I’ve traveled the majority of the 1500-mile Pacific Coast Highway twice so far in my life. Each occasion was a splendid journey filled with an abundance of oohs and aaahhs aimed at the breathtaking scenery found along the route. One of the joys of taking this road trip--besides the ever-so-spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean--is the feeling of getting lost in each moment as you meander along the highway, seeking out that next hidden gem. Whether that prized treasure is a cliffside restaurant specializing in tasty local fare, a campground nestled within a grove of Redwoods, or a gorgeous piece of sparkling sea glass to add to your collection, this drive is loaded with them.

After reading Road Trip USA: Pacific Coast Highway by Jamie Jensen, I realized I have barely scratched the surface of all the treasures still waiting to be found along the Pacific Coast Highway route. This perfect-to-shove-in-your-purse-sized little book is overflowing with route highlights. You won’t miss a thing because the book starts at the very north end of the Pacific Coast Highway in rugged Port Townsend, Washington and guides you all the way through to desirable La Jolla, California.

The book is segmented into the three states that the Pacific Coast Highway passes through--Washington, Oregon, and California. In carefully chosen, yet perfectly descriptive words, the author takes the reader on a journey detailing every part of the trip. In each of the cities and towns passed through, the reader is given a short summary on the history, as well as highlights of activities to do once in the area. There are several restaurant and lodging suggestions in each section and the author does a splendid job of including choices for all travel budgets. Not only are towns and cities highlighted, but state and national parks, beaches, and other recreation sites are included as well. Each section also features a map so the reader gets a nice visual of the area they are reading about.

The book is also fun and colorful and filled with darling images depicting historical photos, unique roadside attractions, and kitschy old-fashioned postcards. One of my favorite features is the little sidebar snippets of historical and regional facts, community festivals, and other juicy tidbits that readers would find of interest that can be found on most of the pages.

Road Trip USA: Pacific Coast Highway is a great little read regardless of whether your plans include heading down the Pacific Coast Highway. But be warned—once you start flipping through the pages, you just may find yourself planning a Pacific Coast Highway road trip in your very near future.

BellaOnline’s RV Editor picked up a copy of this book at her local library branch.