Photo Credit: Matt Ulinski

The Pacific Coast Highway is truly a “dream drive,” most renowned for its legendary stretch through California starting with spectacular redwood forests that touch down to a wild, rugged coast all the way to the sun-drenched beaches of San Diego. Near Big Sur, pictured above, is McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park that flows year-round.

Redwood National Park

photo credit: visitcalifornia.com

photo credit: oceanlight.com

Redwood National and State Parks offers the chance to gaze up at the magnificent old-growth redwoods, some of the tallest trees on earth, as well as watching Roosevelt elk graze in the prairie.

Mendocino

Photo Credit: visitcalifornia.com

The coastline around the picturesque town of Mendocino is especially jaw-dropping. The town itself is the only one on the California coast designated as an historical landmark.The streets are lined with grand Victorian buildings and saltbox cottages.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Photo Credit: justluxe.com

You’ll even get to travel across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay.

Bixby Bridge and the Big Sur Coast

Photo Credit: struxtravel.com

Just when you think the views can’t possibly be any better, as you venture further south, winding around each bend you’ll be amazed at the increasingly magnificent scenery.

Hearst Castle, San Simeon

Photo Credit: photopilot.com

Photo Credit: Flickr: Michael de la Paz

Designed and built for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, this breathtaking Moorish castle that has 165 rooms along with 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways is also along this magnificent drive and open for public tours.