California Highway 154:
San Marcos Pass Scenic Highway

In the unlikely event that you've grown tired of driving along the California coastline, there's a scenic alternative to consider, west of Santa Barbara.  California Highway 154, also known as San Marcos Pass Road, quickly gains altitude as it twists and turns into the mountains. 

I found this road by mistake, thanks to my GPS.  To a computer, I suppose it looks like a shorter route to head over the mountains, rather than following Highway 101 west (along the coast), then north.  The Pacific Coast Highway is almost definitely a quicker route, even if it is longer.  Route 154 is two lanes, full of curves and steep grades, while 101 is a 4-lane highway.

I started into the mountains just after sunset, and just before a downpour of rain arrived, so I didn't get to see everything that this stretch of highway offers.  But, you can watch the first few minutes of the drive on this Drivelapse video. 

	San Marco Pass Road skirts the edge of Lake Cachuma, a manmade lake formed by the Bradbury Dam.  You should catch some occasional glimpses of the lake as you drive by on Route 154.

	Keep following Highway 154 -- it will eventually run into US 101, and you can continue on to the Pismo Beach area.

	Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay Guided Hike, Channel Islands Pacific Coast Highway: Malibu Fishing Pier Channel Islands Boat Trip by Island Packers   San Luis Obispo, California: Bubble Gum Alley, Mission   Pismo Beach, California Morro Bay and Morro Rock, California Mission San Juan Capistrano, California Mulholland Drive - LA96C Missile Site Dog Park Below Hollywood Sign

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