Carmel-by-the-Sea voted most sought-after family road trip
Going for a leisurely stroll along the beach during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is as traditional as turkey and stuffing for many Central California Coast families. A visit to the beaches of the Monterey Bay is a popular way to work off a heavy holiday meal or take a much-needed break after spending all day in the kitchen (or watching football).
And, according to a recent poll, Carmel-by-the-Sea, the home of white sandy beaches and picturesque views, has been voted California’s top Thanksgiving weekend road-trip destination for families.
Gunther Motor Company carried out a survey of 3,000 families to uncover the most sought-after Thanksgiving destinations they’d love to experience on a 2024 road trip, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, the quaint village, which famously, has no addresses, and whose mayor, was at one time none other than Hollywood actor, Clint Eastwood (apparently, he fought to overturn the city’s ban on ice cream cones), made the top of the list in California.
Other California destinations included Garberville in Humboldt County and Gualala, a quiet, evocative stop along Pacific Highway 1 north of San Francisco.
The destination is the journey: 17-mile drive in nearby Pebble Beach
While the beachside community with its numerous cafes, restaurants, and chic boutiques is a perfect destination to while away a couple of hours, if you want to take in the scenery without leaving the comfort of your car, there is the famous 17-mile drive in nearby Pebble Beach.
The scenic route, which requires a toll to enter, takes motorists through the Del Monte Forest and features the famous “17 Points of Interest” including Seal Rock, a tucked away beach at the mouth of Seal Rock Creek and The Lone Cypress, the famous 250-year-old Cypress tree overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point features a grove of sun-bleached Cypress trees overlooking a Big Wave surf spot whose swells can climb to 50 feet during certain winter conditions.
Highway 1:Must-sees on California’s Pacific coast road trips
Most desired family road-trip in Hawaii
Overall, the Gunther Motor Company survey found that families’ top three road-trip destinations for this year’s Thanksgiving weekend holiday are in Hawaii, Tennessee and Georgia.
1. Hāna, Maui, Hawaii
The Hana Highway offers a 64-mile stretch of coastal views, with stops at Wailua Falls, Ke‘anae Peninsula, and Waianapanapa State Park. In Hāna, there is Hāmoa Beach or the rugged coastline leading to the lush Kipahulu District of Haleakalā National Park.
2. Ducktown, Tennessee
To get to Ducktown motorists drive through Tennessee’s rolling hills and mountain landscapes. Travelling along U.S. Route 64 hugs the Ocoee River. Ducktown is located near the Ocoee Whitewater Center, with trails, picnic spots, and rafting opportunities. As a side trip, there is Blue Ridge, Georgia, just a short drive away, a small-town that offers scenic train rides through the mountains.
3. Helen, Georgia
Helen sits on Georgia’s Scenic Highway 75, a drive that takes motorists through the North Georgia mountains with vistas that glow with autumn hues. The drive to Helen offers plenty of overlooks, including at spots in Unicoi State Park, which offers hiking and picnic areas lakeside. Helen is known for its Bavarian architecture. The winding mountain roads make the journey to Helen feel like a European alpine adventure.
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