Though Central Coast, Calif. residents complain that the traffic has become too congested, road trips are one of the greatest delight for visitors to the coastal destination. Lighting can be your best friend as you drive smoothly along with the sunshine behind you, or the daylight dims without glaring in your eyes.

Shown in the photo is the typical dramatic scene when sun breaks through the clouds and lights up small patches of the Interstate 101 Highway. The large oak trees that line the highway (along with eucalyptus trees) provide silhouettes to spectacular scenes with gently-rolling mountains in the distance.

Interstate 101 is the primary road passing through the region. It connects Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the northern section of California, running parallel to the Pacific Ocean most the distance. On the Central Coast it passes through all the major cities--Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Salinas, Gilroy, etc. The ocean is seldom more than 0 to 40 minutes from the highway.