AUGUST---7 day San Fran to San Diego
Jul 27th, 2016, 07:23 AM
#1
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AUGUST---7 day San Fran to San Diego
A newbie here....First, thank you Stu and forum members for helping (and for trying to understand) the help I need to make a trip (originally planned 3 years ago, derailed by cancer) happen for my daughter. I know I will most likely do a disservice to the views/sites and community of CA which this short and packed trip- but for health...this is what's to be. Your help and suggestions would be most appreciated. Please no haters, I know it is not the best, but I am trying to...
Sun: Arriving 10am in SF- wish to take her Alcatraz, See Lombard St, 7 painted ladies, Pier 39 n GGB...then drive to stay somewhere overnight before
Mon: drive mostly PCH1/scenic? To destination LA the next afternoon/early evening. See a few sites
Tues: drive or take tour around LA to her bucket list of visuals
Wed: LA- Santa Monica beach in day, maybe universal later
Thurs: Anaheim
Fri: San Diego
Sat: San Diego. Departure at 9:40pm
Terrified and determined - on a budget of 3 stars or better needed for her. Thanks for sharing and caring info.
Sun: Arriving 10am in SF- wish to take her Alcatraz, See Lombard St, 7 painted ladies, Pier 39 n GGB...then drive to stay somewhere overnight before
Mon: drive mostly PCH1/scenic? To destination LA the next afternoon/early evening. See a few sites
Tues: drive or take tour around LA to her bucket list of visuals
Wed: LA- Santa Monica beach in day, maybe universal later
Thurs: Anaheim
Fri: San Diego
Sat: San Diego. Departure at 9:40pm
Terrified and determined - on a budget of 3 stars or better needed for her. Thanks for sharing and caring info.
Jul 27th, 2016, 08:00 AM
#2
No hating -- and I'm sorry about the health challenges . . . But unfortunately your Sunday/Monday is basically impossible. 
W/ a 10 AM arrival you won't be to your hotel until after 11 AM -- have you already booked Alcatraz? It usually sells out pretty far ahead. If you do visit Alcatraz and see those other sites - it will be evening before you could start driving south.
Then in one day you want to drive mostly along the coast all the way to LA. This would be an awful, looooong trek for a hale/hearty person and w/ health issues, possible need to stop more often, it would be ghastly
As hard as it is -- you need to cut SF and fly into LA instead, or add 2 or 3 days to the trip, or cut some of Southern CA
W/ a 10 AM arrival you won't be to your hotel until after 11 AM -- have you already booked Alcatraz? It usually sells out pretty far ahead. If you do visit Alcatraz and see those other sites - it will be evening before you could start driving south.
Then in one day you want to drive mostly along the coast all the way to LA. This would be an awful, looooong trek for a hale/hearty person and w/ health issues, possible need to stop more often, it would be ghastly
As hard as it is -- you need to cut SF and fly into LA instead, or add 2 or 3 days to the trip, or cut some of Southern CA
Jul 27th, 2016, 09:26 AM
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There's a huge wildlife in the northern section of Big Sur right now and you may need to bypass this section depending on when in August your trip is. It's currently at 23k+ acres and containment is not expected until August 31st.
Jul 27th, 2016, 11:14 AM
#4
Yes -- the Soberanes Fire and its aftermath may seriously impact your plans.
Meant to post earlier that your plans after you get to SoCal are also quite hectic -- LOTS of time on very congested freeways.
I would definitely consider flying from SF to LA . . . But what I'd REALLY do is just do SF and San Diego 3.5 days in SF and 3 days in SD.
Meant to post earlier that your plans after you get to SoCal are also quite hectic -- LOTS of time on very congested freeways.
I would definitely consider flying from SF to LA . . . But what I'd REALLY do is just do SF and San Diego 3.5 days in SF and 3 days in SD.
Jul 27th, 2016, 11:14 AM
#5
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Thank you, our trip is scheduled for Aug 21st, I was concerned about the fires and when it would be safer to drive. Yes she is ok to travel and at 19 it is very much her determined to have a road trip. If I skip Alcatraz and just do a drive thru from San Francisco on route to our overnight stop ---is there any way to drive from SF to either Cambria, Cayucos, etc. stop overnight and start at early morning on PCH 1 towards LA, quick stops for views and a bite to eat?
I have read people moving thru different routes for little faster pace, but I appreciate input from people who have actually done this trip and live in CA. What to do? airfare was already purchase and I have 7 full days to basically show her glimpses of CA and create good memories.
I have read people moving thru different routes for little faster pace, but I appreciate input from people who have actually done this trip and live in CA. What to do? airfare was already purchase and I have 7 full days to basically show her glimpses of CA and create good memories.
Jul 27th, 2016, 11:47 AM
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Yes you could drive from SF to Cambria for an overnight (more choices of lodging and restaurants than Cayucos) or also Pismo Beach. Then drive the next day to LA. Just reserve a motel in advance (no need to prepay) since August is still high season. The good news is you are traveling midweek so unlikely to run into two night minimum stays on weekends on the Calif. coast.
Jul 27th, 2016, 11:57 AM
#7
You know what I might do . . .
Fly into SF and stay Sunday night. (Book Alcatraz ASAP -- it may already be too late). Pick up a car Monday noon-ish (thus about 2 half days in SF) and drive down to Carmel for Monday night. Check into your hotel and head out for a drive down into northern bits of Big Sur if the conditions allow or explore Point Lobos instead. Pt Lobos is exquisite That evening explore Carmel - the shops, restaurants, beach -- just stroll around. Tuesday morning explore Monterey a bit and maybe the Aquarium. Drive up to SFO, in the afternoon (heavy traffic so early evening might be better), drop the car and fly down to LAX. Stay in Manhattan Beach Tues/Wed nights. Drive down to SD for Thurs evening and stay Thurs/Fri nights there.
Fly into SF and stay Sunday night. (Book Alcatraz ASAP -- it may already be too late). Pick up a car Monday noon-ish (thus about 2 half days in SF) and drive down to Carmel for Monday night. Check into your hotel and head out for a drive down into northern bits of Big Sur if the conditions allow or explore Point Lobos instead. Pt Lobos is exquisite That evening explore Carmel - the shops, restaurants, beach -- just stroll around. Tuesday morning explore Monterey a bit and maybe the Aquarium. Drive up to SFO, in the afternoon (heavy traffic so early evening might be better), drop the car and fly down to LAX. Stay in Manhattan Beach Tues/Wed nights. Drive down to SD for Thurs evening and stay Thurs/Fri nights there.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:01 PM
#8
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Thank you so much for guiding me thru a journey.
What time is the latest I could leave SF to travel to Cambria/ Pismo Beach. (Will definitely reserve accomodations) I would like to try some of the things in SF, even if it equivalent to a NY drive by. Any recommendations in the Cambria stay? Then the next day to take PCH 1 to LA would be doable?
Also, any input on if I should stay in LA. I know this sounds crazy- was thinking of one night in the heart of LA and then 2 nights towards Santa Monica (or any beach) and driving back to tour "her checklist." I am a sand and surf girl.
Thanks for helping me. I am so grateful for responses.
What time is the latest I could leave SF to travel to Cambria/ Pismo Beach. (Will definitely reserve accomodations) I would like to try some of the things in SF, even if it equivalent to a NY drive by. Any recommendations in the Cambria stay? Then the next day to take PCH 1 to LA would be doable?
Also, any input on if I should stay in LA. I know this sounds crazy- was thinking of one night in the heart of LA and then 2 nights towards Santa Monica (or any beach) and driving back to tour "her checklist." I am a sand and surf girl.
Thanks for helping me. I am so grateful for responses.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:10 PM
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Thanks Janisj, (I am hearing her song, Me and Bobby.., in my head as I type)
I was wondering of that as well from your previous response... plane or train. and did not know how to see part of the coast and do it. Your input gave me a good revision to the trip. I will look into the possibility of that as well.
I was wondering of that as well from your previous response... plane or train. and did not know how to see part of the coast and do it. Your input gave me a good revision to the trip. I will look into the possibility of that as well.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:27 PM
#11
These might give you an idea of Pt Lobos -- probably the most gorgeous single bit along the coast. And it is just outside of Carmel.
http://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...-kNfg/348s.jpg
http://saveourshores.org/wp-content/...is-Lincoln.jpg
That should give her a 'coast fix'.
And Carmel beach:
https://amodernwayfarer.files.wordpr...8cd4d81bf1.jpg
http://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...-kNfg/348s.jpg
http://saveourshores.org/wp-content/...is-Lincoln.jpg
That should give her a 'coast fix'.
And Carmel beach:
https://amodernwayfarer.files.wordpr...8cd4d81bf1.jpg
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:32 PM
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Thanks JanisJ,
Do you think I be able to drive towards Nepenthe on PCH 1 and take her for lunch at the restaurant -choose a flight from Monterey (if I can drop off car there) to LAX? instead of driving back to SF, or not much of a difference.
Do you think I be able to drive towards Nepenthe on PCH 1 and take her for lunch at the restaurant -choose a flight from Monterey (if I can drop off car there) to LAX? instead of driving back to SF, or not much of a difference.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:38 PM
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It will all depend on fire containment at that time. Hopefully it won't be an issue in late August but right now all state parks from Point Lobos to Julia Pfeiffer Burns are closed. This is the most dramatic stretch of Hwy 1 (it's not referred to as PCH outside of southern California).
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:41 PM
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Any personal suggestions where to stay in SF, Carmel and Manhattan Beach? Have AAA, (Marriott Rewards, Hilton, SPG and Loews IDs)... looking for 3star+ or a beautiful BB. Will be doing alot of driving around in LA, that's for sure, I thought I needed to stay in Santa Monica. Thanks for another good location that would work for her list.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:44 PM
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Thank you Patty. This was the reason I wanted to venture further down. The double edge sword of that incredible stretch of beautiful land... I pray that these fires are diminished quickly and permanently for safety of the all residents and firefighters.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:44 PM
#16
Yes -- flying form Monterey would fix almost every thing
Nepenthe is about an hour south of Carmel. What you could try is drive from SF straight through to Nepenthe on Monday - book a late afternoon seating. (about a 3 hour drive in the middle of the day avoiding the commute traffic). Then back up to Carmel to stay the night. Walk around Carmel Tuesday AM, visit Pt Lobos noon-ish, then either the aquarium and an early evening flight to LA - or - an afternoon flight and skip the aquarium.
Nepenthe is about an hour south of Carmel. What you could try is drive from SF straight through to Nepenthe on Monday - book a late afternoon seating. (about a 3 hour drive in the middle of the day avoiding the commute traffic). Then back up to Carmel to stay the night. Walk around Carmel Tuesday AM, visit Pt Lobos noon-ish, then either the aquarium and an early evening flight to LA - or - an afternoon flight and skip the aquarium.
Jul 27th, 2016, 12:50 PM
#17
We were all posting at the same time >>This was the reason I wanted to venture further downany time anywhere in CA -- this is the Fire Season) ). But driving farther south isn't really a solution.
Jul 27th, 2016, 01:55 PM
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Thanks Janisj and Patty so much -I am grateful for all the help and itineraries offered - they will be what I will do during those 7 days. Feel better already. By driving a bit into Big Sur area (if not closed) will give her a glimpse at the coastal drive beauty and flying will keep us on a safe and reasonable trip.
As for hotels -area safety, cleaniness and trying to be at a good location is primary, the look inside the hotelis a secondary-for Liana - as we will be only sleeping in it! I would like to stick in the $180 - $300 night range. Cheaper is not always better, but helps afford the other expenses. The Loews offered me one night in Hollywood for $315. i have no clue on the location nor the atmosphere of CA hotels.
As for hotels -area safety, cleaniness and trying to be at a good location is primary, the look inside the hotelis a secondary-for Liana - as we will be only sleeping in it! I would like to stick in the $180 - $300 night range. Cheaper is not always better, but helps afford the other expenses. The Loews offered me one night in Hollywood for $315. i have no clue on the location nor the atmosphere of CA hotels.
Jul 27th, 2016, 02:20 PM
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Assuming this is midweek, there would be many options in Carmel in that price range (it's a good thing you're not traveling one week earlier during car week). If you stay in downtown Carmel, you can walk to shops, restaurants and the beach. The area is very safe. Look at Cypress Inn, Happy Landing Inn, Coachman's Inn, The Hideaway and Pine Inn and see if you like any of those. There aren't really any chains in Carmel unless you consider the Best Western.
