California road trip
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
California road trip
I am retiring and we are planning on taking a two week to three week trip down California's coast any suggestions for places we should stop along the way for sure itineraries are welcome and places to stay are also welcome
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are starting in Portland & ending at SanDiego
In late September & early October
We love to stay on or near the beaches. San Fran
Mostly down the coastline....$250 per nite or less
Tho may splurge a little... hotels vs airbnb vs
B&bs... as u can c we are Very flexible... would like to keep
Things open so we can stay some
Where we like a lot
In late September & early October
We love to stay on or near the beaches. San Fran
Mostly down the coastline....$250 per nite or less
Tho may splurge a little... hotels vs airbnb vs
B&bs... as u can c we are Very flexible... would like to keep
Things open so we can stay some
Where we like a lot
#5
By flexible, you mean any of those types of accommodations are possibilities?
Do you picture yourself moving often or would you prefer to stay several nights in a location with longer drives between? Depending on how much of the drive you decide to spend along the coast, you'll have about 1500 miles of driving. My preference would be longer stays with longer scenic drives between locations. What do you think?
And regarding stops, what type of activities have you thought about incorporating?
Do you picture yourself moving often or would you prefer to stay several nights in a location with longer drives between? Depending on how much of the drive you decide to spend along the coast, you'll have about 1500 miles of driving. My preference would be longer stays with longer scenic drives between locations. What do you think?
And regarding stops, what type of activities have you thought about incorporating?
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Keep in mind that you can only travel 25 miles north of Carmel on Hwy 1 before having to detour back. There is a bridge being rebuilt, and further south there is a huge mudslide. You will then have to take Hwy 101 until you get to Hwy 46 West in Paso Robles. There you can get back to Hwy 1 along the coast.
I would not miss Point Lobos or the 25 mile trek into Big Sur. After that I would visit Cambria (Hearst Castle if you want) and Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Cayucos is a cute little beach town and Morro Bay is nice as well. Montana de Oro is a great state park right on the coast.
If you like wine, Paso Robles is the place for you. Hundreds of wineries to visit.
I would not miss Point Lobos or the 25 mile trek into Big Sur. After that I would visit Cambria (Hearst Castle if you want) and Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Cayucos is a cute little beach town and Morro Bay is nice as well. Montana de Oro is a great state park right on the coast.
If you like wine, Paso Robles is the place for you. Hundreds of wineries to visit.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Correct, south, sorry about that. The new bridge is expected to be completed in late September. If that happens, you will be able to go further, but the mudslide means you still have to back track.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Listen to AustinT, even if they replace the bridge in mid September there is still the Mud Creek slide, which will not be cleared until maybe next summer.
Also check the legality of short term rentals like AirBnB since a number of California cities have outlawed them such as Monterey and Carmel, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Laguna Beach and others. Some are legal if the owner is also living on the premises.
Also check the legality of short term rentals like AirBnB since a number of California cities have outlawed them such as Monterey and Carmel, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Laguna Beach and others. Some are legal if the owner is also living on the premises.
#12
AFter you go inland to get around the slide (I like Carmel Valley Road to 101) then you can stay between Paso Robles and Atascadero , return to Cambria on 46 and visit sites along the south part of the coast. Cayucos is kind of "cute".
#14
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If that happens, you will be able to go further, but the mudslide means you still have to back track.
Not necessarily. You could then take the Fergusson-Nacimiento Rd. from south of Lucia to Fort Hunter Liggett.
Not necessarily. You could then take the Fergusson-Nacimiento Rd. from south of Lucia to Fort Hunter Liggett.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Really not a good idea to be recommending FN Road to non-locals. The road is heavily traveled now with construction equipment for the slide. It is a narrow, steep road with lots of drop offs. Tourists really don't need to be going there.
#16
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wonderful time of year to travel down the coast, what a great way to say hello to retirement.
Mendocino/Ft Bragg/Jenner
Ocean View Lodge or Wharf Master's Inn
Marin Lodge north of San Francisco
Beach House Half Moon Bay just south of SF
Hofsas House Carmel or Sunset Inn Pacific Grove or Casa Munras in Monterey
Little Sur Inn Cambria
Pacific Shores Inn Morro Bay
Avila Village Inn or Shore Cliff Shell Beach
Santa Ynez Inn or Hotel Corque (Wine Country)
Lavender Inn, Eagle Inn or Harbor View Inn Santa Barbara
Channel Road Inn Santa Monica
Blue Lantern Inn Dana Point, or Laguna Beach House
Cherokee Lodge or the 1906 Lodge San Diego/Coronado
Most of these are $200 or less on weeknights but may bust the budget on Fri or Sat nights. Also on weeknights along much of your route you can find lodging last-minute unless you are picky about where you want to stay...in that case you'll want to reserve ahead but will be locked into 24 and 48 hour cancellation policies. When perusing airbnb options, pay attention to the cancellation penalties.
Mendocino/Ft Bragg/Jenner
Ocean View Lodge or Wharf Master's Inn
Marin Lodge north of San Francisco
Beach House Half Moon Bay just south of SF
Hofsas House Carmel or Sunset Inn Pacific Grove or Casa Munras in Monterey
Little Sur Inn Cambria
Pacific Shores Inn Morro Bay
Avila Village Inn or Shore Cliff Shell Beach
Santa Ynez Inn or Hotel Corque (Wine Country)
Lavender Inn, Eagle Inn or Harbor View Inn Santa Barbara
Channel Road Inn Santa Monica
Blue Lantern Inn Dana Point, or Laguna Beach House
Cherokee Lodge or the 1906 Lodge San Diego/Coronado
Most of these are $200 or less on weeknights but may bust the budget on Fri or Sat nights. Also on weeknights along much of your route you can find lodging last-minute unless you are picky about where you want to stay...in that case you'll want to reserve ahead but will be locked into 24 and 48 hour cancellation policies. When perusing airbnb options, pay attention to the cancellation penalties.
#17
Time of year is fine . . . Length of time isn't. If you max out to three weeks it would be OK. But two weeks is not nearly enough for Portland to SD unless you just want a road trip and no 2 or 3 nights stays.