Portland, Oregon to Carmel, California

I’ve always wanted to take a solo road trip. Nothing has ever stopped me from taking one, other that I just never got around to doing it. Now that I have a new born grandson in California, I’ve decided rather than flying there to see him I’ll hit the open road alone.

I pack up the Subaru with the basic snacks and water, make a bed by putting the backseat down and throwing in my favorite pillow and sleeping bag. I’ve made the choice to take this solo trip completely unplanned, no hotel reservations what so ever. I also don't have a clear travel route other than heading south from Portland, Oregon to Carmel, California.

Stout Memorial Grove

My first stop was Stout Memorial Grove. This grove of Redwoods is inside the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Jedediah Park is one of four parks that are managed as The Redwoods National Park. Stout Grove is stunning and smells piney fresh. I find myself among some true giants and feeling fortunate to be standing in this place. The trail I take here is mostly flat and winds through a fern carpeted forest floor. I’ve heard an urban legend that Star Wars Return of the Jedi (think Ewoks) was filmed here. I can not confirm nor deny this information. I’m simply happy hiking this easy trail while imagining cute little Ewoks are watching my every move.

Avenue of the Giants

Wow oh wow, the Northern California coast line is impressive. Don’t think of palm trees here, think of a 31 mile long byway off Highway 101 that has been named “Avenue of the Giants”. Giant Redwood trees grow here and they are most accessible along this byway. There are plenty of pull outs along the byway and many hikes you can take to explore more than what you see from the road. I have visited this area a handful of times over the past decade and I still crown this “my favorite place on earth”. These Giant Redwoods remind me of how small I am and I feel grateful for my short time on this earth.

Mendocino

Leaving Avenue of the Giants I decide to leave Hwy 101 and take Highway 1 towards the small artsy town of Mendocino. Before arriving in Mendocino I make a quick stop by Fort Bragg’s popular Glass Beach. Finally arriving in Mendocino I spend most of my time at the Mendocino Headlands State Park. Here I walk along the picturesque cliff side trails and wait for the sun to set.

Waiting until after sunset was not one of my smarter moves on this trip. I couldn't find a place to stay for the night, everything was booked. I mean everything! I eventually gave up looking and had a wonderful dinner at the Mendocino Cafe.

Even though I didn’t get to sleep in a cozy B&B, I did wake up to a spectacular cliff side view of the Pacific Ocean. My makeshift bed in the Suby came in handy. It solidifies my under planned solo road trip as a success so far.

Sausalito / Golden Gate Bridge

I head south down Highway 1 enjoying the Northern California coast line when I decide to cut back to Highway 101 from the Jenner junction because I have the urge to have lunch in Sausalito. Sausalito is a small town on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge and this town stays small because of its proximity to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Arriving in Sausalito I find a place to park along Bridgeway Avenue. I grab a sandwich, then have a seat on a bench overlooking the Bay and wait for the sun to burn off the haze. Voila, almost on cue, the haze burns off and the city of San Francisco comes into focus across the water. I finish off my sandwich quickly, because I believe I hear the Golden Gate Bridge calling my name. I don’t know why, but crossing this iconic bridge back into San Francisco always seems like such a big deal to me. It makes me feel like I've truly been somewhere special.

Sausalito, CA “Sea Lion Sculpture” by Al Sybrian

Pescadero

Pescadero and I have a long history. A bond. Let's just call it a relationship. I have many wonderful memories of playing in the surf with my children all along this Halfmoon Bay coast line. Many summers were spent here as they were growing up. Which is why this town is a stopping point for me. Here in Pescadero you will find Arcangeli Grocery Co. / Norm’s Market, home of the best baked artichoke bread I’ve ever tasted. Years ago whenever I’d bring my children to this part of the coast we would always make sure to stop by this store before heading back home. We would enjoy one or maybe two rounds of bread in the car eating it with our bare hands straight from the bag. This was a simple family tradition. Today I may be traveling solo but I will still stop for the artichoke bread. It’s a family tradition!

I purchase a warm baked round of artichoke bread from the market then continue southward on Hwy 1. Sentimental tears start to fall down my face as I shove big hunks of bread in my mouth. WOW. This is a really great moment for me. I love all the wonderful memories of my children replaying through my mind.

Carmel By The Sea

The last morning of my solo road trip I awoke in the Monterey Tides Hotel. This “beachy chic boutique” hotel has impressive views of the Monterey Bay and a lovely beach ideal for long walks. I had a delicious breakfast here before heading towards Pacific Grove’s famous 17-Mile Drive along Pebble Beach and ending in Carmel-By-The-Sea.

17-Mile Drive is a scenic drive that traces along the Monterey Peninsula and takes you by some beautiful and well known golf courses, impressive homes and spectacular ocean views. This scenic drive has an elegance and a graceful way about it. If you’ve never been to this part of the world, you need to add it to your bucket list.

From Pebble Beach I head towards Carmel. I quickly find myself driving down Carmel’s Ocean Avenue, which is the most popular street in Carmel’s downtown area. Shops line this street and there are a number of people walking along the busy sidewalks eating ice-cream or enjoying a coffee from one of the many places offering up yummy goods. There are affluent shops here and many art galleries to spend the day in if that is your sort of thing.

I continued down Ocean Avenue ending up on Carmel Beach. Seeing Carmel Beach just made me want to find a place to park and run in the ocean waves. So that’s just what I did.

With the sand between my toes, I thought to myself, this is a great way to end my fist solo road trip.

Next stop, meeting my new Grandson.

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