California Road Trips - 2020 - 14

ROAD TRIPS 2020

Channel Islands
National Park

WORTH A DETOUR
See a masterpiece: Experience the splendors of Hearst
Castle, where tours lead
through the opulent rooms
and suites.

DISTANCE: 369 MILES * STARTS: MONTEREY

Monterey to Channel
Islands National Park

Scenic vista: Take in the
craggy volcanic spires of Pinnacles National Park along the
High Peaks Trail.

Natural wonders abound on this Central Coast journey

14 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

Caveman suite (complete with
a bathroom waterfall).
Explore the nearby Pismo
State Beach Monarch Butterfly
Grove, where thousands of
black-and-orange beauties
congregate from October to
February. Break up the drive in
Los Alamos, a sleepy ranching town just off U.S. 101 that
has emerged as a culinary
destination; Bell's is the place
for California-inspired French
bistro cuisine.
Farther south, climb along
chaparral-covered slopes to
sweeping panoramas from
2,458-foot Gaviota Peak at Gaviota State Park. When it's time to
fuel up, head to Santa Barbara's
La Super-Rica Taqueria, the
landmark (and cash-only) stand
where tacos prepared with
freshly made corn tortillas and
such classics as chile rellenos
keep lines perpetually long.
Worth the wait? Definitely.
In Ventura, get into the spirit
of your upcoming adventure
with steamed clams and harbor
views at Brophy Bros. Seafood
& Clam Bar. Channel Islands

SAN JOSE
Gilroy
Gardens

Monterey
Bay
Aquarium

Casa
de
Fruta

Madonna Inn
Monarch
Butterfly Grove
La Super-Rica
Taqueria

Bell's
Pacific
Ocean

Gaviota
State Park

Brophy Bros.
Seafood & Clam Bar

LOS
ANGELES
Channel
Islands

National Park is only an hour
away by boat, and soon you'll be
exploring the park nicknamed
"the American Galapagos" for
its unique plant and animal life.
Hike to pristine views, paddle a
kayak to sea caves, or snorkel to
spot the bright-orange garibaldi
(the state fish) and bat rays.

BEN HERNDON/TANDEM STILLS + MOTION

oad trips don't usually
end on islands. But
just a short boat ride
away from Ventura or Oxnard,
the pristine beaches and rolling hills of Channel Islands
National Park await. Starting
in Monterey, this trip ranges
inland before returning to the
ocean, with amusement park
rides for the kids, wine tastings
for adults, and plenty of beauty
for everyone along the way.
See playful otters and a
28-foot-tall kelp forest tank at
the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Then play at Gilroy Gardens, the
horticultural theme park where
rides offer younger kids just the
right thrill. Snake into a forest
on the Timber Twister Coaster
or glide through a greenhouse
on the Sky Trail Monorail.
There are more rides, including a double-deck carousel,
at Hollister's Casa de Fruta,
a farm stand that grew into a
can't-miss destination for its
dried fruit and fresh-baked pies.
In San Luis Obispo, stay at the
eclectic Madonna Inn in themed
rooms, such as the grotto-like

R

History lesson: Mission
San Miguel is notable for its
graceful,
AREA OF DETAIL
one-of-akind colonSan
Francisco
nade with
12 arches
Los
Angeles
of varying
San Diego
sizes.
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California Road Trips - 2020

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