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Epic Drives of the World
Epic Drives of the World from Lonely Planet describes 50 of the world's
most exciting road trips, including, of course, the Pacific Coast Highway.
Epic Drives of the World
This handsome and hefty coffee-table book isn't cheap, but
it's the kind of publication that will make a great gift for someone, possibly
yourself. In addition to the 50 drives covered in depth (four pages per drive),
each one has three more suggestions at the end of other similar drives you might
like.
Epic Drives: Pacific
Coast Highway
Which leads us to the Pacific Coast Highway. This is one of
nine USA drives included in the book, and to start at the end, the other
suggested drives if you liked the PCH are the Okanagan Valley Tour in Canada; a
Modern Art Meander in Provence, visiting the places painted and lived in by
artists like Picasso, Van Gogh and Matisse; and Wonders of Ancient Sicily,
taking in ancient ruins, farmland and volcanoes. I'm not sure how these are
similar to the Pacific Coast Highway, but never mind.
The main drives each have two two-page spreads, following a similar format. Most have a full-page photo to really whet your appetite for the beauty of the drive, an overview map, several more inspiring photos or the occasional artwork, and about two-three pages of text.
Epic Drives of the World
Each drive also has a Directions box, which doesn't actually give you
the directions but instead has practical information like the start and end points, length
of the drive, the best time of the year to do it, and suggestions of where to
stay, where to eat and a Hot Tip. Don't expect in-depth information, though –
you only get one recommended place to stay and one to eat in the whole 1050
miles from Seattle to San Francisco!
This kind of book is not about detailed information, however. You'll still need guidebooks and maps if you're going to make the drive. They're about ideas and inspiration, and for that they work well. The author of the PCH entry captures the feel of the drive well, and the book is a collection of well-written essays rather than a guidebook-style more factual approach.
Other Epic USA Drives
If driving the Pacific Coast Highway inspires you to plan
another road trip in the USA then there are plenty here to choose from,
including a Napa Valley drive. That hardly counts as epic, being only 156 miles
(251km), although it has novelty value as the driver tackles it using an
electric vehicle.
Route 66 is included, of course, along with drives around the Southern Utah National Parks, the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, and a drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Epic Drives of the World Sample Drive
Drive around the
World
The book covers the world, of course, and includes six
drives in Australia, though only five in the whole of Asia: India, Bhutan,
Vietnam, Nepal, and South Korea. So China is missing completely, as is Russia.
Ireland is represented by The Wild Atlantic Way and a circular drive from
Belfast that takes in the Antrim coast.
There's one drive in Scotland, which is an odd choice, from Portree on the Isle of Skye to Applecross on the mainland. This is a beautiful drive but only 74 miles (119km) in length – again, hardly epic. Why not cover the North Coast 500, which has been described as 'jaw-droppingly beautiful' and 'Scotland's answer to Route 66'? This was introduced in 2015, two years before the book was published, and would be a much better choice if you want to justify the word 'epic' in the title.
The Verdict
This is an enjoyable read and a beautifully-produced book. We
have a few quibbles over the choices, which is always the case with lists of
any kind, but we certainly wouldn't object to receiving it as a present, and
would be happy to give as one to a keen driver or armchair traveller.
Other books pages
The Los Angeles travel guide book from Lonely Planet also covers San Diego and Southern California, including Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and Disneyland.
Greetings from California is a beautiful coffee-table book which describes the legends, landmarks and lore of California, including the Pacific Coast Highway.
The Frommer's Guide to Seattle has good information about the city and side excursions to the Olympic National Park and elsewhere, plus free city and area map.
Moon's Spotlight Guide to the Olympic Peninsula covers hotels, restaurants, and sights, including Forks, the Olympic National Park and other places.
California Living and Eating by Eleanor Maidment is a handsome coffee table book celebrating the food and lifestyle of the Golden State with 80 tasty recipes.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews the book Culture Trails by Lonely Planet, which has a section on Vintage Hollywood alongside 51 other perfect weekends.
Lonely Planet's Guide to Cycling the USA West Coast is a bicycling guidebook for anyone touring California, Oregon and Washington by bike.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to Washington coast charging stations for electric vehicles along Highway 101 from Oregon and around the Olympic Peninsula.
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is made easier with Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen, a good handbook for the west coast drive.
If visiting California and planning to drive the Pacific Coast Highway it's important to know California driving laws in case they differ from your own state.
The Napa and Sonoma Guidebook to California Wine Country is from the Moon Handbooks’ travel guide series with reviews of wineries,vineyards, and wine tastings.
Some of the best California Backroads are included in Backroads of the California Coast, with 24 highly recommended driving tours off the Pacific Coast Highway.
One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.
Pacific Coast Highway stops include big city vacation destinations like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and smaller places like Monterey.
Northwest Wine Country is a food and wine lover's guide to vineyards, fine dining, accommodation, restaurants in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel takes the 17-Mile Drive from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey, stopping to see the Lone Cypress and beautiful coastline views.
101 free San Francisco attractions and things to do are in the Kindle guide, 101 Free Things to Do in San Francisco, in the Travel Free eGuidebooks series.
Drive times and distances on the Pacific Coast Highway or the quickest routes from Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego.
One of the best guides to West Coast RV Parks, covering campgrounds in California, Oregon, and Washington, is West Coast RV Camping from Moon Guides.
The guide to California Bed and Breakfast Inns lists over 250 boutique hotels, wine country cottages and more.
Driving from San Francisco to San Diego has two main options, the fast way on I-5 or the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Here are the basic facts if you plan to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, including which is the best direction and when is the best time to go driving.
Road maps of the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH are essential for anyone planning to drive the trip, and detailed routes are available for free.
Vintage Hollywood in Los Angeles is an extract from the Lonely Planets book Culture Trails.
Brewpubs and good beer are at the heart of the Good Beer Guide to the West Coast USA which lists the best bars and breweries from Seattle to San Diego.
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