I was born and raised in southern California, but I’d never driven iconic highway 1 along California’s coast. At some point, I began to feel sheepish about this. How can I not have done this? I NEED to experience this drive for myself! And so, last summer, I planned a Highway 1 road trip for our family of five. Then ended up having to cancel the trip thanks to Covid. This summer, I was twice as determined to make it happen.
And it did! I submitted my next novel to my editors on June 1st and a few days later — deadline free — we flew from Dallas to California.
We had a fabulous time! So many beautiful sights, so many family memories. I’d love to return some future summer and drive north from San Fransisco into Oregon and Washington. But, for now, it’s enough that I’ve had the opportunity to drive the San Diego to San Francisco route. Bucket list item — checked off!
Are you familiar with any of the cities/places we visited?
Before I go, I wanted to tell you about a few fun things….
If you’re a writer, and have some free time tomorrow, consider joining in for some or all of the sessions at the Write to Ignite online conference! The cost is only $25! I’m looking forward to leading a session. 🙂
My friend Sara Beth Williams is currently offering a giveaway that includes a signed copy of Let It Be Me, $10 Amazon card, Bible cover, box set by Lisa Renee & an e-book by Olivia Rae! Click here for the blog post in connection with the giveaway. Click here for the entry form.
On Tuesday, June 29th, at 7pm Eastern, Baker Book House will be hosting me for an online reader event. We’ll have fun discussing romance and beach reads. Click here, then sign up for this free event by clicking the green “register” button. I’d love to see you there!
Becky Wade
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What a great trip, Becky. Even better that you shared it with your family. Our son lives in Pasadena so he has shown us some of those places. Beautiful!
It sounds like we both get to enjoy visiting family and California in the same trip!
I LOVED seeing these photos, Becky! I grew up in landlocked Kansas and we’ve driven The 1 TWICE! Haha! It’s such a gorgeous drive. The first time we drove from Mount Hermon near San Jose all the way up and inland to Seattle. Then this past spring, we drove down from Sacramento to Riverside where Ken’s brother lives. Because of the roadwork near Big Sur, we couldn’t drive the whole PCH, but we did Morrow Beach (stayed there in our camper) and loved it. One of our favorite stops was to see the elephant seals on the beaches around San Simeon. A great trip! So fun to follow along with you and relive some of our experiences!
Riverside is my hometown!
We, too, viewed the elephant seals. Such a fun stop!!
Years ago I lived in the L.A. area for a little over seven years before transferring with my job back to the Midwest, about an hour’s drive away from my hometown in southeastern WI. While living in SoCal I did make the drive up highway 1 to San Fran and it is beautiful. I am so glad I did it because I’ve never been back to do it again.
Good for you for taking that drive while you had the chance! It’s so memorable. 🙂
Becky – This post made me homesick! I lived in Lompoc, right off Highway 1. In fact, we were about 20-30 minutes from Solvang, and I worked there the summer after I graduated high school. What a wonderful time you all must have had! Thank you for sharing your photos.
I love that both grew up in the same state, then moved to the same state. 🙂
Fabulous pictures of a wonderful trip! You saw so much.
When my daughter moved from Virginia to California almost 30 years ago, my friends asked me how I could stand it. I told them I looked on it as an opportunity to have a great vacation place to visit each year, and I have done so almost every summer. So..I have been to all of the places you visited and many more. Highlights have been eventually visiting all 21 of the California missions, Hearst Castle, Sonoma, Old Towne San Diego. LOVE Carmel and Solvang – stayed in both places a number of times.
Glad you were able to visit your family and make these wonderful memories for your children.
Betty, I love your attitude toward your daughter’s move! You’ve seen so many wonderful spots.
What a fun trip! I always forget there is a Hwy 1. We’ve done the 101 down from Oregon. Well we live in WA so we’ve done that one different times. Glad people can have road trips again! 🙂
Me, too!!
Loved the pictures! My son lives near San Jose, so I’ve been to many of the San Francisco sites. I especially enjoyed Muir woods, even in January it was lovely. Last summer we had plans to drive from San Jose to San Simeon, to meet up with a cousin who would have driven from Los Angeles, but we will have to try another time. Thanks for sharing!
I agree — Muir Woods is gorgeous. I hope you’re able to reschedule your planned trip soon!
What a wonderful trip you and your family had. Happy you got to go along the beautiful PCH.
Thanks, Stacy!
Becky, my mother was born in Riverside, California in 1914. My grandparents owned a lemon orchard there. When I was ten, we visited the site of their former home. All that was left were the front steps of that house, but I sat on them for a photo. Anyway, thought that was a fun connection to your story. Oh, and we drove the same famous highway that year. Had a problem with our car trunk at Big Sur. But that’s another story.
I think it’s so cool that we share family history in Riverside!
We did this trip as a baby moon before having Tanner. We started in San Francisco, visited the wine country and then made our way down to San Diego. I would love to continue north on highway 1 and see the rest of the west coast. I’ve heard it’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing your amazing trip and your beautiful family with us. ❤️
Yes!! I’ve heard heading north from San Francisco is gorgeous, too. Maybe you should do that route to celebrate his high school graduation!
Looks like a wonderful trip. Thank you for sharing your photos and memories!
My pleasure!
I so loved hearing of your trip as I have been to many of those places. My first teaching job was in Monterey for 5 years which is where I met my husband. We loved Monterey and Carmel- especially the white sandy beach and the cute shops! Have also been on Hwy 1 and Solvang and several other places you mentioned. Having been stationed in many states and three countries with my military husband, all full of adventure, we would still chose Monterey as our favorite if finances weren’t an object. By the way, have loved all your books!
Thanks so much for reading my books! It’s wonderful to know that you’ve been (and lived!) in so many of the places we visited.
Love that area of California! Thanks for sharing your trip photos. Brings back memories. I grew up in So Cal too, went to college in San Luis Obispo, and loved driving up the coast. Morro Bay is always foggy, it seems. We took our kids on a road trip once and stopped at the Monterey Aquarium, Point Reyes, Hearst Castle and the nice beaches along the way. Beautiful scenery!
Trivia: I was accepted at SLO. Fabulous school! In the end, I decided to go to Baylor and ended up meeting my husband there. 😊
Muir Woods is “over the hill” from our daughters home. We love visiting that park when we visit her family.
Interesting and beautiful trip.
Thanks for sharing it with us!
It sounds like your daughter lives in a beautiful spot! 💕
I lived in California when I was in 6th grade (we moved a lot). My class that year took a week and we stayed at cabins at a camp along Highway 1. We visited several of the Spanish Missions, the State Fair, the tide pools (one of my favorites) and several other adventures. My mom was the counselor for my cabin and my best friend was in my cabin as well. It was a fantastic trip. And I love Morro Bay!! So glad you got to experience it!!