Carin50

Hi all from London,
We fly to San Francisco on 29th Oct for 2 nights we have booked 1 night in Carmel.
And 4 nights in LV on Monday 3rd Nov our 8th trip to LV any suggestions on places to visit on route,Hubby is driving and I am disabled looking for views and small towns or arty places not so touristy also have friends in Lancaster may meet that way with them.

Michael

CA1 down the coast to Morro Bay and then east to Bakersfield and on to Lancaster seems to be an obvious choice. Check to see if Hearst Castle has disabled access and I think that the elephant seal site just north of Hearst Castle has limited mobility access.

janisj

The coast to Las Vegas is one hellacious drive without one thing to see after leaving the coast. This is not a terrific plan.

Please clarify -- you are staying the night of 31 October in Carmel and aren't booked into Vegas til 3 October - leaving 2 nights free - right?

If so -- stay an additional night in Carmel and one night in Morro Bay or thereabouts.

Then hit the road and just get to Vegas - a loooong drive bit absolutely no reason to stop over night anywhere enroute.

Morro Bay to Vegas will take about 7 hours plus rest stops/meals but it is across some REALLY boring countryside so just get from point A to point B.

MichelleY

I agree with the previous posters. Try to spend a few more nights on the coast before heading east to Lancaster & LV.

janisj

Morro Bay to Lancaster takes about 3.5 hours -- so a perfect place for a lunch break/get together - a couple of hours and on the road again. Lancaster > Vegas will take about 4 hours.

happytrailstoyou

The drive down Highway 1 is very scenic all the way to Santa Monica. Pismo Beach is our favorite place to spend a night on this drive because that town has many rooms with great ocean views at reasonable prices. We eat at the very good Thai restaurant in Pismo Beach, but there are many other options.

True, the drive from the coast to Las Vegas is not scenic. A few years ago I was advised at this forum to step on the gas and just keep going rather than spend a night in a place such as Bakersfield or Barstow. However, these days even towns such as these have good places to spend a night. We stayed at the Comfort Suites located a few miles west of Barstow's not-very-inspiring down town. There is also a Hampton Inn and a Holiday Inn Express near Comfort Suites.

Restaurant options are limited in Barstow. We ate at Chili's, and there is also a Chipolte Mexican Grill nearby.

It is very "American" to spend a night at a motel near the highway and to have dinner at a chain restaurant. By spending a night in Barstow you will have time to visit places such as Solvang, Santa Barbara, and Ojai on your way and to arrive in Las Vegas early the next day.

HTtY

Carin50

Hi thank you for your views will look into the the coastal routes

Carin50

Also we only want 1 night in Carmel and to see more en route,and yes to 'clarify' we are in Sf 2 NIGHTS Carmel 1 night all booked,as I have said we want ideas on the other 2 nights in between.

MichelleY

Cambria or Morro Bay to be handy to Hearst Castle. There is also a beach nearby with Elephant seals. Then head east on Hwy 46 thru Bakersfield and Tehachapi to Lancaster. Not sure if you have enough time to go all the way to LA on the coast.

janisj

One night in Carmel . . . but you want two nights between the Coast an Vegas . . . may we ask why? One night will give you less than a full day there. There is a lot to see/do around Monterey/Carmel and nothing to see/do between the coast and Vegas except your friends in Lancaster.

happytrailstoyou

There is a lot to see/do around Monterey/Carmel and nothing to see/do between the coast and Vegas except your friends in Lancaster.

I treasure my friends, and now I see my suggestion is better than I first supposed. Spend the night in Pismo Beach in a nice room with ocean view, drive to Lancaster for lunch with your friends, spend the night in Barstow, and arrive in Las Vegas early the next day.

HTtY

PS You may need more than one night in Carmel if you find cute little shops irresistible.

janisj

>>PS You may need more than one night in Carmel if you find cute little shops irresistible.before setting foot in a shop.

MichelleY

I agree with Janis. Two nights in Carmel. Lots to see and do.

clarkgriswold

How many times does the OP have to say that they're only spending one night in Carmel?

Carin50

Thank you Clarkgriswold,
We have booked 1 night,as I am reliant on sticks and unable to walk around shops and tourist attractions,I like to soak up the atmosphere as unable to walk freely.1 night is what we have decided on.
We are all sorted out now thanks evryone

happytrailstoyou

I am reliant on sticks and unable to walk around shops

Carmel's main shopping street (Ocean Avenue) has a 6.5% grade. It had some of us huffing and puffing.

HTtY