Trip Time: Several days

From the Mediterranean-style elegance of Santa Barbara, drive east to charming Ojai, then north through the wild Los Padres National Forest and across the Sierra Madre Range, popping out at Santa Maria’s emerging wine country. Drive north through the college town of San Luis Obispo, then up on Hwy 1 to hug the coast all the way through Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. From Monterey, a detour will take you to the sleepy mission town of San Juan Bautista.

The Route: From Santa Barbara, follow winding Hwys 192 and 150 east to Ojai, then north on Hwy 33 and Hwy 166 until it joins Hwy 101 at Santa Maria. Drive north on Hwy. 101 through San Luis Obispo, then veer west and north on Hwy. 1 through Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. From Monterey, detour via Hwy. 156 to San Juan Bautista.