On the hippie trail: touring the California coast

San Francisco

San Fran's hippie history

San Fran was the epicentre of the hippie movement during the 60s – the home of flower power. As the famous Scott McKenzie song goes, ‘If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.’ Many people did, as they flocked to epoch-making events like The Human Be-In in 1967 and the Berkeley protests in 1968.

Experience the beatnik atmosphere of Haight-Ashbury, the world-famous City Lights Bookstore and the Castro District. It was here, in the 60s, that activist Harvey Milk spearheaded the LGBT liberation movement. Our California coastline tours give you a full free day here, so there's plenty of time to explore and soak up the atmosphere.

What else is there to do?

• Sample delicious street food in Chinatown, one of America's oldest Chinese districts and one of the biggest outside Asia. We'll have the chance to tuck into some tasty treats during our guided tour of the city.

• Take the boat over to Alcatraz for a dose of history (and some fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge).

• Order a seafood lunch at Fisherman's Wharf. Try creamy clam chowder in a crusty bread 'bowl' - delicious.

• Browse the shops in Union Square, then hop on one of the city's iconic cable cars for a ride around town.

Monterey

A festival city

This laidback city on the California coast is a piece of hippie heaven. During 1967, thousands of hippies set up shacks here, some of which still remain today. They arrived to attend the Monterey Pop Festival – an event that was held during the Summer of Love.

The festival saw the first major American appearances by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who and Ravi Shankar. Janis Joplin and Otis Redding also featured on the line-up. Many saw it as a template for the Woodstock Festival, which took place at the end of the decade.

Monterey today

Nowadays Monterey retains its chilled out atmosphere by hosting events like the Monterey Jazz Festival. On your visit enjoy seafood fresh from Monterey Bay, stroll around the aquarium, attend a wine tasting or take a self-guided history tour.

Big Sur

A landscape to inspire

Of all the things to do in California, driving along the winding coastal roads of Big Sur is one of the most thrilling. This rugged 90-mile stretch of coast backs onto an untamed wilderness of redwood trees, hot springs and waterfalls.

During the counterculture years, Beat Generation writers sought seclusion from everyday life here. Jack Kerouac even entitled one of his novels Big Sur, which records the solitude of this wilderness.

It was here, in the swinging 60s, that experimental primal scream therapy was first pioneered by freethinkers at the Esalen Institute as well.

Experience Big Sur

Travellers can enjoy the hiking trails today, and the spectacular scenery. You might even decide to pen that novel you’ve always dreamed about writing.

Our day of driving Big Sur packs in a whole host of California coastline attractions. Our journey from Monterey to Pismo Beach first takes us along 17 Mile Drive. One of the loveliest roads in the world, it follows the jagged coastline past pebbled coves, wide bays and cypress forests. We'll then have lunch in lovely Carmel, before continuing along Big Sur to Cambria.

It's definitely a day you'll want your camera fully charged.

Los Angeles

Embracing LA's bohemian vibe

Los Angeles hippies were all about beach balls, bathing suits and free love. Venice Beach was a big hippy hangout in the 60s, with famous names like Jim Morrison making their homes there. This is still a popular spot if you plan to travel to Los Angeles.

Today you’ll find tanned yoga lovers, trendy slackers, bongo drummers deep in thought and all kinds of other characters. Dine in high-end restaurants where the rich and famous gather and admire the buildings where trendy tech companies have set up their offices.

Yosemite National Park

A summer retreat

Central to the hippy mantra is a love of nature. So, naturally, hippies have always taken a big interest in the wild spaces of California. There is none more impressive and sacred than Yosemite National Park.

During the 60s hippies would decamp from their homes at the beginning of the summer and stay at Yosemite for months, enjoying the simple life closer to the natural world.

Not everybody was so relaxed about all the long hair, beards, beads and medallions that were on show. Park rangers were forever trying to move the hippies along, with varying levels of success.

Since the end of the counterculture years, most of the hippies have migrated from the park.

Visiting Yosemite today

We'll enjoy a fantastic afternoon exploring Yosemite on our California coastline tours. Appreciate the awesome mountain scenery as we approach by road, then step off and breathe in the fresh air. Lace up your walking boots and strike out for a taster of this glorious wilderness.

Find out more about travelling in California and the Golden West with us.