California Coast Driving Tour: From Carmel by the Sea to Santa Cruz

This Carmel to Santa Cruz Driving Tour is a collaboration by Lynn Momboisse and Carmel Cares founder Dale Byrne. It takes in the picturesque splendor of the coast, its forested interior and patchwork of agricultural fields on a driving tour along Highway 1. Starting in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, our route heads north toward Monterey Drive, mostly hugging the coast, all the way to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You’ll exit the freeway periodically to drive through picturesque towns that you’d otherwise miss like Fort Ord, Castroville, Moss Landing, Aptos, and Capitola. Along the way, you’ll hear about: • California’s early Native American history • Carmel and Santa Cruz Mission • The early pioneers of Monterey and Santa Cruz, and these counties’ agriculture • The history of Fort Ord • Aptos and Capitola, and other early Californian beachside communities • Santa Cruz’s Victorian architecture There’ll be an opportunity to visit three state parks, with all fees for entrance, parking and beaches charged separately. If you’re unable to visit one or more of the state parks for any reason, you can always listen to the relevant section after the tour by choosing the Virtual option. For more detailed information about these stops please see “Places to stop along the way” in the tour description, where we’ve listed current prices, optional park hikes, as well as extra places to visit that are nearby but not included in this driving tour. This roughly 55-mile long driving tour can be completed in under two hours if you drive at the speed limit, without making any stops. On the other hand, this is your adventure. Stop wherever, whenever, and for as long as you want. It’s up to you.

MORE INFO / BUY NOW