It’s no secret that pretty much everybody nowadays loves “the ‘Gram”, especially those travellers amongst us. So grab your camera and check out my unmissable Instagram stops for a California road trip.
Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco
I was so excited to see the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco generally. I had heard so much and seen so many photos and I really couldn’t wait to see it (and photograph it) for myself. To say that it was a let down would be a complete understatement. The spectacular, one-mile-wide suspension bridge was shrouded in a wet fog for my entire San Francisco visit. I actually managed to catch the sniffles from traveling on the top deck of the open top bus!
Still though, the bridge is a must-see for any California visit, and I won’t allow my bad experience with the weather to exclude it from the list. I was more than a little tempted to share a stock photo of the bridge in ideal conditions. But in the interest of honesty and full disclosure (seriously, the weather sometimes just isn’t on our side when we travel, right?), I have decided to use one of my own pretty bad, unedited, foggy holiday snaps instead.
Monterey
Before my 3-day tour of the coast with Explore California Travel, Monterey was not somewhere I had heard much about. But since one of the overnight stops was there and there was also an optional add-on of a visit to the aquarium on offer, I had the chance to experience somewhere that I probably would not have visited otherwise.
There are plenty of photo ops inside the aquarium, especially if you are there to see the divers going into the tanks at feeding time. It was the coastal view that took my breath away though.
Carmel
A pretty little town, one mile square in area, Carmel (or Carmel-By-The-Sea as it is often called) has some nice little shops and a very beautiful beach. Again it isn’t somewhere that was on my original must-see list for my west coast trip, but it has some great views of the sea and the town itself is an Instagram dream.
With very strict planning and development regulations, the town has kept a sort of old-world feel that will take you back to a simpler time. New buildings must be built around existing trees and there are no street lights or parking meters.
Bixby Bridge
This is one Instagram spot that was definitely high up on my bucket list. As one of the most photographed features on the USAs west coast, it is one of the first visions to pop into my mind when I think of Big Sur. I actually wasn’t sure that I would get to see it due to a large section of the highway being closed following landslides. Luckily for me though, our excellent tour operator brought us down to see it before doubling back to avoid the road closures.
Seriously, the structure is SO impressive. Because it is so widely photographed, it was one of those moments where I felt a slightly unreal sensation that I was actually standing looking at it in real life.
San Simeon
A quick stop before Hearst Castle brought us to San Simeon. There’s a lovely pier that’s decent for photos but the really amazing sight is the elephant seal colony. It is estimated that over 25,000 elephant seals visit the 6-mile stretch of beach each year. Click here for details on the best place to view the elephant seals and how to get there.
Hearst Castle
This is another place that wasn’t really on my radar or my bucket list before I took my west coast tour with Explore California Travel last summer. Another optional extra on the itinerary, I checked out the pictures on the website and fell in love with the place long before the visit.
It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in the California sunshine, seeing this beautiful castle and hearing stories of how the wealthy William Randolph Hearst entertained the Hollywood elite of the time, including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Greta Garbo. Expect beautiful architecture, amazing views and an indoor pool.
Solvang
I think that Solvang is hands-down THE cutest, prettiest town I have EVER seen (and don’t forget that I am from Ireland, the home of cute, pretty towns). It is completely picture perfect, just like stepping into the real-life location of a Hans Christian Anderson story. Honestly, even the public toilet block is picture worthy.
Everywhere you go, you will be presented with picturesque buildings and more photo ops. And, just in case you are tired and in need of a good, old-fashioned sugar fix, Solvang is also home to some fantastic bakeries and pastry shops, making it a winner all-round.
Stars On The Sidewalk – Los Angeles
No trip to LA would be complete without a walk along Hollywood Boulevard in hope of spotting your favourite star on the sidewalk. Although I had a very short time in LA and saw very few of the typical touristy things, I stayed in a hostel just off the Boulevard so I did have the chance to check out the infamous Walk of Fame.
With over 2,600 stars in total, spread out over several blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and some of Vine Street, make sure to do your research if there is a particular star that you want to see.
Santa Monica – Los Angeles
Santa Monica pier is another of those iconic LA views that any travel or Instagram fan will more than likely be familiar with. It’s also a nice break from the crazy pace of the city itself. Grab a beach towel and charge up your phone or camera so you can take plenty of shots. And if you visit in summer, don’t forget sunscreen and a bottle of water. It gets seriously hot out there.
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