4 Secret Spots on California Highway 1
California’s Highway 1 is one of the world’s great roadtrips.
Highway 1 winds along nearly 650 miles of the California coast, providing breathtaking ocean views and glimpses of local life in picturesque communities. The road is discontinuous and relatively slow, so most travelers switch back and forth between scenic sections of Highway 1 and “making better time” on Highway 101.
Highway 1 is one of the world’s greatest roadtrips, and it has special significance for me because it’s the last stretch of road connecting our house in San Diego to our family in Santa Cruz. When I leave the 101 in Salinas and head towards the coast, I know I’ll soon be on the receiving end of the best hugs in the world – and my pace quickens.
Over the years of traveling Highway 1, I’ve developed a short list of my favorite spots. These are great places to experience authentic California culture and get a taste (literally) of life around Monterey Bay.
Fields of artichokes line both sides of the Highway 1 as it passes through Castroville.
From south to north:
Castroville, “the artichoke capital of the world”
From Highway 101, Highway 183 cuts through the city of Salinas on its way to the coast. Here the air is cooler, the soil rich and fertile, and coastal fog not uncommon. In Castroville, farm workers harvest produce on both sides of Highway 1.
California produces 99% of the U.S. crop of fresh market artichokes. News flash: In fall 2013, the artichoke was officially declared the State Vegetable – yes, California has a state vegetable. (Other foods nominated for recognition include almonds, avocados, crab, sourdough bread and grapes.)
You can sample and purchase these “edible thistles” at a few spots in Castroville. The Thistle Hut (2047 Watsonville Road) is a roadside stand selling produce harvested in the nearby fields. It couldn’t be fresher and prices are very reasonable. Don’t expect great service. This isn’t Nordstrom, but they will take your money and let you use their porta potty.
Castroville is synonymous with artichokes. Photo courtesy of Pezzini Farms.
At Pezzini Farms, visitors can buy fresh produce and gourmet
food items or dine at the food truck parked nearby.
Pezzini Farms (460 Nashua Rd., Castroville) is considerably more upmarket. Here you can buy fresh produce and a range of food products, such as jars of artichoke pesto sauce and boxes of white cheddar asparagus soup. The service here is very friendly. Martha Stewart visited Pezzini Farms and made this video. If you can’t visit, you can shop online.
Phil’s is the first choice of locals in the Monterey Bay area.
Moss Landing, on the shore of Monterey Bay
This fishing community is the place to go for just-caught seafood. Moss Landing’s commercial fleet pulls in Dungeness crab, halibut, king salmon, albacore, rockfish, squid, black cod, red snapper, and others.
While there are several places to eat, locals agree that Phil’s Fish Market & Eatery is the best (7600 Sandholdt Rd., Moss Landing). Cioppino is the house specialty, but they also make a great clam chowder, some tasty ceviche (octopus and squid) and delicious smoked fish (salmon, albacore, swordfish, and halibut). Both Phil’s and Pezzini Farms have been featured on the Food Network. Phil’s is very popular, so if you decided to eat here, be prepared to wait and possibly share a table.
Moss Landing is also a good place to go whale watching and kayaking.
Watsonville, strawberry heaven
Like Castroville, Watsonville is a farming community – except here strawberries are the stars. The luscious morsels are shipped all around the country – but nothing tastes as good as the just-picked ones from a farm stand.
You can also pick your own at Gizditch Ranch, which is not far off Highway 1 (55 Peckham Rd., Watsonville). These dates vary from year to year (call to confirm 831-722-1056), but U-pick strawberry season usually starts around May 1; olallieberries, June 10; boysenberries, June 25. In September, you can harvest your own Gala, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious apples. They also offer free walking tours of the orchard and berry farm and picnic spots in the orchard. You can buy jam, jugs of apple juice and more in their shop and enjoy a slice in their pie shop.
Love Mexican food? Like all farming communities in California, Watsonville has a large Hispanic population. Because of these permanent residents and seasonal migrant workers, several taco shops and Mexican cafes line Highway 1.
Sunset Beach State Park. Photo courtesy of California State Parks.
Sunset Beach State Park
Ready for a walk? When you are 16 miles south of Santa Cruz, exit Highway 1 at “La Selva” and follow signs to Sunset State Beach. If you’re ambitious, you can walk the length of the beach – or just go 3 miles to the mouth of the Pajaro River. Speaking of pajaros (birds), watch for flocks of beautiful shore birds as you make your way along the sand. The park is also a good spot for an ocean side picnic.
The panoramic view from here is wonderful, but I’ve got hugs waiting for me in Santa Cruz, so I don’t linger.
I hope you enjoy your time on Highway 1. For info on the section of Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and San Francisco, go to Best Places to Walk in Northern California.
Cheers,
Who knew that brussels sprouts grow like buds along the sides of a thick stalk?
Category: Northern California
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
“Secret” does not quite go along with Food Network, Martha Stewart, and popular—but these are great places indeed. What a fantastic stretch of highway. I used to live in Monterey and frequently drive to Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Oh my goodness, you mention Castroville but not Central Texas BBQ? Some great brisket and ribs can be found there.
Outstanding Mexican food is right. The smaller cafes and taco shops are amazing. In Moss Landing, I like The Whole Enchilada.
A very short stretch of Hwy 1 too. No secrets about those places though. Widely advertised, and known. Going south of Carmel there are more delights along the Big Sur, but before you get there, Point Lobos must be mentioned as a great place to hike and see beautiful scenery. In Monterey there are many good places to eat (just avoid Fisherman’s Wharf in general), and many lovely bed and breakfast places in the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel area. I am partial to the Jabberwock in Monterey, and miss the now-closed Inn on 17 Mile Drive. Going north, I love Sand Rock Farm B&B near Soquel.
This website looks different. I like it
I, for one, am looking forward to more “secret spots” on Hwy 1!
They may be well known to locals, but not known enough to us.
I like being drawn in by your “personal discovery” style. . .
Alright, I would go for the strawberries:)
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article plus the rest
of the site is also really good.
Admiring the time and energy you put into your
site and detailed information you present. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while
that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Fantastic read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds
to my Google account.