Peter Greenberg: Scenic Driving on the West Coast
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2004-04-25
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Q: What is a scenic and interesting drive along the California or Oregon coastlines?
-Bob, Laredo, Texas
A: California Highway One is probably the "classic" coastline drive. The most scenic portion runs from San Luis Obispo to Monterey, a drive which is in fact 135 miles, but which often feels like a never-ending expanse of unspoiled coastline. There's little reason to travel here except to see the scenery, since this part of California lacks a major population center, but that is reason enough.
US-101, from Astoria, Ore., to the California border, is also a fantastic drive. The postcard-esque views of the coast are the major draw, but don't miss out on such cheesy-yet-fun tourist attractions as the Sea Lion Caves (an actual natural feature around which a man-made attraction has been built) at Florence, Ore.
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