America's Most Beautiful Seaside Road Trips

Cape Perpetua isn’t the only part of US 101 in Oregon worth driving. The highway extends the length of the state’s coastline, from the Columbia River to the California border. It crosses through forests of Oswald West State Park and across the well-known Depression-era McCullough bridges.

Another of California’s great shoreline drives puts you on a portion of Highway 1 north of San Francisco, a rugged anxiety-ridden stretch of road that winds through Mendocino County. Among the points of interest are Point Arena Lighthouse, the Russian River, Bodega Bay (where the film “The Birds” was shot), Bolinas Lagoon, Fort Ross, and Tomales Bay.

Over on Florida’s west side is Highway 399, which takes drivers out of Pensacola and across the state’s Panhandle. The 22-mile road offers the driver views of sand dunes and plenty of opportunity to take in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Delmarva Peninsula includes three states, though most of the region is within Delaware. The drive starts in Annapolis, Maryland, and winds its way through wetlands and sleepy beach towns. It is also a bird-watcher’s paradise.

The Old Mission Peninsula is a 19-mile drive that starts outside of Traverse City. Along the way are wineries and cherry orchards.