Road Trips & Scenic Byways - Eva Varga

We love to travel both abroad and via America’s open roads. America’s Byways are gateways to adventures where no two experiences are the same.

The America’s Byways program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.

We’ve traveled many of these scenic byways in hopes of learning more about our country. I hope we can inspire you to do the same.

OREGON

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (Oregon & California)

The volcanic activity of the Cascade Range has created unique geological formations that can only be seen in this part of the country. From gigantic obsidian glass flows (at Newberry Crater near Bend, Oregon), steaming mud pots at Lassen National Volcanic Park, and lava tube caves surrounded by a wide diversity of scenery make this journey an unforgettable experience.

• Hot Water in Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Castle Crags State Park
• Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway

Outback Scenic Byway

CALIFORNIA

California Hwy 1

Whether your interests include surfing, hiking, bicycling, or sight-seeing, the Central Coast is an ideal year-round destination. Easily reached from Los Angeles or San Francisco, the Central Coast blends world-class wine regions with coastal beauty and rugged mountains. The oceanfront communities along this route are each unique – with innovative restaurants, art galleries, and historic sites.

• The Invertebrates of Trinidad: An Intertidal Scavenger Hunt
• Ventura Beach
• Channel Islands
• Santa Maria BBQ
• A Castle & Elephant Seals at San Simeon
• San Carlos Borroméo del río Carmelo (Carmel Mission)
• On Wind & Sail: Letterboxing in San Francisco
• Golden Gate NRA
• Alcatraz
• Presidio & Fort Mason
• San Francisco Maritime Museum
• Muir Woods

Death Valley Scenic Byway

• Exploring Death National Park
• California Hwys 58 & 178

OTHER

Grand Circle Tour

In the 1920s the Union Pacific Railroad Company created the Grand Circle Tour that allowed tourists to visit several parks in one trip. Tour participants departed from Cedar City, Utah on motor buses and traveled the roads connecting Cedar Breaks, Zion, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. Inspired by the Grand Circle Tour, we embarked on a similar tour of our own in the spring of 2013.

• Astounded by Arches National Park
• Exploring Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks
• Discovering Bryce Canyon National Park
• Discovering Zion National Park
• Ranger Programs at Grand Canyon National Park

Florida Keys Scenic Byway

• Ernest Hemingway’s Home in Key West

Route 66