A local’s twist on the classic coastal road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Have grippy shoes and cameras ready for a new perspective on a classic road trip.

See ducks, turtles, birds, and other wildlife.

Houses along the canal in Venice, Los Angeles, California

Credit: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Seasonal native dune plants and wildflowers attract butterflies and birds.

Consider a sunset hike for majestic views.

Devil’s Slide Trail, Pacifica

Walk on the only stretch of Highway 1 closed to cars.

The quiet place in the morning next to the Stow Lake.

Let photo prove our life/Getty Images

The easy1.3-mile paved trailhas signage, benches, and ocean views.

Devil’s Slide was part of Highway 1 for many years but was dangerous because of falling boulders.

Look closely to see a railroad bed in the hilly terrain, the only remnants of an ill-fated railway.

Rugged coastal cliffs by the Devil’s Slide trail in California at sunset and silky ocean from long exposure

SvetlanaSF/Getty Images

The one-hour scenic Equestrian Trail ride ($100) has beach and ocean views but skips the sand.

Book the 90-minute Trail and Beach tour ($110) to ride on Poplar Beach.

The Early Bird Special offers a two-hour trail and beach ride for $85.

The Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, a 436-acre park with bluff and forest trails is viewed from one of its many vistas on in Cambria, California.

George Rose/Getty Images

Shakespeare Society of America Headquarters, Moss Landing

To stop or not to stop?

That is the question and the answer is yes.

Peruse the rare book and reference collection, museum and memorabilia, visual art, and theater arts archive.

View of a large rock in the ocean from the road

Daniel Gorostieta/Travel + Leisure

The quirky, Instagram-worthy public art and murals in the West End are created by local and visiting artists.

Heads up: the trail can be slippery.

Bring binoculars for wildlife sightings.Reservationsare necessary.

The Lake Shrine park retreat on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles.

LordRunar/Getty Images

Marley Family Seaweeds, Cayucos

Hunt vegetarian style and munch on kelp (it’s nutritious!)

on aprivate seaweed foraging tourwith the Marley family.

Learn about sustainable and respectful harvesting and how to forage edible seaweed.

Exterior of the beach house

Christian Hundley/Travel + Leisure

Then enjoy a seaweed ramen treat on the beach.

Plan your visit for low tide when marine life is more visible.

Find more marine life at a beached boat inPoint Estero.

Venice Canals

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

but check out the secluded estuary and wetland inhabited by hundreds of animals and plants.

After filming, director Cecil B. DeMille had the set buried in the dunes.

There it sat until archaeologists excavated it in 2017.

See the huge sphinx head, prohibition-era liquor bottles, makeup, and tobacco tins at theDunes Center.

Park at the El Capitan surf spot overlook.

Plus, enjoy lush Victorian gardens and free concerts (the first Sunday of each month).

They’re now an integral part of the 107-acre Mediterranean-themed gardens, which have since grown back.

It’s operated by the City of Santa Monica.

Stroll along sidewalks and bridges to photograph the pretty canals.