster in puff pastry.
Just up the road, a crew of fish-hunting princesses trawl the Pacific for salmon, crab, cod and more. You can reap their rewards by ordering a Dungeness crab roll at Princess Seafood Market in Fort Bragg and watch as a load of fresh crab is steamed while you wait.