California is full of wide-open spaces, and beautiful, unobstructed light. It’s at the edge of the world. With its breathtaking coastal aesthetic and fresh air, California completely kindles our wanderlust to hit the road. A road trip is like a mental state: Go where you want to go, do what you wanna to do.

To find out more about the lure of road tripping, Melting Butter sat down with photographer Emily Nathan, co-founder of Tiny Atlas Quarterly. Tiny Atlas Quarterly is a collection of rich, beautiful stories told through arresting imagery, art and personal anecdotes from talented creatives across the world.

Read on for Tiny Atlas Quarterly’s top spots to hit along the California coast”¦

Q: You are a lifestyle and advertising photographer by trade. Aesthetically speaking, what is so visually captivating about California road tripping destinations that lends itself to beautiful imagery?

A: California is full of wide-open spaces, and beautiful, unobstructed light. It is at the edge of the world. It has the aesthetic of the coast. People love the fresh air and the big roads. All of this lends itself to stories told with pictures.

Q: Europe has traveling the continent by train (think Orient Express). America has road tripping. What is quintessentially American about road tripping that makes it so?

A: Americans like to do their own thing. As a country, we pride ourselves on making our own path. In Europe, there is an ”˜established path’, a way of doing things, and it’s the norm to get on it. Hence, taking your car wherever YOU want to go, instead of sticking to the rails is at the heart of road tripping. And California, within the spirit of Wild West, is all about forging your own road. Europe is ordered and beautiful. But there is a freedom and openness to California, even with its ugly strip malls. It has a culture of ”˜going for it.’  And ”˜going for it’ means getting on the road. (No surprise there are so many start-ups in the Valley, California is not lacking in innovation!). Road trips are especially important to me as a photographer because it’s not like I can pull over the whole train to shoot something that I catch as we are whizzing by!

Q: What are some of your secret (now, not-so-secret) road tripping hacks?

A: There are so many great markets in California – farmers’ and natural food markets! People from the east coast like to try things like In and Out Burger, but there are tons of natural food markets with local organic produce to try while on a road trip. It’s healthier too. I also like to use AirBnB to book rooms and accommodations rather than booking a hotel room if I am stopping for the night.

Q: What makes something worth stopping for, aka a pit stop? What is your favorite, lesser known, Californian pit stop?

A: As a photographer, I stop for the light. You spot something beautiful along the road and you want to explore it. Or, there is something you want to eat that is amazing along the way (like Big Sur Bakery!). Pit stops are really a bit of a treasure hunt – it’s got to have some character to it!

Q: Let’s chat road-tripping food. What do you take in your car? Where do you like to pull over and stop to get a bite to eat in Cali?

A: I like to actually bring a lot of food with me when I am on a road trip. Along the way, I spot places where I can pick up some fresh, local food – like farmers’ or natural food markets. Since we are suffering from drought on the West Coast, I always bring a refillable water bottle. I love stowing a reusable tote canvas bag in the car for carrying any food. You can find me stopping along the way to collect fresh dates from farms in Joshua Tree or strawberries from the farms in Santa Cruz.

Tiny Atlas Quarterly California Road Trip Guide

San Diego

Begin your California adventure touching down at San Diego International Airport. Architect Elke Frotscher has created an immersive art environment about the relationship between the coastline and the industrial sites that are currently being transformed back to natural habitats for endangered species. Grab some road trip wheels and refuel at the lovely farm to cup Bird Rock Coffee Roasters as you head north to La Jolla, land of waves and tacos. Local board shaper Chris Christiansen sells his boards at Mitch’s Surf shop where you can pick up one of his gorgeous boards on hand or order in advance for a custom board. For lunch, hit up Chris’ favorite tacos at Haggis Taco’s in Encinitas. All organic and non-GMO, try the Cousteau fish tacos or the Ron Burgundy burrito. Check the surf at Swami’s beach or sit back and catch the sunset. Tuck into the Grand Colonial Hotel in La Jolla for a central downtown locale and perfect Pacific views. In the morning, hit up Influx coffee or the Coffee Cup for the best breakfast around; delicious breakfast tamales and artichoke scrambled eggs.

Santa Barbara

Take highway One north as it winds lazily along quintessential vistas to Santa Barbara, home of palm trees, mission style architecture, laid back vibes, and sophisticated charm. Indulge further in California’s favorite small food with tacos at Super Rica Taqueria or opt for fresh sushi at Arigato. Stroll State Street for shopping and people watching or head up hill to the Mission Rose Garden. Book a safari tent for the ultimate glamping experience at El Capitain Canyon – stunning canvas covered tents with views of the Pacific. Grab a bottle of wine and a deck of cards and give into a quiet night by the sea.

For a real off the grid retreat, head inland to the upscale but non assuming Alisal Guest Ranch in Ojai, about 35 minutes east of Santa Barbara. Rejuvenate with over 50 miles of riding trails, spa treatments and indulge in authentic ranch style barbecue meals. If you ever decide to leave, be sure to grab a margarita at Cold Spring Tavern – It’s a great place to kick back and enjoy music in a shaded garden setting.

Big Sur

Next stop- Big Sur! Continue up Highway One to bohemia paradise. Big Sur is the original beatnik escape, boasting some of most dramatic hilltop elevations to sea vistas you’ll find on the California coast. There are lots of great options for places to stay, we recommend booking early at Deetjen’s, Treebone’s, or Post Ranch Inn (a great place to enjoy sunset cocktails even if you’re not a guest). Hiking and getting outside should be first priorities in Big Sur and there’s no shortage of trails and beaches to explore. For a real challenge, try the 12 mile hike to Sykes Hot Springs where you’ll be rewarded with natural mineral baths. For a more relaxing and equally beautiful experience, walk the 5 minutes to the classic photo opportunity at McWay Falls. For dinner, Big Sur Bakery serves up wood fired pizzas and local wine.

San Francisco

In San Francisco, dig into a neighborhood by booking a room or house through Airbnb, who maintain their headquarters in this pretty city by the bay. Neighborhoods like Noe Valley and the Mission are convenient locations with lots of buzz just out the doorstep. Shop at Little Paper Planes, Alite, Heath Ceramics and grab coffee at nearby Sightglass.

Marisel is Melting Butter’s Assistant Food Editor. She’s also a baker, social media strategist and restaurant habitué living in New York City by way of Panama, Hawaii and Japan. She spent her childhood eating patacones (fried smashed plantains), tripe, sashimi and all sorts of noodles. Follow her on Instagram for all things food at @breadbutternyc

(Images courtesy of Tiny Atlas Quarterly)

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