You want to see the ocean from behind the steering wheel. Coastal routes give you the best views in the world. You pack your bags and rent a car. You hit the gas pedal and leave the city behind. The open road calls your name. You roll the windows down. You smell the salt air. You hear the waves hit the rocks.
Here are four of the best coastal drives in the world…
Route 1: Pacific Coast Highway, California
You steer north from Los Angeles to San Francisco. You travel right on the edge of the tall cliffs. The Pacific Ocean crashes violently against the rocks far below. You rent a vintage convertible from the 1960s. You pull out onto the asphalt. You grip the thin steering wheel.
Here is why. The PCH offers a perfect slice of mid century American road trip culture. You pass small coastal towns that look exactly like they did in 1975. The motels still flash neon signs in the dark. The local gas stations still have old pumps. You stop at a roadside diner in Big Sur. You eat a fresh crab sandwich on toasted sourdough bread. You look out the glass window at the blue water. The happy home chef inside you wants to make this meal at home. You can easily bake sourdough bread in your own kitchen. You mix flour, water, and a wild yeast starter. You let the dough rest. You bake it in a smoking hot cast iron pan. You slice it thick and serve it with fresh crab meat and mayonnaise.
Next steps. Pull over at the Bixby Creek Bridge. You take a photo of the massive concrete arches. You watch the sun sink deep into the water. You feel the cool evening fog roll in over the hills.
Route 2: The Amalfi Coast, Italy
You fly to Naples and rent a small manual car. You travel south to the Amalfi Coast. The narrow road clings tightly to the side of steep mountains. You look down and see bright blue Mediterranean water. Small towns spill down the cliffs like bright colorful blocks.
Let’s break it down. You steer carefully around the extremely sharp corners. You honk your horn to warn other cars. You pass large lemon groves growing on terraced hillsides. Local farmers have grown these huge lemons for centuries. You stop your car in Positano. You walk down narrow stone stairs directly to the beach. You buy a small glass of cold limoncello. You taste the strong sweet and sour lemon flavor. The cold drink cools you off in the hot sun.
Here is why. This route forces you to slow down completely. You cannot rush on these narrow roads. You accept the slow pace. You stop at a small stone church overlooking the sea. You sit alone on a wooden bench and read a Psalm. The quiet moment brings total peace to your mind. You watch the small wooden boats bob in the harbor below. You hear the church bells ring in the distance.
Next steps. Ride your car up to Ravello. You walk through ancient gardens hanging high above the ocean. You look at the old marble statues. You stare at the endless blue horizon. You eat a plate of fresh pasta with clams for dinner.
Route 3: The Cabot Trail, Canada
You visit Nova Scotia in the fall. You steer around the Cabot Trail loop on Cape Breton Island. The paved road climbs high into the mountains and drops right back down to the sea. The thick trees turn bright red, orange, and yellow. The colors look like a painted picture.
Let’s break it down. You watch carefully for wild moose crossing the asphalt. You roll your windows down and feel the crisp, freezing autumn air on your face. You stop in tiny fishing villages. You talk to the friendly locals. They speak with a thick, fast accent. You buy a large, steaming bowl of hot seafood chowder. You eat it with a wooden spoon.
Here is why. The freezing Atlantic Ocean provides incredible fresh seafood. You cook a warm chowder at home to remember the cold trip. You chop raw potatoes, white onions, and green celery. You cook them slowly in butter and heavy cream. You add fresh chunks of haddock and small scallops. You serve it with cracked black pepper and a warm, flaky biscuit. The hot soup warms you up completely from the inside out.
Next steps. Hike the Skyline Trail right at sunset. You walk along a flat wooden boardwalk sitting directly on the edge of a high cliff. You look closely at the water below. You search for giant whales swimming in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Route 4: The Ring of Kerry, Ireland
You travel to the extreme southwest corner of Ireland. You ride the famous Ring of Kerry. The very narrow road winds through bright green fields and dark rocky coastlines. You see white sheep grazing near the water. The wild Atlantic Ocean crashes violently against the dark rocks.
Let’s break it down. You travel past ruined stone castles. You feel the heavy, ancient history of the land. The walls stand tall but miss their roofs. You stop your car in small, quiet villages. You walk into a dark pub. You listen to fast traditional music playing in the corner. You drink a dark, bitter stout. You eat a greasy plate of fried fish and thick cut chips. The salt burns your lips in a good way.
Here is why. The local weather changes every five minutes. You see heavy, black rain clouds roll in fast off the sea. The rain hits your windshield hard. Ten minutes later, the sun breaks through the clouds. You see a massive, bright rainbow appear over the water. The dramatic light makes perfect photographs. You bring a good camera to capture the bright green hills and the dark gray water. You snap photos out of the car window.
Next steps. Pull your car over at the Kerry Cliffs. You stand safely behind the ropes. You look at the jagged Skellig Islands far off in the distance. You feel the strong, cold wind pull hard at your winter coat.
Route 5: Chapman’s Peak, South Africa
You travel to Cape Town. You travel south along the Atlantic coast. You quickly reach Chapman’s Peak. Old engineers carved this specific road right into the side of a massive rock mountain. Dark red rocks tower high above your car roof. The bright blue ocean drops away steeply on the other side.
Let’s break it down… You pay the toll booth attendant and enter the winding road. You handle exactly 114 separate curves. You ride very slowly and look at the water. You look down for small dolphins jumping in the white waves. The late afternoon sun hits the rock walls and turns them bright orange. You feel very small next to the massive mountains.
Here is why… This short route offers massive visual rewards. You pull your car into one of the designated picnic spots. You unpack a woven basket of food. You eat cured, salty meats and hard local cheeses. You watch the ocean waves hit the clean white sand beaches far below. You hear the seagulls crying in the wind. You take your time and enjoy the meal.
Next steps… Steer your car all the way south to the Cape of Good Hope. You stand at the very edge of the continent. You watch the rough, angry water spin and churn. You take a deep, long breath of the cleanest air in the entire world.