This post is the first in a three-part series about road tripping Highway 1 with kids
When I was a young girl in England, America seemed like a magical faraway land coated in Hollywood glitter. After all, my only touchpoint was the larger-than-life films that I watched in my parents living room. My point is, you may think there is no way a teenager from England could name something as random and specific as a U.S. highway. But the truth is, as a kid, I could name two; Route 66 and California’s Highway 1. It took me and my kids several years to check Route 66 off our travel list, but Highway 1 was a different story.
My love affair with Highway 1 began almost as soon as my feet touched American soil. At first my forays were limited to destinations that were only a stone’s throw from San Francisco. Places like Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, where the surfing is good, and the coastline views are even better. In fact, you could often find me, on any given Saturday, at Cameron’s Pub & Restaurant. It is here you can enjoy a taste of my motherland, and stock up on British groceries. However, it didn’t take me long to start straying further afield and I’ve been consistently exploring Highway 1 ever since.
These days I get just as much pleasure sharing old haunts with my kids as I do finding new adventures. The majority of our coastal excursions are either done as day trips on the weekend. Or we sometimes parlay them into longer visits with family in Los Angeles.
So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite stops for kids in Northern California along Highway 1. Did I hear someone say road trip?
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is located about 70 miles north of San Francisco. At first, it may not seem like an obvious destination choice for kids. It feels small and remote because it is. As of two years ago, the population was less than 1,000. It also isn’t somewhere you’d automatically consider for a California sun and sand vacation. I don’t think it’s ever been hot when I’ve visited – even in the summer.
What Bodega Bay does offer is the same type of small-town seaside vacation that I used to love as a kid in England. One filled with majestic bluffs, wild rugged coastline, tidepools, and great seafood fresh off a local boat. It is a place to unplug and enjoy time with family, all while surrounded by amazing beauty.
Take a hike along the peninsula or stroll and play at one of the beaches. Head out to the Bodega Head Trail with a pair of binoculars for some gray whale watching. Or enjoy a four-legged adventure with Horse N Around Trail Rides. My husband still remembers his first horseback ride along a beach in Bodega Bay. Which is saying something because he’s old and grey now.
If, by the end of your visit, you find yourself craving civilization – take an hour detour to wine country on your way home. Bodega Bay is, after all, part of Sonoma County.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Want more wilderness? Pack up the kids and take Highway 1 south from Bodega Bay and you’ll reach the Point Reyes National Seashore. This stretch of coast has been the protected home for all kinds of creatures since 1962. More than 25 endangered or threatened species feed seasonally in the waters surrounding Point Reyes. Today, on land, you can see (and hear) northern elephant seals. You can also see wild tule elk reclaim their former stomping grounds after being hunted to near extinction.
The only tricky thing about Point Reyes is that it really is impossible to see everything in a single day. This is because you are navigating rural single lane roads. And there aren’t a ton of accommodation options to choose from if you want to stay the night. I therefore recommend picking and choosing what you want to see.
If you are travelling with older children, make your way north to the Historic Pierce Point Ranch. It is the gateway to the Tule Elk Reserve using the Tomales Point Trail. The old historic buildings of Pierce Point Ranch offer a unique glimpse into what ranching used to be like more than 150 years ago. I’ve found them interesting to wander around before you set out on the 10-mile Tomales Point hike. The hike itself is moderate in difficulty given that the trail follows a ridge crest along a narrow peninsula. But the views are worth it. Plus, if you are lucky, you may also see some tule elk.
For smaller kids, take them south to Chimney Rock beach. Here they can get within 25 feet of very large, and sometimes very loud, elephant seals. There is even a gift shop next to the parking lot where you can fuel up with a snack or hot chocolate.
If your family is surefooted, Point Reyes Lighthouse is also a good place to stop. There’s a great visitor center a short distance away from the small parking lot. But the highlight is taking the 300 steps down to the lighthouse itself. However it is only allowed when wind speeds remain below 40 mph. This part of the Point Reyes Headlands is also a good place to watch migrating grey whales.
Marin Headlands
The Marin Headlands holds a special place in my heart. It was here that my husband proposed to me all those years ago. Certainly, to many, the headlands are considered a “crown jewel” of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which spans 80,000 acres north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are so many trails you can take, that there really is something for every ability. A favorite when my kids were elementary age, was the Tennessee Valley Trail. It is under 4 miles out and back, and mostly flat, especially if you take the lower trail. Best of all it leads you to a little beach. But, if your kids can handle a steeper grade, try hiking down to Kirby Beach instead. At the bottom you’ll not only find a beautiful uncrowded sandy beach, but also a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course, staying high and wandering around areas like Battery Alexander can also be fun. Especially if you time your visit with whale watching season. You can see humpback whales in the spring, grey whales between December and May, and even an occasional blue whale late summer/early fall.
For families not into hiking, the Marin Headlands offers other immersive experiences. Head on over to the often windy and foggy Golden Gate View Point for an up close and personal look out at the Golden Gate Bridge. Or make your way to the Marine Mammal Center, the world’s largest marine mammal hospital. It is a great place to learn about ocean conservation. All of the animals here are rescues being treated with the intent of releasing them back into the wild.
Last, but not least, for kids aged 6 months to ten years, there is the Bay Area Discovery Museum. This place was a favorite with both my sons for many years. There is so much learning, exploration, and discovery to do that you’ll find you run out of time before trying everything.
San Francisco
Highway 1 picks up again after Golden Gate Bridge and takes motorists through the Presidio; a 1,500-acre national park that was once an active Army base. Like other California parks, there are plenty of trails to explore. However, for older kids, there is also the Walt Disney Family Museum. The museum is bigger than you think. More importantly it offers wonderful insight into the life and work of Walt Disney. You’ll learn about his humble beginnings, to his work as a cartoonist, and his role as a movie innovator. The museum, which is in the old Army Barracks 104 building, is full of memorabilia and video exhibits. It also houses an amazing 14-foot scale model called “The Disneyland of Walt’s Imagination”. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen, the model showcases the many things built or conceptualized by Walt Disney during his lifetime.
Venturing on from the Presidio, head to Golden Gate Park. A National Historic Landmark in its own right, this park is also supersized at over 1,000 acres. More importantly there is so much to see and do here as a family. Start at the east end by visiting the California Academy of Sciences. You can see sea creatures, walk inside a living rainforest, gaze at the stars, and explore hands on exhibits. Once you’ve had your fill, make your way west toward the Pacific Ocean and sightsee popular spots within Golden Gate Park. Some of my kids favorites are the Japanese Tea Garden, the Buffalo Paddock, and the Dutch Windmill.
As you drive out of the city, along Highway 1, consider making one last pit stop with your kids. This time at the San Francisco Zoo. While San Francisco Zoo is smaller and less known than the zoo in San Diego, it is still well worth a visit. My kids can spend an eternity watching the Western Lowland Gorillas alone.
Happy Travels!
Looking for some more Highway 1 inspiration?
Cool Places to Stop Along the California Central Coast with Kids
How to do a PCH Road Trip with Kids in Southern California
