Pebble Beach owns the route that stretches from Pacific Grove to Carmel; it follows the coast and passes through a portion of the Del Monte Forest that is part of a private golf resort. The breathtaking sunset vistas, together with the surf-beaten cliffs, harbor seal colonies, and several viewpoint sites, make the path well worth the $11.25 entrance charge. Located not far from 17-Mile Drive, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to a petting pool, sunlight kelp-forest tanks, and a massive shark and sea turtle tank that holds one million gallons of water.

The Florida Keys are a haven for beachgoers, watersports enthusiasts, and Jimmy Buffett fans once you leave the mainland. Running between Key Largo and Key West, the Overseas Highway connects the islands like beads. Along the trip, you'll see lighthouses, underwater dordle coral reef parks, and the Seven-Mile Bridge, one of the world's longest bridges. Tourists in Islamorada's docks may feed tarpon over six feet in length with bait fish by hand. Just a little farther down the road on Big Pine Key is the National Key Deer Refuge, where you may see some of the most famous inhabitants of the island chain.

Along State Route 12, which winds its way between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, Utah's red granite grandeur is on full show. Witnessing the high sandstone canyons and bluffs of purple sage, as well as tackling the tight cliff-hanging ridgeline road known as The Hogback at the halfway point, requires some commitment due to the 124-mile strip's quirky little communities and limited access and departure opportunities. Open Wednesday through Sunday from April through October, the artistic log-and-sandstone Kiva Koffeehouse offers a coffee fix while offering a breathtaking view of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Escalante.