There’s no better way to see the state than a drive along highway 1. Beginning in San Francisco, CSL visits Napa, Sonoma, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Santa Barbara, Pasadena and Los Angeles.
The Route
Could the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ traverse 1203 miles navigating metropolitan traffic, safely looping through steep coastal roads and endure downpours (a rarity in this drought-plagued region), scorching sand and a few wild encounters along the way? From San Francisco through wine country (Napa and Sonoma) to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Santa Barbara and finally to Pasadena and Santa Monica, the fuel efficient, smooth driving SUV, performed well without sacrificing modern conveniences.
The Look and Feel
Though hefty, there was plenty of room to store our ever-expanding luggage, water bottles and coffee cups. With multiple USB ports and power outlets we kept our all of our devices charged while driving – a boon on this long road trip. The console acts as the technology and navigation hub with ample room for both driver and passenger. The sleek exterior is complimented by the built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi inside – perfect for uploading our photos of Bixby bridge to social media.
The Drive
California’s Highway 1 is one of the most iconic drives in the world. Beginning in San Francisco, with buses, cable cars and traffic whizzing by the Tahoe Apple CarPlay kept us on route. On the long expanses of Highway 1 where guardrails alone protect from steep cliff drop-offs, the lane assist feature helped us stay safe. As we neared Santa Barbara, the electrically assisted steering kicked in, helping us to descend from the Santa Ynez Mountains to the valley.
This original road trip article first appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
