driving from Union Square in San Francisco through Highway 1 to Big Sur, this was our first stop. The light house itself was under restoration. The lodging area and whalers cove is worth a stop along Highway 1 Perched dramatically on a cliffside on Highway 1 , the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is home to one of the tallest lighthouses in America. Tied as the tallest on the West Coast at 115 feet, it has been guiding mariners along the rugged Pacific coast since 1872. The site gets its unique name from the Carrier Pigeon, a Gold Rush-era clipper ship that famously ran aground on the foggy, jagged rocks just 500 feet from shore on its maiden voyage in 1853. While the historic white masonry tower itself is currently closed to the public for a major structural restoration project, the park grounds remain completely open and offer plenty to explore. Be sure to check out Whalers Cove which is a scenic, secluded beach nestled directly below the south side of the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. Piece of history: In the mid-1800s, it served as a bustling hub for shore whaling operations, where Portuguese whalers would spot migrating whales from the bluffs, row out in small boats to hunt them, and bring them back to the cove to process the blubber. Today, the cove is a protected, peaceful sanctuary where nature has reclaimed the shoreline. Lodgings at the Cove: HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel If you are looking to stay overnight right on the edge of the cove, the primary lodging option is the HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel. The accommodation is unique because it sits directly on the state park grounds, offering an incredible, budget-friendly coastal experience that feels like your own private estate. The Accommodations: The hostel is comprised of four historic, white-picket-fenced houses that originally served as the homes for the lighthouse keepers and their families. Guests can book affordable, straightforward shared dorm beds, or opt for private rooms within the houses. below. Note: Because of its unparalleled location right on the Highway 1 coastline and its highly affordable rates, rooms and beds at the hostel tend to book out many months in advance, especially for weekend stays. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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This is a very nice location to stop and stretch your legs, not to mention an awesome place for photo opportunities!! There is some construction going on near the light house but you can still walk around it and enjoy all the wonderful views. There are walking paths that you can go on and walk down to the beach area when the tide is low as well there are also paths that you can take along the cliff area. Don't worry about parking as there is plenty and there is no parking fee to park your car. Overall this is a must stop to just walk around, take some pictures and take in Gods coastal creation, soooooo beautiful and peaceful. read more

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Sweeping vistas and interesting history. Had our dog so did not visit museum. Did check the vistas and watched the waves crash in. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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We came on a foggy Saturday and were pleasantly surprised by this beautiful light house. The parking lot out front was small but more parking available along the street! Not a problem if not too busy. The store was open and was filled with fun pigeon point gear and souvenirs. The views of the ocean and rolling succulents was perfect! Definitely recommend this place. They are currently doing restoration and can't wait to see it finished read more

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I live in San Jose and always have wanted to just drive up the highway one so went south on the 17 stopped in Santa Cruz and then drove up one and then cut back over east at half Moon Bay. This lighthouse was one of my stops and it was super pretty. It's currently under construction because they are renovating the structures and grounds but you can definitely still walk around. Get some good views. There's even a hostel there which is pretty cool. There's a decent amount of parking there's a lot and then also a loop around the street that I did see people parking on the side. Granted I did go on a rainy Sunday afternoon in October so probably not peak season so I'm sure it can get busy but overall it didn't seem overwhelming and also not a place people would spend hours and hours from what I gather. read more

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Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park has always been a must stop for me when traveling these parts on Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Highway 1 is California's coastal highway. Beautiful coastal views, lot of free beach access. Pigeon Point has a lighthouse, hostel, gift shop, beach access, museum, bluff overlooks, and public restrooms. The major draw, the light house, is not accessible right now though. It's fenced off and undergoing major renovations. But everything else is open. Still a worthwhile stop especially since everything is free. FREE! The parking, beach access, and museum is free. FREE! Totally awesome. The beach access to Whaler's Cove involves walking down steps. There are no hand rails. The steps are gradual (not steep at all) with some flat landings. At least go down as far as you can for the views. Out in the cove is Prisoner Rock. Out on that rocky out cropping, you'll see various sea birds, seals, and sea lions just living their best life. It's out at a distance, bring your binoculars if you got any. If walking down the stairs to the beach is not your jam, walk to the Whaler's Cove overlook and soak in nature's awesomeness from there. Follow the dirt packed trail from that overlook to the lighthouse and other buildings. The lighthouse is 115 feet tall. It became active in 1872 using a fresnal lens and an oil lamp. That was quite the modern technology back then. The temporary museum is free, however they gladly accept donations. It's set up in the fog signal building. It's called that because back in the day the fog signals came from that building. The set up is temporary because once the lighthouse is refurbished, the museum will move back there. On the back side of the building, the two diaphone horns can still be seen jetting out. The two tone diaphone horns were used from 1935-1960s. Ships could hear the horns 4-5 miles out. The museum also contained history of tragic local shipwrecks, house keeper artifacts like original journals, and info on local marine life. The day I dropped in, the docents were two lovely 'young at heart' ladies. Hubs and I had a great conversation with them. They made my visit even more memorable; true gems just like this state historic park. Behind the fog signal building is another overlook. Be sure to check it out. The gift shop is in the carpenter shop building. The original carpenter shop is long gone, it's just a gift shop now. The other buildings make up the hostel. They are only for the guests. The reservation system is handled by a third party, Hostelling International. The public restrooms are near the parking lot. read more

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It's under renovation, but stop anyway. There's still an interpretive center, store and lookout with a docent. Beautiful views and lots of history. If you time it right with the weather and everything you might see whales. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

A historic park with beautiful views looking out into the water. There are restrooms, picnic tables with seating, and a parking lot on site. And even a boardwalk stretching to the edge of the cliff, offering greater access for enjoying the scenery and marine life in the area. The pigeon point lighthouse is only a shell of what it used to be and is inaccessible as of July 2024, due to structural damage. Surrounded by scaffolding and fencing, it's a bit of an eyesore, but part of a long-term restoration project which will hopefully one day allow this monument to shine again. The park's visitor center and gift shop remain open to the public and have a few interesting items to keep guests engaged, including exhibits and informational boards detailing the science and history of the light station. There's no gps or cell phone service here, but it's hard to get lost driving along the pacific coastline on the Cabrillo highway, and lack of wifi allows visitors to fully appreciate everything this park has to offer without distractions. A nice stop on a Sunday afternoon, and a great destination to escape the heat, away from home. read more

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Desolate... when I stopped by. Saw some local inhabitants like hare and deer in the small native garden. The lighthouse has been closed for a while and is purely for viewing pleasure. Several cars did a quick stop-by but there wasn't much to do as everything seemed to be closed. A lovely stop for a picnic, respite and to take in the view with an ample parking. read more

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Easily one of my favorite spots along highway 1. Pigeon Point is one of the most picturesque places I've been, I mean come on - take a look at those pictures! Aside from the beauty, Pigeon Point is a really cool historical site too. You can stop in the light house museum to learn about the actual light signal and, and check out the other informational boards around the site to learn about the different shipwrecks that have taken place over the years. You can even see a huge wooden portion left behind from one of the shipwrecks. Next to the visitor center/gift shop they have a board letting you know about different wildlife spottings and the tides for the day. If you're lucky you'll catch a whale or some dolphins off in the distance. Parking in the lot is limited but there are a few areas to park in the dirt or along the side of the road. Visiting and parking here is free! read more

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Always a nice stop on the Highway 1! The staff that work there are so sweet and very informative. It's definitely a perfect place to admire and take photos of the beautiful coastline. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

Lovely lighthouse with spectacular ocean views! Parking is limited to one small lot (about 20 cars max) and some shoulder road parking. Great for dogs and picture taking! read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Epic ocean views! - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

Lovely property undergoing major rehab work. Ranger staff is friendly and willing to talk about the lighthouse's remarkable history. The Fresnel lens in the visitor center alone is worth the drive. Make it part of an adventure to Pescadero and its chill beaches nearby. read more

Took a drive out of Oakland to check the coast out and ran into this old school light house. The surrounding small cliff areas and rocks had different color starfish clinging to them. Very beautiful viewing area next to Lighthouse. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Starfish on the rocks below lighthouse - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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A thirty minute drive south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1 is Pigeon Point Lighthouse, at 115 feet this is one of the tallest lighthouses in America. This lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1872. The original Fresnel lens is on display in the fog signal building adjacent to the lighthouse. Admission and parking is free. There's a hostel on site. Whales and seals can be seen from the shore. read more

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Cool little spot to stop and see whales during migration. We got lucky and saw a bunch.... mostly far away but some up quite close. There's also often seals rolling around and some noisy birds. Plenty of parking and some wild rabbits running around the parking lot so watch out there. And it's cold here more often than not so dress accordingly. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Lots of these guys around the lighthouse parking lot - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

Met up with two of my bffs on a Saturday morning to have a walk around the area and we visited this place. The museum next to the lighthouse has the lens on display as well as quite a bit of history. And the view is spectacular in every direction because it's mesmerizing and so relaxing. We checked their souvenir store and got a couple of items. They have a hostel as well so you can choose to stay for the night if you decide to. I read that some people come to visit here at night time for some stargazing. The lighthouse itself is gated so noone can go inside so there is no access at all. read more

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Standing tall since 1871 Pigeon Point Lighthouse is located 50 miles south of San Francisco on cliff off Highway 1. Standing at 115 feet, it is tied with Point Arena Light for the title of the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States. After the crushing tides in this region claimed multiple victims, in 1871 the Pigeon Point lighthouse was built to assist ships with navigating. Pigeon Point lighthouse is still a navigational landmark, but in 1974 the original lens was replaced by an electronic light outside the lens room the lighting became fully automated. The tower was closed to the public in 2001 due to structural issues, however the visitors can view the original lens in the foghorn room, next to the tower. The state's January 2020 budget included $20 million for deferred maintenance of the structure, and in a May 2021 revision that was increased to $185 million. So hopefully after the repairs are done the visitors will be able to enter the lighthouse again. In May 2019, a team of volunteers and state parks staff began repairing and replacing the perimeter safety fence. The result of their effort can be seen today by all visitors. Finally a funny memory! In 2013, my cousin came to visit from the East Coast. We went for a drive down Hwy 1 and decided to stopped here for a visit. My cousin was wearing his favorite cap that he had purchased in an earlier trip to Spain. We walked over an extension of the boardwalk that has since collapsed due to land erosion. At the end of the boardwalk, he bent over the wooden fence to look down and there went his favorite cap! I assume it is still floating in and around the Pacific Ocean! :- ))) read more

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Excellent family day trip - history, science and nature all rolled into one. We visited over a weekday in summer and there was plenty of parking. We spent some time playing on the beach just north of the lighthouse, then walked the grounds and took photographs. We learned about the history of the lighthouse, the shipwrecks on this stretch of California coastline, and a bit of optical physics - as the beacon lens was designed by Augustin Fresnel, after whom the Fresnel effect is named. We also spent a long time watching seals basking on rocks and swimming off-shore. Had to deduct a star for the abysmal bathroom facilities and lack of a ranger station we could visit to learn more. We will be back next time we're in the area. read more

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Fun stop while driving along highway 1. Parking can be tricky as the lot is really small. We ended up parking on the side of the road nearby and walking up. It's not too far from the road. They have restrooms available (vault toilets); however, no hand-washing station or hand sanitizer available. Luckily I always have some in my purse. This is a FREE site, so you can't expect much beyond the lighthouse and view, but you would think with covid, they would have something for washing hands after using the restrooms. The lighthouse was really cool. It's the tallest on the West Coast at 115'. It was built in 1871, and is still active in aiding the Coast Guard. Overall and beautiful stop. Many photo opportunities. Would definitely recommend. read more

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If you're driving the coast it's a great stop along the way. About half way between SF and Santa Cruz in Pescadero. You can explore on your own, the lighthouse is being restored but they have benches and picnic tables to enjoy the view. There is also a hostel available if you wanted to stay. A couple times a year you might also get treated to seeing gray and humpback whales migrating. Peaceful although windy spot to enjoy the coast read more

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The guy who took me to Pigeon Point was so nice and I went back with a tour bus last weekend..that would be 10 years ago. It's a nice lighthouse and quaint and quiet..visitors and room with people at Werewolf...haha..the lighthouse was a theme in our lives although we didn't live near a lighthouse in Maryland. This is one of the closest lighthouses to San Francisco on the way to Santa Cruz. It's idyllic. It's called Maritimes. read more

Even during Covid you can drive up to the lighthouse, they have a small parking lot next to some bathrooms (I wouldn't recommend using unless it's absolutely critical). Once parked, you can walk out to a viewpoint that lets you get some awesome views and photos of the lighthouse itself! I believe there is a hostel located on the grounds as well, along with a park store and additional exhibits if you were to visit pre Covid. I'm not sure when these will open back up but regardless, it's worth seeing if you're driving by! read more

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Great views! Parking is limited but during COVID on a weekday, it's pretty empty. There's a bunch of history around the park, really interesting reads. We saw the lighthouse on the way back home and decided why not check it out lol We were only there for about 15-20 minutes but definitely worth going! There aren't many lighthouses in the Bay anymore. read more

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This was a great place to stop along highway 1. If you are driving on this highway between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, I suggest making the short trip over to this sweet lighthouse. I came here on a rainy Sunday afternoon and it was easy to find parking. We did not walk around much because it was raining, but we did see some small walking paths along the water. There are also some picnic tables to sit at right by the lighthouse. You can't go close to the lighthouse or go in it, but there are some nice info boards around that describe the history of the lighthouse, etc. Maybe I'm just comparing this lighthouse to the ones I've seen in New England, but I was not super impressed but the surrounding areas made it an absolute delight. Surprisingly, there's also a hostel by the lighthouse! I'm curious what it's like there. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Lighthouse from a distance - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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Great place to explore and get some great photos. There's ample free parking, restrooms if you're desperate, and photos are great, even on days when it's pouring rain, like when we were there. A local had advised us ahead of time to walk up past it on the left to get the best pix...and that was great advice we might not have realized in the heavy rain. It's a beautiful, scenic place, definitely worth the drive. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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I LOVE LIGHTHOUSES! I have a collection of all the lighthouses I've visited and was sad that there was no gift shop here. I was however. surprised to see there is a hostel onsite. What a gorgeous view to wake up to! When we arrived I thought that is was great that the sun was out, but then the clouds came in and made for a very dramatic sky! We are from So. Cal and I think the beaches here are by far prettier than what we have at home. We enjoyed our walk around the grounds because we were the only ones there! It's so breathtakingly gorgeous here. It was calming to just sit and listen to the crashing waves and not be interrupted by anyone. read more

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If you had tough week , instead of going to see your therapist , pack a picnic basket and come to this hidden gem. Fantastic view , and petite trails to enjoy the breeze of ocean on your skin. I visited pigeon point today for the first time, and I am so relaxed and satisfied! The whole light house just got built in 1870's, but unfortunately you can not go inside due to the corona limitation , there is metallic wall all over the building. Highly recommended to people who are going to visited Bay Area read more

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I pulled off to the side of the road to get a photo of the lighthouse. I was thrilled to see bar harbor seals, discovered a new hostel location and lovely views. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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"Once the lighthouse is seen, the rest of the sea is ignored." - Terri Guillemets. A lighthouse, a tower emits bright light and a beacon and guides the people in the right direction. The lighthouse optics combined highly polished prisms with an array of lenses that captured light and concentrated it back into a main beam. The concentric design in arrangement, funneling the light into a beam that was many times brighter than its source. This light could be seen for more than 20 miles. The bright light illuminated the waterways made treacherous by shoals, reefs, rocks and other hazards as ships left the open ocean and pulled into port safely. In the old days, all ships relied a lot on lighthouses to find their directions in the dark in the ocean. In the modern era with GPS and other navigational apparatuses, lighthouses are no longer used. Now, lighthouses become a symbol of hope and guidance in the lives of others as those below inspiring quotes. The Pigeon Point Light House is absolutely magical. It's easy to access and there are plenty of parking and walking paths to explore the lighthouseand the beautiful shore. "God built lighthouses to see people through storms. Then he built storms to remind people to find lighthouses." - Shannon L. Alder "We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine." - Dwight L. Moody "A ship on the beach is a lighthouse to the sea." - Dutch Proverb "A True Friend, who leaves heartfelt messages, can be a lighthouse to others, sharing light and truth, which comes from their heart." - Tom Baker "A good book is a lighthouse; a wise man is a lighthouse; conscience is a lighthouse; compassion is a lighthouse; science is a lighthouse! They all show us the true path! Keep them in your life to remain safe in the rocky and dark waters of life!" - Mehmet Murat Ildan. read more

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Great views and small museum! Not very interactive, but worth the stop. Staff was informative and friendly. All free, but asking for donations. read more

Pigeon Point is not to miss on a drive up the coast from Santa Cruz to SF. The lighthouse is one of the tallest ones on the West Coast (115 ft) and is very statuesque. To me it it's what I'd imagine a lighthouse in Maine to resemble. Currently there is no access inside but the grounds around are quite large to stroll around. There are lots of iceplant and colorful flowers in the spring, it's definitely a great place for photography. read more

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP - Parks Near Me - Pescadero, California

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What a beautiful place to visit! We decided to have a day trip date to Pescadero and loved it! So picturesque and calming. Lots of room to park, very romantic and worth the drive! We had a wonderful time and just enjoyed each others company and the peacefulness of it all! read more

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Gorgeous scenic views and clear skies at this lighthouse! When we went on the weekend around lunch, it wasn't that crowded and the views were fantastic. As we got closer to the lighthouse, the fog disappeared. Before you get to the lighthouse, if you go down the cliffs, you will see sea animals like crabs. There is also a field of bright flowers which is stunning. PARKING The parking lot was full when we arrived, but we found parking near the street. Parking is free which is a plus. read more

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A beautiful escape. Darian took me here as a semi-surprise, local birthday excursion last November (2020). With the way things were going in my life during this month, it was the perfect, short trip to get my mind off of things and to get FRESH air. The sun was also shining bright, with absolutely no clouds in sight. There is a small lot for parking, but lucky for us, we were one of the first to get there. We packed a portable chair and a simple breakfast (yogurt and granola) to enjoy with our view. We sat right next to the lighthouse and were able to get some great pics of the scenery and of ourselves with the scenery haha. I encourage you to come during an early morning when you know weather conditions are fair. We saw probably 3-4 different groups after we showed up, but there enough open space to keep your distance! Add this to your California bucket list for sure! read more

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Love love love this place! The hostels are just below the lighthouse but still on the bluff. If you stay in the dorms you have bunks (reminds me of my childhood). They are ok, but for the price you can't beat it! I liked it so much, I started my trip here and ended it here. Staff is super friendly and helpful. There is also a private room option for more $$$ but if you have more than one or two people it's a good option. read more

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Not as stunning as Shark Fin Cove, as daring as Davenport Bluffs, or as tidepooly as Pescadero State Beach, yet this lighthouse is one of many spots to stop along the coast between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. There's not much to do other than to read some informational signs about the lighthouse or marine life, but it's free and worth a photo op with the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast (115 feet). Allegedly whales and seals can be spotted here (in the water below, not in the tiny gift shop), but all I saw were a few bones on display. There's also spots for a picnic, a hostel, access to a small beach 100 yards away. Plus, if you are looking for a cheap and unique place for a wedding and reception, this place is "lit". Get it? read more

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This is cute little stop, curious about the hotel there, looks like a wonderful view to wake up to. Would go back again read more

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Beautiful little pit stop, bring a lunch and enjoy the waves and scenes! The little gift shop has a lot of cute finds as well! read more

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Review #136 - 2020 Finding things to do during this COVID-19 pandemic is getting harder and harder since most places are closed down. Luckily, since we didn't need to go inside the lighthouse, we were still ok with going to check out the surrounding and take a few pictures. We showed up at around 3:30 PM on Saturday, July 11th, and there was a lot more people than I expected. We got lucky and found a parking spot right up front since someone was leaving when we arrived. I've seen lots of pictures of this particular lighthouse so I've had it bookmarked for quite some time, but never managed to stop by. I'm glad that my younger sister and her boyfriend were willing to ride along with us so it made the drive less stressful. Having only 3 under age kids tag along with me everywhere is nice; but sometimes it's nicer to have a back-up driver, even if I don't need to switch off. Just knowing they're available gives me a sense of peace. The lighthouse looks like it could use a fresh coat of paint, but I guess the dated look is what makes it unique. The surrounding view is beautiful! Sadly, being that it was so cold & windy, we couldn't enjoy being outside for more than half an hour. We all needed to use the restroom before we left & it was super disgusting! Just waiting in front of it smelled terrible! I wouldn't want to use it, if I could hold it in; but after almost two hours of driving and drinking, my bladder was not happy. There's no water for you to wash your hands either. Good thing I always have plenty of hand sanitizer & baby wipes! read more

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