Loved
for its easy-going attitude and lusted after for its sun and surf – the
picture-perfect Pacific coast line of California is home to Hollywood and
so many favourite films from countless childhoods.
But
the Golden State is more than this. Much more. Escaping the zip and whip of
London to embark on a 1,500 mile, fortnight-long road trip to join the dots
between two friends’ weddings (Modesto, CA; and Phoenix, AZ), I couldn’t fail
to notice California’s unique sense of perspective and personality.
From
fun-filled San Francisco where freedom
drips from the skies to the teasing twists and turns of the Pacific Coast Highway that slips down from
Frisco into LA on towards San Diego and beyond…
The
fresh coastal air of the West hangs loose and languid, imbued with the
privilege of spontaneity that cools your soul as you breathe in its undeniably
empowering sense of self, and take in what it has to offer…
The
touristy favourites are un-missably well documented – the glory of the Golden
Gate Bridge, the sumptuously stunning wine country and the unbeatable
beauty of Big Sur; but venture deeper than the
cities and the real, raw California reveals itself…
Then
the exploring begins!
Dusty
and timeless hiccupping hills sit patiently on the roadsides as you weave your
way through a natural labyrinth with a thousand possible exits but no discernible
'end'. In truth, driving along one of California's arterial highways is an
adventure in itself, and none more so than the unerring reel of road that is
Highway 1 as it rolls on and unfurls around the coastal cliff-sides of Big Sur
and off into the horizon…
The
roads are wickedly windy and make for great driving while the innumerable
'vista points' offer plenty opportunities to capture the awesome expanse of the
Pacific Ocean in all its sun-glistening glory before the night comes to reveal
the clearest of star-lit Californian skies.
Be
warned though; a single night at any of the campgrounds along the coast and
wanderlust-fuelled madness creeps in. But alongside this madness comes the
understanding of why the sun gravitates so naturally to the West every night;
once you’ve seen the sky turn blue to blood red over the softly-shimmering
Pacific, you realise there is no other place to watch the sun set than the wild
and wonderful West…
