Driving from LA to San Francisco: This is where you want to stop! #1

For my girlfriend’s 25th birthday in March, we flew from Greensboro to Burbank, CA and drove up the beautiful coast of California for two days until we reached San Francisco, where we stayed for several days to explore. We were told that this is the trip of a lifetime, a trip up the winding, breath-taking coast that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime if they get a chance. Whoever it was doing the telling, I’m here to let you know: they were so right.

The trip, all told, was a slice of heaven. Breezes lush with the scent of flowers, cliffs jutting out into BLUE-blue water, delicious foods and unusual people. We took a kabillion pictures, and we’re still working on polishing off our travel journal (yes, we know it’s June 2nd).

For those of you planning a trip like ours (whether you drive from LA to SFO, or SFO to LA, or even if you throw in Yellowstone and Redwoods and all that jazz), I am beginning an ongoing series of posts about the places you’ll want to stop during your trip. Great restaurants, great views and a generally kick ass to do list, in no order what-so-ever, brought to you by yours truly. Let’s begin.

We had such well-laid plans. We were going to drive-drive-drive up and stop for lunch at a Thai place I found online, but alas, despite our three sets of directions, finding this joint was impossible. We looked everywhere, and each time our directions dead-ended. So…we gave up. We stopped to get gas, saw a super-cute little coffeehouse across the way and decided to check it out instead. We prayed they would have SOME sort of food. And boy did they.

The Morro Bay Coffee Company, in Morro Bay, CA, was a blessing. Free wi-fi, well-lit and impeccably decorated (fun paint colors are a must in my book), diverse menu with actual lunch offerings in the form of delicious bagel sandwiches and super-friendly and knowledgeable service from the counter-person (who turned out to be one of the owners’ daughters).

We ordered a shocking amount of food and drink (we were hungry and it’s nice to have a beverage on the long, winding road) and stuffed ourselves silly. The chai tea lattes we grabbed for the road were amazing. The bear claws were sticky sweet and coated from top to bottom with sliced almonds. But besides their coffees and smoothies (Roo Roo Berry was our pick), the Turkey and Swiss bagel I ordered for lunch was out of this world. Everything bagel on the bottom, piled high with turkey and avocado slices and topped with plenty of gooey, melty swiss cheese. *Swoon. Just the right balance of crispy crunchy and smooth. A steal for $6.95.

Having forgotten about the Thai food, our server pointed us the right way to the highway (just a stone’s throw away from their parking lot) and we hit the road, Jack. Morro Bay Coffee Co. is open until 5pm Monday through Saturday and until 3pm on Sunday. Look here for directions or call (805) 772-8880 if you need more information! Check them out if you’re ever nearby!

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