Extreme adventures await on California’s coast

Wild California

Discover big adventures along the Golden State’s coast

BY SARAH SEKULA

As a 7-year-old girl, I went to sleep-away camp in northern California, where I’d spend my time catching crawdads by day and snoozing under redwoods by night. As a family, we’d take trips to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf to watch street performers, eat clam chowder or picnic at the beach and giggle at the sea lions' noises. As an adult, the adventures continued and became more daring as I realized I thrive on adrenalineinducing fun.

Lucky for me, California is a thrill-seeker’s haven. With mountains galore, 1.6 million acres of state parks and 840 miles of coastline, it’s easy to find active excursions such as piloting a plane over the Golden Gate Bridge, scuba diving in La Jolla and parahawking — paragliding with a trained raptor — off cliffs at Torrey Pines. That said, here’s a roundup of some of the coolest options packaged as one epic road trip. Grab some snacks and curate a few playlists; it’s time to roll.

First things first: You need a set of wheels. And it sure doesn’t hurt to choose a vehicle packed with personality. Recreational vehicle rental service Outdoorsy has vintage Airstreams, tiny teardrop trailers and luxe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. If you opt for one with a cooking setup and shower, you can bypass hotels altogether.

It makes for an easy way to tackle multiple adventures in one fell swoop. The use of recreational vehicles has become so popular, in fact, Outdoorsy’s bookings have increased more than 4,500 percent during the pandemic.

“More than ever, I think people are craving disconnection and distance from the modern world and a reconnection to the natural world,” says Jennifer Young, Outdoorsy’s co-founder and chief marketing officer.

Once you’ve got your transportation sorted, it’s time to hit the road.

MENDOCINO

Begin your adventure in the laid-back county of Mendocino, about 130 miles north of San Francisco. Here, you can grab a dose of forest therapy by hiking the Lost Coast Trail. The star of the show? Candelabra-shaped redwoods. Their branches shoot haphazardly upward in all directions like the hair of those lovable troll dolls from the ’80s. Afterward, make your way to Vacaville, a quiet inland community dotted with hiking trails and climbable basalt boulders. Here, you can board an ICON A5 — a two-seat amphibious plane that looks like a sports car and maneuvers like a jet ski — at ICON Aircraft’s headquarters.

Then, learn to fly it.

You can sign up for a two-hour demo flight for a firsthand look at California’s seaside towns, including San Francisco, complete with a Golden Gate Bridge flyover. The first thing you’ll notice when you get in

MENDOCINO

SAN FRANCISCO

BIG SUR

SLO CAL

CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO

TIPS FOR BOOKING CAMPSITES ALONG THE COAST

“The saying ‘the early bird gets the

worm’ definitely rings true when it comes to nabbing a good campground reservation,” says Outdoorsy’s Jennifer Young. “Pro tip: It’s great to call when making your reservation versus booking online so you can ask questions and find out about any special events and discounts.”

ICON A5

Big Sur

the plane is that its dashboard looks familiar, almost like a car dashboard; it was designed to make learning to fly less intimidating. Swing over Lake Berryessa for water landings, stare in awe at Marin County’s shoreline and take over the controls, if you so wish.

SAN FRANCISCO

Now that you’ve scored a bird’s-eye view, get a street-level view of San Francisco. To burn some calories, rent bikes to explore Golden Gate Park — but keep your eyes peeled, because bison roam the park. To relax, sit a spell on the porch at Cavallo Point, the Lodge at the Golden Gate, and book an aromatherapy wrap at the spa. Then, grab dinner at Mountain Home Inn; you’ll want fuel for exploring Muir Woods National Monument and Mount Tamalpais State Park.

BIG SUR

Head south on Highway 1 toward Big Sur. The spellbinding road here is designated by the Department of Transportation as one of America’s Byways, recognized for its cultural, historic and recreational qualities. In other words, be prepared to be wowed by unspoiled, majestic vistas the entire way.

“There is no such thing as a bad view, twist or turn along the Pacific Coast Highway,” says Young. “It’s hard to beat a week taking deep breaths of that brisk, salty ocean air or a weekend sightseeing in small, picture-perfect beach towns.”

When you’re ready for a driving break, stop at Ventana Big Sur resort for dreamy views, plenty of rest and relaxation and some serious stargazing. View the stars from the hotel or sign up for a night hike through redwood forests and learn about the vivid constellations >

along the way. (Note: There is a detour as you head further south because a section of Highway 1 has eroded.)

SLO CAL

The next stretch of road hugs the iconic coast of San Luis Obispo (aka SLO CAL) for 100 miles. Known as the Discovery Route, its noteworthy pitstops include Ragged Point, San Simeon, Cayucos and Cambria, a small town known for its antique shops. With a national marine sanctuary, national estuary, 13 state parks, an elephant seal rookery and Monarch butterfly preserves, it’s nearly impossible to be bored in SLO CAL. When you’re ready to venture indoors, spend time at the luxe Cliffs Hotel and Spa at Pismo Beach.

SAN DIEGO

Last, but not least: San Diego, a coastal city known for its gorgeous cliffs, incredible climate and trendy neighborhoods. First, swing by Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for an experience you won’t find anywhere else in North America. Fly With a Bird takes brave guests parahawking over the beautiful beach below. The raptor follows along and continually perches right next to you. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, sign up for falconry lessons with Total Raptor Experience.

“It’s one of the best places in the world to soar,” says David Metzgar, owner of both companies. “We have the perfect wind conditions here to do it.”

Next, score some ocean time nearby in La Jolla, a picturesque seaside town. From July to September, this area has the largest annual aggregation of leopard sharks in the world. (Don’t worry, they are harmless and quite beautiful.) Sign up to scuba dive or snorkel the La Jolla kelp beds with Waterhorse Charters, one of San Diego’s most popular scuba diving outfitters. They’ll take you to explore the kelp forests where it’s not uncommon to spot sea lions and bright orange garibaldi fish; or explore the Wreck Alley shipwrecks, if you’re a more advanced diver. If you have a full day on your hands, consider a trip to the Coronado Islands, where sea lions abound.

“The beauty of Recreational RV travel is that vehicles opportunity is at allow your fingertips,” travelers to says Young. “There’s experience plenty to see, do and discover between more of their outdoor destinations. point A and point B, and RV travel offers you the flexibility to change your plans, read that historical marker and check out the hot spring that lies 3 miles off the beaten path.”

And now, it’s time for the trip finale, in an aerobatic stunt plane, no less. Score some serious Gs with Sky Combat Ace, where you take over the controls and master insane maneuvers like high-altitude barrel rolls, spins and tailslides (holding the plane vertically before descending down). Once you are thoroughly worn out, recover at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa’s awardwinning, 7,000-square-foot spa for a deep-tissue massage and dinner at Mustangs & Burros for chicken mole tacos and margaritas.

Oh, and smile: You just completed the best road trip ever. l