The Corridors: the Pacific Coast or Highway 1

Wrapped in the fog that drifts in from the bay and draped over steep hills facing the Pacific, San Francisco is one of America's most beloved cities, refined, rebellious and deeply cosmopolitan. Its symbol is the Golden Gate Bridge, the unmistakable red span reaching out towards the ocean, revealed and hidden by the morning mists. To walk the city is to be surprised by its rolling streets, still climbed today by the famous cable cars that scale the heights of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, offering sudden glimpses of the water. Along the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront the sea lions of Pier 39 bark and the air smells of sourdough bread and fresh crab, while offshore stands the island of Alcatraz, with its historic penitentiary reachable by boat. The charm of San Francisco lives in its neighbourhoods: the Victorian Painted Ladies around Alamo Square, the Chinese energy of Chinatown, the oldest and liveliest in America, the rainbow, activist streets of the Castro, and the bohemian ferment of Haight-Ashbury, cradle of hippie culture. At the city's core, Union Square buzzes with shopping and theatres, while the Civic Center and museums such as SFMOMA and the de Young reveal its cultured soul. Green spaces abound: the vast Golden Gate Park holds Japanese gardens, conservatories and trails down to the ocean. The dining scene is among the most innovative in the country, from fusion cuisine to the wines of the nearby Napa and Sonoma Valley and organic markets. From San Francisco it is easy to set out for California's national parks, the redwoods of Muir Woods and the Big Sur coast. Free, creative and swept by the ocean wind, San Francisco wins over anyone willing to be led by its hills and its suspended light.

There are several beautiful seaside locations along the way, such as Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Capitola Beach. Monterey stretches along its namesake bay on California's central coast, where the nature of the Pacific puts on a show. Its celebrated Monterey Bay Aquarium, overlooking the old canning district of Cannery Row immortalised by John Steinbeck, ranks among the finest in the world. From here begins the scenic 17-Mile Drive, winding past wind-sculpted cypresses, cliffs and coastal mansions to Pebble Beach. Nearby, Carmel-by-the-Sea charms with its art galleries and white beaches, while the bay rewards visitors with sightings of whales, otters and sea lions. Between seafood cuisine and inland vineyards, Monterey is an invitation to experience the most authentic and wild side of California. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a refined town on the California coast, overlooking the turquoise waters of Monterey Bay, famous for its fairy-tale charm and artistic soul. Its little streets, without sidewalks or neon signs, wind among cottages with steep roofs, elegant boutiques, art galleries and gourmet restaurants, in an atmosphere reminiscent of a European village. The white-sand beach fringed with cypresses and the iconic Carmel Mission, founded in the eighteenth century, complete its unique character. A few minutes away unfolds the spectacular 17-Mile Drive, a coastal route past cliffs, legendary golf courses like Pebble Beach and wind-sculpted cypress forests. Between art, sea and timeless calm, Carmel is a refuge of elegance on the Pacific coast.

Although it is not an official geographical designation, Big Sur is the name given to the 150 km of rocky, wild and rugged cliffs pounded by stormy waves between Hearst Castle and the Monterey Peninsula; and it extends inland for about 30 km, between the Santa Lucia Mountains. The breathtaking Pacific Highway 1 was carved into the rock above the stormy ocean in 1937. The best way to enjoy its beauty is to drive slowly, often leaving the car and exploring its numerous parks: a simple ten-minute walk immediately transports you into the wild nature. But for those with little time, the must-see stops are Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, a waterfall that drops over 20 m onto a remote beach in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Look up to the sky to see the endangered condors, and watch the sea for whales or sea otters swimming among beds of kelp, a typical California marine habitat. Morro Bay stretches along California's central coast, gathered around its calm harbour and dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of Morro Rock, a towering volcanic plug rising from the ocean like a stone sentinel. This fishing town retains an authentic, laid-back atmosphere far from the bustle of California's busier destinations: the small harbour is alive with fishing boats, sea otters drifting among the kelp and colonies of sea lions. The Embarcadero, the waterfront lined with seafood restaurants and shops, invites strolling while sampling the freshest catch, while the vast protected estuary draws birdwatchers and kayakers. Nearby lie sand dunes, the trails of Montaña de Oro State Park and the vineyards of the interior. Morro Bay is the ideal stop along Highway 1 for those seeking nature, sea and quiet. Miles of golden sand and waves made for surfing define Pismo Beach, a lively seaside resort set along California's central coast. Famous for generations for its carefree summer atmosphere, the town centres on the historic pier reaching out over the ocean, a gathering point for anglers and sunset lovers. The broad sandy expanses are perfect for long walks, while the nearby Oceano Dunes invite off-road trails and outdoor adventures. Between November and February, groves of eucalyptus host thousands of monarch butterflies that overwinter here, creating a remarkable natural spectacle. Between a feast of fried clams, a visit to the wineries of nearby Edna Valley and a sunny day on the shore, Pismo Beach embodies the authentic, sun-drenched spirit of coastal California. Ventura stretches along the Californian coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, a laid-back beach town that keeps its historic wooden pier and a walkable downtown lively with art galleries, vintage shops and restaurants. Its Spanish past lives on in Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782, while the seafront invites strolls, surfing and Pacific sunsets. From here ferries depart for the Channel Islands, a wild archipelago protected by a national park where sea lions, whales and endemic species can be spotted among cliffs and pristine coves. Inland, the Ojai Valley adds vineyards, citrus groves and a spiritual atmosphere. With its slow pace and mild year-round climate, Ventura is an ideal destination for those seeking sea, nature and authentic Californian coastal life away from the crowds.

Santa Barbara stretches along the coast of Southern California, nestled between the waters of the Pacific and the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Nicknamed the "American Riviera" for its mild climate and Spanish colonial architecture, the city charms with its red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls. Its historic heart is the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful 18th-century Franciscan mission, while the County Courthouse tower offers a spectacular view over the rooftops and the ocean. The seafront promenade of Stearns Wharf invites sunset strolls, and the golden beaches are ideal for surfing and relaxing. All around stretch the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley, renowned for their fine wines and tastings. Santa Barbara enchants those seeking Mediterranean elegance and Californian dolce vita.

Along the Pacific coast, one encounters several iconic locations: luxurious Montecito, home to many international jet set stars; Ventura, where one can stop to visit the beautiful old town and stroll along the pier that stretches out over the ocean; Malibu, long famous for its long sandy beaches, waves perfect for surfing, luxurious hillside villas, and wellness culture. Los Angeles, home to Hollywood, Disneyland, and Universal Studios, is the epitome of carefree living for visitors: year-round sunshine, palm trees swaying in the wind, movie stars with luxurious residences in the hills of Beverly Hills, stunning museums, avant-garde architecture, and surf beaches.

In the 200 km that separate Los Angeles from San Diego, stretches the Orange Coast, 70 km of beaches, natural reserves, coves, tourist ports, and legendary waves: the homeland of US surfing. San Diego stretches across the southernmost tip of California, along the Pacific coast just steps from the Mexican border, blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate in the United States and an unmistakably laid-back seaside spirit. This is where California's first Spanish mission was founded, and that past survives in Old Town, where adobe houses, courtyards and Mexican cooking recall the city's origins. Its monumental heart, however, is Balboa Park, a vast urban garden home to Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, some fifteen museums and the famous San Diego Zoo, among the most important in the world. Towards the harbour, the Embarcadero waterfront lines up historic tall ships such as the Star of India and the floating museum of the USS Midway aircraft carrier, while the Gaslamp Quarter pulses with evening life among Victorian buildings, restaurants and bars. The beaches set the city's rhythm: the elegance of the Coronado peninsula with its historic hotel, the surf at Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, the cliffs and coves of La Jolla where sea lions and seals bask in the sun. The cuisine celebrates the closeness to Mexico with its fish tacos and a lively craft-brewery scene that has made San Diego a capital of American craft beer. All around, scenic roads lead to theme parks, nature reserves and, across the border, to Mexican Tijuana for a day trip. Between sunshine, ocean and an ever-living Hispanic-Mexican heritage, San Diego invites you to experience the most authentic California at the slow pace of days by the sea.