Driving from San Francisco to LA - coastal route

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Richie Teh

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Nov 20, 2011
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Hi all

I'm currently planning a family trip to the US of A in Jan 2015.

My original plan was to visit NYC and DC. However due to their current bad weather (and numerous flight cancellations), we've decided to stick to the west coast instead (Unfortunately the month of Jan is my only availability to take 3-4 weeks off..).

At this stage my plans include:
- Flying into LA and then heading up to Anaheim immediately. We will be spending 3 days in Disneyland.
- Driving from Anaheim to Las Vegas and spending 4 days there
- Flying from Las Vegas to San Francisco, spending 4 days in San Fran
- Driving from San Fran back to LA via the coastal route (Monterey, Santa Barbara etc) - I will have 3 days to do this.
- Finally LA back to AU

Any suggestions what I can do, where to stay, where to visit during my road trip from San Fran to LA?

Thanks all!

Regards
Richie
 
Visit Hearst Castle, which is roughly half way between LA and San Fran. This was posted by others on this forum and was quite interesting.
 
Carmel would be one place I would stop at. But beware! South of there, there aren't that many hotels / motels until you are past San Simeon in the south. Big Sur would be a good place to stop if you can get accommodation. Check Trip Advisor and book early would be my tip.

The coastline is spectacular virtually the entire way. See sea lions on rocks / beaches; good walks through forests and mountain hikes. You might want to see if there are any wildlife cruises anywhere along the coast.
 
Definitely Hearst Castle. Allow pretty much most of the day but have a plan to get to the next accommodation. Consider buying tickets in advance
The Santa Barbara Courthouse is worth a small diversion....I think we found that out via Lonely Planet
The whole Monterey Peninsula could occupy several days alone, so read up a bit before you go and pick out some highlights
If you are playing the Hilton status game there are plenty of cheapish Hiltons on the way, especially at the LA end to get in a stay or two.


Edit to add: if you are even remotely interested in golf, and money isn't too much of a problem, stay at one of the Pebble Beach properties. Or at the very least pop into Pebble Beach Lodge and have a drink overlooking the golf course. A spiritual experience.

Back to LA, and I know that's not what you are asking, I'd suggest both Getty places.
And I thoroughly recommend Glitterati Private Tours. My wife and I had the most amazing tour of LA with this lot. They only seem to get five stars on trip advisor. The attention to detail was shown when I turned my phone on when we landed at LAX and I already had a text from Jimmy, the owner, saying "I see your plane is a bit early, get in touch with your driver xx_XX on cell phone xyz if you want to be picked up earlier"
 
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And I thoroughly recommend Glitterati Private Tours. My wife and I had the most amazing tour of LA with this lot. They only seem to get five stars on trip advisor. The attention to detail was shown when I turned my phone on when we landed at LAX and I already had a text from Jimmy, the owner, saying "I see your plane is a bit early, get in touch with your driver xx_XX on cell phone xyz if you want to be picked up earlier"

Now that's information worth having, to kill the next long layover! Thanks Newk. :)
 
The Intercontinental Monterey was a winner at $179 US walk in rate. It is right on the ocean and the sea otters wave back. They had a drinks and nibbles evening session so you could really fit in.
 
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Visit Hearst Castle, which is roughly half way between LA and San Fran. This was posted by others on this forum and was quite interesting.

Plus 1 for Hearst Castle and we stayed at a hotel in Pismo Beach. The name escapes me at the moment but I will look it up for you as we stayed there a few days and did day trips
 
Definitely do not do the drive south on a wet and raining night. Hearst Castle and Big Sur are special and yes book ahead.
We really enjoyed Pebble Beach.
 
Plus 1 for Hearst Castle and we stayed at a hotel in Pismo Beach. The name escapes me at the moment but I will look it up for you as we stayed there a few days and did day trips

Kon Tiki Inn. Pismo Beach. With fabulous views too
 
I can recommend the Intercontinental in Monterey too.

Definitely visit Hearst Castle too.

We stayed at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo for something a little different! Book the rock wall rooms. Steakhouse is a sea of pink!
 
Hearst Castle a big tick from me also. Fascinating to see inside the world of a mega rich, mega powerful man. We drove PCH and stayed at a wonderful little place called Moro Bay, not far from San Simeon, at the Anderson Inn, which is a cute private hotel right on the waterfront.We were there three years ago and friends stayed in the same place last year on our recommendation and loved it. The Salinas Valley is interesting and there's a lovely little town called Solvang. It might be a bit of a way in from the coast though. Also if you are going to visit Carmel and Monterey may I suggest you read a little bit of Hemingway first - "Of Mice and Men' is set in the cannery in Monterey. Pebble Beach and other courses on the 17 mile drive are pretty amazing.
 
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Make sure you know if there is a one way additional charge on hiring a car in one place and dropping it off in another place.
 
Make sure you know if there is a one way additional charge on hiring a car in one place and dropping it off in another place.
Always check this - but IME, I have not come across 'one way' charges for California (or Nevada) rentals.
 
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Always check this - but IME, I have not come across 'one way' charges for California (or Nevada) rentals.

I had no issues with my booking, only $300 for five days and no one-way fee.
 
Richie,

I always do the theme parks last as good way to wind down afterward.
I would not bother flying Vegas to San Francisco, it will effectively take you all day and you can drive it in a day.
On the way south on Highway 1, visit Santa Cruz, Felton (to see the tall redwoods), Monterey Bay Aquarium, seals on the beach at San Simeon plus the castle of course.

I would probably do the trip in reverse, drive up the coast, then across to Vegas via Yosemite and back to LA and throw in San Diego.

Matt
PS, happy to be more detailed if you want.
 
I drove from San Jose down to Monterey Bay, then to Big Sur and back to Santa Cruz on Sunday. While its only just one small part of the PCH, its a great area to travel and certainly spectacular. Its over 10 years since I did the drive from LA to San Fran. If you have the time, its well worth the drive and plan to spend time stopping at the places already mentioned by others.

We had lunch at River Inn Restaurant, which was excellent.
 
I can't wait to do it; splitting the drive over three days so there is plenty of time to take it all in.
 
If you get to Hearst Castle, don't plan to stay at San Simeon which is at the foot of the hills where HC is built. Nothing much there but motels. As someone else mentioned Morro Bay (further south) is a nice town with plenty of accommodation. Definitely need to see the Redwoods on the way south. You'll find yourself stopping on the Big Sur drive quite often to take in the scenery. If you have kids the Monterey Aquarium is worth visiting with its jellyfish collection and 40000 fish baitball in one of its tanks. It is expensive. You can get a good lunch at Pacific Grove Golf Course (not far from Pebble Beach) overlooking Asilomar Beach.
 
good timing.. we are in san francisco atm, and will wend our way (with wheels) back to lax later next week...thanks for all the info
 
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