California road trip

Old Aug 16th, 2017, 04:27 PM
  #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
Bernice_Dunn is offline  
Old Aug 16th, 2017, 04:36 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Starting where, ending where? What month?
MmePerdu is online now  
Old Aug 16th, 2017, 04:38 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Also, what sort of places do you enjoy staying and how much do you want to spend per night?
MmePerdu is online now  
Old Aug 16th, 2017, 05:41 PM
  #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
Bernice_Dunn is offline  
Old Aug 16th, 2017, 06:07 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
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?
MmePerdu is online now  
Old Aug 16th, 2017, 08:03 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stuff in the San Francisco area:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley
StuDudley is online now  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 07:43 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Read this and plan accordingly:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/lo...167544432.html
Michael is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 07:46 AM
  #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.
AustinTraveler is online now  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 07:55 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
"...you can only travel 25 miles north of Carmel on Hwy 1..."

South?
MmePerdu is online now  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 09:18 AM
  #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.
AustinTraveler is online now  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:00 AM
  #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.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:31 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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".
mlgb is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:33 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For beaches, I like Shell Beach to Grover Beach, whatever fits your style..cliff top or walking to the sand, there are lots of options.
mlgb is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:39 AM
  #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.
Michael is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 02:40 PM
  #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.
AustinTraveler is online now  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 03:33 PM
  #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.
DebbieDoesDulles is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2017, 04:43 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,630
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
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.
janisj is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
malinisantra
Road Trips
11
Apr 23rd, 2018 09:08 AM
KarenInFla
United States
7
Jul 26th, 2016 03:08 PM
SarahGrosch
United States
2
Oct 4th, 2014 06:28 PM
mpkp
United States
6
Mar 29th, 2009 11:47 AM
joangk
United States
6
May 17th, 2008 09:08 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -