Traveling to all points of the globe has had an unintentional consequence. We’ve neglected the plus routes near home. We’d make amends on our annual trip to the Northwest. This excursion we avoided the fast road, Interstate 5 North, and stuck to the less traveled byways. We began our scenic expedition with California State Route One south of San Francisco in Daly City. California SR-1, better known as Highway One or the Shoreline Highway, is famously scenic both north and south of San Francisco. Indeed, Highway One is designated as an All-American Road.
Highway One is not the fast way north. One wanders slowly along the coast. Curves and hills make progress slow. Add in the distracting coastal scenery and the quaint pristine small towns and One passes leisurely beneath the wheels. Nevertheless the journey progresses too fast. It took us two full days to transit the 400 miles to Klamath California. We needed more time. We had forgotten how beautiful this route is and how striking the Pacific Coast can be. We’d forgotten how delicious the fresh out of the ocean Tomales Bay oysters are and how inviting the small towns can be. Indeed we’d forgotten that some of the best roads are close to home.
Very true. I can spend days in the small towns off of Highway One. I’ll be honest, Interstate 5 is depressing for me, especially when I get to Redding, CA.
Comment by Paul E. Kosloski — June 30, 2011 @ 11:15 pm
Even if I have travelled only a very short distance on Hwy 1, I can only agree that it is one of the most beautiful routes I have ever travelled and I certainly intend to see more of it some time. The views are spectacular. As to quaint little towns: I vividly remember the evening in Bodega Bay when a dense fog came up and we definitely had a “Hitchkok feeling” there.
And as to your photos here: excellent pictures!
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit
Comment by Pit — July 3, 2011 @ 1:40 pm