California Official Visitor's Guide 2022 - 61

117 SKYLINE BOULEVARD/
ROUTE 35
Skyline Boulevard runs along a high ridgeline
that separates San Francisco's peninsula from
the Pacifi c coast, creating a natural break for
the ocean fog and a rich ecosystem where redwoods,
oaks, and bay laurel grow. Perched along
that view-fi lled spine are a string of open space
preserves with trails that lure drivers out of
their cars. Stretch your legs in the lush, streamfed
redwood groves of Purisima Creek Canyon.
See tafoni sandstone formations at El Corte de
Madera. Savor a snack with panoramic views
at Windy Hill. Peer out above the fog at Russian
Ridge. When you need a sightseeing break, sip
Pinot Noir at Thomas Fogarty Winery's ridgetop
tasting room.
DON'T MISS: Lunch at Alice's Restaurant, a
classic roadhouse
118 JACINTO REYES
NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
This backcountry drive follows Highway 33
north from Ojai deep into California's heartland
in the Cuyama Valley. Once known as the
Maricopa Road, the route was built in 1931
to connect the valley's remote ranches and
homesteads with Ventura's county seat. Even
today, it's still a journey into untrammeled land,
with two narrow lanes snaking through Los
Padres National Forest. Beyond the cliff -lined
creek canyon at Wheeler Gorge, you'll fi nd few
signs of civilization. Instead, there's Piedra
Blanca's beautiful sandstone formations, Sespe
Gorge's vertical cliff s, expansive views of the
Sespe Wilderness, and the fi r and pine forests
at 5,000-foot Pine Mountain Ridge.
DON'T MISS: Hiking and mountain biking at
Rose Valley Recreation Area
119 SAN MARCOS
PASS ROAD/ROUTE 154
When most visitors think of Santa Barbara,
they picture palm trees and sandy beaches, but
driving San Marcos Pass relegates the ocean
to your rearview. This 32-mile route shows the
city's rugged side in the chaparral-clad Santa
Ynez Mountains, then coddles you in Los Olivos,
where cowboy culture and culinary panache
go hand in hand. Along the way, see vivid
400-year-old pictographs at Chumash Painted
Cave State Historic Park, skirt along Lake
Cachuma's edge, then swing into the Santa Ynez
Valley, a land of tasting rooms and ranching
communities that embrace fi ne food and wine.
DON'T MISS: Tri-tip sandwiches and Old West
memorabilia at Cold Spring Tavern
120 ANGELES
CREST SCENIC BYWAY
When Highway 2 was funded in 1919, its builders
designed it to be California's " most scenic
and picturesque mountain road. " Although
construction took 27 years, the 66-mile route
off ers incredible vistas at every curve as it
River Road
traces along the craggy spine of the San Gabriel
Mountains from La Cañada to Wrightwood.
Take advantage of every turnout for compelling
views of the Mojave Desert and the Inland
Empire, and take your pick from dozens of
trailheads and picnic areas. On a hike to Switzer
Falls or Mount Waterman, you'll hardly believe
that downtown L.A. is only an hour away.
DON'T MISS: A guided tour of the Mount
Wilson Observatory
121 PALMS TO
PINES SCENIC BYWAY
On this drive, you don't have to choose between
desert and mountains-you get both. Play golf
under swaying palms, then watch snow fall on
cedars. This byway zigzags from Palm Desert to
nearly 6,000 feet, cutting through the lands of
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National
Monument. Pull over at Coachat
C achella
Valley Vista Point for a view
of the vast desert fl oor, then
ella Valley Vista Point for a view
ascend to Paradise Valley, where
ascend to Paradise Valley, where
the Pacifi c Crest Trail passes
through. Pause for lunch and
boutique shopping in the charming
mountain hamlet of Idyllwild or
relax under Humber Park's big conifers
before zipping down the switchbacks
to Banning.
DON'T MISS: An alpine hike on the
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail
on the
122 ANCIENT
BRISTLECONE
SCENIC BYWAY
Come face-to-face with
the magnitude of time on this
amazing drive to the Ancient Bristlecone
Pine For Pine Forest, where the world's oldest trees
amazing drive to the Ancient Bristlecone
where the world's olde t tr
have endured for millennia. The 36-mile byway
begins in the sagebrush plains of the Owens
Valley and ascends 7,000 feet into the White
Mountains. As your surroundings transition
from high-desert scrub to high-alpine fl ora,
you'll see California from a new perspective-
looking west from its eastern border. Walk the
Discovery Trail among ancient pines, some older
than 4,000 years. (Go slow-your lungs may
be challenged at 10,000 feet.) For more ageless
beauty, continue along 12 unpaved miles to see
the Patriarch Tree, the largest of its kind.
DON'T MISS: Gazing at 100 miles of Sierra
Nevada peaks from Sierra View Overlook
123 HISTORIC ROUTE 66:
NEEDLES TO BARSTOW
Route 66 was America's original road trip-a
2,448-mile cruise from Chicago to Santa Monica.
2,448-mile cruise from Chicago to Santa Monica.
This stretch of the his oric " Mother R ad " is
This stretch of the historic " Mother Road " is
California's newest Scenic Byway. The asphalt
California's ne
ribbon cr
t S enic Byw
The asphalt
ribbon crosses the Mojave Desert, a place of
lonesome vistas and Joshua-tree-dotted
s the Moja e D ert a place o
lone ome vis as and Joshua-tree-dotted
plains that time seems to ha e for
boutique shopping in the charming
mountain hamlet of Idyllwild or
relax under Humber Park's big conifers
before zipping down the switchbacks
plains that time seems to have forgotten.
Long, empty stretches
are broken up by faded
neon signs, abandoned
gas stations, and kitschy
otten. ong, empty stretche
are broken up by faded
neon signs abandoned
as s ations and kit ch
adside attractions from
s Motel & Caf
az
roadside attractions from
the glory days. Stop at the Stop at the
the glory da
38 R
1938 Roy's Motel & Cafe
in Amboy to snap photos, gaze
at Amboy Crater's immense
black cinder cone, and search
out 26 historical murals
around downtown
Barstow.
in Amboy to snap phot
at Amboy Crater's immens
black cinder cone and s arch
out 26 his orical murals
around downt wn
rs ow
DON'T MISS:
Artifacts at the Route
66 Mother Road
DON'T MISS:
Artifacts at the Rout
66 Mother R ad
Museum in Barstow
Museum in Barstow
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California Official Visitor's Guide 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2022