Coastal Georgia areas have housing developments or wetlands along the coast and drives are generally not scenic. The best water views on this fun Florida Gulf coast scenic drive from Punta Gorda, Sarasota, or Fort Myers are on the causeway. Car, train, bus, or bike: the Hudson Valleys options for transportation are as diverse as the destination. Starting Location: Beaufort, SC Bluffton is home to the lovely and historic Church of the Cross, with its Low Country interpretation of Gothic revival architecture. This affords visitors with scores of things to see and do, but it also makes it difficult to decide how best to experience this region. Turn right on Johnson Beach Road off Perdido Beach Road, about 5.5 miles east of Flora-Bama. Are you the type of person who finds the journey sometimes more enticing than reaching the actual destination? In Murrells Inlet, hangout with pelicans on the MarshWalk. Perhaps it was impeccable timing on my part but I have never seen such vivid water colors as on the Florida Boca Grande Causeway between Placida and Boca Grande. The 7 Best Backroads In South Carolina For A Long Scenic Drive Need to get away? These are the best. Roam 1-mile of undeveloped beach, (an accessible beach wheelchair is available on a first come basis). The Awendaw Creek Canoe Trail meanders underneath US-17 and around barrier islands along the Intracoastal Waterway. No AWD, only 4WD. This 6.6-mile section of what is known locally as the Old Georgetown Road is among the longest and last unpaved portions of the 1,300-mile Colonial era road that once linked Charleston, South Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts. This scenic drive from the island of Hilton Head passes through pretty scenery and coastal views. Scenic Drives. Admission is free. Continue on 170 and 278 to Bluffton. Visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, drive on the sand in Oregon Inlet and Cape Hatteras, and hike in Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. 18 minutes. Best Season to Drive: All Heading north from South Padre, Ocean Blvd is seven miles of nearly pristine sand dune landscape. Hobcaw Barony (A20) preserves a 16,000-acre nature conservation site and historic mansion once visited by Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt. Seawall Blvd in Galveston is fantastic. There is a fee for the tour and reservations are highly recommended. As the highway nears Brighton Beach, however, the scenery adopts a quaint, beach town feel with an array of boats and little coves to delight the eye. Whether youre itchingto peek into Wild. We rented a car and just drive around and it was a lot of fun. Does it helps to run A/C or Compressor (by moving the knob to blue) during winter. One All-American Road is the 72-mile northern section of Big Surcalled Route 1 Big Sur Coast Highway and between Carmel and Ragged Point Vista (all within Monterey County). Although Hawaii is the second smallest state, it has more coastline than all but three states (Alaska, California, Florida). neighbor are a must for a fresh-roasted caffeine fix and chatting with locals. Islands, sand dunes, lighthouses, wild horses, shipwrecks, and first manned airplane flight sound pretty fun too. 3. The best coastal US scenic drives deliver epic water views and beach access on popular and lesser known US road trips. The Hopsewee Plantation (A19) was built in 1740, and was also the birthplace of Thomas Lynch, Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Located just an hour South of Myrtle Beach along U.S. 17, Georgetown boasts not only great restaurants, shops, and historical attractions along . An RV campervan gets you to the heart of the US national parks. Hilton head Plantation is world famous as a thoughtfully-planned vacation community, and has served as the inspiration for dozens of similar destination towns along the nations coast. Now I would do it as much as possible. It's home to the very green and accessible, On the homestretch to Charleston, make a pit stop at. Thank you for the note. Columbia is the capital city worthy of a few days to explore. Follow 128 to 170. On Captiva Island, a short but remarkable one-mile stretch of Captiva Drive juts along the Gulf. Although this scenic drive is short, it is big on things to do with a wide array of attractions and chances to fish or canoe the Ashley River, which this route follows. Make the most of your time in the USA with Lonely Planets range of travel guides. Over 9,000-acres showcase an incredible array of plants, trees, flowers, and bushes including 250 year-old Live Oak trees, a palmetto garden, and seasonal plantings beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds. Orient yourself and learn more from environmental education and interpretive programs at the Francis Marion National Forest/Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center (A17). Best Season to Drive: Spring, Summer But this winding, two-lane road takes you past a dozen must-see attractions - and one of the most spectacular overlooks in the South Carolina upstate. The Francis Marion Ranger District offers the perfect opportunity to get out and explore. A nice route is to continue to 250 then onto 270 back to 19 to Kona. See this drive on Google Maps. Relax afterwards with an elegant southern tea or lunch in the River Oak Cottage Tea Room. Take time to stroll The Strand or enjoy the bike trail (which goes all the way to Santa Monica). We want to do all these road trips. A great road is a great road, but if youre riding a motorcycle, youre looking for something special: twisties, vistas, turnouts, that perfect stretch of, With over four million miles of highway, the USA offers more road trips than anyone could tackle in one lifetime. Top 10 Scenic Drives in South Carolina by Elan McAfee on November 13, 2015 Save Big on Auto Repairs Get a Quote South Carolina has a particularly diverse landscape with five main types of regions - the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Sandhills, the Fall Line, the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Keyword. History buffs cant skip out on a visit to Cowpens National Battlefield, approximately 10 miles north of Gaffney. Thank you so much for visiting this ultimate guide to US coastal scenic drives. South Carolina has a particularly diverse landscape with five main types of regions the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Sandhills, the Fall Line, the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This drive through the South Carolina Lowcountry is full of wetlands views and plantation homes just off the road, many of which are open for touring, including Castle Hill Plantation. Myrtle Beach (W6) is a blend of carnival atmosphere with a dizzying array of shops outlets stores, arcades, souvenir stands and food galore, kitschy and wonderful, amid breathtaking ocean views. See this drive on Google Maps. Watkins Glen and the Finger Lakes, New York. The water views will end when you hit the island but drive to the end and walk onto East Point for super views. With changing water views that oscillate from lagoons with Spanish moss hanging overhead to the open ocean, this drive differs from most coastal tours. Length: 16 miles I went to Hawaii last year and loved the Big Island. Smores over the campfire. A one-mile stretch of Ocean Blvd is an oasis of water views for Long Beach drivers. Please read the drive description for more information. About six miles with continuous water views interrupted only by a couple of beach buildings and piers. Enjoy! There is a wonderful half-mile beach drive/parking lot parallel to the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the road in Assateague Island National Seashore. The Discovery Center Museum and Gift Shop features interactive exhibits and a 1200-gallon saltwater aquarium. Length: 19 miles Ocean Parkway offers about nine miles of continuous water view on Jones Beach Island from Jones Beach to Cedar Beach. There is a parking area and a short walk to the red brick columned ruins. Aside from the refreshing salt air, sandy beaches, and water views, this route from Okatie on the mainland that ends with a loop around Hilton Head Island retains a small beach town feel despite a booming tourist business, thanks to ordinances limiting development. Another very tranquil and remote coastal scenic drive section is A1A south of Bethune Beach onto Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Plantations, history, and Southern charm. The last 3/4 mile is undeveloped, except for a county park facility. Passing through quite a few state parks, Cherokee Foothills . The Coast Highway offers glimpses of the Pacific Ocean along Capistrano Beach, Aliso Beach, and downtown Laguna Beach. Also known as the Tiny Church, the church seats only 12 people and is worth a detour for spiritual refection, to get married, or a photo op. See this drive on Google Maps. It is a fun coastal drive though. Yet, in most cases the a/c compressor may not come on if the temperature is too cold. So, dont second-guess snagging a bite at that roadside pecan stand, taking a pitstop to admire the fall foliage or opting for an off-the-cuff detour to explore a quaint downtown. It is home to two National Historic Landmarks, Drayton Hall and Middleton Place. The 12 mile stretch north of Yerba Buena is particularly fun at night. Length: 122 miles guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance Fishing villages, lighthouses, cliffs, and magnificent coastline await exploration and discovery. Highway 101 remains inland while highway 1 is the coastal route. Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya Castle (A22) is a delight, featuring nature trails, wildlife observation decks, 3 ponds, 3-miles of pristine beach (in summer, look for the life-guarded area on South Beach), fishing, boating, camping, and biking. Thank you! Enjoy. . Local expert guidance is strongly recommended as vehicles can get stuck from many hazards. And theres no time better to own a car than when the sun comes out and the summer months roll around. . Ashley River Road. Travelers Rest. Enjoy wildlife watching and a picnic overlooking the Intracoastal. Its funny how much I used to dread the overseas highway drive down to the keys as a kid because we used to do it so often. It is home to two National Historic Landmarks, Drayton Hall and Middleton Place. Across the water is Victoria Canada, about 18 miles away. Click the scenic drive name to see a photo and description of it below. Please leave comments with or email me information and pictures of your favorite scenic US coastal road trips. The South Carolina scenic route is more than just winding country roads and stunning views. It is a perfect place for Gulf Coast sunset views, if you cannot find a room at the nearby and magnificent South Seas Island Resort. The best coastal US scenic drives deliver epic water views and beach access on popular and lesser known US road trips. Take advantage of any parking spot you can find and walk the breath-taking Coast Walk Trail or just people-watch the surfers, swimmers, beachgoers, walkers, and drivers. Even though the following Atlantic US coastal scenic drives are listed from north to south, we recommend driving them from south to north in order to be closer to the coastline. The museum also hosts lectures and programs, as well as a pottery studio. Continue along route 17 to Mount Pleasant, and visit the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum to see the USS Yorktown, and three other vessels, as well as to learn some of the history of the Vietnam War. Try public parking near the 40 Steps entrance on Narragansett Avenue and try to devote a few hours for this magnificent walking path. But the great outdoors will most likely dominate your . The best views are around Kealia Beach and from Hanalei to the end. Sound off in the comments section! With all of the the bayous and wetlands along the Louisiana coast, here might be tougher than any other coastal US state for scenic coastal drives. Boone Hall Plantation is still a private home; the owners offer a visit to the ground floor of the mansion, as well as Slave Street and interpretations of Gullah life. Length: 18 miles Otherwise nothing between the road and the water except dunes. Our scenic drives on the US Gulf coast are listed below starting from southwest Florida, up the Florida Gulf coast, across Alabama beaches, Coastal Mississippi, and Louisiana, and then down the Texas Gulf coast. If youre looking to unwind or enjoy an active family-vacation, youll find something for everyone here. Two Connecticut coastal scenic drive possibilities are Shore Road around Groton Long Point andSoundview Drive to Barnum Blvd in Bridgeport South End. Closed Sunday. Until perhaps Bald Island and Alligator Point. A plethora of festivals delight every season, including the World Famous Blue Crab Festival held mid-May and the Carolina Country Music Festival in June. Although not on the top of a mountain, the rolling hills of this small city in South Carolina make it easy to view the surrounding mountains. Our scenic drive begins on US-17 heading north after crossing the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway along the Big Sur coastline is one of the the worlds most famous road trips and one of the seven coastal All-American Road honorees. Toward the end of the drive lies Hunting Island State Park, which is ripe with fun opportunities like hiking, biking, or climbing to the top of Hunting Island Light for panoramic views. Near the Cooks Chasm Bridge, just south of Yachats, explore the natural wonders called Thors Well, Spouting Horn, and Devils Churn. adjacent to the trout-filled Foxaway River. Then continue on 1A onto Nahant Road. PCH / Highway 1 comes back to the coastline in Santa Monica and stays there for 40 glorious miles through Malibu and Point Mugu, where it heads inland to merge with US 101 near Ventura. In fact, it is TWO of the seven All-American Roads. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County, please note that highway 1 and highway 101 split. At the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay, US Highway 13 travels across (and under) the water for 17.6 miles and connects the Delmarva peninsula / Virginias Eastern Shorewith Virginia Beach. South Carolina's beautiful and diverse landscapes make each road trip a completely different experience JamesReillyWilson / Getty Images, South Carolinas best road trips: Upcountry, Lowcountry and everything in between. Heading south, check out the NewberryOpera House with its elegant balconies and red velvet seats. Then again, perhaps I was white knuckling it because of the 7 trillion hairpin turns. The gondolas are handicapped accessible. With outstanding natural resources, Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (A24) is the perfect location for viewing wildlife along trails and boardwalks, mountain biking, and picnicking under covered pavilions. Stop in Gaffney for fresh produce from the farmers market or roadside stands and explore the historic buildings downtown. The duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. Another interesting stop is the Hephzibah Jenkins Townsends Tabby Oven Ruins, which is the remains of an 1815 commercial bakery. Over 300 species of birds have been seen here. Get directions from your start address to the beginning of and including this scenic drive. The inland portion of this route is characterized by wetlands, towering oak trees, and historic homes with vast lands. Stargazing. No surprise that Charleston and Savannah rank among the top tourist destinations in America. Savor ten miles of pristine Gulf Islands National Seashore protected area, with only sugar sand dunes between you and the Gulf of Mexico (and a handful of park operated beach access areas). If you're looking for action and attractions, you'll find many here such as the SkyWheel, a 187-foot tall Ferris wheel and light display, Ripley's . Indeed, Jan, I love road trips and scenic drives. The 25 mile section of highway 109 between Taholah and Sampson hugs the remote coast of western Washington state. For now, our US Coastal drives are confined to the three big bodies of water (Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf) but perhaps updated versions will include lakessuch as Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake, and the Great Lakesand rivers. The 7 best places to visit in South Carolina, Florence to Hardeeville, 162 miles (261km). Sign up for our updates. There is only one tour a day, starting at 2 p.m., so making reservations is recommended. To make such decisions even harder, the state is full of historic remnants from Native American tribes, the Revolutionary War, Civil War era, and more. At Amelia Island State Park is a great place to drive on the beach sand. Admission is free. Spartanburg to Charleston, 213 miles (343km). Coast Blvd provides phenomenal coastal scenery from atop the La Jolla cliffs. Take time to see and hike to waterfalls, take smaller coastal scenic byways, and stop of roadside produce and malasada stands. For a quaint town with a nature-loving vibe, hit Walhalla. 9. The 3.5 mile section of Vista Del Mar between El Segundo and Playa Del Rey provides ocean views but on the other side of the road are massive wastewater treatment facilities and LAX airport. The Pacifica to Santa Cruz portion of Cabrillo Highway is a particularly scenic 60 mile stretch along the Pacific Ocean. From Charleston, you can take a side trip down to Folly Beach. At the southern end of the Washington coast, intrepid drivers can drive on the Long Beach sand. Day 5: Tarpon Spring, Dunedin, Crystal River. To the south, the federal mansion-clad town of Beaufort, the historic inns of Charleston and the massive, In some instances, US-17 is tucked away like the beaches themselves. and back again taking in totally different landscapes and cultural facets with each route. This is a strolling city, and one could easily spend an entire day enjoying it. Ending Location: North Augusta, SC Do you have a differentfavorite road trip in the USA? If you do, consider a meal at the Lost Dog Caf or the Black Magic Caf. West of there, US 98 and 30A are shoreline roads, with occasional stretches of water views. The cities or towns listed have either Food or Services such as gas, pharmacies, etc. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. There are several old plantations just off the route to explore, including Brookland Plantation and Windsor Plantation. Ending Location: Edisto Beach, SC Ending Location: Brighton Beach, SC Much of the Southern California coastline is built up and coastal roads will not offer water views. Situated on the southern edge of Lake Marion, Santee is also popular for its fishing and golf facilities statewide. Main Park Road in Grayton Beach State Park runs parallel to the coastline and (bonus) vehicles are allowed on the beach here. Your best bet for seamless beach access is between Pawleys Island and North Myrtle Beach, where you can hit the popular family-friendly destinations of Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach along the way. The Seward Highway is one of the 30 All-American Roads and it includes the highway 1 portion between Anchorage and Portage. For more road trip inspiration, please see:Fabulous Road Trips Around the World. Unlimited stops Plan trips worldwide Divide your trip into days Export to GPS or Print and more handy features! Use our free Road Trip Planner to completely plan your adventure. McCool Travel 8 Great Pick: Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Encompassing nearly 260,000-acres, Francis Marion National Forest is home to dense pine stands, towering bald cypress trees, swamps, and marshes.