9 Reasons for a Road Trip on Route R27

• Route R27 starts right in the middle of Cape Town, just about next to the harbor in fact. It follows the Atlantic Ocean with twists, turns, and ends at the fishing village Velddrif; that completes the first part of the route. There is a second section of the route which starts at Vredendal, and winds via Vanrhynsdorp and Calvinia to Keimoes, not far from Upington.
• Mist from the sea spills over onto Route R27 at times and travelers should stick to the speed limits even if they find it restricting. 

  

  Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand

1. Bloubergstrand

• Bloubergstrand is a residential area 25 km to the north of Cape Town. If you want a good clear view of Table Mountain, this is exactly the spot for it. It follows that you would also be able to take a good set of photos from there; that is to say if the South Easter is not blowing and spoils all the fun by capping the mountain top with mist.
• Bloubergstrand is a clean beach with white sand. There are no immediate interruptions, so you walk for quite a distance without obstacles. Surfing is a popular pastime as is kite surfing and swimming. The water of the Atlantic Ocean is bitterly cold, even in summer, but many residents believe in swimming all year round.
• Robben Island is just a hop on a boat from Bloubergstrand. The island is about 7 km from the Blouberg beach itself and is clearly visible from there. The Robben island ferry however leaves from Cape Town harbor and if it your intention to go there instead of staring at it, that is where you will catch a ride. It is considered a fun thing to do to swim from Blouberg to Robben Island; there might however be sharks in the water, so better to get assistance for a lookout or alternatively as help if the cold water gets to you.
• Holiday accommodation is available in abundance but is popular because it is so close to the beach. It often comes at a premium or is fully booked, especially in the high season. The first known inhabitants of Bloubergstrand were the Goringhaikonas and their leader was the now infamous Harry the Strandloper.

Map of the West Coast and Route R27

2. Wildflowers

• Every year during spring, the area along Route R27 fills with wildflowers in all the colors of the rainbow. The winter rainy season determines the start and the duration of the flowering and the first flowers can often be seen as early as June and as late as October. Even if you are only driving the road, you will get a glimpse of the spread along the roadside and on farmlands. The residents of the various towns often have wildflower gardens during this time and many towns have flower shows or exhibits. 
• People who want to go and see the flowers will be able to search for the best sites on the internet or by phoning the towns on the route. Good spots differ from year to year and if you want to see the best, you should phone the towns or the tourism for the area.

The lovely wild flowers of the West Coast

3. Melkbosstrand

• Not much further from Bloubergstrand lays the seaside town of Melkbosstrand, another residential area along the Atlantic Ocean. Melkbos nestles nicely between the R27 and the sea. It is slightly further from Cape Town than Bloubergstrand but many people like to live there as it outside of the metropole and has a country-feel. Melkbosstrand people do not mind to drive the extra distance to work.
• The Koeberg Nuclear Power Station sits right next to the town and many of Koeberg’s personnel live in the town. 

  

  Melkbosstrand Surf Training

4. Vyge Valley Farm Stall

• Vyge Valley Farm Stall is the ideal place on Route R27 to stop for tea or coffee and a bite to eat. Situated on the right side of the road as you travel north, the farm stall offers locally produced fare and has a fireplace during winter, and cold and windy days. They sell local wines and have a playground for active kids.

VygeValley Farmstall 

5. Yzerfontein Farm Stall

• The Yzerfontein Farm Stall is on Route R27 right at the turnoff to the town of Yzerfontein, another seaside village. The farm stall is a delightful little place selling plants, wool, jams, and freshly baked bread. They have lions on the premises and for a nominal fee the family can take a tour to see them.

Yzerfontein Farm Stall

6. West Coast National Park

• The West Coast National Park is a delight all year round but more so during the spring when the Park transforms into a wonderland with small wildflowers. Birders and cyclists love the Park as well as nature and water enthusiasts. 
• Ensure that you visit Postberg and Kraalbaai - get out of your car at Kraalbaai and walk to Preekstoel, a rock formation that looks like a preacher's pulpit. 
• We use to have a houseboat at Kraalbaai and we spent many happy times on the lagoon at Langebaan with friends or on our own. 

A splendid view at the West Coast National Park

7. Langebaan

• Langebaan is a very popular West Coast town; not only is it located right next to the lagoon but it has many quaint restaurants and coffee shops for coffee lovers like me.
• The water of the lagoon is not as stormy as the ocean and water sports such as canoeing, kiting, and fishing are favorite pastimes of locals and visitors.

Fun on the Lagoon at Langebaan

8. Velddrif

• Velddrif is a small fishing village at the point where the Berg River and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Both the River and the Ocean sustain the fishing industry and many small Bokkom (dried fish) factories can be found along the banks of the River.

A serene river view at Velddrif

9. 16 Mile Beach

• South Africa has a long coastline, more than 2,500 km in total. 16 Mile beach is the longest stretch of uninterrupted white sand beach in the whole of South Africa.
• 16 Mile Beach starts at Yzerfontein and ends at the West Coast National Park, just short of Langebaan. Go have a look!

The location of 16 Mile Beach, Yzerfontein

Where to drink coffee:

• You will probably find the best coffee in Langebaan, 10 km from the turnoff from Route R27. Look out for Pearly's, Friday Island and the Farmhouse Hotel.