The I-5’s Hidden Personality
Driving the I-5 usually means battling traffic, endless gas station stops, and trying not to lose your mind staring at mile markers. But this incredible highway is packed with surprises if you know where to look. Between the major cities, you’ll stumble across roadside oddities and natural wonders that deserve more than a quick glance through your windshield. So, here are 20 places along the I-5 that actually make you want to pull over.
1. Pike Place Market
Crowds gather at Pike Place Market not just for shopping, but for the spectacle of flying fish as fishmongers hurl salmon through the air with practiced flair. Wander further and you’ll stumble upon the first-ever Starbucks, still holding its vintage charm.
photographed by wac at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
2. International Rose Test Garden
Rows of blooms greet you at Portland’s International Rose Test Garden, where thousands of roses brighten the hillside with color and fragrance. Established in 1917, the garden even safeguarded rare European roses during WWII.
3. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument tells a powerful story of destruction and renewal. The 1980 eruption forever changed the landscape, leaving behind blast zones, lava domes, and ash-covered valleys. Yet nature has bounced back with remarkable resilience—forests regrow and wildflowers brighten the slopes.
Brian W. Schaller on Wikimedia
4. Oregon Vortex And House Of Mystery
At the Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery, nothing feels quite right—and that’s exactly the draw. Step onto a tilted platform and watch balls appear to roll uphill, or stand in just the right spot and suddenly seem taller or shorter than your friends. Local lore even claims Native Americans once avoided the area.
5. Shasta Lake Caverns
Reaching Shasta Lake Caverns is an adventure in itself, starting with a boat ride across the water and a winding bus trip up the mountain. Inside, time seems frozen in stone, as stalactites and stalagmites shaped over hundreds of millions of years fill the chambers.
6. Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta rises above Northern California like a beacon, as its snow-capped summit is visible for miles along I-5. Long revered by Native tribes, it carries layers of mystical lore, including tales of hidden cities within its slopes.
Frank Schulenburg on Wikimedia
7. Sundial Bridge
In Redding, the Sundial Bridge blends art, science, and function into one stunning landmark. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, its sleek glass and steel span not only carries pedestrians across the Sacramento River but also doubles as a massive working sundial.
Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States on Wikimedia
8. Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento feels like stepping straight into the Gold Rush, with wooden sidewalks creaking underfoot and horse-drawn carriages rolling past historic storefronts. Saloons and general stores line the streets, keeping the spirit of the 1800s alive.
9. Jelly Belly Factory
At the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, candy making turns into a show. Visitors peer through glass windows as beans tumble through machines, each batch more colorful than the last. It’s a stop where childlike wonder and sugar highs go hand in hand.
10. Bay Bridge
Stretching between San Francisco and Oakland, this double-decked span carries a steady flow of traffic day and night. After sunset, its artistic LED light display transforms the structure into a glowing sculpture across the bay.
11. Winchester Mystery House
Built by Sarah Winchester over nearly forty years, the Winchester Mystery House twists into a maze of oddities—staircases that dead-end at walls and hallways that seem endless. Many visitors believe its design was meant to confuse restless spirits.
12. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been blending ocean views with thrills for over a century, making it a true California classic. The Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster still rattles and roars with timeless excitement, while the arcade mixes vintage charm with modern games.
13. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium pulls you straight into the ocean without ever getting wet. Its soaring kelp forest exhibit feels like stepping beneath the waves, while playful sea otters and hypnotic jellyfish keep everyone lingering. Beyond the wonder, every exhibit quietly inspires visitors to care about conservation.
14. Big Sur
This place stuns with cliffs that plunge straight into the Pacific. The drive itself hugs these dramatic edges, offering sweeping views at every turn. Moreover, long known as a haven for artists, writers, and solitude seekers, this stretch of California leaves travelers with views as inspiring as its history.
15. Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle in San Simeon was built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and stands as a striking example of Mediterranean-influenced architecture. It operates as a museum, opening its elaborate rooms and grounds to the public through guided tours.
16. Pismo Beach
This beach is celebrated for its wide sandy shoreline and laid-back surf culture, making it a classic stop along California’s coast. Beyond the beach, adventurous visitors head to the coastal sand dunes for dune buggy rides, adding excitement to the seaside charm.
17. Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory blends science, culture, and sweeping city views into one destination. Its appearances in films such as Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land have made it iconic, securing its place as both an educational hub and a cultural landmark.
Prayitno from Los Angeles, USA on Wikimedia
18. Mission San Juan Capistrano
Founded by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century, Mission San Juan Capistrano is usually called the “Jewel of the Missions” for its remarkable beauty. Each spring, the site becomes even more enchanting as the swallows return in their annual migration, a tradition that has made the mission world-famous.
19. Old Town
Old Town is often recognized as the birthplace of California, preserving the spirit of its earliest days. Museums tell the stories of early settlers and Native peoples, grounding the district in history. Plus, throughout the year, colorful festivals fill the plaza with energy.
20. Oregon Shakespeare Festival
This festival in Ashland began in 1935 under the vision of Angus L. Bowmer and has since grown into one of the most respected repertory theaters in the United States. Each year from late April through December, the festival stages between 800 and 850 performances across three theaters.
