Two great cities bookend an unforgettable California road trip
(ARA) - California's coast is one of the best stretches of land for taking the great American road trip. Not only does it unfold in mile after mile of scenic beauty, it also lets you enjoy some of America's most unique cities, including San Francisco in the north and San Diego in the south.
Start your trip from the north or the south - either way, you'll enjoy the ride. You can drive in from your home state, or, if you're short on time, you can fly in and rent a car for the drive.
Web sites like Travelocity.com allow you to book travel deals that combine cheap flights and car rental for better value. And when you're searching for flights, look into "open jaw" airline tickets that allow you to fly into one city and depart from another.
When booking your trip, keep in mind that not all San Francisco hotels offer parking, but many of the ones that do are right in the city, which is convenient for exploring. By looking up hotels online, you'll be able to get information about whether they have parking places, their amenities and their policies about things like pets and smoking.
San Francisco is the epicenter of Northern California creativity and style. A perfect experience in the city combines all of the elements for which it is famous. Dine out at a chic-yet-unpretentious restaurant, wind your way down Lombard Street, shop in the city's endless supply of small-scale boutiques for unique gifts and souvenirs, and of course, cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
On the other end of your road trip, San Diego embodies the sunny nonchalance of Southern California. Whereas the weather in San Francisco is notoriously unpredictable, you can rely on good weather here. Look for San Diego hotels with a balcony and a good view so that you can sun yourself - or just book a room in a hotel that's close to the beach.
Your drive from San Francisco to San Diego (or vice versa) will have lots of great stopping points in between. You can make a stop in L.A. to get a taste of the glam Hollywood lifestyle or find a bit of luxury in Santa Barbara. There are also plenty of opportunities to check out charming small towns like Dutch-influenced Solvang or the artistic community of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Another great stop along the way is San Simeon, where you'll find Hearst Castle. Built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, it's one of the most incredible privately built estates in America, though it is now maintained as a California State Historical Monument.
Driving along Highway 1 will give you some great oceanside views, but you can also drive a bit further inland to explore majestic redwood forests. With California's cities and natural beauty rolled into one experience, it's sure to be a road trip you'll never forget.
Courtesy of ARAcontent