By Leah Still
Facts & Information About the California Coast
The California coast has long been inspiration for musicians and artists and a dream destination for Americans in land-locked states. From the Oregon border to the
Mexico line, there are hundreds of miles of natural beauty and attractions.
State Highway 1
Near Half Moon Bay, California
State Highway 1 is more than 650 miles long and runs from Leggett in the north to Dana Point in the south. This stretch of pavement will take you by some of the country's most beautiful coastal areas like Big Sur, Half Moon Bay and Muir beach, California.
State land
There are almost 200 state parks, state recreation areas, state beaches, and state reserves along the California coast.
Federal land
Two national parks--Redwoods and Channel Islands--and the Point Reyes National Seashore sit on the California coast.
Coastal cities
San Francisco, California
San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego are some of the biggest, most vibrant, most interesting, and most important cities in the United States.
Islands
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island lies in the San Francisco Bay, and it is open for tours of the closed prison. Catalina Island in the south is frequented by Los Angeles tourists and residents for its relaxed pace and beauty.
Beaches and surfing
There are thousands of Pacific ocean beaches and surf spots on the California coast. Some well-known ones include Mavericks, a surf location near Half Moon Bay, Venice Beach, a funky spot in Los Angeles, and Huntington Beach, a surf locale in California's wealthy Orange County.
About the Author:
Leah Still has written about travel, fashion and home design since 2003. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including "SKI" magazine, Southernaccents.com and Gusto.com. She has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and broadens her education with both domestic and international travel.
Photo Credits:
Photos by Leah Still
