Planning trip to California.......

The hubby and I are planning a trip to California in July. We have 8 days to plan for. We want to drive up the coast on HWY 101 from LA to San Francisco with planned stops in Cambria and Monterey.

Has anyone done this itinererry? We were in LA for a day about a year ago after returning from a cruise to Mexico that left out f Long Beach. We took a whirl wind tour of LA that day. I have seen Hollywood (big dissapointment) Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach, etc. Don't plan on spending any time in LA on this trip. This will be our first trip solely for the purpse of visiting the California Coast.

I would love to hear trip advice from anyone that has followed this itinerary.

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

I've done this twice, and took in all the usual stops:

Santa Barbara: a nice city, not too touristy, with a nice waterfront and pier.

Hearst Castle: worth a stop on the way to Big Sur. Seems surreal when you think that someone actually lived there. Ugly, too.

Big Sur: the highlight of this drive. The PCH winds through Big Sur and there are numerous stops along the way. Try Pfieffer Beach (hard to find, but well worth it). Julia Pfeifer Burns state park (home of McWay falls, very photogenic late in the afternoon, and all the pull-offs along the way.

Point Lobos is also really nice with lots of trails leading along and down to the rocky shore. Lots of seals. For shots of the seals offshore, morning is best. Afternoon (late) for shots of the coastline.

Monterey penninsula: Monterey, Carmel, etc. Touristy, but worth a visit.

San Francisco: best city in the country (in my ever-so-humble opinion, of course).

8 days is plenty of time, plan accordingly. I'd leave three days for SF alone.
--
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Diane , I'm assuming you meant Highway 1, not 101, since 101 doesn't go through Cambria or Monterey. But I rode my motorcycle down 1 just last weekend, and you can't beat the scenery.

If you're stopping in Cambria, I'm assuming you'll be visiting Hearst Castle in nearby San Simeon (highly recommended!). And the road between Cambria and Paso Robles (46) is a wildflower fiesta right now. But between Cambria and Monterey there's pretty much nothing but stunning vistas of the Pacific on your left, and the Ventana wilderness on your right. Leave yourself a full day, because you'll be stopping to take a lot of pictures. But here's the thing: that part of the coast is well known for its thick fog, so you may also be totally socked in.

There's lots to see and do once you get to Monterey. Don't miss the Aquarium. Cannery Row is kitchy, but worth visiting. Same for the wharf. The bay is a great place to sea kayak, rentals are available. I once had a grey whale pass right under me while kayaking there! They're docile, but I almost had to rinse out my wetsuit afterwards. :-O

The Big Sur coastline is one of the most beautiful places on this planet. You can't go wrong!

David

Bring some warm clothes for your time in San Francisco. July is about the coldest month in SF as this quote attributed to Mark Twain notes: "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco."

--mamallama

go from LA fast to MorroBay stay there one night,

next day use the 1 north, stop at the Elephant Seals close to the exit to Hearst Castle, stay on 1 north and enjoy the great coastline.
Short before Carmel take a break at Garrapata State Park Big Sur,

visit Point Lobos State Reserve, the 17 Miles Drive in Carmel, stay over night in

Monterey, see the aquarium as early as possible, take the 1 over Half Moon Bay to SF.

From SF you can go north to Jenner, Russian Fort or east to Yosemite or Kings Canyon & Sequoia Natl. Park.
Have a lot of fun.
Greetings from Germany
Jo

dmanthree said:

Hearst Castle: worth a stop on the way to Big Sur. Seems surreal when
you think that someone actually lived there. Ugly, too.

Click to expand...

Definately planning on visiting Hearst Castle, wonder how it wll stack up to the Mansions in Newport, R.I.

dmanthree said:

Big Sur: the highlight of this drive. The PCH winds through Big Sur
and there are numerous stops along the way. Try Pfieffer Beach (hard
to find, but well worth it). Julia Pfeifer Burns state park (home of
McWay falls, very photogenic late in the afternoon, and all the
pull-offs along the way.

Click to expand...

Big Sur is tops on our list!

dmanthree said:

Point Lobos is also really nice with lots of trails leading along and
down to the rocky shore. Lots of seals. For shots of the seals
offshore, morning is best. Afternoon (late) for shots of the
coastline.

Click to expand...

Will definately add this to the list of must sees, thanks for the tips.

dmanthree said:

Monterey penninsula: Monterey, Carmel, etc. Touristy, but worth a visit.

Click to expand...

Monterey, we plan on visiting the aquarium, fishermans wharf and cannery for planned events, the rest of our time we will just wing it.

dmanthree said:

San Francisco: best city in the country (in my ever-so-humble
opinion, of course).

Click to expand...

This is the highlight of our trip, plan on taking a side trip over to Napa and see a couple of winerys, I want to see Alcatraz, and Golden Gate Bridge, and all the hilss and beautifull homes. We spend on planning 3 nights here.

Thanks for the suggestions.

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

WoodWorks said:

Diane , I'm assuming you meant Highway 1, not 101, since 101 doesn't
go through Cambria or Monterey. But I rode my motorcycle down 1 just
last weekend, and you can't beat the scenery.

Click to expand...

I want the highway that hugs the coast, which one is that? very confusing!

WoodWorks said:

If you're stopping in Cambria, I'm assuming you'll be visiting Hearst
Castle in nearby San Simeon (highly recommended!). And the road
between Cambria and Paso Robles (46) is a wildflower fiesta right
now. But between Cambria and Monterey there's pretty much nothing but
stunning vistas of the Pacific on your left, and the Ventana
wilderness on your right. Leave yourself a full day, because you'll
be stopping to take a lot of pictures. But here's the thing: that
part of the coast is well known for its thick fog, so you may also be
totally socked in.

Click to expand...

I have been researching the weather, hopefully we won't get fogged in. Thanks for the tips.

WoodWorks said:

There's lots to see and do once you get to Monterey. Don't miss the
Aquarium. Cannery Row is kitchy, but worth visiting. Same for the
wharf. The bay is a great place to sea kayak, rentals are available.
I once had a grey whale pass right under me while kayaking there!
They're docile, but I almost had to rinse out my wetsuit afterwards.
:-O

Click to expand...

LOL on your whale story! I would have had a heart attack hehehe. I am not much for water sports, definately prefer being on the land.

WoodWorks said:

ssi
The Big Sur coastline is one of the most beautiful places on this
planet. You can't go wrong!

Click to expand...

We definately want to take our time in Big Sur for sure..... !

Thanks for the tips.

WoodWorks said:

David

Click to expand...

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

DonChaos said:

go from LA fast to MorroBay stay there one night,

Click to expand...

Great suggestion, I want out of LA asap, my husband is more inclined to spend the first night there and get an early start the next morning. The 6 hour plane ride really tires you out and then there is the time change to contend with.

DonChaos said:

next day use the 1 north, stop at the Elephant Seals close to the
exit to Hearst Castle,

Click to expand...

I only just learned about the elephant seals, hopefully some will be hanging around the shore in July.

stay on 1 north and enjoy the great coastline.

Plan on renting a convertable for the ride, hopefully the weather will cooperate.

DonChaos said:

Short before Carmel take a break at Garrapata State Park Big Sur,
visit Point Lobos State Reserve, the 17 Miles Drive in Carmel, stay
over night in
Monterey, see the aquarium as early as possible,

Click to expand...

All on our itinerary!

DonChaos said:

From SF you can go north to Jenner, Russian Fort or east to Yosemite
or Kings Canyon & Sequoia Natl. Park.

Click to expand...

Great Ideas, hopefully time will permit, I definately want to take a side trip to Napa and see a few vinyards.

DonChaos said:

Have a lot of fun.
Greetings from Germany
Jo

Click to expand...

Thank you for the great suggestions.

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

mamallama said:

Bring some warm clothes for your time in San Francisco. July is about
the coldest month in SF as this quote attributed to Mark Twain notes:
"The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San
Francisco."

Click to expand...

I was surprised to hear that it can be chilly in San Franciisco, thanks for the suggestion, will have to plan on bringing some warmer clothes.

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

Regarding fog.low clouds---Pretty much count on it... Dress warm/wind breakers. If you get a few sunny days or local sun--enjoy.

Best time is fall and spring when the central valley cools down.

Also, if either of you get sea/car sick--bring some sea sickness pills (take 1/2 a pill the night before or or plan on driving pretty slow). Lots of turn on Highway 1 and, especially passengers, can get car sick very easily (if they are not used to winding roads).

Also, some of the roads have pretty steep drops to the ocean (in some areas, perhaps no guard rails). Can also make passengers nervous (especially the roads north of San Francisco--if go up to Muir Woods and places north).

-Bill (not Nicola Naj)

Nicola Naj said:

Regarding fog.low clouds---Pretty much count on it... Dress warm/wind
breakers. If you get a few sunny days or local sun--enjoy.

Click to expand...

Thats a little bit of a bummer, I would hate to have a week of fog and clouds. Many of my friends are steering me towards southern California, San Diego, Sonoma Valley. We really have our hearts set on heading north.

Nicola Naj said:

Best time is fall and spring when the central valley cools down.

Click to expand...

I wish I could go in the Spring, but unfortunately my husband is self-employed and his annual shut down is the second week in July.

Nicola Naj said:

Also, if either of you get sea/car sick--bring some sea sickness
pills (take 1/2 a pill the night before or or plan on driving pretty
slow). Lots of turn on Highway 1 and, especially passengers, can get
car sick very easily (if they are not used to winding roads).

Click to expand...

We both have strong stomachs, no issues with motion sickness. Originally we were debating starting the trip in San Francisco and heading south, after reasearching route 1, decided to do the oppositie, I want to be on the inside lane of the road.

Nicola Naj said:

Also, some of the roads have pretty steep drops to the ocean (in some
areas, perhaps no guard rails). Can also make passengers nervous
(especially the roads north of San Francisco--if go up to Muir Woods
and places north).

-Bill (not Nicola Naj)

Click to expand...

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

Dianne W said:

Great Ideas, hopefully time will permit, I definately want to take a
side trip to Napa and see a few vinyards.

Click to expand...

Sonoma Valley (which is near Napa, not in S. California) is a bit less popular but every bit as beautiful -- you might want to consider that instead. It's worth it to research ahead of time and plan which wineries you want to visit, as there are so many, it's a drive to get from one to the other, and stopping at just 5 or 6 can easily take a whole day (if you dawdle, which you should!). We ended up only going to the champagne vinyards -- yum!

North of SF is Muir Woods National Park, a beautiful old redwood forest, which is worth going to if only for the drive up -- the road winds through hills with spectacular views of the ocean. Stop at Stinson Beach on the way back for some great clam chowder.

------
Regards,
mimritty

Dianne W said:

I wish I could go in the Spring, but unfortunately my husband is
self-employed and his annual shut down is the second week in July.

Click to expand...

Well then, in July you're just about 100% certain to be in fogged in along the coast. When the inland air in the central CA area heats up, it rises, and that draws cool moist marine air inland, and that means fog. Just a couple of miles inland it almost always clears up by the afternoon. But right on the coast? In July? Fog, fog, fog, fog, and more fog.

But Napa and Sonoma should be fog free, and even parts of S.F. (e.g. the Mission district) can be sunny when the rest of the city is foggy. But I'm afraid Mark Twain nailed it about the summer weather in S.F.

Sorry Dianne. Can you come out in October? That's the best time for weather along the central CA coast.

David

mimritty said:

Sonoma Valley (which is near Napa, not in S. California) is a bit
less popular but every bit as beautiful -- you might want to consider
that instead. It's worth it to research ahead of time and plan which
wineries you want to visit, as there are so many, it's a drive to get
from one to the other, and stopping at just 5 or 6 can easily take a
whole day (if you dawdle, which you should!). We ended up only going
to the champagne vinyards -- yum!

Click to expand...

I wil have to research Sonoma Valley, I thought it was closer to SanDiego. I have to say when it comes to buying a nice Cabernet, I am very partial to Sonoma Valley wines over Napa Valley. Thanks for the info.

mimritty said:

North of SF is Muir Woods National Park, a beautiful old redwood
forest, which is worth going to if only for the drive up -- the road
winds through hills with spectacular views of the ocean. Stop at
Stinson Beach on the way back for some great clam chowder.

------
Regards,
mimritty

Click to expand...

--
Dianne

http://tewmom.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tewmom

Dianne W said:

Thats a little bit of a bummer, I would hate to have a week of fog
and clouds. Many of my friends are steering me towards southern
California, San Diego, Sonoma Valley. We really have our hearts set
on heading north.

Click to expand...

I'm afraid we're beginning to overstated the foggy, windy July weather in Northern California. Actually it's only that way in the City of San Francisco that is unprotected by coastal hills from the ocean. Elsewhere it is quite nice and can be very warm just a few miles from the City. Just going across the Bay Bridge to Oakland/Berkeley can be a big difference, weather-wise. Of course, going to Napa or Sonoma Valleys can be very pleasant, even scorching hot in July.

I remember a family 4th of July picnic in Napa where we were roasting and anxious to get into the water to cool off. As we drove back to SF for dinner it was still hot until we got to the Golden Gate Bridge. On reaching the bridge, it suddenly became so foggy you couldn't see the tops of the towers and we froze in our shorts and T-shirts.

OTOH, you can even luck out with good sunny warm July days in the City itself. Just be prepared for cold.

--mamallama

I've done it a few times...great trip! I'm surprised Solvang hasn't been mentioned (at least based on my quick read of the posts). Morro Bay is a great suggestion for night 1 and there is a great seafood restaurant right on the bay (I forget the name, it's been years). Solvang is a quaint (but touristy) Dutch town on the way up the coast. Check it out on Google Maps and see how that might fit in...worth seeing and plenty of great photo ops.

Zaca Mesa Winery is somewhere along that trip and I'd definitely mix that in...enjoyed visiting that winery a few times.

You could go up PCH to Monterey Bay and if you have to head back south the 5 freeway is much quicker...

Enjoy it, it really is a nice trip!

The coast has many micro climates... I grew up in one just south of San Francisco--Just a mile deep valley next to the ocean. 4 days of fog/low clouds, 2 days of sun--I could set my watch by that pattern and even would plan my flying days with a light plane I used to own in Half Moon Bay... Had a friend in SF (North/Central SF) and they would never see the sun for the entire summer.

Get a couple miles inland, behind an 800 foot hill, and you would have beautiful, warm weather pretty much the whole summer.

Sonoma, Napa Valley, etc., are all inland from the coast and you will have sunny warm days--especially after 10am or 12 noon...

But if you are right on the coast--(like Highway 1)--pretty much Summer=Fog or 4 days of fog and 2 days of sun.

-Bill

The Big Sur coast has many lovely little parks that are maintained by the state. Julia Pfiffer Burn State Park has some great beaches with waterfalls. Although I am not sure if they will be running in July.

Be sure to get gas before heading north of Morro Bay. There are only one or two gas stations and they take advantage of the situation. I heard one is in the $6.00/gal range. Also, Highway 1 is a windy section of road, and during the summer there are plenty of tourists. Don't plan on making more than 50 mph and watch out for people pulling out. It is often a very long drop to ocean with minimal guard rails.

Along that stretch of road you may want to have lunch at Nepenthe. It is a between Carmel and Julia Pfiffer SP. The views from the deck is amazing. The food is kind of price, but the portions are good sized and the view!!!!

Monterey and Carmel are great in the summer. Like the rest of the coast they can be pretty cold, windy, and foggy. But if you get cold just drive a few miles inland. The temperature can change 40-50 degrees in 10-15 miles.

If you are looking for places to stay in the Monterey Carmel area consider one of the bed and break places in Pacific Grove or Monterey. They can be a bit pricey but off spectacular views. A little cheaper are the hotels near the Asilomar Conference Center. You can also stay at the conference center and tour it's grounds. They have nice views of Pebble Beach.

Heading North from Monterey you run into Santa Cruz. This is a funky old seaside town with an old time amusement park on the beach. It still has a lot of left over hippy types (but not as many as Big Sur).

From Santa Cruz north you will not see as many people. There are several nice state parks. We go to these to hang out and take surf/beach pictures.

Once you get to near Half Moon Bay you may see some people surfing. Mavericks, the world's top big wave each is here. But, most of the really big waves are in the winter. Still people surf there just to say they surfed there.

From Half Moon Bay it is a short hop to San Francisco. Since I live in the area, I hardly every go to there. But, I here there are a lot of things to do!

Heading North from San Francisco you can cross the Golden Gate. The view from the Marin side of is pretty nice. For classic photos of the city head West into Fort Chronkite. This is am old missile base from the cold war days. On the road just to the west of the Golden Gate you can get the classic picture with the Golden Gate in the foreground and San Francisco showing through the cable of the bridge.

Going further north you can visit Mount Tam and Muir Woods, or pop over the coast and visit Tomales Bay. If you like Oysters you can eat them right off the BBQ at the Oyster company.

The weather should be good the whole time. We can put down a convertible top in April and not have to raise it for rain until October or November. Just remember to dress in layers since the temps really heat up a few miles inland.

Have a great trip,

Jerry

--
jerryk.smugmug.com