TRVL Magazine

Letter from the Editor

Road trips are something that have been part of my life since I was younger. Some of my earliest memories are of packing all our luggage and belongings into our big blue van and heading out on the road for a 14 hour trip to the beach with my entire family. With them, those 14 hours always seemed to fly by but the excitement that was inside of us awaiting to get to our destination was always a thrill I looked foward to every year.

I wanted to make a magazine that focused on road trips and bringing back the spirit of them. Not only as a family adventure but also for the young adult trying to find themselves again or celebrating a huge milestone. This magazine outlines road trips and all the wonderful things which come along with them. I hope you enjoy this inside look into all the magical things road trips have to offer.

table of contents

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Must See Destinations

Read all about the best and must see places along this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. Get destination ideas and learn more about what makes each location unique and special to the route.

Top Places to Stay

Looking for the best places to stay along the PCH? This is just the read for you! Find out all the best and greatest places for to stay all while enjoying all the Pacific Coast Highway has to offer.

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Destination Quiz

Trying to figure out which location along the PCH is a must-see for you based on your personality? Take this quiz and we will give you the down low on where to go!

Outdoor Attractions

Looking to spend time outside enjoying the beautiful weather the PCH has to offer? Read this article to find out all about the fun and affordable outdoor activities that will get you out in the weather and up and moving.

meet our team

Lead Designers & Editor-In-Chief Katie Strubberg

Writers Vicky Philpolt K.C. Dermody Nathan Masters Ayecha Khan Megan Helzel Walter Reuben Brody Diane Rommel

Photographers Kyle Cesmat John Jason Greg Rakozy Mahir Uysal Felix Russell-Saw Abigail Keenan

Communications Anna Bross Sydney Simon Corey Cunningham Steven Song

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Digital Products & Technology Betsy Cole Clarissa Matthews Andrew McGill Chris Sullivan Chris Davis Kevin Mahoney Joey Nichols Karen Simpson Marisa M. Johnson

Data & Growth Emily Harkin Harris Cullinan Sera Herold Carson Trobich Anna Hoffman Lora Kelly Caroline Jarboe Blake Truitt

Must See Destinations Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway is well known as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Starting from California’s northern border with Oregon and stretching all the way down to San Diego the route takes round ten hours to complete at a leisurely pace with no stops. Over 1000km you’ll see stunning coastal views, seaside villages, untouched forest and make your way through some sunny wine making districts too. A “dream drive” and the ultimate road trip.

BIG SUR Location: Big Sur, California

This is one of the most well-known areas of Highway 1 and it’s considered a destination, in and of itself. Big Sir is a designated American National Scenic Byway, and the views explain why. Wildlife-watching is big here; expect to see anything from whales to elephant seals. Stop to hike to the stunning cliff-side waterfall in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

DANA POINT Location: Dana Point, California

Dana Point is a must-visit along the highway, whether you want to get into the water or just look at it. The high bluffs here provide stunning coastal views. Surfers love the waves, fishers like to cast out and thousands of boats set off from here. Watch ships in the harbor before visiting the shops and waterside restaurants. Don’t leave without visiting Doheny State Park, the Salt Creek Beach or Baby Beach.

HALF MOON Location: Half Moon Bay, California

Half Moon Bay, formerly Spanish town. The city has made it a priority to preserve its history, as one of the oldest settlements in the San Mateo County. Walk through the historic downtown, ride bikes through the bluffs and enjoy often open stretches of sand all for yourself. The hotels and romantic restaurant options here offer a different experience.

MUIR WOODS Location: Mill Valley, California

San Francisco packs big amusement in its hilly neighborhoods, lined with great shops, restaurants and bars–the famous Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Our favorite part of this region is beyond the city and into Muir Woods, where you can find 500-plus-year-old redwood trees in an otherworldly forest. Ancient trees stretch farther than seems possible, hundreds of feet tall

VENICE Venice Beach is one of the quirkiest, most creative beaches in California (and that’s saying something). Stroll along the lengthy beach promenade and watch people exercising outside at Muscle Beach, break-dancing, skateboarding, selling crafts, playing street basketball and painting. Location: Venice Beach, California

POINT LOMA Location: San Diego, California

End your road trip at a historically significant, dramatic landmark, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This lighthouse marks the entry to San Diego Bay and is a reminder about the region’s history; it’s one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast. Sign up for a tour or just explore it yourself.

History of the Pacific Coast Highway

Imagine coasting down a winding road, convertible top down, with the sea breeze running through your hair, palm trees swaying in the wind and the sun shining down on the water. The Pacific Coast Highway is probably the most iconic and scenic route left in America, and it’s the dream destination for avid road trippers, car lovers, and travel geeks in general. The entire length of the PCH stretches from north to south along the entirety of the United States’ western border of the Pacific Ocean (hence the name, Pacific Coast Highway). Drivers can take it from San Diego to LA, San Francisco, and all the way up to Washington state. With the vast majority of the highway located in California, it has become a classic symbol of the state’s substantial natural beauty.

Admired for its scenery and dreaded for its traffic –as well as the landslides that occasionally render it impassable – Pacific Coast Highway is perhaps Southern California’s most iconic ribbon of asphalt. Even if Beach Boys-era woodies are now a rare sight, the scenes of crashing waves, surfboards, and palm trees are enough to attract tourists to the road, which connects coastal towns from Ventura to San Juan Capistrano.

Pacific Coast Highway opened in the late 1920s as part of the Roosevelt Highway, a 1,400-mile road that traced the western margin of the United States. Nationally, Americans found the first highway linking the Mexican and Canadian borders an appropriate memorial for the country’s late and famously internationalist president,Theodore Roosevelt. Locally, Southern Californians celebrated the reduced travel time between the various beach towns of the region; the Roosevelt Highway represented the first direct link between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach and between Ventura and Santa Monica.

The Pacific Coast Highway might not exist today if one intransigent landowner, May Rindge, had prevailed in her decades-long struggle against the county. Since at least the 1890s, a primitive road – often submerged at high tide – hugged the rocky coast between Santa Monica and Malibu, passing underneath a natural arch, only to reach a locked gate at the property line of Rindge’s 17,000-acre ranch.

As owner of the former Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit, Rindge was determined to keep her landholdings safe and secure. She and her late husband had long fought to keep homesteaders off her ranch, and in 1906 she outfoxed the politically powerful Southern Pacific, forcing the railroad to divert its Santa Barbara line around Malibu and the San Fernando Valley.

A stalemate ensued for years, but the road’s prospects improved in the early 1920s when it was incorporated into the newly planned Roosevelt Highway. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the county’s right to appropriate the land for the highway in 1923, and the dispute finally came to an end in 1925 when a superior court judge granted the county title to the right-of-way in return for $107,289

Passing directly through towns, the Roosevelt Highway –renamed Pacific Coast Highway in much of Southern California in 1941 – adequately met the region’s transportation needs in 1929. But by the 1950s, regional transportation planners envisioned a new Pacific Coast Freeway that would bypass congested retail districts and parallel the superhighways further inland. Much of the 100-mile freeway would follow the original Roosevelt Highway route, but in some cases the new road would bisect coastal communities and restrict public access to beaches.

Some cities, like Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa, fought the plan. Others sought to modify it: Santa Monica officials proposed a seven-mile causeway stretching from Topanga Canyon to the Santa Monica Pier that would spare the city’s business district, move its beach one mile offshore, and create an artificial yacht harbor.

Despite growing resistance from local communities, California’s state highway agency began purchasing right-of-way land, including expensive beach side parcels in Malibu, in the 1960s. The proposed freeway remained on planners’ maps until 1972, when it succumbed to bitter opposition among residents, civic leaders, and environmental activists. Today, only a short stub exists southeast of Oxnard.

"Pacific Coast Highway is perhaps Southern California's most iconic ribbon of asphalt."

City Spotlight SAN FRANCISCO 10

Whether you call it “The City by the Bay”, “Golden Gate City”, “Frisco”, “SF”, “San Fran”. or the “Fog City” here is everything you need to know about San Francisco, California!

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT Visit San Francisco in September or October for the most reliably pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Come in July and August for your pick of outdoor festivals and events. Spring is also a great time to visit, but expect the fog to roll in with a cool ocean breeze in the afternoons. During the annual Bay to Breakers footrace, held every May, some 75,000 runners and walkers, many in costume (and a few in their birthday suits), tackle this 7.46-mile course. The event also happens to be the city’s biggest (moving) party.

BEST FORM OF TRANSPORTATION The eastern side of San Francisco is packed with walkable neighborhoods, if you don’t mind scaling a few hills. Use the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway system to get from downtown to the Mission District, SFO, or even the East Bay quickly and affordable. Regular Muni buses also offer an easy way to get around the city. Taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts are also quite common.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING This is a city where the weather changes on a whim and micro climates create varying weather patterns across the hilly terrain. It might be sunny in the morning, but you never know when the town mascot, Karl the Fog, will crash the party.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO

PIER 39 PIER 39—the most visited destination in San Francisco—offers two levels of dining, entertainment, shopping and attractions, all surrounded by unbeatable views of the city and the bay.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE Opened in 1937 after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rocks and treacherous tides. Spanning 1.7 miles from San Francisco to the Marin headlands, the bridge’s sidewalks are open during the day to pedestrians including wheelchair users and bicyclists.

GOLDEN GATE PARK Golden Gate Park stretches for three miles on the western edge of San Francisco. There’s not a single “Keep Off the Grass” sign and its 1,017 acres are a tonic for mind and body. Two major museums, splendid gardens and facilities for more than 20 sports confirm that this is a playground in every sense of the word.

ALCATRAZ ISLAND Part of the Bay Area’s 80,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Located one-and-ahalf miles from Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz is one of the city’s most popular attractions. A visit to the island includes a tour of the cell house where visitors can see where the prisoners lived.

AT&T PARK AT&T Park is the home of the San Francisco Giants. Located on the city’s scenic waterfront, this classic urban ballpark. Take a tour of AT&T Park and go places including the Field, dugout, batting cage, Press Box, Suite Level and View Level! Families and people of all ages will enjoy this excursion where one of baseball’s most historic franchises plays.

Top Places To Eat PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

You come for the views on California’s Pacific Coast Highway, but you keep going for the food. There’s a wealth of fresh, local, and unforgettable eats nearby, Here are the best places to get your nosh on or nearby the PCH:

RIVER’S END RESTAURANT & INN Jenner, California Most restaurants that boast million-dollar views coast on their natural assets, do so while serving sub-par food. Not so at River’s End. This fisherman’s lodge, ca. 1927, towers over the estuary where the waters of the Russian River blend with those of the Pacific. Luckily, the rustic cuisine here is as epic as the view: Chef Martin Recoder sources meat, fowl, vegetables and fish from Sonoma, or the waters off of its coast. Visit in the fall and OD on everything Dungeness crab.

HOG ISLAND OYSTER CO. Marshall, California This chain of four outlets was started by a couple of partners in the early 1980s around the idea of sustainable aquaculture; today they farm over 3.5 million oysters, clams, and mussels from cultivated seabeds every year. The Marshall joint is their original; here you can grab a picnic table and shuck your own oysters, with a view of the bay they were pulled from. And if your shuck game is wacko, they’ll teach you.

BIG SUR BAKERY Big Sur, California Most restaurants that boast million-dollar views coast on their natural assets, do so while serving sub-par food. Not so at River’s End. This fisherman’s lodge, ca. 1927, towers over the estuary where the waters of the Russian River blend with those of the Pacific. Luckily, the rustic cuisine here is as epic as the view: Chef Martin Recoder sources meat, fowl, vegetables and fish from Sonoma, or the waters off of its coast. Visit in the fall and OD on everything Dungeness crab.

NEPTUNE Big Sur, California With the Pacific roiling 800 feet below, and the Santa Lucia mountains at your back, the view from this eatery is heroic. With sites like these, the place could serve earthworms and it might still be worth going. Luckily, they’ve got the Ambrosia burger– a grilled 6-oz steak sandwich served on a chewy French roll, with a chili-salsa secret sauce. Just get one – there’s no reason to read anything else on the menu.

RIB LINE BY THE BEACH Grover Beach, California A worthy stop for Santa Maria-style BBQ are seasoned with dry rub before being grilled over an open red oak fire. If you’re hungry, theoretically you could opt for the 4-lb “Brahma Bull” sandwich, as seen on Adam Richman’s Man vs Food. But you’ve gotta hit the road, so in the interest of your car-mates: please don’t take the challenge.

THE GALLERY SEAFOOD GRILL Morro Bay, California Even if the place didn’t boast a panoramic view of Morro Rock – and the bay surrounding it –we’d still recommend The Galley, given its fresh, simply prepared fish, most of it caught in nearby waters, which get paired with easy-sipping wines from the

SWAN OYSTER DEPOT San Francisco, California This hundred-year old cash-only spot is full of salty snacks and locals coming in for the take-out business. Steal a spot at the counter, order an Anchor Steam on draft, and feast on life-changing crab fat, live urchin, oysters, and sashimi. Arrive early: the joint closes at 5:30pm.

Top Places To Stay 12

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

Whether you drive the entire route or just explore a town or two, these Highway 1 hotels are sure to be a high point of your trip. Read on to discover the best hotels on the Pacific Coast Highway.

THE MONARCH BEACH RESORT 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point After completing a $40 million renovation in 2016, this resort became one of the centerpieces of the Dana Point social scene. The property offers eight dining outlets, some conceived by San Francisco–based Puccini Group, ranging from an artisan café and food market to a light and airy Mediterranean eatery. Outdoor spaces conjure a So Cal beach house, with wide-plank floors, oversize seating, and a cool palette of sky-blue and sea-glass-green. Designed by L.A.–based decorator Rodrigo Vargas, the hotel’s 400 guest rooms and suites offer California contemporary furnishings and a neutral palette that lets the views do the talking. The property also features Arizona-based wellness spa Miraval’s first coastal location.

HOTEL CASA DEL MAR 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica Built as a beach club for the well-heeled in the Roaring ‘20s, this Italian Renaissance Revival building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lobby interiors updated by Obama White House decorator Michael S. Smith feature a monumental double staircase, massive two-story windows, and a custom-made iron chandelier with hand blown glass beading. In the 129 guest rooms, rich walnut four-poster beds are paired with caned and oversized furniture and European linen window treatments, a nod to the hotel’s seaside-gleam past. The property also boasts an eco-conscious spa and two flavorer dining outlets.

THE NATIVE 28920 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu This Instagram-worthy Malibu retreat was originally built in 1947 as the Malibu Riviera Motel and once hosted stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Bob Dylan. The property was revamped by L.A.-based design firm Folklor, which incorporated local art, custom furniture, and artisan-made hammocks. The 13 guest rooms feature Casper mattresses, Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi, and retro fans. (But no air conditioning or TV.) Relax on your private patio or explore nearby Zuma Beach or Point Dume.

FOUR SEASONS: BILTMORE 1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara Built in 1927, during the heyday of this beachside town and before the film studios moved south to Hollywood, the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara is a red-roofed Spanish Colonial building true to the region’s vernacular architecture. Interiors designed by Peter Marino feature wrought-iron railings, cut-metal chandeliers, and handcrafted ceramic tiles. Brick-lined walkways overlook mature tropical gardens and are lit by romantic gas lanterns every evening.

VENTANA BIG SUR 48123 Highway One, Big Sur Ventana Big Sur boasts a variety of room types, all with stunning views of the dense forest or the ocean beyond. Rustic, handcrafted furnishings definitely offer a sense of place, as Big Sur is one of California’s greatest artisan communities. To that end, the hotel also offers its own Glass House Gallery with work by local artists. Guests can also take part in a number of specially created experiences, from garden tours to falconry to photography hikes. Last fall, the resort also launched a program with 15 safari-style tents set in the redwood forest

Packing Guide

SUNSCREEN & HAT Don’t let the gray skies of northern California fool you; slather on the sunscreen for protection against the harmful UV rays. A hat won’t only shield your face from the sun, but it will keep your windblown hair in check. Whether you’re renting a convertible for some top-down enjoyment or simply taking in the sights from one of the many roadside overlooks, the wind is likely to do a number on your do. 13

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

Highway 1 is one of the most scenic drives in the world, snaking along the California coast past rocky shoreline, miles of farmland, and dozens of picture-perfect towns. To ensure you make the most of your time on this all-American journey, we’ve compiled a list of essential packing items you won’t want to leave behind.

BINOCULARS One of the most exciting aspects of this California drive is the amount of marine life you’re likely to see. If you’re riding “shotgun,” keep your eyes on the water for the telltale sign of a passing whale (moist air shooting from the spout), or scan the coastline for a colony of sea lions soaking in the sun. You can also seek out some of the best wildlife by knowing in advance where and when they tend to hang out.

BEACH GEAR California’s rugged, picturesque coast is the main draw for this drive, so make time to enjoy the multitude of beaches, many of which are public. Pack a blanket—it doubles as the perfect picnic table—so you can take advantage of some oceanside downtime without sacrificing your precious cargo space. Some top spots for seaside lounging (or lunching) include Pescadero State Beach, Garrapata State Park, and Fletcher Cove Beach Park.

CLOTHING LAYERS Layers should be among the first things you throw in your bag. Temperatures can range widely, even within a few miles, so having a light jacket will ensure that those windy northern overlooks are just as enjoyable as the sunny southern beaches.

CAMERA This one might seem obvious, but sometimes the obvious things are the easiest to leave behind. Pack a few different camera options to capture your tour of California’s coast. Your camera phone is a great option for quick snaps and selfies, while your DSLR will allow you to better capture images of wildlife out at sea. Don’t have a DSLR? Pick up an attachable phone lens, such as the 4-in-1 lens from olloclip, to add a bit of zoom to your handy sidekick.

HIKING SHOES California’s rugged coast is incredible to take in from the road, but stopping to explore on your own two feet is a must. Hiking or athletic shoes will be crucial to your exploration, no matter the distance. Many of the overlooks have rocky ground that can be hard to navigate in sandals, and when you’re standing on the edge you’ll be glad for your sturdy kicks.

SNACKS No one likes a “hangry” road-tripper. Do yourself a favor and pack a cooler with some of your favorite California snacks to keep hunger at bay during some of the more isolated (and beautiful) stretches of road. My go-to snacks include San Francisco sourdough bread, local honey, and an assortment of cheese (check out the California Cheese Trail for plenty of local options). Also keep your eyes peeled for farm stands along the route, and treat yourself to fresh homemade pies and sweet you-pick strawberries. Throw in some plates and utensils and have yourself a beach picnic—you won’t be able to beat the views.

TOP 6 CITIES TO VISIT ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco, in Northern California, is a hilly city on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It’s known for its year-round fog, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colorful Victorian houses.

MALIBU Malibu is a city west of Los Angeles, California. It’s known for its celebrity homes and beaches, including wide and sandy Zuma Beach. Inland, trails weave through canyons, waterfalls and grasslands in the Santa Monica Mountains.

SANTA CRUZ Santa Cruz is a city on central California’s coast. Its long wharf, with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster.

SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara is a city on the central California coast, with the Santa Ynez Mountains as dramatic backdrop. Downtown, Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage.

LOS ANGELES Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city and the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Near its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers offer behind-thescenes tours.

SAN DIEGO San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of California known for its beaches, parks and warm climate. A deep harbor is home to a large active naval fleet, with the USS Midway, an aircraft-carrier-turnedmuseum, open to the public.