If You Could Go to Norcal Again Where Would You Want to Go
Activities
Betwixt Disneyland, Los Angeles, and San Diego, southern California steals a lot of the celebrity of this giant country. However, past taking your travels further up north, at that place is a slap-up deal to see that will wow you in means SoCal never could.
The outset thing you'll notice (and appreciate) is the smaller crowds up north, as things tin can get pretty busy the farther south you go.
However, at that place are far more alluring things that describe travelers to NorCal than but the thinner crowds. From the stunning scenery to the unique activities; from the tasty eats to the dandy outdoors, this part of the state is a truly special identify full of fun and adventure.
So pack your numberless, hop in your motorcar and get on the road because we accept the top sites for you to see on a trip to NorCal that you don't want to miss.
Don't Miss These NorCal Spots
Healdsburg
This picture-perfect town is right in the heart of Sonoma Canton, which ways you'll find some of the best wines in the country here, sans all the Napa Valley crowds. Not only volition yous dearest the gustation of the wine here, you'll too honey the fact that Healdsburg is a leader in sustainable practices for its wine, and is quickly reaching its goal of becoming a 100% certified sustainable wine region by 2020.
Vino aside, in that location is much to do in this beautiful town, starting with some seriously good eats. Be certain to drop by Costeaux French Bakery. A Healdsburg staple since 1923, this bakery makes earth-grade artisan breads that you volition definitely want to stock upwardly on for your camping eats. And for dinner we highly recommend Pizzando for some local eats that will knock your socks off with a bang-up ambiance to kick.
Healdsburg is likewise a great place to experience the Redwood woods in all its glory with some hikes that are family-friendly. The repose the Redwoods provide is unlike annihilation you'll experience elsewhere.
Favorite office: Jordan Winery
This family-owned winery has mastered bringing food, wine, and hospitality together to create an unparalleled wine experience. Housed in a stunning chateau, this winery has views to kill, food that will drag your taste buds, and of grade, succulent wine we could drinkable for ever.
KOAS nearby:
Cloverdale / Healdsburg KOA
San Francisco / N Petaluma KOA
San Francisco
Whether you've been hither before or not, SF is an absolute must for your NorCal route trip. There are countless stops you can make while y'all're hither, but we'll share with y'all our favorites.
Our first recommended stop is the Golden Gate Span. While driving over it and taking in the views from the automobile is fun, nosotros recommend renting bikes and biking beyond it instead. That gives you more than fourth dimension to enjoy its splendor in full.
If you've got time, hop on a boat and head across to Alcatraz for a trip back in time, and when you head back to the mainland don't miss out on Fisherman's Wharf.
Because there is then much to come across in this city, we recommend booking a walking tour that will hitting all the hot spots, but that will also requite yous groovy insight to some of the city's secret spots and fun history.
And your San Francisco trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to Chinatown and a ride on a cable car. As well, you can't go wrong with the food here, and then actually whatsoever spot you pick is sure to be a skilful ane.
Favorite part: Nob Hill
In this neighborhood you lot'll feel the old San Francisco when the railroad tycoons ran this city. The architecture here is stunning, and if you have a chance, popular into one of the swanky lounges for a cocktail.
KOAs nearby:
San Francisco / North Petaluma KOA
Santa Cruz North / Costanoa KOA
Yosemite National Park
Though known primarily for its sequoia trees, there is a lot more these ancient arboreal beasts to enjoy while at Yosemite National Park.
Every bit the third oldest national park that sees nearly 4 million visitors a year, you know this park is a hot spot that will not disappoint.
Speaking of hot spots, there are enough to encounter hither in the park's walls. 1 of our favorite highlights of Yosemite is it's namesake falls. Measuring in at nearly 2,500 anxiety, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in all of N America, and holds the record for the 6th largest waterfall in the globe.
Half Dome is another must-see spot in the park. Regardless of whether yous're a stone climber, you will appreciate this rock formation that is the most iconic 1 in the park. If rock climbing isn't your gig, so you'll love the fact that y'all tin can hike to the pinnacle. Just be aware that it'southward a 15-mile hike, so plan for some extra time.
The other rock climbing favorite in the park is i you've likely heard of: El Capitan. This is popular for night climbers and highly-skilled ones, so we don't recommend attempting unless yous actually know what you're doing. Otherwise, savor the view and the other people scaling this 3,000-foot rock.
Favorite Part: Tunnel View
Though this tin go quite crowded at time, information technology'south worth wading through the crowds to see the views of the hottest sites in the park from here.
KOAs nearby:
Coleville / Walker KOA
Los Banos Westward / I-5 KOA Journey
Winchester Mystery House
The history behind this house is just as interesting equally the house itself. Located in San Jose, this business firm is undoubtedly worth a stop on your NorCal road trip.
Originally purchased by Sarah Winchester of the Winchester gun family dorsum in the late 1800s, this mansion started as a small home that underwent over 35 years of renovation with over $5 million thrown into information technology.
Though Ms. Winchester died in 1922, she had completed quite a transformation. Winchester Mansion boasts over 160 rooms and 40 bedrooms with over 2,000 doors, some leading to interesting places such every bit a kitchen sink. Secret passageways are abundant, forth with many other strange and nonsensical changes Ms. Winchester requested be made to the home.
No one is quite sure why she would want to create a staircase that leads straight to the ceiling or many of the other oddities of this house, just it certainly rumored to be haunted not simply past Ms. Winchester herself, merely also the ghosts of those killed by Winchester guns.
However you lot feel about ghosts, this mansion is an architectural marvel and worth the price tag to make it.
Favorite Part: Massive Cabinet
The mansion is habitation to a chiffonier that opens upward into a pathway through xxx separate rooms.
KOAs nearby:
Santa Cruz Northward / Costanoa KOA
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Moss Landing KOA Limited
Salinas / Monterey KOA
Santa Cruz
This surfer's paradise was made for those who love to catch the waves, but too for those who love the outdoors. We recommend hitting upwardly Cowell's Beach for some keen waves that volition start your day off just right.
The boardwalk here in Santa Cruz is touted to be one of the best in the country, and then make sure you spend some time perusing the offerings here. Take a ride on the Behemothic Dipper wooden roller coaster that has been standing here since 1924 (at your own run a risk). Or play a round at the pirate-themed mini golf course. Grab some practiced old-fashioned junk food while yous're hither, and then head to Natural Bridges Country Beach for views of one of California'southward most iconic beaches.
If you fourth dimension your trip right, you may have the chance to come across the monarch butterflies flying about. (The best time for this is autumn and winter.) In that location are some slap-up hiking trails around hither too, so grab some snacks and lace up your boots.
Be sure to catch the sunset here — we hope yous won't regret information technology.
Favorite Function: Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Though it doesn't audio particularly interesting, this museum is a must-see. Not only is it located in a keen spot (overlooking one of Santa Cruz'due south top surfing spots), it boasts a ton of history and displays some rad surfing pieces from the by.
KOAs nearby:
Santa Cruz N / Costanoa KOA
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Moss Landing KOA Limited
Salinas / Monterey KOA
Monterey
You may recognize this town from HBO'south hit bear witness Large Petty Lies, simply there is far more to this beachside spot than drama and secrets.
Allow's start with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This place is earth-renowned and you will exist sorely disappointed if you miss out on a visit to this aquatic hotspot. Boasting over 35,000 sea creatures, Monterey Bay Aquarium has wonders that volition go on you occupied for hours, including ocean otters, hammerhead sharks, and much more.
While you're in the area, be sure to hit up Cannery Row for some cute little seaside shops. Yous may recognize this name from John Steinbeck's novel, Cannery Row, but much has changed since he wrote that volume dorsum in the 1940s. Check it out for yourself to see.
If you're looking to add some risk to your feel, head to Old Fisherman'due south Wharf for a whale-watching tour or kayaking in the bay.There is also some keen food to be had here, particularly the clam chowder.
Favorite Part: Betoken Lobos State Natural Reserve
Head a bit s to this spot for some seriously dramatic body of water views, but likewise for some fabulous hiking and cute body of water otter spotting.
KOAs nearby:
Santa Cruz North / Costanoa KOA
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Moss Landing KOA Express
Salinas / Monterey KOA
Bixby Bridge
Yep, we know it's just a span, but this isn't merely any bridge. Information technology'south Bixby Span. For those Big Piffling Lies fans, it's the bridge featured in the show'southward intro. Stunning by itself, the views from atop this bridge will really wow you.
We recommend driving across a few times and swapping drivers so each person gets a take chances to soak in the views.
Favorite Role: The Bridge at Sunset
Time your trip across the span for dusk to go the more epic show you'll see on your whole roadtrip.
KOAs nearby:
Santa Cruz North / Costanoa KOA
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Vacation
Moss Landing KOA Express
Salinas / Monterey KOA
San Luis Obispo
The last stop on our NorCal road trip is San Luis Obispo, a.k.a. SLO. The vibe hither is the epitome of laid back, and you'll love spending some time in this relaxed beach town.
Abode to CalPoly, you'll certainly sees students abound here, but chances are they're enjoying the offerings of the town more than than studying (who wouldn't?).
Make your first activity of the mean solar day a trip to Pismo Beach for one of California's top surf spots. Whether yous're a skilled surfer or a beginner, you'll dear catching some waves here at Pismo Embankment.
If you lot prefer to stay out of the water, you'll enjoy walking on the pier and watching the surfers do their matter.
SLO has some great wines and is habitation to two vino regions: Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande. The weather here is platonic growing grounds for over 40 varietals, so enjoy a number of dissimilar wine tastes while here. The actress bonus is the stunning views of the rolling vineyards.
Speaking of tastes, you won't desire to miss out on San Luis Obispo's farmer's market. It seems pocket-sized towns have the best farmer'south markets, and that is certainly the example with SLO. Every Th dark you lot'll relish blocks of downtown close down to parktake in all things local.
Favorite Part: Lopez Lake
Though it may seem crazy to caput to a lake when you've got the ocean correct there, Lopez Lake is the hub for all water activities, and some keen hiking trails as well. This makes for a great picnic spot too, and then pack some snacks with yous.
KOAs nearby:
Santa Margarita KOA
Avila / Pismo Beach KOA
Run into why we love northern California? And this only skims the surface of all there is to see in this role of the great state of California. Run across even more with KOA Value Kard Rewards. With this in your virtual pocket, yous'll get discounts on camping so that you can extend your NorCal road trip and savour more than of all the dazzler. Plus, yous'll enjoy tons of other benefits including rewards points that will get you lot greenbacks for future camping trips.
Leslie, a.k.a. Copy Girl, is a copywriter who gets butterflies from telling stories through words.
Her voice comes from a place filled with passion, dreams, and lots of saccharide. "Cake over steak" is her go-to motto.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words, and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie love the adventures of both trunk and mind her writing takes her on.
Everywhere she goes, she takes this advice with her:
"Hold on to your divine blush, your innate rosy magic, or end up brownish." – Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume
To see what Leslie's upwards to in the writing world, visit her website here.
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Source: https://koa.com/blog/the-sites-to-see-on-a-trip-to-norcal-northern-california-road-trip/
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