Lonely Planets Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips

WELCOME TO
PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAYS

Starry-eyed newbies head to the Golden State to find fame and fortune, but you can do better. Come for the landscapes, stay for the farm-fresh and global fusion food, and glimpse the future in the making on Americas creative coast.

The trips in this book will take you along the breezy, wildlife-rich Pacific Coast highways, from the famed Southern Californian beaches of Orange County and San Diego and the open roads of Big Sur, through to the towering redwoods of Northern California. Take time out to explore the vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the chilled-out beach cities of Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the big-city lights of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

From backcountry lanes to beachside highways, weve got something for you.

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CITY GUIDE

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Ride the clanging cable cars up unbelievably steep hills, snake down Lombard Sts famous hairpin turns, cruise through Golden Gate Park and drive across the arching Golden Gate Bridge. Then go get lost in the creatively offbeat neighborhoods of Californias capital of weird.

Avoid driving downtown. Cable cars are slow and scenic (single ride $7). Muni streetcars and buses are faster but infrequent after 9pm (fares $2.25). BART (tickets from $1.95) runs high-speed Bay Area trains. Taxis cost $2.75 per mile; meters start at $3.50.

Street parking is scarce. Meters take coins, sometimes credit or debit cards; central pay stations accept coins or cards. Overnight hotel parking averages $35 to $55; downtown parking garages start at $2.50 per hour or $30 per day.

The Ferry Building, Mission District and South of Market (SoMa) are foodie faves. Dont miss the citys outdoor farmers markets. Head to North Beach for Italian, Chinatown for dim sum and the Mission District for Mexican flavors.

The Marina is near the family-friendly waterfront and Fishermans Wharf. Union Square and SoMa are most expensive, but conveniently located for walking.

San Francisco Travel (www.sanfrancisco.travel) Destination info, events calendar and accommodations bookings.

SF Station (www.sfstation.com) Nightlife, restaurants, shopping, events and the arts.

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/san-francisco) Travel tips, travelers forums, and hotel and hostel bookings.

Trips Through San Francisco:

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Loony LA is the land of starstruck dreams and Hollywood magic. You may think you know what to expect: celebrity worship, Botoxed blondes and endless traffic. But its also Californias most ethnically diverse city, with new immigrants arriving daily, infusing LAs ever-evolving arts, music and food scenes.

Freeway traffic jams are endless, but worst during extended morning and afternoon rush hours. LAs Metro operates slower buses and speedier subway and light-rail trains (fares $1.75), with limited night services. DASH minibuses (single ride 50) zip around downtown. Santa Monicas Big Blue Bus (fare $1.25) connects West LA. Taxis cost $2.70 per mile; meters start at $2.85.

Street parking is limited. Meters take coins, sometimes credit or debit cards; central pay stations accept coins or cards. Valet parking is ubiquitous, typically $5 to $10 plus tip. Overnight hotel parking averages $30 to $50.

Food trucks and pop-up kitchens are a local obsession. Downtown LA cooks up a global mix, with Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Thai Town, Koreatown and Latin-flavored East LA nearby. Trendsetting eateries pop up in Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice.