The route from San Francisco to Los Angeles was my favorite part of the trip. We had to cover around 440 miles with a longer 3-hour stop in Santa Barbara so that we couldn’t afford almost any stops, so unfortunately I have almost no photos.

The goal was also to hit as many places after which macOS versions are named as possible: Mavericks, Monterey, Ventura, and Big Sur. The latter was not possible due to the landslide, but we did hit the rest, as these places were all along the route.

Pacific Coast Highway

From San Bruno, we went directly on State Highway 1 – one of the country’s most beautiful and scenic drives. The area near San Francisco was absolutely stunning, with ocean views, hills, cliffs, trees, and small towns nested in them. In fall, nature adapts differently, and we see a mix of plants that turn yellow, completely brown, or still lively and green.

There is plenty of green as well. Again, unfortunately, I didn’t capture even a 5% of the beauty of this place.

The Salinas Valley

Because of the closure of a significant section of California 1 near Big Sur, we made a turn near Monterey and went down the Salinas Valley, which is one of the most productive agricultural regions in California. Entering the peaceful valley bathed in the warm California sun was breathtaking. The entire drive was serene, with Sierra de Salinas on the right and Gabilian Range, as well as strawberry fields, grapes, tomatoes, and other major crops dotting the landscape.

The only photo I took from the valley was at the Camp Roberts Rest Area.

Santa Ynez Mountains

The next stop was Santa Barbara, but to reach it, we had to pass the Santa Ynez Mountains on Highway 154, which was the first time I encountered California serpentine roads and a climb to around 600 meters – many more were waiting ahead. The most beautiful segment of the road was near Lake Cachumba.

We were already short on time, so we headed straight to the city and made no stops, which I now regret a little – this area is worth exploring. To the very least, you must stop at at least some of the marked vista points to take in the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, often called the “American Riviera,” is a dazzling coastal city where Spanish Colonial Revival architecture meets the serene embrace of the Pacific Ocean and the towering Santa Ynez Mountains. I had no prior expectations, and I was stunned by the beauty of this town.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse has a free observation deck from which you can see both the mountains and the ocean.

State Street

State Street is where all the actions happen. We strolled its palm-lined streets framed by stunning mountain and ocean vistas and then headed to the pier.

Santa Barbara Pier

The Santa Barbara Pier, officially known as Stearns Wharf, is a historic landmark and a hub of activity in Santa Barbara, California. Built in 1872, it’s the oldest working wooden wharf in California. Stretching out into the sparkling Pacific Ocean, it offers stunning views of the coastline, Santa Ynez Mountains, and Channel Islands.

After spending a few delightful hours exploring the city, we made our way to a taqueria for some simple. It was getting late, so we headed to our next destination – Los Angeles.